Cost of Living

CBC

Money 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.

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20 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes20

Newest first

Yesterday · 27 min
Guns vs. Butter
Should 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 also examine how the relationship between Scholastic, a for-profit U.S. company, and Canadian s
July 31 · 27 min
Is Canada really poorer than Alabama? (Encore Edition)
Sure, 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.
July 24 · 27 min
Why some prices go up when others go down (Encore Edition)
The 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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/223148140-don-t-be-yourself" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Don't Be Yourself: Why Authentici
July 17 · 27 min
Are critical minerals over-hyped? (Encore Edition)
Many 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.
July 10 · 26 min
The billionaire backlash (Encore Edition)
Today'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.
July 3 · 26 min
A former bike thief explains why it's so easy to steal your ride (Encore Edition)
Back 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.
June 26 · 26 min
The super duper savings show!
There'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.
June 20 · 27 min
AI bots can shop for you. But should we trust them?
AI 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.
June 13 · 27 min
Canadians are crowdfunding to pay their bills
Thousands 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 century? Paul Haavardsrud speaks to Quinn Slobodian, co-author of <a href="https://www.harpercollins.
June 6 · 27 min
On the brink of CUSMA talks, should Canada get tough?
Canada'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.
May 30 · 26 min
Why Canadians are clinging to their jobs (even when they hate them)
Switching jobs is always a risk, but with high unemployment and iffy economic vibes, right now it feels even riskier. That's why more Canadians are hanging onto their jobs, which is not so great for them — or the economy. Plus, we explore why tinned fish is reeling in a sea of protein-hungry consumers. And, this year’s World Cup is expected to be the biggest money-making event in sports history. So, who gets a piece of that pie?
May 23 · 27 min
"Superfake" counterfeits are flooding into Canada. Here's why.
High quality "superfakes" are on the rise, and luxury shoppers are lovin' it. They cost a fraction of the real thing, but who loses when everyone's buying knock-offs? Plus, shrinkflation is everywhere. So what’s being done in Canada to stop it? And, we explore how the Google search bar is changing and why it matters.
May 16 · 27 min
Could Canada profit from privatizing its airports?
The feds are considering it, and countries like Spain and the U.K. have already gone that way. We looks to their example for what Canada can learn. Plus, the pros and cons of buying a rebuilt car and a conversation with economist Justin Wolfers about why he's trying to bring economics to the people.
May 8 · 26 min
How the avocado won our wallets
Canada imports 20 times more avocados today than three decades ago — and that's no accident. We explore how the green fruit went from exotic specialty to kitchen staple. Also, how theatres are squeezing more money out of fewer customers and why some divorcees are still living with their ex.
May 1 · 28 min
What will Canada do about prediction markets?
Betting on a future event — like, who will be a bridesmaid at Taylor Swift's wedding — is the whole point of prediction markets. Every year, Americans spend billions on these kind of bets, but Canada hasn't fully opened the door to them. So, should we let this type of trading in, put restrictions on it, or just say no? Also, what's old is new again as more Canadians take up film photography. And we find out how Nike lost its cool factor.
April 24 · 27 min
Should you invest instead of buying a home?
Buying real estate is seen as a surefire way to build wealth. But it's not the only option. With prices coming down and more rentals being built, the case for renting in Canada is looking better than it has in years. Also, have you been diagnosed with ADHD? Well, there's a financial planner for that. And we talk to the Canadian planning to build a hotel on the moon.
April 18 · 28 min
How does all the weird food end up at Winners?
The food aisle at Winners is like the land of misfit toys, with egg white spaghetti noodles next to matcha-flavoured protein powder. But is the randomness simply an accident? And, from donuts to chia seeds, we explore why so many products have their own national day on the calendar. Plus, could Anthropic's Mythos give cyber-criminals the tool they need to hack the world's computer systems? We talk to Jaxson Khan, director of the <a href="https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/ai-competitiveness-proje
April 11 · 27 min
Is Canada really poorer than Alabama?
Yep, if you compare our economies based on GDP per capita, but Paul Haavardsrud looks at how that measure for our standard of living has its limits. Plus, why you shouldn't be too secretive about your inheritance plans, and a chat with transportation expert Matti Siemiatycki about the pros and cons of a proposed high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City that comes with a whopping price tag.
April 4 · 27 min
Why more Canadians are getting into 'boring businesses'
More Canadians are finding job security by charting their own path. They're buying so-called "boring businesses," like vending machines, dry cleaners and sign shops. But is it the road to the easy life? Also, we look at the chances of stagflation happening in Canada and explain why we're becoming a nation of candy lovers.
March 27 · 27 min
Is the early to bed generation killing nightlife? (Encore Edition)
Staying out 'til the wee hours of the morning? That's not happening as much anymore, and restaurants and bars are feeling it. Also, how to find Lego for 2 cents at Walmart and author Danny Funt talks about his book: Everybody Loses: the Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. (Originally aired November 23, 2025)