Millennial Money – Details, episodes & analysis

Moving out of the big city for somewhere more affordable has become a common topic of conversation among Toronto millennials. Is it worth giving up the perks of the city for a lower cost of living and shorter commutes? We speak to a woman named Sydney who’s leaving the city she was born in in search of a lower-stress and less costly lifestyle.

Then we speak to money expert Jessica Moorhouse, host of the "More Money" podcast, about how to navigate this question and make the most of life in Toronto despite the rising costs of just about everything.

This episode was produced by Ghada Alsharif, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Sean Pattendon, Kevin Sexton and Andrea Varsany.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Canadians are more in debt than ever before but we rarely talk about it openly. Shame, embarrassment and despair can make it too scary to look at. On this episode, a millennial opens up about how she’s fallen into a spiral of debt that overwhelms her and makes it difficult for her to map an escape route.

Then, Shannon Lee Simmons, author of "Living Debt-Free" and founder of the New School of Finance, shares some tips on how to practically and philosophically tackle debt while making necessary space to enjoy your life as you do it.

This episode was produced by Ghada Alsharif, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Sean Pattendon, Kevin Sexton and Andrea Varsany.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

With only a high school diploma in hand, Karan sought bank jobs that didn’t require a university degree, and ended up taking an internship at a major bank as an IT project co-ordinator. Now, at 19 years old, he works two jobs, taking in around $83,000 a year working from home for both companies. He’s always had goals to start his own financial consultancy business by his mid-20s but his most immediately goal is to buy his parents a house. Evy Kwong speaks with financial adviser Jason Heath for recommendations.

All of our participants have been granted anonymity, and so we’ll be using voice actors for their quotes.

The past two years have tough on Jodie, a 29-year-old bartender living in Toronto. Between restaurant closures, Jodie had been surviving off a federal benefit of around $270 a week before returning to work recently. On top of this, she and her mother dealt with more rough news at the end of 2021: COVID-19 had claimed the lives of her grandparents. A strange, silver lining, though Jodie says she often feels guilty, is money that her grandparents left her after they passed. 

At 36 years old, Shellie is starting from scratch after moving to Canada from the U.S. a few months ago. Before moving, she and her partner were making around $73,000 (Canadian) each working as teachers in Boston. After their daughter was born six months ago, Shellie realized that she wanted to raise her child in her hometown of Toronto, to be closer to her parents.

We speak with financial adviser Jason Heath for recommendations.

All of our participants have been granted anonymity, and so we’ll be using voice actors for their quotes

Anand makes $60,000 a year before bonuses as a restaurant manager. He’s made the decision to go back to school part time, and is looking to change industries after graduating. With one condo that he rents out, he is hoping to buy a second property.

We speak with financial adviser Jason Heath for recommendations.

All of our participants have been granted anonymity, and so we’ll be using voice actors for their quotes

At 39, Luis has finally landed a full-time job working as a hospital cleaner making $35,000 a year after moving to Toronto from the Philippines five years ago. Will Luis be able to save enough to feel secure?

Host Evy Kwong speaks with financial adviser Jason Heath for recommendations.

All of our participants have been granted anonymity, and so we’ll be using voice actors for their quotes.

Making around $155,000 together, Dave and Annie have recently entered a new chapter of their lives: becoming parents. Annie is on an 18-month maternity leave, and Dave spends half his time working from home. The couple own their home but are looking to potentially upgrade into their forever home.

Host Evy Kwong speaks with financial adviser Jason Heath for recommendations.

All of our participants have been granted anonymity, and so we’ll be using voice actors for their quotes.

Dre is 29-years and works at a start-up. She lives with her partner and is officially sick of Toronto. Dre’s weeks often push past 60 hour. Now they’re considering moving out of the country, to the U.S. for more opportunities.

We speak with financial adviser Jason Heath for recommendations.

All of our participants have been granted anonymity, and so we’ll be using voice actors for their quotes.

At the age of 29, Toronto tech worker Ralph is making $115,000 a year. It’s a huge accomplishment, but there’s a caveat: he makes that working three different jobs. With goals to buy his own place, he also wants to know whether or not he can slow down a bit with work.

Host Evy Kwong speaks with financial adviser Jason Heath for recommendations.

All of our participants have been granted anonymity, and so we’ll be using voice actors for their quotes.