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 2
9 Oct 2026 · 27 minMoney talks. We translate. Every Friday, Paul Haavardsrud looks at the way money shapes our lives in ways big, small, obvious, and unseen. From Big Macs to Big Banks, the Cost of Living connects the dots between the economy and everyday life.
Latest episodes
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.
3 Oct 2026 · 27 minWhen 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?
26 Sep 2026 · 25 minMark 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 growi
19 Sep 2026 · 26 minPrime 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?
15 Sep 2026 · 10 minMost 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!
12 Sep 2026 · 26 minIt'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?
4 Sep 2026 · 27 minCanadians 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 .
29 Aug 2026 · 27 minAt 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 businesse
23 Aug 2026 · 27 minCraving 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.
14 Aug 2026 · 27 minShould 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 als
8 Aug 2026 · 27 minSure, 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.
31 Jul 2026 · 27 minThe 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 .
24 Jul 2026 · 27 minMany 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.
17 Jul 2026 · 27 minToday'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.
10 Jul 2026 · 26 minBack 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.
3 Jul 2026 · 26 minThere'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.
26 Jun 2026 · 26 minAI 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.
20 Jun 2026 · 27 minThousands 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 cent
13 Jun 2026 · 27 minCanada'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.
6 Jun 2026 · 27 min