Stress Test

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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