The decision to become a parent is a big one, and it's important to consider all the factors involved, including the financial ones. Raising a child can be expensive, from education, food, and clothing to surprise costs such as hidden expenses and paying for daycare. There is also social pressure to have children — especially on women — but ultimately, the choice is yours.

We dive into the two sides of the big choice: choosing to have children vs choosing not to. Joining us on the Half-Banked Podcast is Barry Choi, father and financial expert. He talks about the realities of being a parent and the financial impact of having children. Our second guest is Therese Shechter, filmmaker and producer of a documentary about the taboo of choosing to be child-free. She shares how finances can impact this big decision and what it means to choose not to have children in today’s world.

From the child tax credit to dealing with the cost of daycare, listen to Barry and Therese to better understand the financial aspect of having children.

Three reasons to listen to this episode

1. Discover how much it costs to raise a child — necessities, luxuries, and all.
2. Find out what it means to be financially ready to have a family.
3. Understand how financial planning and goals can impact your decision to have children.

Resources

• Check out Money.ca for more answers to your personal finance questions.
• Barry Choi's personal finance site MoneyWeHave.com 
• My So-Called Selfish Life documentary by Therese Shechter

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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. It’s important to educate yourself about the world of investments and understand your own financial goals and mindset. As a young investor, now is the best time for you to start learning and investing.

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.

Join us in this episode to find out how to start your journey as a young investor.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Understand the investing journey through the lens of young investors, women, and people with an immigrant upbringing.
2. Learn about risk tolerance and other must-know information about the world of investing.
3. Overcome your fear and uncertainty by building your confidence as a young investor!

Resources

• Live a richer life today with Money.Ca
• Visit Wealthy Wolfe, founded by Parween Mander

Answer your money questions on money.ca 

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This week on Half Banked, we decided to have a little fun. Or at least the producers did.

As we near the end of Season 1, we wanted to take a break from the grind of interviewing experts and dissecting the latest in personal finance news and topics. So we decided to it was our hosts to take a turn in the hot seat.

Who are the people behind the voices you hear every week? This week on Half Banked, the show’s producers turn the tables on Bethan and Cadeem to ask them some big money questions that haven't been discussed on the podcast yet. At random. With no prep.  From their quirkiest financial habits to what they would do with a million dollars, Cadeem and Bethan have gamely agreed to play along with their producers' antics and give their honest, unprepared answers and thoughts on various money matters.  

So sit back and enjoy as we get personal about personal finance at their expense.

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How much does the average wedding cost? The answer may be higher than you think — and the costs associated with a wedding can be surprising. You might have already budgeted out your wedding, but having the insights of people who’ve been to and planned weddings for several years is invaluable.

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.

Tune in if you or anyone you know are planning a big event, particularly weddings. And if the average wedding cost seems too high for you, this episode can help you figure out a way to manage your finances better.

Three Reasons to Listen to This Episode

1. Learn how to effectively manage external pressures and align them with your budget and event vision.
2. Discover the importance of financial planning in staging successful life events.
3. Understand how to address surprise costs and ensuring value for money.

Resources

• Money.ca
• Amanda Cowley Events
• Amanda Cowley on Instagram
• Amanda Cowley Events Facebook Page
• Jaye's Boutique on Instagram
• Jaye's Boutique on Facebook
• Jaye Simpson on LinkedIn

Guests:

About Amanda Cowley

Amanda Cowley is the founder of Amanda Cowley Planning + Design. They do extensive work for couples aiming to have wonderful weddings and celebrations to truly honor that special moment.

Visit her website, or follow her on Instagram.

About Jaye Simpson

Jaye Simpson is an entrepreneur and started her own business, Jaye’s Boutique, which caters to wedding crafts.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Episode Summary

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.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Learn how to navigate the rising trend of tip creep and understand its impact on both businesses and consumers

2. Discover unfiltered insights from both the server and business owner's perspective about the increasing pressure to tip.

3. Understand the options aside from tipping culture and how they could reshape the North American hospitality industry.

Resources

• Visit the official site of Lawrence, Larry’s, and Boucherie Lawrence.
• Follow Marc Cohen on Instagram

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Have any questions? If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, send us an email at [email protected]!

Thanks for tuning in! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok or Twitter for more clips and updates or visit our website.

The 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.

On this episode of Half Banked, we interview three guests: Comedian Matt Watson, as well as tiny home builders and experts Roger Allan Gallant and Bianca Metz. All of them have experience in alternative housing. Matt Watson enjoys the freedom of van living and lives a nearly nomadic lifestyle that aligns with his career. Roger and Bianca are experts in the tiny homes field and have built, purchased, and helped others create tiny homes to suit their needs.

Mobile or tiny homes may be a great option if you'd like to break free of renting forever. 

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Learn about the freedom and affordability benefits of living in tiny homes.
2. Discover how the tiny home market may evolve and grow in the coming years.
3. Understand the demographic trends and factors driving the popularity of tiny homes.

Guests

About Matt Watson

Matt Watson is a comedian making his living out of a van. He takes a relaxed and sincere approach to comedy and has done shows all over the world.
Connect with Matt through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also follow him on YouTube or visit his website for videos and show dates.

About Roger Allan Gallant

Roger Allan Gallant founded EcoEnviroBuilders, which builds environmentally friendly, off-grid, and affordable tiny homes. He's built several homes for families and lived in five different ones himself.
You can connect with Roger through the EcoEnviroBuilders Facebook page.

About Bianca Metz

Bianca Metz founded Giving Tree Tiny Homes, a consulting company that helps Canadians build their own tiny homes.
Connect with Bianca through the Giving Tree website, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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Have any questions? If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, send us an email at [email protected]!

Thanks for tuning in! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok or Twitter for more clips and updates or visit our website.

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.” It’s all too easy to compromise on essential features or overlook crucial structural issues in the rush to find a home. Don't rely solely on listing prices either–thorough research on the true value of a property is key.

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.

Join us in this episode as we explore the challenges young homebuyers face in the current Canada housing market. We’ll discuss how to overcome these, ensuring that your first experience buying a home doesn’t turn into a horror story.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Find out how to avoid being “house poor”.
2. Listen to some of the horror stories of those who got caught up in the frenzy of a hot seller’s market.
3. Learn what due diligence entails when buying a home in a competitive markets.

Resources

Dusko Sremac: Instagram | Real Broker

Leigh Gate:  Home Advantage Property Inspections


About Dusko 

Dusko Sremac is a top-rated REALTOR® at the Real Estate Partners, a respected brokerage based in Calgary. With a lifelong passion for real estate, Dusko brings extensive experience and knowledge to his role as a realtor.

His background as a journeyman red seal electrician in the construction industry equips him with a keen eye for potential electrical issues and a strong understanding of construction practices.

About Leigh

Leigh Gate is the person behind Home Advantage Property Inspections. With a professional journey that began in 2012, Leigh is a seasoned home inspector dedicated to providing top-notch service.

As a passionate advocate for the profession, Leigh is an active member of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors. 

Enjoyed this Episode?

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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. It's a goal the youth pursue whether they can afford it. Unfortunately, today is vastly different from the experiences of older generations. Buying a home in the Canada housing market[1]  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.

Join us in this episode as we change the rules of the Canada housing market and rewrite them to fit today’s generation of homebuyers.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Find out the best downpayment percentages, rates, and budget you should consider when buying a home.
2. Discover whether or not your home should be your biggest investment.
3. Learn updated Canada housing market rules for today's real estate environment.

Resources

●      Asif A. Kasim: LinkedIn | Integrity Tree Financial

●      Steve Saretsky: LinkedIn |Saretsky Group

Enjoyed this Episode?

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Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review.

Have any questions? If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, send us an email at [email protected]!

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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.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Discover the different factors affecting the Canadian cost of living.
2. Learn the definition of lifestyle creep and who's most vulnerable to it.
3. Understand the value of financial freedom, and reframe it in a way that suits you.

About Cindy

Cindy Marques started her career in finance after realizing her lack of financial literacy as a recent physics and philosophy graduate. She decided to pursue a postgraduate degree in financial planning, determined to become a successful adult.

Despite feeling lost initially, Cindy leaned in and found her passion in finance, leading to a full pivot in her career. Today, she uses her expertise to empower others to take control of their finances. 

Connect with Cindy through her website, or sign up at MakeCents. You can also contact her through her socials, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review.

Have any questions? If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, send us an email at [email protected]!

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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.

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review.

Have any questions? If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, send us an email at [email protected]!

Thanks for tuning in! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok or Twitter for more clips and updates or visit our website.