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 young Canadians.

Today, we’re looking at what happens when an idea passed down through generations stops working when it's your turn. First, we hear from a Toronto homeowner who stretched far beyond her budget to skip the starter home altogether and buy a place she hopes to stay in long-term. Then, we meet a millennial who’s decided to rent and wait rather than make the jump into homeownership. And later, Rob speaks with Mike Moffatt, founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative, who explains why many young buyers are either stuck in small condos or skipping the first rung entirely and what today’s market means for people hoping to move up.

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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 defined entry-level roles. So what’s really behind this shift?

We hear from economist and professor Larry Smith, who says new technology has always shaken up the labour market, but AI is doing so at a much faster speed. He also explains why creativity and adaptability matter more than ever. Then, recruiter Travis O’Rourke joins us to explain how AI is already reshaping hiring. From fewer entry-level roles to a surge of AI-generated applications, he breaks down what job seekers are up against and what actually makes someone stand out.

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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 better? On today’s episode, we look at what’s changed, what’s improved and what still matters most in the investing world. We hear from two Canadians who’ve taken different paths into DIY investing, and how new tools, from mobile apps to automated features, have changed how they invest their money. Then, Rob Carrick explains what’s driving this shift, why these changes are particularly good for new investors and why easier access isn’t always a positive.

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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 in surprising ways. They spend more, save less, and take bigger risks with their investments. We hear from two committed renters in their 20s about why they’re not interested in saving for a down payment. Then, Roma speaks with certified financial planner Shannon Lee Simmons about how giving up homeownership can affect everything from daily spending to building long-term wealth.

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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 rent and move-in bonuses to attract tenants. But the reality on the ground is more complicated.

In this episode, Roma and The Globe’s consumer affairs reporter Mariya Postelnyak unpack how many deals there really are in today’s rental market. We hear from a Toronto renter who recently searched for a new apartment and discovered that while competition may be easing, securing a place still takes strategy and a little budget flexibility. Then, Mariya speaks with housing analyst Shaun Hildebrand of Urbanation about the forces behind the shifting rental market. He explains why rents have been dropping in major cities, where the deals are and what the data suggests could happen next.

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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 drop and how it changed her investing mindset.

Then Rob talks with wealth advisor Aaron Hector, a wealth advisor at TIER Wealth in Calgary, about why the stock market has been so strong since COVID, why the tech sector seems primed for a downturn, and how to shore up your portfolio in a bear market.

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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 getting easier, like renting, don’t quite feel that way.

Welcome back for another season of Stress Test, The Globe and Mail’s personal finance podcast for millennials and Gen Z. This season, we’ll look at how to prepare for the inevitable stock market downturn, how AI is disrupting the job market, and how accessible apps and low fees have made this a golden age for DIY investors.

Season 12 of Stress Test launches on March 11th.

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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 Zahra Khozema about how she budgets for 2-3 trips a year. Then, The Globe’s consumer affairs reporter Mariya Postelnyak speaks with travel photographer Mandy Sham about her favourite affordable destinations, the trends she’s noticing among young Canadians travelling abroad and her top travel hacks for keeping costs low.

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