Not Just Money

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding may have dominated the internet, but Doretta and Li are asking a different question: What does this moment reveal about the way we think about weddings today? In this episode of Not Just Money, the hosts dig into the real story behind modern weddings — the soaring costs, the cultural expectations, the social‑media‑driven pressure to create a “perfect” event,...

Doretta and Li dive into unchartered territories when it comes to travel. It’s not about budgeting or planning for that next great adventure. It’s about the whys of travel – have you ever asked yourself why? And what makes for a life changing experience versus a trip that ends up in disappointment and regret? Our hosts talk a little psychology, a little romance, and some magical realism. This isn’...

It’s here. Prediction markets are coming to an app near you, probably as early as late summer. What is a prediction market and why should you care? For starters, prediction markets are currently the fastest-growing segment of global financial technology, with market volume on pace to exceed hundreds of billions of dollars globally. Second, it can easily derail your financial future. Third, now you...

A few years have gone by, but the professional hit experienced by one of our hosts still lingers. Hear about the experience and the aftermath but more importantly, how that has changed their mindset all these years later. Links: Want the fresh take on this story when it happened? Listen in to the original podcast recording on the Mastering Money podcast! Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/c...

As the FIFA World Cup heats up, Canadians need to pay attention to more than just cheering on their home teams. With big events such as this, scammers and bad actors will be hiding in every corner – from digital spoofs, counterfeit merch, and just straight up physical robbery. This week on Not Just Money, learn about what to watch out for, whether you’re attending the games, watching from the side...

Over the course of human existence, our need to fit in and be accepted became the foundation of our survival. In today’s modern world, we aren’t worried about being exiled from our tribe and flung into the wild to be eaten. Although, some would argue that being an online outcast or social media pariah would be on par. This week on Not Just Money, our hosts explore the current definitions of the pe...

It seems every time we read or watch the news, there is inevitably a story about homeownership. When did Canadians become so house obsessed? Has it always been like this? Our hosts dive into this contentious issue and even dabble into the generational divide – who will win, the boomer or the millennial? And when did renting get such a bad reputation? You have to live somewhere and is owning that m...

We know that our decisions can be driven by our emotions, good and bad. In today’s episode our hosts are going to look at the triad of emotions that can take us to some really dark corners – embarrassment, guilt and the big kahuna, shame. First, defining these separate but related emotions is critical to understand how they impact us and ultimately how they can derail our financial futures. What w...

Becoming an influencer quickly shot up the list of aspirational careers since the dawn of the social media age but have you ever wondered how they actually make money? Why is it important to know? As consumers, you always want to know how someone is being paid. It can lead to murky conflicts of interests or can cloud their objectivity. Join our hosts in part 2 of uncovering social media. They dive...

Honest to truth, that title can go in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways but for this week’s episode, we are talking about the truth is social media “advertising.” Why does it feel like your algorithm knows what you’re thinking before you even thought it or said it out loud? And are there rules to what can be promoted via influencers? Are they “friends” or “businesses”? Doretta gets on her soap...

We often talk a lot about tax leading up to the deadline, but the aftermath is often more important. For those who get a refund and/or can access the various benefits, that extra injection of cash can go a long way in keeping up with expenses or stashing away for a rainy day. What happens when you owe? Not filing or pretending that it didn’t happen won’t make it go away. In fact, as friendly as th...

When we talk about taxes in Canada, it is often about how high they are and how can we minimize the taxes we pay as individuals or corporations but what about the other side? Where does this money go? Who controls it? In today’s episode, our hosts talk about what a progressive tax system means, breaks down where YOUR money/taxes go, and how you can have a say of how it gets spent. As we near April...

What does it mean when rich countries start sliding down the World Happiness Index? This year, Canada drops to 23rd from 18th place. Before that, they comfortably sat at #5.  What happened? Did we collectively get crankier? Have things changed so drastically? Where would you sit on the ladder of happy? Join our co-hosts as they dive into both the complexities and the simplicity of what happiness i...

Doretta and Li go through the mail bag in this episode. From listeners who called them out on some of their stories/comments to those who provided their own helpful savings hacks. Join our hosts as they read the mail and share their answers in real time. Sometimes the questions and their answers surprised even themselves! And don't miss the riveting finale of the push-pop saga.

Almost 60% of Canadians have or will be renewing their mortgages in short order. This week’s episode dives into Li’s own mortgage renewal drama. Mortgages are complicated and go beyond what your rate is. There is often a lot more to consider before getting into one and renewing one. Hear about the horror stories of sharing names and birthdays with other people and their assets to getting approved...

Being a victim of a scam is awful enough. Being a victim of a romance scam is infinitely worse. March is Fraud Awareness Month! Join us this week as we peer behind the curtain to shine a light on who these scammers are versus who they profess to be. We hope these stories and warnings serve as an early detection sign for you or someone you know that may have been targeted. These scams are sophistic...

We all struggle with money so how do we impart the good habits and help our kids steer away from the bad ones? This March break season, take a moment to check in with you child and see how you can incorporate money lessons early on, to help them develop the skills that will make them money-savvy adults. The time to start is now, now, now, now… now. And it is never too late! Whether your child just...

Revenge spending is a term that crops up time and time again in the media - and not as a high-octane movie. What is it? Where did it come from? And what does that behaviour do to our financial wellbeing? Join our hosts this week as we dive into the origins of revenge spending – hint: it didn’t come out of COVID, and what impacts it has on our money mindset. Revenge spending might feel good in the...

Ever wonder where people share their money regrets? Doretta does a deep dive on where to look online to learn about the pitfalls you’ll want to avoid yourself. Who has the biggest money regrets? Is it age related or income related? Our hosts look at the studies and the stories of people’s worst money regrets hoping that if you learn it, you won’t have to live it.

Not every coupling has a fairy tale ending. So, how do you make sure you aren’t part of the statistics that end in splitsville or divorce? Join our hosts as they dive into the building blocks of how to make financial conversations sexy to sharing some of their own OMG moments during their relationship journeys. From advice on dating to meeting the one to the red flags that scream, GET OUT, it’s al...

On our special Valentine’s Day episode, we delve into the question of whether couples are wealthier than their single counterparts? Is companionship the only upside or are there money benefits when it comes to finding “the one?” And what if you choose to be a lifelong single, what money impacts might plague you and what different decisions do you have to make for your long-term financial wellness....

Every so often, one of our hosts will do a mail run, where we answer questions that have been sent in, respond to thoughtful comments and observations, and even share future podcast topics as suggested by our listeners! Join Li as she hosts our first mail run! Links: Opposable thumbs! https://www.ifaw.org/ca-en/journal/animals-opposable-thumbs Survey on Retirement https://halifax.citynews.ca/2026/...

Warning: may elicit existential thoughts on life – from what do I want from life to who am I? A deeply circular conversation at times about the choices we make and what that says about us to ourselves and to others. Our hosts will share their personal stories on seeking more and discuss ways to question our desires so that it leads to defining what is enough for each of us. Only then can we finall...

This week on part 2 of savings hacks, it is all about discretionary spending! From fashion, beauty and self-care, subscriptions, to the things in life that don’t cost money, we cover some well-known to obscure shortcuts to help you save your hard-earned money. Links to Doretta’s deep dives: Counterfeit goods: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/press-releases/2025/05/global-trade-in-fake-goods-reac...

This week, we are covering simple saving hacks that can save you tons of money over the years. Who would have thought that a podcast on money would share tips on cooking and some of our favourite recipes? It happened. Join us as we dive into all the ways you can review your spending with a different lens, and maybe just maybe, help you to squeeze out more from your budget or shine a light on your...