Cost of Living

For years, Greg Martel was running one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in Canadian history. He stole $300 million dollars. Then, he skipped town. Financial crime reporter Zak Vescera explains how Martel got away with it – and why Canada is ripe for this kind of crime. Also, how to play McDonald's Monopoly contest without ever buying a single fry. And how AI jargon like 'LLM' and 'hyperscaler' can make us tune out, even when we probably shouldn't.

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 crushed lately? We explain how Big Candy makes us powerless to resist those tiny Halloween treats. And, shoplifting has become a big expensive problem in Canada. We look at what it costs all of us.

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 him — and whether his loyalty is paying off. Plus, how music residencies are changing the concert tour and a look at why reverse mortgage debt in Canada is on the rise.

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 save (like Beanie Babies). Plus, we hear from a money coach who says if you want to save big — you need to think big. So, don't sweat the small stuff and go ahead and order that latte. (This episode originally aired June 28, 2026)

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 your coffee? Black? Iced? Instant? If you picked that last one, you're part of a growing number of caffeinated Canadians. Plus, a brief history of the weekend.