Millennial Money

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.

Yonni and Kayla have been together for 15 years. They're unmarried but they've combined their money and freely share their assets, even though only one of them has the house in their name and one of them has the car in theirs. Is this set up financially smart in the long run? Or does it benefit one over the other? Family lawyer Heather Hansen, partner at McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP, shares how getting married may affect your finances for better or for worse. 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.

Like many of us, Amy learned about trigonometry in school but nothing about the basics of financial literacy of investing. And she didn't have any financial models growing up; no one she knew really had any money. But recently, Amy got an unexpected chunk of cash. Now, for the first time, she's trying to learn how to make it grow before she spends it all. Jason Heath, Managing Director of Objective Financial Partners, Inc., shares practical advice on how to start planning for your financial future, regardless of how much money you have in the bank. This episode was produced by Ghada Alsharif, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, Sean Pattendon, Kevin Sexton and Andrea Varsany

How much money should you spend on dating when it's a struggle to keep up with the bills? A 32-year-old fashion designer opens up about the financial pressures women face on the dating scene, and what it's like looking for love with a tight budget. Financial expert Melissa Leong, author of Happy Go Money, provides some practical advice for keeping costs under control without having to sabotage your love life. 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.

Millennials face an unprecedented financial landscape in modern life. They've been told all along there are financial markers to being a grown-up: owning a home, having kids, travelling, having some kind of social life. But for many millennials, lots of those things feel well out of reach. Returning for its third season, the "Millennial Money" podcast is doing things differently this time around. New host and Toronto Star business reporter Ghada Alsharif speaks to fellow millennials about relatable financial dilemmas that are usually taboo or embarrassing, that everyone is grappling with behind closed doors. Alsharif will then bring the topic straight to an expert to work out some options. Episode 1 will be available Wednesday, Dec. 6 on podcast platforms or at thestar.com/millennialmoneypodcast.

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.

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

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.

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.

Cedric, 23, lives with his parents in Brampton. After being laid off in the pandemic, he now makes $20 an hour as a line cook. While he has $5,000 in cryptocurrency, he wants to start focusing on his credit card debt and is considering going back to school to change career paths, and eventually well as move out of his parents house. How can he start? 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 30 years old, Ricky has a full-time job making $100,000 as a lawyer working in Toronto after putting years of work into law school. He is an active investor in cryptocurrency and wants to know if he can afford a home in downtown Toronto. Evelyn 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.

As a self-proclaimed "older millennial," 40-year-old Peter makes $94,000 a year working in social services. He got himself involved in the hot GTA market early on and owns two condos and is thinking of buying a brand new spot. The thing is he doesn't know if he should buy a dream condo for himself, or another one to invest, or if it's even feasible. Evy 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. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

This week we meet 34-year-old millennial, Chele who makes $45,000 as a manager working in financial services. Due to family emergencies, she's more than $100,000 in debt. After paying down that debt, she'd like to own her own place in the GTA. Evy 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. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.