Cost of Living

Canada is leaning into the resource economy, spending billions on megaprojects. But could we be falling into the 'staple trap?' Again? Also, how many mini Mars bars have you crushed lately? We explain how Big Candy makes us powerless to resist those tiny Halloween treats. And, shoplifting has become a big expensive problem in Canada. We look at what it costs all of us.

Loyalty apps promise us deals and insider status, but how much information are we giving in return? Reece Rogers, a writer for WIRED magazine, dug into what McDonald’s knows about him — and whether his loyalty is paying off. Plus, how music residencies are changing the concert tour and a look at why reverse mortgage debt in Canada is on the rise.

You'll find out when you tune into our super duper savings show! Also, we look at how much Canadians need to save to enjoy retirement and explore why we over-value the things we save (like Beanie Babies). Plus, we hear from a money coach who says if you want to save big — you need to think big. So, don't sweat the small stuff and go ahead and order that latte. (This episode originally aired June 28, 2026)

This week, we unravel the befuddling world of U.S. bond yields (it'll be fun, we promise!) and explain why and how they're influencing Canadian lending rates. Also, how do you take your coffee? Black? Iced? Instant? If you picked that last one, you're part of a growing number of caffeinated Canadians. Plus, a brief history of the weekend. 

When the Strait of Hormuz closed, many feared the worst. Analysts predicted oil could hit $200 a barrel, ushering in a global energy crisis. That hasn't happened, but it doesn't mean we're out of the woods. Also, are Pokémon cards a good investment, or are collectors being played? And — what it's really like to go bankrupt?

Mark Carney is rolling out tax breaks and opening some airports to private money in an attempt to woo foreign investors. Between those moves and a proposed cinq-à-sept with Europe, a lot of stuff went down this week. We ask Rob Russo, Canadian correspondent for The Economist, what it all means. Plus, a look at the rise of vertical films and the one thing that seems to be uniting Canadians: a growing dislike for data centres.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will open Canada's four largest airports to some private investment. It's been done before in other countries, like England and Spain. In this replay from last May, we look at one of the world's most successful models for privatizing airports and ask: what could Canada learn from it?

Most economists say Alberta is in for hard times if it splits from Canada. But dire predictions don't seem to faze true believers. So, how much influence can economic analysis have on this vote — or any other? Plus, how to spot Airbnb listings that have been enhanced by artificial intelligence. And, why more kids should run lemonade stands!

It's our Labour Day Q & A show! We're tackling some questions you posed — like, why are vitamin bottles so big when the contents are so small? Is it safe to rely on credit card benefits to cover rental car insurance? And why do we have to pay sales tax on donated goods if somebody else already paid tax on them? 

Canadians have to pay attention to the trade war — the majority of our exports go to the U.S. But what do Americans in the heart of the U.S. auto sector think? Also, we explain why more friends are opening joint bank accounts together and chat with actor Ben Mackenzie (Ryan from The O.C.) about his new anti-crypto documentary Everyone is Lying to You for Money.

At the last minute, trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. have fallen apart. Now, with 50 per cent tariffs on some Canadian exports, Prime Minister Carney says we have no choice but to fight back. Former NAFTA negotiator Barry Appleton explains how that fight could go, and how things fell apart in the first place. Also, we look at what a continuing trade war could mean for small businesses and explain the in's and out's of doing a "credit lock" to protect yourself from scammers.

Actor Ben McKenzie is best known for his role in The O.C. as the bad boy heartthrob. But the role he's most passionate about is in real life, fighting what he calls "the fraud" of cryptocurrency. He talks about his documentary, Everyone Is Lying to You for Money. Also, we share a hack for stopping identity thieves from getting their hands on your money, and we look at why more Canadians are finding job security in "boring businesses."

Craving a popsicle? Boxes of 'em are available at the grocery store. So why do we run for the ice cream truck like it's our last chance for frozen refreshment? We explore AI's growing influence in the music industry and whether it's really a problem. And we talk to Skyler Chan about his dreams of building a hotel on the moon. Yup. A moon hotel.

Should Canada invest in guns (defence)? Or butter (schools, roads, hospitals)? Military spending is already way up in this country, and is expected to keep rising. Host Paul Haavardsrud discusses the implications of this with Eugene Lang at Queen's University. Plus, the phrase "hot girl walk" is trademarked in Canada. Yes, really. We look at the growing appeal of trademarking viral phrases. We also examine how the relationship between Scholastic, a for-profit U.S. company, and Canadian schools became so unshakeable.

Sure, if you compare our economies based on GDP per capita. But is GDP per capita the best way to measure our standard of living? From donuts to chia seeds, we explore why so many products have their own national day on the calendar. Plus, is putting all your hard-earned cash into a house really the best decision for you? We explore the case for renting versus buying.

The price of services, like haircuts, is climbing, but the price of some goods, like microwaves, is dropping. So what gives? Something called the Baumol effect. Also, we look at the growing popularity of "admin parties," and ask if being yourself at work can be a career-killer when Paul Haavardsrud speaks to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity is Overrated.

Many see critical minerals as an untapped resource and major economic opportunity for Canada. But could their real value be more strategic than economic? Plus, we explain how all the weird food ends up at HomeSense and Winners, and look at what's behind the resurgence of old-school film cameras.

Today's tech billionaires are rich in a way the world has never seen, and they're not shy about flaunting the power that comes with it. It has some people asking: "Should there even be billionaires?" Plus, we ask if braces are the new midlife motorcycle and explore the long, and sometimes hilarious, history of corporate blunders. 

Back in the day, bike thieves could snip through cheap cable locks, but they were stymied by the more expensive U-locks. Then, one power tool came along and changed everything. Also, why more women are travelling solo and and why many of us are just one "turning point moment" away from chucking it all and quitting our jobs.

There's more than one way to save, so why not try something new? Like an "unbreakable piggy bank"? Plus, how much do Canadians need to save to enjoy retirement? We explore why we over-value the things we save, and hear from a money coach who says if you want to save big you've got to think big, and stop feeling guilty about buying those daily lattes.

AI agents can do all sorts of tasks for us — including shopping — but how do we know the bots are working for us, and not the company that made them? Plus, we ask if 99 cent price tags are finally being phased out, and make the case for why we might be in the golden age of free TV. So let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Thousands of Canadians have launched GoFundMe campaigns this year, asking for help with everyday expenses. But, as more of us struggle with the cost of living, is crowdfunding the best way to keep up? Also, just how much does it cost small towns to maintain giant roadside attractions? And we ask: what does the rise of Elon Musk, the world's first trillionaire, say about capitalism in the 21st century? Paul Haavardsrud speaks to Quinn Slobodian, co-author of Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed.

Canada's free trade deal is up for renegotiation and the stakes are high. More than 70 per cent of our exports head south. So does Canada need to play tough at the CUSMA table? Also, we hear from small businesses across the country about their hopes and worries for trade talks and take a closer look at Canada's sacred cow: supply management.

Switching jobs is always a risk, but with high unemployment and iffy economic vibes, right now it feels even riskier. That's why more Canadians are hanging onto their jobs, which is not so great for them — or the economy. Plus, we explore why tinned fish is reeling in a sea of protein-hungry consumers. And, this year’s World Cup is expected to be the biggest money-making event in sports history. So, who gets a piece of that pie?

High quality "superfakes" are on the rise, and luxury shoppers are lovin' it. They cost a fraction of the real thing, but who loses when everyone's buying knock-offs? Plus, shrinkflation is everywhere. So what’s being done in Canada to stop it? And, we explore how the Google search bar is changing and why it matters.

The feds are considering it, and countries like Spain and the U.K. have already gone that way. We looks to their example for what Canada can learn. Plus, the pros and cons of buying a rebuilt car and a conversation with economist Justin Wolfers about why he's trying to bring economics to the people.

Canada imports 20 times more avocados today than three decades ago — and that's no accident. We explore how the green fruit went from exotic specialty to kitchen staple. Also, how theatres are squeezing more money out of fewer customers and why some divorcees are still living with their ex.

Betting on a future event — like, who will be a bridesmaid at Taylor Swift's wedding — is the whole point of prediction markets. Every year, Americans spend billions on these kind of bets, but Canada hasn't fully opened the door to them. So, should we let this type of trading in, put restrictions on it, or just say no? Also, what's old is new again as more Canadians take up film photography. And we find out how Nike lost its cool factor.

Buying real estate is seen as a surefire way to build wealth. But it's not the only option. With prices coming down and more rentals being built, the case for renting in Canada is looking better than it has in years. Also, have you been diagnosed with ADHD? Well, there's a financial planner for that. And we talk to the Canadian planning to build a hotel on the moon.

The food aisle at Winners is like the land of misfit toys, with egg white spaghetti noodles next to matcha-flavoured protein powder. But is the randomness simply an accident? And, from donuts to chia seeds, we explore why so many products have their own national day on the calendar. Plus, could Anthropic's Mythos give cyber-criminals the tool they need to hack the world's computer systems? We talk to Jaxson Khan, director of the AI Competitiveness Project at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.

Yep, if you compare our economies based on GDP per capita, but Paul Haavardsrud looks at how that measure for our standard of living has its limits. Plus, why you shouldn't be too secretive about your inheritance plans, and a chat with transportation expert Matti Siemiatycki about the pros and cons of a proposed high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City that comes with a whopping price tag.

More Canadians are finding job security by charting their own path. They're buying so-called "boring businesses," like vending machines, dry cleaners and sign shops. But is it the road to the easy life? Also, we look at the chances of stagflation happening in Canada and explain why we're becoming a nation of candy lovers.

Staying out 'til the wee hours of the morning? That's not happening as much anymore, and restaurants and bars are feeling it. Also, how to find Lego for 2 cents at Walmart and author Danny Funt talks about his book: Everybody Loses: the Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. (Originally aired November 23, 2025)

As CUSMA negotiations approach, U.S. President Donald Trump is downplaying Canada's importance. Not to brag, but America still depends heavily on Canadian aluminum. Plus, feeling buried by your to-do list? Maybe it’s time to throw an “admin party.” And, we ask housing economist Mike Moffatt if falling home prices are a blip or a sign of larger change.

Artificial intelligence is making scams harder to spot and Canadians are losing millions every year to fraud. So is it worth it to pay for personal cyber risk insurance? Also, we explain why older job hunters are botoxing their resumes and ask: Could the global oil shock change the conversation around Canada's future as an energy superpower?

The war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have interrupted critical oil supply chains. Now gas prices are rising. Energy analyst Rory Johnston, who writes the Substack Commodity Context, explains what an oil shock could mean for the Canadian economy, and what might happen next.

Some services, like barbering and childcare, cost way more than they did in the past and keep going up in price. On the other hand, a lot of manufactured goods, like TV's, have become less expensive. And the "Baumol effect" could explain why. Plus, we look at the rise of extra spicy foods on restaurant menus and what's at stake as cargo ships sit idle near the Strait of Hormuz.

As Iran counter attacks by targeting energy infrastructure in neighbouring countries and threatening to shut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, we explore how Canada moves forward in a global economy dealing with even more chaos and uncertainty. Paul Haavardsrud talks to Stephanie Carvin, a professor of International Affairs at Carleton University.

Roughly a quarter of the world's oil supply is at risk as the biggest military strike in decades unfolds in the Middle East. Rory Johnston is a geopolitical analyst who writes the Substack Commodity Context. He talks to Paul Haavardsrud about how this conflict play out for Canadian crude and the global economy.

It may feel like there’s an affordability crisis but is it really all that bad? Also, we explain why more Canadian women are getting financially lit and look into the idea of a mandatory national service for young folk.