Stress Test

Thanks to AI, your resume is perfect. So is everyone else’s

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Breaking into the job market has always been tough, but right now, it feels harder than usual. Hiring is slow. Competition is high. And at the same ti...

Is this the golden age of DIY investing?

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Investing on your own has never been simpler. Trading fees are disappearing, apps are better than ever and features like fractional shares mean you ca...

Big spender, risky investor: Today's committed Gen Z renter

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Despite a cooling housing market, home ownership still feels out of reach for many young Canadians. Now, new research suggests that when young people ...

Rents are falling, so why does it still feel so expensive?

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Renters in Canada are finally catching a break. In Canada’s biggest cities, rents have been falling for more than a year and vacancy rates are risin...

Yes, the stock market will crash. Are you ready?

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After years of strong gains, the stock market’s resilience has many investors and experts wondering how much longer it can last. We hear from a 25-y...

Coming soon: Season twelve of Stress Test

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's so much financial uncertainty out there right now. Stocks have soared, but global conflicts are casting a shadow. House prices are falling. Th...

A big-travel small-budget blueprint for 2026

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite the economic uncertainty, millions of Canadians continued to travel abroad and domestically in 2025. We want to know where they’re going - a...

Casinos in your pocket: The blurring line between investing and gambling

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last four years, legalized sports betting has become a massive industry in Canada. In Ontario alone, people placed bets worth a total of arou...

You’ve just been let go. Now what?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Job cuts are a growing reality. In the past month, Amazon, Canada Post, Stellantis, General Motors, and Imperial Oil have been among the companies tha...

Your next mortgage renewal could be a shocker. Here’s what to do

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

During the pandemic, record-low interest rates meant cheap mortgages. These days? Rates are higher. And worries about where they’re headed next mean...

No jobs in this economy: Why the labour market is so brutal right now

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The job market for young Canadians is terrible these days. Lots of qualified, talented people are sending out tons of resumes and getting zero replies...

She left school to buy a laundromat: The appeal of ‘boring businesses’

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adulthood is a never-ending parade of chores. Clothes to clean, cars to wash, appliances to fix. Businesses that serve these needs, like laundromats, ...

Is it time to check out AI for investing advice?

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More investors are turning to artificial intelligence for investing advice. But should you trust what ChatGPT tells you about ETFs, the stock market a...

Condo hate is real. What's the new path to homeownership?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You might be familiar with this home ownership journey: save for a down payment, buy a condo, live in it for a few years, sell it at a profit, then us...

Coming soon: Season eleven of Stress Test

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Globe’s personal finance podcast for Gen Z and millennials is back for another season. Join host Roma Luciw, recently retired Rob Carrick and Th...

They ditched Canada's big cities for a cheaper lifestyle. How did it work out?

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been five years since the pandemic lockdowns began. As they dragged on, people working in cramped condos began craving more space – and began...

Feeling behind? Why your parent’s financial timeline won’t work for you

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've all seen the ads: Hip investors in their 20s, happy homeowners in their 30s, and content retirees at 65. There's a lot of pressure to reach cert...

From tariffs to crypto: A survival guide to investing in the Trump era

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The news cycle hasn’t stopped since U.S. President Donald Trump was reelected. The past month has seen big ups and downs in the stock market, crypto...

You broke up, but can you afford to move out?

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When relationships fall apart, the financial pressure of finding a new place to live can hit hard. All of a sudden, both partners need to adjust to co...

Hustle culture draining you? Say hello to the soft life

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a society that glorifies overworking. But some people are tired of girl-bossing and rise-and-grinding. Instead of working harder for what c...

More young adults are buying homes alone. How are they pulling it off?

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Buying a home with a partner is hard enough. But a growing number of Canadians aren’t waiting for love - or marriage - before they jump into real es...

Is a university or college degree still worth the money?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A post-secondary degree is commonly seen as the best way to get ahead. But the cost of university and college is rising - and it’s rising faster tha...

No, you’re not throwing your money away on rent

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coming soon: Season ten of Stress Test

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here’s what young Canadians are putting in their TFSAs

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re taking a peek into the TFSAs of regular Canadians to give you ideas of how to better use yours. In this episode, Rob chats with Aravind Sitham...

Look out employers: Here come Gen Z

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gen Z is entering the workforce — and changing it. These 20-somethings are digital natives, they prioritize work-life balance, and their loyalty is ...

Viral TikToks can crawl into your brain and trigger spending

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe you clicked on a link and bought this season’s must-have sneakers. Or maybe you spent an embarrassing amount of money on lights and balloons t...

Counting on an inheritance? Not so fast

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just mention the word “inheritance” and people get their backs up. It’s no surprise that people are reluctant to chat about getting free money. ...

Would you co-own a house with your parents?

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adult kids are increasingly relying on mom and dad to make their home ownership dreams a reality. In this episode, Rob talks to a real estate agent wh...

Home ownership and a baby: Can you afford both?

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Having kids has always been expensive. These days, with housing costs soaring for both renters and owners, it can feel impossible to buy a home and st...

How far would you commute to save money?

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Commuting is back above pre-pandemic levels thanks to immigration and a reduction in remote work. In this episode, Rob talks to a 28-year-old lawyer w...

Meet the young people leaving Canada for an affordable life

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s getting harder and harder to build a good life in Canada. Everything is just so expensive. Most of us feel it — especially those of us just s...

Coming soon: Season nine of Stress Test

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Economic vibes still aren’t great. You want to get ahead, but it feels like you’re just getting by. And life events are coming at you fast: a new ...

5 personal finance resolutions for 2024 (that you can actually keep)

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If your usual resolutions are “go to the gym” or “eat healthy,” don’t forget that a mindful approach to money is also a ticket to improved w...

Salaries, mortgages and EVs: The top personal finance stories of 2023

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is a $100,000 salary enough for a comfortable life any more? Where are mortgages headed next? Are you electric car curious? Rob and Roma chat with the...

Can you really afford a dog?

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many Canadians have become first-time pet owners since the pandemic. But with the price of pet food and vet costs soaring, owners are struggling to af...

What the tightening job market means for you

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During the pandemic, employees had the upper hand in the job market. But the balance of power has shifted back to employers. They’re more hesitant t...

So, you splurged. Now what?

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The urge to splurge is universal. After the bleakness of the pandemic, people are spending more on the big and little things that bring them joy. But ...

The struggle is real: how homeowners are coping with soaring mortgage rates

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First, home owners with variable rate mortgages felt the pain of soaring interest rates. Then, people with fixed rate mortgages began to renew at shar...

Dual income, no kids: How much more fun are they having?

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The appeal of the DINK lifestyle – that’s double income, no kids – might seem obvious. But having more control over your life and finances comes...

Adulting with roommates: solo living is a luxury in today’s rental market

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A growing number of Canadians are living with roommates longer than they ever expected. What once was seen as a short chapter in life is turning into ...

Coming soon: Season eight of Stress Test

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does the “new normal” look like these days? In a period of soaring costs and rampant uncertainty, it means spending a larger chunk of your in...

Why more Canadians are giving up on home ownership

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After years of soaring home prices, there was hope that rising interest rates would lead to lower prices in 2023 and give young Canadians an entry poi...

How soaring rents are transforming student life

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Student debt is a growing problem in Canada - one that’s set to get worse in the coming years. And although tuition has crept higher, it’s the soa...

'Punched in the face by my investments’: How to endure stock market swings

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s tough to save money to invest in the first place, so it stings to watch your investments drop. If you’ve started in the last few years, you’...

How climate anxiety is shaping small and large financial decisions

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Climate change is a growing concern for many young Canadians, with some questioning where they should live, what they should be saving for and how the...

Save money and the planet: How thrifting can help combat inflation

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A $5,700 wedding dress for $64. Expensive baby items for a fraction of the price. Construction materials to renovate a home.  When you need something...

Fertility treatments can be a massive, unexpected cost for Canadians. Here’s what you should know

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the one in six Canadian couples who experience infertility, the path to having a baby can be difficult emotionally, physically and financially. Sa...

Taxes 101: Tips to make the most of your return this season

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why millennials and Gen Z are Alberta-bound for a more affordable life

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Coming soon: Season seven of Stress Test

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Rising interest rates brought pain for new homeowners - and opportunity for house hunters

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When we first launched Stress Test, the homeownership story was one of low interest rates, climbing prices and bidding wars. But the real estate marke...

Why more Canadians are choosing to be childfree or delay parenthood

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 chil...

Is it still a good time to ask for a raise, with a recession looming?

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 re...

Renovating can help you get the home you otherwise can't afford

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Recession-beating tips for the job market, housing, investing and cost of life

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Disclaimer from Aligned Capital Partners Inc.: This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. ...

Love in the time of inflation: How to manage rising costs when dating

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pandemic lockdowns made it harder for people to make new romantic connections. Now, inflation is making it more expensive. This has left people search...

You're not bad at money - you're suffering from money shame

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 do...

How supercharged rents are crushing Canadians

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Coming soon: Season 6 of Stress Test

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 fin...

Retirement might look different for Gen Z and millennials. Here’s how to plan for it

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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) a...

Tempted to buy a home with siblings or friends? Here’s what you need to know

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most people buy homes with their partners or by themselves. But others are ditching the traditional paradigm. Today, we’re talking about unconventio...

Mortgage 101: Everything you need to know about mortgages right now

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

How TikTok changed the vibe of personal finance advice

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 epi...

How to balance green or ethical investing with making money

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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, s...

Is the middle class dead for millennials and Gen Z?

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Gas prices are soaring. Are electric vehicles an affordable solution?

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 cos...

Returning to the office will cost you and not everyone's willing to pay

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Coming soon: Stress Test Season 5

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Cryptocurrencies are booming. But should you invest?

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Parents are bankrolling their kids’ house down payments - but can they afford it?

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ba...

Salary negotiation 101: How to ask for a raise (encore episode)

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 defini...

Are you giving your parents money?

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you helping your parents by paying for groceries, house bills or even funding their retirement? The overwhelming trend in Canada is for parents t...

Rents are soaring. What does it mean for millennials and Gen Z?

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 the...

City Space: How can cities hold onto the middle class?

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

From investing to housing, personal finance experts share their predictions for 2022

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What you might not know about buy now, pay later plans

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Inflation is squeezing our finances. What can we do about it?

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 l...

Is a hot housing market pricing Canadians out of their small towns?

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Coming Soon: Season 4 of Stress Test

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What it’s been like to invest during a pandemic

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. W...

One family’s solution to Canada’s housing crisis

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One way to cut housing costs is for multiple generations of a family to live together: often children, their parents and their grandparents. The conce...

The high cost of daycare

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

What's a wedding worth?

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 weddi...

Bonus: Making the most of your pandemic savings

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 D...

Salary negotiation 101: How to ask for a raise

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 defini...

Going solo: How to set yourself up for financial success if you're single

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Big city exodus: How far would you move to buy an affordable home?

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Priced out: Young Canadians on trying to buy in a wild real estate market

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Coming soon: A new season of Stress Test

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Are your parents giving you money?

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Retiring in your 30s: How some Canadians are making big changes to escape the workforce

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling beaten down by work? In this episode, we talk about young adults who crave financial independence and are willing to save and invest aggressiv...

Why it’s time to stop shaming the renting lifestyle

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Personal finance resolutions for a pandemic year

06 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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? ...

Eating in: How COVID-19 has shifted our food spending

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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? Ar...

Why are young Canadians leaving the cities they love?

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Yes, you absolutely need to talk about money with your significant other (before you move in)

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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’...

Everything you need to know about credit scores

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 “go...

Coming soon: Stress Test, season two

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 top...

Episode 8: Should you move back in with your parents?

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...