In This Economy?!

This is an episode of The Big Story which was first published on January 25, 2024. Experts predict the Bank of Canada will begin to lower interest rates later this year—just not Wednesday when it held the rate flat. But as inflation has slowed in many areas, it's created an interesting problem for the bank and a troubling one for many Canadians.One of the main factors driving inflation right now is the cost of shelter—otherwise known as rising rents and mortgage costs. Those increases are driven by ... the high interest rates the bank is waiting to lower. The BoC wants to follow through on its "soft landing" by taking a cautious approach to lowering rates. But by waiting too long, are they courting disaster for millions of Canadians trying to make their monthly home payments?GUEST: David Macdonald, senior economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ National Office Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Jennie has been searching for a one-bedroom condo in Vancouver for over two years. Despite having money for a downpayment, her search has been largely unsuccessful. Now, she's wondering if home ownership is really the best option.Jordan calls Dr. Tom Davidoff, housing economist and real estate development expert, to find out if buying a condo is a good investment in today's market. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Kacey and her partner just welcomed a new baby girl into their lives. And with this bundle of joy has also come a ton of new expenses.Jordan talks to money expert and mom of two, Melissa Leong, to find out how new parents are making it work. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Lynda has a dental emergency and is struggling to cover the cost of treatment. Jordan speaks with Dr. Carlos Quiñonez to figure out how Canadians can get the dental care they need right now. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Rachael feels trapped in her Toronto rental because she can't afford to move. She has no plans of ever owning a home and wants to know what, if any, rental protections exist to curb rising rates. Jordan talks to political economist and author Ricardo Tranjan about how policy can help protect renters in Canada. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

This year, Erica is getting married! Together, with her fiancé, they set a budget of $50,000, however, she's a few months away from the big day and the actual cost is closer to $75,000. Erica blames the inflated budget on hidden fees from vendors and wants to know if she's being charged fairly. Jordan talks to wedding planner, Shalini Misri, to figure out what's behind these hidden fees and how to avoid them. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Kara is being asked to pay back all the money she received from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit back in 2020. But she’s making less now than she was before the pandemic and all of her expenses have gone up. She doesn't have the means to pay the Canada Revenue Agency and might have to file bankruptcy as a result. Jordan talks to Elizabeth Mulholland to find out why the CRA is going after this money now. Then speaks with licensed insolvency trustee, Doug Hoyes, to learn more about what it means to go bankrupt in Canada.Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Frances has been a freelancer for the past 10 years. In that time she's never been able to stick to a budget. This year, she wants to change that, but an unpredictable payment schedule mixed with the rising cost of goods is making that goal more difficult. Jordan talks to small business accountant, Joe Collins, about how to build and maintain a budget when nothing in your financial world is predictable. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

A little update on what we've learned after making a few episodes. Jordan Heath-Rawlings reflects on what it's like having a side hustle. And producer, Stefanie Phillips, reads some scandalous feedback. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Anna has $9000 in credit card debt and needs help getting her spending under control. Jordan talks to money expert, Tori Dunlap, about why our collective credit card debt is rising and how users can avoid accumulating more debt than they can handle. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Sal is getting ready to host family and friends for the holidays but is worried about how much food, drinks and gifts will cost this year.Jordan talks to retail analyst, Bruce Winder, to breakdown the cost of hosting and find creative ways to save. Then, he talks to financial expert, Kelley Keehn, about how to handle tricky money conversations with your guests. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Mo feels guilty spending money on social events like concerts, restaurant outings and shopping trips. But they are tired of missing memorable moments with friends. Jordan interviews personal finance expert, Shannon Lee Simmons, to determine if there’s a way to have fun without ditching your financial goals or racking up credit card debt.Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Sam wants to leave her comfortable white collar job to pursue her passion project full time. But she's not sure if she's financially ready to make the jump. Jordan interviews personal finance expert, Jessica Moorhouse, who went down a similar path a few years ago. Together they break down how to manage this massive transition. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Suki is in the market for her first car. She would like to purchase an electric vehicle but doesn't know if she can really afford it.Jordan interviews an auto industry expert to better understand current market trends and develop a roadmap for buying a car right now.Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Daniella wants to prioritize her health. But is having a hard time justifying the costs she has incurred trying to eat healthier and feel stronger.Jordan interviews an author who has written about modern wellness culture to unpack the ways we've altered our understanding of health and wellness. Together they try to answer: How much should it really cost to take care of our well being? Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Jeremiah has seen real estate prices sky rocket to astronomical levels and he's worried he won't be able to afford a home. He's curious about co-ownership and wonders if it's possible for him.Jordan interviews two real estate professionals who specialize in co-ownership sales. Then, he speaks with someone who's living in a home he owns with his partner and another couple. Together they try to answer: Is co-ownership a viable path to home ownership? Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Before we release the first episode, we want to tell you more about why we're making this show. Host Jordan Heath-Rawlings reveals that he, too, has a side hustle. And producer, Stefanie Phillips, gets school'd on the definition of a survival guide. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!  

Jordan Heath-Rawlings is a journalist who wants to help you understand the systems that create your money problems. His award-winning podcast, The Big Story, has been telling stories that inform Canadians for over five years. And in that time, there's really only been one big story: A growing percent of the population can't afford to live basic, comfortable lives — and they want answers. Listen to the first episode on November 2nd. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you for listening!