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 other provinces. And it all comes down to affordability. In this episode, we’ll delve into the factors contributing to the rise in interprovincial migration and hear from Canadians who made the move - and how it’s worked out for them.

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 personal finance podcast for Gen Z and millennials is back for another season. Join hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw as they make sense of a changing financial reality - and help you achieve your goals. Up this season: how thousands of Canadians are leaving Toronto and Vancouver for cheaper living in Alberta, why you should care more about tax season and the high cost of fertility treatments for those struggling to have a family.

When we first launched Stress Test, the homeownership story was one of low interest rates, climbing prices and bidding wars. But the real estate market has changed drastically this year - now it’s a story of rising interest rates, falling prices and fewer listings. So what does it mean for new and potential homeowners? In the last episode of the season, we’re checking in with recent buyers to see how they’re feeling in this changing market - and whether recent changes have helped them or hindered them. We hear from two Canadians with variable mortgages - one who bought at the top of the market and is feeling the pain of rising mortgage payments and another who has made peace with his scenario since he got the house he wanted. Plus, we hear from a couple who was finally able to buy a home due to lower real estate prices, regardless of higher rates.

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 childfree. In this episode, we’re looking at the most personal of personal finance topics: the cost of deciding whether to have children, when and how many. We hear from a 27-year-old woman from Mississauga, Ont., who is pushing back plans to have kids until she can afford a home. We also hear from a 28-year-old from Vancouver who has decided not to have kids at all for financial reasons. Plus, Roma speaks to Melissa Leong, a Toronto-based personal finance expert and mom of two, about how much kids cost and why people are delaying the expense - or avoiding it altogether.

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 recession looming. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask - but your pitch needs to be researched and realistic. In this episode, Rob speaks to compensation expert Manny Campione about what’s going on in the job market and how to effectively negotiate your salary. Plus, we hear from a 27-year-old from Edmonton who first tried to negotiate a raise at his work, but wound up switching jobs to get the pay he wanted.

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 secure housing that fits their needs. But is doing the work a more affordable option than buying the perfect place? In this episode, we’re looking at how renovations can get you the home you want but otherwise can’t afford. We hear from two 35-year-old guests and their recent renovation experiences. The first, who lives in Victoria, B.C., bought a home but needed to build a rental suite to help pay the mortgage. The second decided to renovate his starter home in Hamilton, Ont. after he and his wife found out they were pregnant - with twins. Plus, Rob speaks with Shir Magen, the CEO of HomeStars about the popularity of renovations, the types of renos that add value to your home and money-saving tips for those considering heading down the reno route.

Disclaimer from Aligned Capital Partners Inc.: This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Aravind Sithamparapillai and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

Pandemic lockdowns made it harder for people to make new romantic connections. Now, inflation is making it more expensive. This has left people searching for creative ways to meet the love of their life - while spending less. In this episode, Rob and Roma hear from three Canadian daters to learn how they’re coping with higher costs and offer advice for ways to not break the bank while dating.

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 don’t ask for a raise. You feel like you’re bad with money and your way of coping is to ignore your finances. These are common behaviours that can lead to something called money shame. In this episode, Roma speaks to Chantel Chapman, a Richmond, B.C.-based financial trauma researcher and educator about what money shame is, how it affects our financial decisions and how to move past it. Plus, we hear from Irina, a millennial who shares her personal experiences with money shame.

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 or spending over 50 per cent of their monthly income on rent. Others are settling for short-term leases and long commutes. In this episode, we hear from three renters about what they went through to try and find a place to live and what it cost them. Plus, Rob talks to Shaun Hildebrand, the president of Urbanation, which researches condo, rental and development markets in the Greater Toronto Area where rents are “supercharged”. Shaun shares what’s driving rents so high and how the real estate market affects rentals. Plus, he gives tips for those looking for an affordable place to live.

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 finance podcast for Gen Z and millennials is back to help make sense of it all. Join hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw this season as they tackle the cash crunch many Canadians are facing when it comes to things like housing and dating, and provide practical advice to help you navigate rough economic waters.

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) and Brent (36), who each have different visions of retirement and what they’re doing – or not doing – to plan for it right now. Plus, Rob speaks with Shannon Lee Simmons, a Toronto-based certified financial planner whose core clients are millennials and Gen Z, about shifting views of retirement and how you can best prepare.

Most people buy homes with their partners or by themselves. But others are ditching the traditional paradigm. Today, we’re talking about unconventional homebuyers: family members, friends and others that team up to get into the property market. We hear from two sisters who are trying to buy a house together – and who are struggling to get into the market even after joining forces. Plus, Roma speaks with Leah Zlatkin, a mortgage broker at Mortgage Outlet and expert at LowestRates.ca, about what you should know before buying a home with others and why legal agreements are critical for those considering buying as a group.

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 to and how to choose between fixed and variable rates. This week, we’ve got answers. Consider this episode your Mortgage 101 course. Mortgage planner and Globe and Mail columnist Robert McLister joins Rob and Roma to discuss mortgage basics and the changing interest rate environment. Plus, we hear from Angela Calla, a mortgage broker based in Port Coquitlam, B.C.

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 episode, we look at why the social media platform is resonating, how to use it effectively and what advice you should be wary of on the app. We hear from a 25-year-old TikTok user from Mississauga, Ont., about how he started getting personal finance advice from the platform. Plus, Roma speaks to Ellyce Fulmore, aka @queerd.co, a TikTok content creator from Calgary, Alta. Ellyce, who identifies as queer and neurodivergent, shares how her experience helps her create personal finance advice for audiences traditionally ignored by the financial industry.

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, social and governance) investing and how people can balance their values with their financial goals. We hear from a 30-year-old in Ottawa who’s getting started in ESG investing because she cares about the environment – and she wants to make money. Plus, Rob speaks to The Globe’s business reporter Jeff Jones to learn more about how ESG funds are performing and how to keep an eye out for greenwashing.

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 why is it so hard to live the middle class lifestyle their parents and older peers had at their age? In this episode, we hear from Cody, a 33-year-old living in Hamilton, Ont., who is frustrated at not being able to achieve many of his financial and life goals despite being a fiscally responsible adult. Plus, Rob talks to Paul Kershaw, a professor at the University of British Columbia and founder of Generation Squeeze, a group that researches intergenerational fairness, about why many millennials feel like the middle class is dead.

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 costs? Today, we’re talking about the cost of car ownership and whether electric vehicles have made the move from being a luxury purchase to an affordable one. Rob speaks to Robert Karwel, an automotive industry expert at J.D. Power, for a closer look at what’s changed in the Canadian vehicle market and the potential for going electric. Plus, we hear from Dominic, a 24-year-old from Gatineau, Quebec who bought an electric vehicle to save money. Yes, you read that right!

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 money, going back to work can be pricey. Many Canadians have grown to love their work from home lifestyle, and they’re eager to keep it. In the first episode of our new season, we hear from a 20-something who’s job-hunting because his employer is asking employers to return to the office two to three days a week. We also hear from a manager in her early 40s on why she decided to close her office for good. Plus, The Globe’s future of work reporter Vanmala Subramaniam speaks with Roma to discuss changes in the workplace and what to expect going forward.

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 did pre-pandemic – maybe even more. The Globe’s personal finance podcast is back this month for its fifth season. Join hosts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw as they talk with real people and experts to tackle the money questions on your mind. Up this season: the cost of going back to the office, the price of gas versus electric vehicles, the rise of ethical investing and the latest challenges when buying a home.