Podcasts · Business

Stress Test

The Globe and Mail

115 episodes

You had your best-laid plans and then COVID-19 came along and hammered the entire economy. But you’ve got this – if you have the right information. Join The Globe and Mail’s personal finance team, columnist Rob Carrick and editor Roma Luciw, as they guide you through one of the biggest stress tests your finances will ever face. If you’re between 20 and 40, this financial advice is for you.

Episodes page 1 of 3

  1. Influencing looks glamorous. But does it pay the rent?

    · 22 min · S13 E3

    When you scroll through Instagram and TikTok, influencing can look like easy money. But how much do Canadian content creators actually earn, and can they afford to leave their day jobs? In this episode of Stress Test,…

  2. Is 40 too old to buy your first home?

    · 26 min · S13 E2

    As more Canadians buy homes later in life, homeownership is increasingly competing with another major financial goal: saving for retirement. We meet two Canadians who bought their first homes in their 40s to learn why…

  3. Anger vs profit: Should you sell your U.S. stocks?

    · 25 min · S13 E1

    Tensions between Canada and the U.S. are at an all-time high, and some young Canadians are questioning whether they still want to invest so much of their money south of the border. We hear from a millennial investor…

  4. Coming soon: Season thirteen of Stress Test

    · 1:08 · Trailer

    When are you ready to buy a home? To have a kid? To quit your day job and become your own boss? In 2026, financial milestones look different than they used to. This season of Stress Test gets into the big money…

  5. No, you don’t need $1.7-million to retire

    · 28 min · S12 E8

    Retirement can feel overwhelming when headlines insist you need millions before you can stop working. But is that actually true? In this episode, we hear from young Canadians with very different visions of life after…

  6. Everyone wants a prenup. Very few people get one

    · 29 min · S12 E7

    More than half of young Canadians say they’d want a prenup if they got married or entered a common-law relationship. But only a small share have actually signed one. So what’s stopping them? In this episode, we look at…

  7. Your “starter home” might be your forever home

    · 26 min · S12 E6

    For decades, there was a formula for homeownership. Buy something small, maybe a condo or a townhouse, watch its value rise, and then eventually move up to something bigger. But that formula is breaking down for many…

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

    · 29 min · S12 E5

    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 time, artificial intelligence is changing the kinds of tasks that once…

  9. Is this the golden age of DIY investing?

    · 25 min · S12 E4

    Investing on your own has never been simpler. Trading fees are disappearing, apps are better than ever and features like fractional shares mean you can start investing with just a few dollars. But is easier always…

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

    · 23 min · S12 E3

    Despite a cooling housing market, home ownership still feels out of reach for many young Canadians. Now, new research suggests that when young people decide to opt out of saving for a home, their behaviour can change…

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

    · 23 min · S12 E2

    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 rising. Some landlords are even offering incentives like free months of…

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

    · 25 min · S12 E1

    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-year-old from B.C. about her first market downturn, her reaction to the…

  13. Coming soon: Season twelve of Stress Test

    · 1:20 · Trailer

    There's so much financial uncertainty out there right now. Stocks have soared, but global conflicts are casting a shadow. House prices are falling. The labour market is shifting. Even the things that are supposed to be…

  14. A big-travel, small-budget blueprint for 2026

    · 26 min · S11 E8

    Despite economic uncertainty, millions of Canadians continued to travel abroad and domestically in 2025. We want to know where they’re going - and how they’re doing it affordably. We hear from Stress Test producer…

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

    · 24 min · S11 E7

    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 around $11-billion in 2024. It’s simple to do: Open an app, bet a few…

  16. You’ve just been let go. Now what?

    · 26 min · S11 E6

    Job cuts are a growing reality. In the past month, Amazon, Canada Post, Stellantis, General Motors, and Imperial Oil have been among the companies that have let plenty of employees go. Getting fired can come as a…

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

    · 26 min · S11 E5

    During the pandemic, record-low interest rates meant cheap mortgages. These days? Rates are higher. And worries about where they’re headed next mean tough decisions for homeowners. We hear from a Toronto-based…

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

    · 28 min · S11 E4

    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. We hear from two recent grads who have been struggling for months…

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

    · 27 min · S11 E3

    Adulthood is a never-ending parade of chores. Clothes to clean, cars to wash, appliances to fix. Businesses that serve these needs, like laundromats, car washes, and vending machines, are honestly a bit, well, boring.…

  20. Is it time to check out AI for investing advice?

    · 27 min · S11 E2

    More investors are turning to artificial intelligence for investing advice. But should you trust what ChatGPT tells you about ETFs, the stock market and where to put your money? We hear from two investors about how AI…

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

    · 28 min · S11 E1

    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 use that money to buy a bigger home with multiple bedrooms and a…

  22. Coming soon: Season eleven of Stress Test

    · 1:06 · Trailer

    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 The Globe’s roster of personal finance reporters as they dig into the…

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

    · 23 min · S10 E8

    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 relocating to smaller cities, towns or rural areas, where housing was…

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

    · 27 min · S10 E7

    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 certain financial milestones by a certain age. But these deadlines…

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

    · 25 min · S10 E6

    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, and the dollar. Whether you’re a novice investor or have lots of…

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

    · 28 min · S10 E5

    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 covering the cost of rent or mortgage, utilities, and grocery bills -…

  27. Hustle culture draining you? Say hello to the soft life

    · 22 min · S10 E4

    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 can feel like less, they’re ready to lean out and embrace what some…

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

    · 24 min · S10 E3

    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 estate. About 20 percent of homes sold in Canada are purchased by solo…

  29. Is a university or college degree still worth the money?

    · 27 min · S10 E2

    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 than the salary you can earn with a degree. As the math changes, is a…

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

    · 30 min · S10 E1

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

  31. Coming soon: Season ten of Stress Test

    · 1:11 · Trailer

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

  32. Here’s what young Canadians are putting in their TFSAs

    · 32 min · S9 E8

    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 Sithamparapillai of Ironwood Wealth Management to break down TFSAs, FHSAs…

  33. Look out employers: Here come Gen Z

    · 32 min · S9 E7

    Gen Z is entering the workforce — and changing it. These 20-somethings are digital natives, they prioritize work-life balance, and their loyalty is to themselves. In this episode, we talk to two Gen Z's who took a…

  34. Viral TikToks can crawl into your brain and trigger spending

    · 26 min · S9 E6

    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 to replicate that perfect birthday party photo. Well, you’re not the…

  35. Counting on an inheritance? Not so fast

    · 29 min · S9 E5

    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. In this episode, Rob chats with Julia Chung, a financial planner, about…

  36. Would you co-own a house with your parents?

    · 26 min · S9 E4

    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 who specializes in co-ownership. We chat with a B.C. woman who bought…

  37. Home ownership and a baby: Can you afford both?

    · 26 min · S9 E3

    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 start a family at the same time. In this episode, Rob talks to a…

  38. How far would you commute to save money?

    · 29 min · S9 E2

    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 who’s saving a pile of cash by living with her parents. Roma chats…

  39. Meet the young people leaving Canada for an affordable life

    · 23 min · S9 E1

    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 starting out. If you can work remotely, have you ever considered packing…

  40. Coming soon: Season nine of Stress Test

    · 1:17 · Trailer

    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 home, a career change, a baby. Hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw are back…

  41. 5 personal finance resolutions for 2024 (that you can actually keep)

    · 20 min · S8 E8

    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 wellness. We asked listeners in their 20s and 30s some basic personal finance…

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

    · 27 min · S8 E7

    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 reporters who wrote some of the best-read personal finance stories…

  43. Can you really afford a dog?

    · 31 min · S8 E6

    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 afford their COVID companions. In this episode, Roma speaks to Shawn…

  44. What the tightening job market means for you

    · 28 min · S8 E5

    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 to hire, less willing to offer remote work and less generous with what…

  45. So, you splurged. Now what?

    · 31 min · S8 E4

    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 there are healthy ways to manage splurge-spending that don't leave…

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

    · 33 min · S8 E3

    First, home owners with variable rate mortgages felt the pain of soaring interest rates. Then, people with fixed rate mortgages began to renew at sharply higher rates. In this episode, we hear from first-time…

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

    · 29 min · S8 E2

    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 with questions about your social safety net in retirement. We spoke to…

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

    · 23 min · S8 E1

    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 a long-term way to find affordable housing. Soaring house costs has…

  49. Coming soon: Season eight of Stress Test

    · 1:11 · Trailer

    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 income on housing—whether that’s high rent or supercharged mortgage…

  50. Why more Canadians are giving up on home ownership

    · 28 min · S7 E8

    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 point into the market . And while they did go down, higher mortgage…

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