Find out what’s happening this season on the new Half Banked podcast!

To kick off the first season of Half Banked, we explore a touchy subject for young Canadians: Borrowing money from your parents. Cadeem Lalor and Lauren Bird go straight to the source and ask Cadeem’s mom. Leadership expert, Schulich School of Business professor and host of the UpSkill Talks podcast Michel Shah talks about how she handled teaching Cadeem about money management and lending him cash over the years — and why she eventually had to cut him off. The hosts also talk to financial therapist Ashley Agnew about what you can do to make asking your parents for a loan less awkward.

Avid collector (read: “little goblin”) Hannah Chafe has an impressive hoard of vintage clothing, antique cookbooks and fantasy swords. What she doesn’t have is a kid or a lot of money, so does she really need a will? In this episode, Lauren Bird and Cadeem Lalor find out it’s never too early to start thinking about your end. Only one of the Half Banked hosts has a will of their own — and as estate lawyer Stephanie Battista explains, that would make all the difference if they suddenly met the business end of a city bus.

How do you deal with your money? Do you juggle multiple accounts and keep a close eye on the stock market, or are you the type to stuff your cash in a shoebox under your bed and avoid looking at your balances? Money needs managing, which is why we spoke with financial planner Shay Steacy of InBalance Financial Planning, who helps Canadians map out their futures. She breaks down the difference between financial advisors and planners and lets hosts Cadeem and Bethan in on the red flags you should watch out for when deciding where you get your money advice. We also talk with Moneywise personal finance reporter James Battiston about the importance of financial literacy and education, particularly for young Canadians.

How does your mental health affect your relationship with money? And how does money affect your mental health? From the pandemic to inflation, financial trauma and anxiety is a reality so many Canadians face every day. In this episode of Half Banked, Cadeem and Bethan talk with Alyssa Davies, founder of Mixed Up Money about the hardships and pressures of dealing with finances in your 20s — and the techniques she used to change her relationship with money. We also speak with financial trauma researcher and co-founder of the Trauma of Money training program, Chantel Chapman. She breaks down how your sense of safety, security and stress can affect your ability to make, spend and manage money.

Why is it that our savings stay the same even as our salaries go up? Or that once we’ve hit our dream income, it still feels like we’re living paycheck to paycheck? The answer may be a phenomenon called “lifestyle creep.” On this episode of Half Banked, hosts Cadeem and Bethan sit down with Cindy Marques, financial planner and co-founder of MakeCents, to discuss what lifestyle creep is, why it’s such a problem for young Canadians, and what you can do to avoid falling victim. They also price-check Canadian grocery chains to see if shopping at a fancier store really has a noticeable impact on your bank balance.

The Next Generation of Homebuying - Part 1

For many, buying a home is a big landmark in their adult life. Your parents and grandparents have built and bought their own houses to settle in and start their families. Buying a home in the Canada housing market today isn't the same as when your parents did.

In this three-part series, Half-Banked focuses on what buying a house is like. For this episode, we examine the rules and advice older generations followed to buy a home and test them against today's market environment. Joining us are Asif Kasim and Steve Saretsky to share their insights on the financial and real estate side of buying a home. They pinpoint which rules still work and which ones ultimately need an update.

The Next Generation of Homebuying Part 2

Are you dreaming of buying a home, thinking you finally have enough money to make it happen? Well, hold on a moment! Without proper preparedness and due diligence, you might fall into the trap of becoming “house poor.”
In the second episode of our three-part series, Half-Banked focuses on what buying a home is like, particularly for first-timers. For this episode, we examine the pitfalls posed by the hot seller market and how to make an informed decision that sets you up for success. Joining us are Calgary realtor Dusko Sremac, Ontario home inspector Leigh Gate. Homebuyers Chris and Julia also join us to talk about their experiences buying a home in Toronto.

DescriptionThe Next Generation of Homebuying Part 3

The dream of homeownership can seem unattainable, especially with the average one-bedroom apartment rental in Canada costing just over $700 a month and 29% of Canadians resigning to renting forever. Fortunately, today's episode focuses on alternative home-buying strategies, which may be the light at the end of the tunnel for many aspiring home buyers. Tiny homes or van living might be a way out of renting for the rest of your life.

Tipping culture is a significant part of the restaurant experience — especially in North America. However, tipping isn’t universal — some places charge service fees while others disallow tips entirely. And really, do customers enjoy tipping? Is it an effective and fair wage structure? Let’s find out.

In this intriguing episode of Half Banked, we delve into tipping culture. We also look at the burgeoning trend of tip creep, a controversial phenomenon that's causing ripples in the North American restaurant industry. We interview Marc Cohen, a Montreal-based restaurant owner, and Sam, an Ontario-based server. These two are on the frontlines of the service industry. Their unique perspectives reveal the intricate workings of the tipping culture as they grapple with the rising pressure on patrons to tip. Tune in for a dive into tipping culture — and find out how both sides, server and restaurant owner, see it.

In this engaging episode we delve deep into the world of organizing and budgeting for significant life events, specifically weddings. We are joined by Amanda Cowley, founder, head planner and designer of Amanda Kelly Events. She also happens to be the wedding planner for Cadeem’s wedding. Jaye Simpson is also joining us today. She is a senior underwriter for a leading insurance company based in Toronto and the proud owner of Jaye’s Boutique–a go-to source for custom crafted delights perfect for celebrating life's greatest milestones.

Investing is a powerful tool that can help you grow your wealth and achieve financial goals. It can provide opportunities for your money to work for you. However, it’s not as simple as putting money into the market.

In this episode, we welcome Parween Mander, founder of WealthyWolfe.ca, to the Half Banked Podcast to share her insights on starting your investing journey. As an accredited financial counsellor, she helps us understand the world of finances and investments from the lens of women with immigrant upbringings. We dive into understanding risk tolerance, investing methods and the importance of education about investments.