Your Two Cents - The Podcast

Money is one of the biggest stressors in a relationship, so why are we so hesitant to talk about it with future or current crushes?  In this episode of Your Two Cents, hosts Alicia McCarvell and Sylvia Beirnes get into the often-overlooked topic of money in relationships. Allie Beckwith and Justin Mousek get real on everything from budgeting to financial goals. They reveal how they tackle mon...

Let’s normalize talking about money on dates! Whether you’re single, dating, or in a long-term partnership, talking about finances is crucial to long term happiness, yet it’s a topic so many people would rather never, ever bring up.  In this episode of Your Two Cents, Alicia McCarvell and Sylvia Beirnes dig into the often-taboo topic of money in relationships. Join them as t...

The self-care judgment can be oh so real. When budgets get tight, self-care often gets tossed aside. When you have more to spend, you can feel guilty for spending on yourself. Self-care is important no matter what state your bank account is in. So on this episode of Your Two Cents, we’re here to help make and keep it a priority. Join Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes as they chat with a fa...

When money is tight, self-care can feel like a luxury we can’t afford. And if you do have disposable income to spare, there is judgment on self care that can lead to guilt every time we do something in the name of taking care of ourselves. In this episode of Your Two Cents, we’re flipping the script on self-care and showing you how to prioritize your well-being without breaking the ban...

Debt can be intimidating, especially when it feels like it's taking over your life. In this episode of Your Two Cents, Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes are diving into the complex world of debt with Danny from Credit Unions.  They’ll explore the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of borrowing—what you need to know before taking on new debt like a car payment, credit card or mo...

Debt can feel like a looming shadow, especially if you’re drowning in it. In this episode of Your Two Cents, we’re staring it right in the face to make it way less scary.  Join Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes as they sit down with Danny from Credit Unions, who get to the bottom of the bad and good (there are good!) sides of debt. From understanding credit scores to navigating...

It’s part 2 of Small Space, Big Savings. Alicia Simms and her husband Tyson dive deeper into their epic adventure of downsizing from a 2,400 square foot house to a 25-foot Airstream trailer. They get candid about how stepping away from the traditional idea of homeownership has transformed their lives, giving them more joy and way less financial stress. They’ll also dish on the pro&rsqu...

On this episode of Your Two Cents, join Alicia Simms and her husband Tyson as they talk about their journey from living in a 2,400 square foot house to a 25-foot Airstream trailer! With a dog! This adventurous couple is all about living life on their own terms, even if it’s not exactly what they both had in mind. They’re here to spill the tea on their epic decision to live life on the...

It’s Part 2 of Planning for the Unexpected on Your Two Cents! We’re jumping right back into how we can better navigate life’s unpredictable moments. We’ve got Vicki, our go-to career counsellor from Saint Mary’s University, and financial expert Shannon Kennedy from Credit Unions, ready to equip you with more essential strategies that you can put to use right now, or keep in your back pocket for a...

Life can be unpredictable, and it’s not just about the big moments; it’s the little surprises that can throw us off course and cause financial stress.  In Part 1 of this episode of Your Two Cents, we’re diving into how to brace for those unexpected twists and turns. Join us as we chat with Vicki, a savvy career counselor from Saint Mary’s University, and Shannon Kennedy, a financial expert from Cr...

Weddings can break the bank, but it's not just the couple getting married that can face daunting costs. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the hidden expenses like travel, outfits and gifts that guests face when they’re celebrating love.  Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes talk to wedding guest Carla Bezanson, Wedding Planner Felicity D’eon, Bride to Be Samantha Alfred and Bride and Photog...

Weddings can be a major financial strain, and it’s not just the couple that feels it! In this episode, we break down the often-overlooked expenses that guests have to handle. From travel and attire to gifts and pre-wedding parties, the costs can add up fast.  Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes talk to wedding guest Carla Bezanson, Wedding Planner Felicity D’eon, Bride to Be Samantha Alfred and Br...

We will admit, the thought of talking to a financial expert has terrified us in the past. But the truth is, financial experts are real humans with real life experience AND they’re super knowledgeable about how you can best manage your money, even if you don’t have a lot of it right now. So dig in as Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes chat with Credit Union Financial Expert Deena Eddison this time...

We all know someone who collects stuff right? Hockey cards, Beanie Babies, Barbies, sneakers, POGS? But does collecting collectables really have a payoff? Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes talk to Mireka Starr, Craig Pew and Ken Reid about their collections and get to the bottom of the question we’ve been dying to ask. Are you really collecting money or is it just dust? Your Two Cents - The Podc...

Our guest today is Melissa Leong. You might recognize her as the resident money expert on The Social but she’s also the author of the best selling book Happy-Go-Money and finds her passion empowering people through financial literacy. She uses science to actually figure out if money really can buy happiness! Your Two Cents - The Podcast is hosted by Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes. It's pr...

Mental health is a topic that thankfully has become less and less taboo over the years to talk about, but still impacts millions of Canadians every year. Mental health resources are still expensive and difficult in some cases to access, making it hard for people without the means to get it when they need it. Alicia and Sylvia talk mental health with Martina Kelades, the founder of Life Out Loud, a...

Joanna Griffiths started KNIX before making leak-proof underwear was even a thing. Sometimes making payroll was hard. Sometimes being a leader was hard. But she kept betting on herself, knowing the financial risks were worth the rewards. Joanna built a business that has made women all around the world feel seen, more comfortable and less ashamed of their bodies. Last year Joanna sold KNIX when it...

Groceries are more expensive than ever, so finding ways to get the most food for your hard earned dollar is top of mind these days. We’ll chat with Content Creator, Coupon Cutie Canada to share tips and tricks on how to find the best deals, and how to shop smart in this market filled with inflation. Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes Your Two Cents - The Podcast. This podcast is proudly made by b...

Regardless of whether you rent or own, making your home feel like yours can be daunting. Alicia has turned her rental into her dream home. Sylvia just lived through a gut-job reno and our guest Sarah Nicole Landry (The Birds Papaya) is about to embark on home reno of her own. She shares all her tips and tricks on how she made budget friendly but beautiful choices, her DIY go to's and the power...

Fun fact about Nathan MacIntosh. He once got kicked out of math class for asking to ditch quadratic functions to learn about budgeting for groceries. His teacher didn’t think it was a laughing matter, but he turned his frustrations with money into comedy gold. He’s a comic with his own show, brand new comedy album and has even made Jimmy Fallon buckle in laughter with his money talk. He brings the...

Talking about money can range from knowing (or not knowing) what you're worth at work, splurging on a handbag, or feeling guilty about not knowing enough about it. Our hosts Alicia Mccarvell and Sylvia Beirnes dive right into it all in Part 2 of our honest chat about money with Jasmine Parent, Kayla Short, Thanh Phung and Amanda Tingley. Your Two Cents - The Podcast is proudly made by by coast...

It seems like everyone has a different relationship with money, let alone how much they know about it. So we've put together a group of incredible women who go way back to the beginning when they first learned about money, how they saw money as kids, and how that's impacted them today. Listen in as Jasmine Parent, Kayla Short, Thanh Phung and Amanda Tingley join Sylvia and Alicia for this...

Too many vendors hear the word "wedding" and get dollar signs in their eyes. But The Birds Papaya and host Sylvia Beirnes used their weddings as an opportunity to get creative, support local, save some money and still have the weddings of their dreams. From dresses to flowers to photographers, to suits, you won't want to miss the Season 1 Finale of Your Two Cents - The Podcast, with Sarah Nicole L...

In the market for a new (or new to you) car? Not sure if you should buy or lease? You're absolutely not alone on that one. Sylvia chats with Personal Trainer and Tedx Public Speaker Dane Woodland about their new cars and which road they chose to take to get them there.  Dane and Sylvia talk about everything from buying and leasing, insurance to how you can maximize your trade-in value during t...

DIY Mom Rebekah Higgs loves sharing her house flips with her fans in hopes she can inspire others to tackle their own projects too. Now she's dishing on one HUGE part of the process that doesn't get talked about enough. The money part. Rebekah takes Sylvia through her journey to funding this passion that is home renovation, and Sylvia shares the abundance of info she's learning as she...