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.
Latest episodes
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28 min
Canada wants to build big. But are we building the right things?
Canada is leaning into the resource economy, spending billions on megaprojects. But could we be falling into the 'staple trap?' Again? Also, how many mini Mars bars have you crushe…
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27 min
Are we too loyal to our loyalty programs?
Loyalty apps promise us deals and insider status, but how much information are we giving in return? Reece Rogers, a writer for WIRED magazine, dug into what McDonald’s knows about…
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27 min
How much can you save by welding a piggybank shut?
You'll find out when you tune into our super duper savings show! Also, we look at how much Canadians need to save to enjoy retirement and explore why we over-value the things we sa…
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27 min
What the U.S. bond market means for your mortgage
This week, we unravel the befuddling world of U.S. bond yields (it'll be fun, we promise!) and explain why and how they're influencing Canadian lending rates. Also, how do you take…
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26 min
We avoided an oil crisis. Then diesel prices spiked.
When the Strait of Hormuz closed, many feared the worst. Analysts predicted oil could hit $200 a barrel, ushering in a global energy crisis. That hasn't happened, but it doesn't me…
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27 min
Has Canada won over global investors?
Mark Carney is rolling out tax breaks and opening some airports to private money in an attempt to woo foreign investors. Between those moves and a proposed cinq-à-sept with Europe,…
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11 min
BONUS REPLAY: How to privatize a Canadian airport
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will open Canada's four largest airports to some private investment. It's been done before in other countries, like England and Spain. In this re…
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26 min
Does the economy really matter to Alberta separatists?
Most economists say Alberta is in for hard times if it splits from Canada. But dire predictions don't seem to faze true believers. So, how much influence can economic analysis have…
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28 min
Why do we board planes front to back?
It's our Labour Day Q & A show! We're tackling some questions you posed — like, why are vitamin bottles so big when the contents are so small? Is it safe to rely on credit card ben…
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28 min
We can't stop talkin' tariffs. But do Americans care?
Canadians have to pay attention to the trade war — the majority of our exports go to the U.S. But what do Americans in the heart of the U.S. auto sector think? Also, we explain why…
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28 min
After the trade deal collapse, what now?
At the last minute, trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. have fallen apart. Now, with 50 per cent tariffs on some Canadian exports, Prime Minister Carney says we have no…
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28 min
Ryan from The O.C.'s campaign against crypto
Actor Ben McKenzie is best known for his role in The O.C. as the bad boy heartthrob. But the role he's most passionate about is in real life, fighting what he calls "the fraud" of…
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28 min
Why the siren call of the ice cream truck is hard to resist
Craving a popsicle? Boxes of 'em are available at the grocery store. So why do we run for the ice cream truck like it's our last chance for frozen refreshment? We explore AI's grow…
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28 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 Haavar…
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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…
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28 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 th…
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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 t…
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27 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 eve…
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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. Als…
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27 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 o…