
Big spender, risky investor: Today's committed Gen Z renter
From Stress Test by The Globe and Mail
March 25, 2026 · 23 min · Season 12 · Episode 3
About this episode
The episode explores how the decision of young Canadians to rent instead of buy affects their spending and investment behaviors.
Despite a cooling housing market, home ownership still feels out of reach for many young Canadians. Now, new research suggests that when young people decide to opt out of saving for a home, their behaviour can change in surprising ways. They spend more, save less, and take bigger risks with their investments. We hear from two committed renters in their 20s about why they’re not interested in saving for a down payment. Then, Roma speaks with certified financial planner Shannon Lee Simmons about how giving up homeownership can affect everything from daily spending to building long-term wealth.
People in this episode
Host: Roma
Guest: Shannon Lee Simmons
Topics covered
- Gen Z
- housing market
- homeownership
- financial planning
- investing
- spending habits
Keywords
- Gen Z
- renting
- homeownership
- financial planning
- investing
- spending
- wealth
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Globe and Mail
Places: Canada
More episodes of Stress Test
- No, you don’t need $1.7-million to retire · April 29, 2026 · 28 min
- Everyone wants a prenup. Very few people get one · April 22, 2026 · 29 min
- Your “starter home” might be your forever home · April 15, 2026 · 26 min
- Thanks to AI, your resume is perfect. So is everyone else’s · April 8, 2026 · 29 min
- Is this the golden age of DIY investing? · April 1, 2026 · 25 min
- Rents are falling, so why does it still feel so expensive? · March 18, 2026 · 23 min
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