Stress Test

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 practical advice to help you navigate rough economic waters.

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 Z, about shifting views of retirement and how you can best prepare. 

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 speaks with Leah Zlatkin, a mortgage broker at Mortgage Outlet and expert at LowestRates.ca, about what you should know before buying a home with others and why legal agreements are critical for those considering buying as a group. 

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 changing interest rate environment. Plus, we hear from Angela Calla, a mortgage broker based in Port Coquitlam, B.C. 

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 advice from the platform. Plus, Roma speaks to Ellyce Fulmore, aka @queerd.co, a TikTok content creator from Calgary, Alta. Ellyce, who identifies as queer and neurodivergent, shares how her experience helps her create personal finance advice for audiences traditionally ignored by the financial industry.

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, Rob speaks to The Globe's business reporter Jeff Jones to learn more about how  ESG funds are performing and how to keep an eye out for greenwashing.   

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 goals despite being a fiscally responsible adult. Plus, Rob talks to Paul Kershaw, a professor at the University of British Columbia and founder of Generation Squeeze, a group that researches intergenerational fairness, about why many millennials feel like the middle class is dead.

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 what's changed in the Canadian vehicle market and the potential for going electric. Plus, we hear from Dominic, a 24-year-old from Gatineau, Quebec who bought an electric vehicle to save money.  Yes, you read that right! 

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 asking employers to return to the office two to three days a week. We also hear from a manager in her early 40s on why she decided to close her office for good. Plus, The Globe's future of work reporter Vanmala Subramaniam speaks with Roma to discuss changes in the workplace and what to expect going forward.

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 season: the cost of going back to the office, the price of gas versus electric vehicles, the rise of ethical investing and the latest challenges when buying a home.

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 investing from a 26-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont. Plus, Rob speaks with Braden Dennis and Simon Belanger of the Canadian Investor Podcast about their tips on crypto investing for those looking to get started.

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 their kids buy homes - and what that means for their own finances.

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 University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and also was a lawyer. She shares her tips on how to make your case like an expert.

Are you helping your parents by paying for groceries, house bills or even funding their retirement? The overwhelming trend in Canada is for parents to be supporting their adult kids financially. But today, we're talking to the Gen Z and millennials who are in the opposite position and helping support their family. We hear from a 27-year-old from Stoney Creek, Ont., who has been helping her parents with monthly payments for over five years. Plus, Roma speaks to Natasha Knox, a Vancouver- based financial planner, about how common this is among her clients and how it impacts their financial planning.

If you're a renter, you already know how unaffordable it's getting. So how are people dealing with the rising costs? And what does it mean for their other financial goals - and for their life? We hear from a 25-year-old renter in Kelowna, B.C., who says finding a place to live was more stressful than finding a job. Then, we hear from a millennial couple with two young children who are renting in Markham, Ont. and have very different opinions about their current living situation. Plus, Rob speaks to The Globe's real estate reporter Shane Dingman about what he's been seeing when it comes to the rental market in Canada and potential solutions to help renters get a leg up.

In this bonus episode, we're bringing you an episode of City Space, a podcast from The Globe about how to make our cities better.A generation ago, a middle-class income could buy you a detached home in a big city. Now? Folks are finding they need to set their sights further and further away from any downtown centre if they want to hold fast to that dream. But as populations and climate emergencies rise, experts tell us that urban densification is the necessary path forward. So what do cities have to do to retain the middle-class? And how, exactly, does the middle-class break their addiction to personal space and redefine “making it” when it comes to acquiring housing?In this episode, we hear from Jennifer Keesmaat, Toronto's former Chief City Planner and founder of Markee Developments, on why she thinks rental units and high-quality public spaces will do the trick. Plus, Rollin Stanley, former General Manager of Planning for Calgary, details how governments all over the country should get imaginative with their heritage buildings. Finally, we ask Rob Carrick, Personal Finance Columnist at the Globe, about why he's letting millennials off the hook when it comes to housing.

2021 was a year of surprises in personal finance. Who would have thought inflation would take off, housing could get even hotter and that job-hopping would be commonplace amid a global pandemic? So, what's next? In this episode, Rob and Roma ask four personal finance experts - Robb Engen, Preet Banerjee, Erica Alini and Barry Choi - what they'll be watching in 2022. Plus, Rob and Roma share their own thoughts.

If you've bought anything online recently, chances are you've seen the buy now, pay later (BNPL) option when checking out. BNPL is an instalment payment plan that allows you to spread out the cost of your purchase over several increments, and often interest-free too. It sounds convenient and especially tempting around holiday season, but is it smart personal finance? In this episode, Rob and Roma delve into how BNPL has surged in popularity during the pandemic. We hear from two women in their 20's who have tried BNPL and had very different experiences. Plus, Rob speaks to Jessica Moorhouse, a financial educator and host of the More Money podcast, to hear why she thinks consumers should be skeptical.

If you drive a car, buy groceries or pay for shelter, chances are you've noticed that right now you're paying a lot more for things than you did last year. With the inflation rate  higher than it's been in decades, how concerned should you be? And what can you do to combat the rising costs? We hear from two millennials — a Torontonian hit by soaring food prices and a new homeowner in Calgary — to learn where Canadians are feeling the pinch and how they're adapting. Plus, Roma talks to The Globe's economics columnist David Parkinson about what's causing the rapid increase in inflation and how much longer it might be with us.

If you've listened to our show over the last few seasons, you already know that soaring home prices have caused all kinds of problems for Gen Z and millennials looking to buy in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver. The search for more affordable housing sent some first-time buyers to smaller cities and towns. But how has that impacted the young Canadians who already lived in those places? What happens to affordability for locals with home ownership dreams? In this episode, Rob and Roma finally leave their home studios and hit the road with the rest of the Stress Test team to find the real story in Belleville, Ontario.

Your favourite personal finance podcast is back for a fourth season. Join hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw as they talk to real people and experts to tackle the money questions that have been on your mind. Coming up this season: what rising inflation means for you, those ‘buy now pay later' options you're seeing everywhere and of course, housing. Listen to the trailer and catch up on previous episodes now.

Investing has been one of the biggest financial stories of the pandemic. There was the stock market crash in March 2020, followed by a huge rebound. We've heard about meme stocks and cryptocurrencies. But what does it all mean for Gen Z and millennials? In the final episode of season three, we hear from listeners about their investment stories and how they reacted to all the ups and downs during COVID-19.

One way to cut housing costs is for multiple generations of a family to live together: often children, their parents and their grandparents. The concept isn't new and it has many benefits, including affordability in expensive housing markets. But how do you make it work both financially and personally? We hear from a family that moved three generations into a home they designed and built in North Bay, Ont. Plus, Rob talks to Murtaza Haider, a professor of real estate management at Ryerson University, and real estate consultant Stephen Moranis about what multigenerational housing looks like in Canada. They also look at tips for people who want to move forward with this type of housing arrangement.

Paying for childcare is not the first or second thing that comes to mind when you decide to start a family. So how do you plan for the impending costs that can be so high in Canada that some call it “the second mortgage”? We hear from Kristi, a 34-year-old who made the move from Saskatchewan to Victoria, B.C., with her husband during the pandemic while juggling debt, a new job, unemployment - and their first baby. Plus, Roma talks to Janine Rogan, a Calgary-based chartered professional accountant with a six-month-old at home. Janine breaks down how to financially prepare for the cost of daycare.

The pandemic ruined many wedding plans. But even before that, a culmination of peer pressure and over-the-top consumerism had pushed the cost of weddings sky-high. It's made some couples ask: What is a wedding worth? We hear from Jasmine, a glamorous but cost-conscious millennial who got married just as the world first shut down during COVID-19. Plus, Karen Cleveland, co-author of the book called The New Wedding Book: A Guide To Ditching All the Rules, talks with Roma about the need to rethink weddings from a personal finance perspective.

Fewer spontaneous coffees, commuting costs and vacations have left some with a tidy sum in their savings. This week, we're sharing an episode of The Decibel, The Globe and Mail's daily podcast hosted by Tamara Khandaker. In this episode, Rob and Roma join Tamara to talk about what to do with new-found savings, the meaning of "revenge spending" and how to stave off FOMO in a post-vaccine world.

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 University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and also was a lawyer. She shares her tips on how to make your case like an expert.

How much does it cost to be single? And how do you set yourself up for financial success with half the earning power? We hear from a 34-year old woman who experienced a breakup and realized the importance of having financial independence regardless of your relationship status — and figured it out. Plus, Rob speaks to Bridget Casey, founder of personal-finance blog Money After Graduation, for money advice specific to singles.

Here’s the dilemma: The real estate market is too hot where you are but you still want to buy a home. During the pandemic, there has been a surge of Canadians who are leaving big cities in search of real estate - and we mean really leaving. What happens when you go off the beaten trail in search of buying an affordable home? We hear from Jordan Owens, a 30-something world traveler, who made the move from Toronto to Saint John, New Brunswick – and bought a home for $99,000. Plus, Rob and Roma delve into poll data that shows just how popular this trend has become.

One of the biggest surprises of the pandemic has been the incredible rise of house prices in major cities and smaller towns across the country. It’s great if you’re selling. But for young Canadians with dreams of buying a home, it’s demoralizing. We hear from three 20-somethings who have done everything right – good jobs, minimal debt, strong savings plans – and still can’t afford to buy the homes they had diligently planned for. Rob and Roma reflect on the past year and how rising house prices are making home ownership unaffordable.

Stress Test is returning for its third season of pandemic personal finance. Join The Globe's columnist Rob Carrick and editor Roma Luciw as they delve into more of the topics impacting your wallet one year into COVID-19 lockdowns. On deck this season: negotiating salaries, kiboshed weddings and the thing everyone’s talking about — how hard it is to buy a house. Listen to the trailer and catch up on previous episodes now.

Are you getting financial help from your parents or family? Do you feel guilty or embarrassed about it? If the answer is yes, you are far from alone. In the final episode of this season of Stress Test, we look at data showing the surprising extent to which parents are going to help their adult kids financially, and how this assistance has become more common in the pandemic. We hear from a 26-year-old Torontonian who is relying on money from her parents to make ends meet amid the instability of the last year. Plus, Roma speaks to Natasha Knox, a Vancouver- based financial planner about the underground parental economy.

Feeling beaten down by work? In this episode, we talk about young adults who crave financial independence and are willing to save and invest aggressively to gain that freedom. Rob and Roma discuss the practicality of the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and why it looks more appealing than ever amid COVID-19. Plus, we hear from Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung, a 38-year-old couple that retired a few years ago early and have stayed financially independent, even in the pandemic.

Do you feel you’re not really “adulting” unless you own your own place? Are you embarrassed to admit you’re still a renter? Rob and Roma take on the long-standing narrative that says property ownership is the best path for everyone and map out a route for financial success as a renter. We hear from a millennial who has found the loft of her dreams and has chosen to embrace renting for good. Plus, fellow renter and financial consultant Preet Banerjee shares his advice for how renters can end up with a comparable amount of wealth as a homeowner, in addition to a great lifestyle.

Yeah, we know. New Year’s Resolutions have a bad rep. But what better time to reassess your financial health than in Year Two of a global pandemic? In this episode, Rob and Roma talk money goals and share some personal finance resolutions you might want to consider.

When it comes to food, the pandemic has transformed our spending habits. But are we saving money? How have we replaced restaurant and bar spending? Are meal kits and online grocery shopping here to stay? In this episode, Rob and Roma dig into the world of food – and share what they’ve been doing differently over the last 9 months. Plus, an Ottawa-based 31-year-old tell us why she’s jumped on the food-box-trend. And Rob and Roma speak to Sylvain Charlebois, The Food Professor, about how our eating habits have shifted, why food prices will keep climbing and how Canadians can save money at the grocery store.

Has being in lockdown made your condo feel like a shoebox? Are you thinking about giving up on downtown living for more space in the suburbs? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, we look at the why some young adults are abandoning city living for smaller communities with lower house prices... and more space. We hear from a 34-year-old who left Toronto for a bigger home in southern Ontario’s wine country. Plus, Rob and Roma speak with Pascal Chan, a millennial who works at the Canadian Real Estate Association, about where people are moving, why and what you should think about if you’re considering doing the same.

High rent and house prices have many young Canadians moving in together early to share costs. But what happens when one’s a spender and the other’s a saver? And what if one partner makes significantly more money, or has more debt? In this episode, Rob and Roma discuss how couples can avoid money blowouts. We hear from a 30-something Toronto-based lawyer who started dating his girlfriend during the pandemic. The couple is now looking at options for moving in together. Plus, Rob and Roma speak to Liz Schieck, a certified financial planner who has helped plenty of young couples navigate the pitfalls and challenges of joining their finances.

Credit scores put the personal in personal finance. They’re your entire life as a borrower compressed into one number. But what qualifies as a “good” score, and why do these numbers bounce around all the time? What can be done to improve a bad score? Rob and Roma are back together (but apart) in their makeshift podcast studios (because, well, pandemic) for another season of your favourite personal finance podcast. In this episode they get answers to your credit score questions from Julie Kuzmic of Equifax Canada. Plus, we hear from Keith Emery, the co-CEO of Credit Canada Debt Solutions, about how people wind up with a bad credit score in the first place.

Stress Test is back. Join The Globe’s personal finance team, columnist Rob Carrick and editor Roma Luciw, for another season of delving into the topics that impact the wallets of Canadians between the ages of 20 and 40. Listen to the trailer and season one now and subscribe to get season two in your feed.

Should you move back in with your parents if it makes sense financially? In the last episode of this season, we talk to a 23-year-old who moved back home after COVID-19 left her jobless. Plus, we hear from Rob’s family about what it was like when his 26-year-old son Will moved back home. Rob and Roma revisit Rob’s book “How Not to Move Back in With Your Parents” 10 years later to see what’s changed.

Kids are incredibly cute - and incredibly expensive. Amid soaring housing costs and a precarious job market, how much does the cost of kids factor into your decisions about whether to have them? In this episode Rob and Roma discuss how much money they'll really cost you. We hear from a 33-year-old mother about the hefty price tag of raising four kids. Plus, Roma speaks with money expert Melissa Leong about how to save and what to plan for when you’re deciding to start a family.

Many young Canadians gravitate towards living in bigger cities, but can you afford it? In this episode, we hear from a group in their 30s that are living downtown Toronto – they even let Rob and Roma get a peek at their credit card statements. Plus, Rob talks to Bridget Casey, the millennial writer of personal-finance blog Money After Graduation, about how to effectively manage your money while also enjoying the type of lifestyle you want.

So you want to be smart with your money and invest, but the stock market fluctuations during COVID-19 make it hard to know what to do. In this episode, Rob and Roma discuss the importance of investing and what’s changed since the pandemic. We hear from a 26-year-old at the beginning of his investing journey. Plus, Rob talks to Ben Felix, a millennial investment advisor about what other young Canadians should know when investing.