Stress Test

For the one in six Canadian couples who experience infertility, the path to having a baby can be difficult emotionally, physically and financially. Same sex couples and people trying to get pregnant without a partner are on the same road. And for all these aspiring parents, fertility treatments aren’t cheap. In this episode, Roma speaks to Dr. Tamara Abraham, a reproductive endocrinologist and inf...

Tax season can be, well, taxing. Whether you’re a gig worker trying to keep track of receipts or a remote employee struggling to figure out how much home office space to claim, filing a return can be daunting. We know most of you don’t have an accountant on your favourite contacts list, so we’re dedicating this episode to all things taxes. Rob speaks to expert Jamie Golombek to demystify some tax...

In 2022, the number of people moving to Alberta hit its highest level in almost a decade. At the same time, a record number of people left Toronto for other provinces. And it all comes down to affordability. In this episode, we’ll delve into the factors contributing to the rise in interprovincial migration and hear from Canadians who made the move - and how it’s worked out for them. Hosted by Simp...

The economy is looking shaky and everyone’s trying to save money, whether it's on rent, groceries or just living life. The good news? The Globe’s personal finance podcast for Gen Z and millennials is back for another season. Join hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw as they make sense of a changing financial reality - and help you achieve your goals. Up this season: how thousands of Canadians are leav...

When we first launched Stress Test, the homeownership story was one of low interest rates, climbing prices and bidding wars. But the real estate market has changed drastically this year - now it’s a story of rising interest rates, falling prices and fewer listings. So what does it mean for new and potential homeowners? In the last episode of the season, we’re checking in with recent buyers to see...

Canadians are waiting longer to have kids. If they do, they’re having fewer. And people say money is one of the big reasons why they’re going childfree. In this episode, we’re looking at the most personal of personal finance topics: the cost of deciding whether to have children, when and how many. We hear from a 27-year-old woman from Mississauga, Ont., who is pushing back plans to have kids until...

Chances are your salary isn’t rising as fast as inflation. But before you march into your boss’s office to demand a raise, remember there’s a recession looming. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask - but your pitch needs to be researched and realistic. In this episode, Rob speaks to compensation expert  Manny Campione about what’s going on in the job market and how to effectively negotiate your sal...

For those struggling to get a foothold in Canada’s expensive real estate market, home improvements aren’t a luxury - they’re a necessary evil to secure housing that fits their needs. But is doing the work a more affordable option than buying the perfect place? In this episode, we’re looking at how renovations can get you the home you want but otherwise can’t afford. We hear from two 35-year-old gu...

Disclaimer from Aligned Capital Partners Inc.: This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Aravind Sithamparapillai and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fu...

Pandemic lockdowns made it harder for people to make new romantic connections. Now, inflation is making it more expensive. This has left people searching for creative ways to meet the love of their life - while spending less. In this episode, Rob and Roma hear from three Canadian daters to learn how they’re coping with higher costs and offer advice for ways to not break the bank while dating. Host...

You’re broke, but you blow $100 on a dinner you can’t afford. Or maybe your colleagues are making more money doing the same job as you, but you don’t ask for a raise. You feel like you’re bad with money and your way of coping is to ignore your finances. These are common behaviours that can lead to something called money shame. In this episode, Roma speaks to Chantel Chapman, a Richmond, B.C.-based...

Rents are soaring across the country, especially in Canada's biggest cities. To secure a place to live, some Canadians are competing in  bidding wars or spending over 50 per cent of their monthly income on rent. Others are settling for short-term leases and long commutes. In this episode, we hear from three renters about what they went through to try and find a place to live and what it cost them....

Just when you thought pandemic-related financial challenges were ending, we have a new plot twist: the threat of a recession. The Globe's personal finance podcast for Gen Z and millennials is back to help make sense of it all. Join hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw this season as they tackle the cash crunch many Canadians are facing when it comes to things like housing and dating, and provide pract...

For our last episode of this season, we’re talking retirement – why it’s changing, and how to plan for it. We hear from Vicky (25), Irina (34) and Brent (36), who each have different visions of retirement and what they’re doing – or not doing – to plan for it right now. Plus, Rob speaks with Shannon Lee Simmons, a Toronto-based certified financial planner whose core clients are millennials and Gen...

Most people buy homes with their partners or by themselves. But others are ditching the traditional paradigm. Today, we’re talking about unconventional homebuyers: family members, friends and others that team up to get into the property market. We hear from two sisters who are trying to buy a house together – and who are struggling to get into the market even after joining forces. Plus, Roma speak...

If you’re a homeowner or want to be one, you probably have questions about mortgages. Like where to get a good deal, what factors to pay attention to and how to choose between fixed and variable rates.  This week, we’ve got answers. Consider this episode your Mortgage 101 course. Mortgage planner and Globe and Mail columnist Robert McLister joins Rob and Roma  to discuss mortgage basics and the ch...

Gen Z and millennials are getting a lot of their money advice from TikTok, where personal finance videos have more than 5.8 billion views. In this episode, we look at why the social media platform is resonating, how to use it effectively and what advice you should be wary of on the app. We hear from a 25-year-old TikTok user from Mississauga, Ont., about how he started getting personal finance adv...

Being concerned about the planet and your finances can go hand in hand. Today, we’re talking about the rise in what’s called ESG (environmental, social and governance) investing and how people can balance their values with their financial goals. We hear from a 30-year-old in Ottawa who’s getting started in ESG investing because she cares about the environment – and she wants to make money. Plus, R...

Many millennials and Gen Z’s have done everything “right” - they’ve graduated, found good jobs, are paying off their debt and saving money. So why is it so hard to live the middle class lifestyle their parents and older peers had at their age? In this episode, we hear from Cody, a 33-year-old living in Hamilton, Ont., who is frustrated at not being able to achieve many of his financial and life go...

If you’re a Canadian driver, soaring gas prices are causing you to dig deeper at the pump these days. But is there any way to lower your vehicle costs? Today, we’re talking about the cost of car ownership and whether electric vehicles have made the move from being a luxury purchase to an affordable one. Rob speaks to Robert Karwel, an automotive industry expert at J.D. Power, for a closer look at...

Your boss wants you back in the office, but after two years of remote work, you’re not sure you want to go. Whether you measure the cost in time or money, going back to work can be pricey. Many Canadians have grown to love their work from home lifestyle, and they’re eager to keep it. In the first episode of our new season, we hear from a 20-something who’s job-hunting because his employer is askin...

So much has changed in the last two years including how we work, where we live and what’s important to us. But your money matters just as much as it did pre-pandemic – maybe even more. The Globe’s personal finance podcast is back this month for its fifth season. Join hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw as they talk with real people and experts to tackle the money questions on your mind. Up this seaso...

Cryptocurrencies are in the spotlight because of their dramatic ups and downs. So what are people who buy cryptocurrency thinking? And is it a smart investment? In our final episode of Season Four, Rob and Roma delve into the trend that is crypto investing. We hear from two investors: a Toronto millennial woman who started investing in crypto as a pandemic hobby, and a cautionary tale about crypto...

Home prices have skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic, threatening to price a generation of young buyers out of the market. It’s gotten so bad that some parents are flat out giving their adult kids the money they need for a down payment. But what is that doing to their own finances? How widespread is this help? In this episode, we hear from parents of Gen Z and millennials about helping the...

A lot of people feel uncomfortable negotiating with their boss for a raise and other perks. But if you don’t ask, you won’t get. And it’s definitely a lot easier to save money if you’re making more of it. We hear from a group of friends (who tell each other everything) as they discuss their recent experiences asking for a raise. Plus, Roma talks to Hadiya Roderique, who taught negotiation at the U...