Stress Test

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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.

2 DAYS AGO

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

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 aren’t working for everyone. It’s never been harder - or more unrealistic - to hit these milestones at the same age as previous generations. In this episode, Roma speaks with Sam Lichtman, founder of Millen Wealth Advisors, about why we need to adjust our expectations and rethink the personal finance timeline. We also speak with a B.C. man who just bought his first home in his mid-40s.

27 min
12 FEB

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

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 money in the stock market, you’re probably wondering what the second Trump presidency will mean for your finances. In this episode, Rob speaks with Aravind Sithamparapillai, an associate at Ironwood Wealth Management Group, to get his advice on investing during turbulent times. They talk about how tariffs could impact the market, the growing fascination with crypto, and whether now’s a good time to invest in the first place.

25 min
5 FEB

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

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 - on one income. These financial strains are forcing some couples to live together for months - or years - after a breakup. We hear from a millennial who lived with his ex-wife and children for 8 months after they separated. And Roma chats with Shannon Lee Simmons, founder of the New School of Finance, about how couples are navigating high housing costs when they want to split.

28 min
29 JAN

Hustle culture draining you? Say hello to the soft life

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 people call the “soft life.” It means prioritizing your rest and well-being over the corporate rat race. We’ll hear from a millennial who slowed down to the extreme - she quit her job and bought a farm. Then, Rob speaks with Chantaie Allick, the co-founder of Rework, an organization that helps people unlearn grind culture, heal from burnout and build their careers in more sustainable ways.

22 min
22 JAN

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

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 buyers. Single-person households are the fastest-growing type of household in the country, according to census data. Still, it can be surprising to see people make such a huge investment, given the rising price of real estate. We’ll hear from three Canadian solo buyers about how they’ve managed to pull it off. They hustled. They made sacrifices. Two even lived with their parents until their late 20s. It's possible - but it certainly is not easy.

24 min
15 JAN

Is a university or college degree still worth the money?

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 post-secondary degree still a no-brainer? We speak with two recent grads about their job prospects after finishing their bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively. And Roma speaks with Jermaine L. Murray, a recruiter and the founder of JupiterHR, about how much employers value higher education in today’s job market.

27 min
8 JAN

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

We’ve all heard the adage, “renting is throwing your money away,” but when you factor in the rising cost of homeownership, is that actually the case? In this episode, Rob chats with Ben Felix, the chief investment officer at PWL Capital, about his financial model that shows renters can accumulate just as much wealth as homeowners. Plus, two millennials who can afford to buy homes but choose to remain renters share why and how they spend and invest their money to account for the absence of home equity.

30 min
SEASON 10 TRAILER

Coming soon: Season ten of Stress Test

Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw are back for another season of Stress Test, The Globe’s personal finance podcast for Gen Z and millennials. This season, they’ll question some long-held personal finance beliefs - that you need to buy a house, get a university degree, and lean into hustle culture to have healthy finances. Also up this season: a look at solo homebuyers, the rise of “inflationships” and h

1 min

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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.