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Cost of Living

CBC
Canada
Tariffs
United States
Consumer Behavior
Inflation
Economy
Electric Vehicles
Artificial Intelligence
Canadian Economy
Housing Market
Google
Donald Trump
Personal Finance
Cost Of Living
Real Estate
Bank Of Canada
Thrifting
USMCA
Skilled Trades
Youtube

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes46Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Business

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Artwork for Cost of Living

Latest Episodes

AI agents can do all sorts of tasks for us — including shopping — but how do we know the bots are working for us, and not the company that made them? Plus, we ask if 99 cent price tags are finally being phased out, and make the case for why we might ... more

Thousands of Canadians have launched GoFundMe campaigns this year, asking for help with everyday expenses. But, as more of us struggle with the cost of living, is crowdfunding the best way to keep up? Also, just how much does it cost small towns to m... more

Canada's free trade deal is up for renegotiation and the stakes are high. More than 70 per cent of our exports head south. So does Canada need to play tough at the CUSMA table? Also, we hear from small businesses across the country about their hopes ... more

Switching jobs is always a risk, but with high unemployment and iffy economic vibes, right now it feels even riskier. That's why more Canadians are hanging onto their jobs, which is not so great for them — or the economy. Plus, we explore why tinned ... more

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Recent Guests

Barry Appleton
Canadian trade lawyer and advisor during NAFTA talks, professor at New York Law School
Canadian trade law
Episode: On the brink of CUSMA talks, should Canada get tough?
Martha Hall Finley
Professor at University of Calgary, vocal critic of supply management
University of Calgary
Episode: On the brink of CUSMA talks, should Canada get tough?
Shana Morris
VP of Trade Policy with US Dairy Export Council
US Dairy Export Council
Episode: On the brink of CUSMA talks, should Canada get tough?
Stefan Szymanski
Professor of sport management
University of Michigan
Episode: Why Canadians are clinging to their jobs (even when they hate them)
Jim Stanford
Labor economist
Vancouver, BC
Episode: Why Canadians are clinging to their jobs (even when they hate them)
Mike Sheckman
Executive at Robert Haav (employment agency)
Robert Haav
Episode: Why Canadians are clinging to their jobs (even when they hate them)
Carly Fine
Owner of a luxury resale/purchase business
Mine and Yours (Vancouver)
Episode: "Superfake" counterfeits are flooding into Canada. Here's why.
Courtney Watkins
Owner of Mine and Yours, luxury consignments expert
Mine and Yours (Vancouver)
Episode: "Superfake" counterfeits are flooding into Canada. Here's why.
Jennifer Keene
Researcher/expert on shrinkflation
University/Consultation (UBC mention)
Episode: "Superfake" counterfeits are flooding into Canada. Here's why.

Hosts

Paul Haavardsrud
Host of Cost of Living
Jennifer Keene
Host of The Cost of Living / The Cost of Living

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 620 ratings
  • Fantastic

    Listening to Paul is a lot like talking to an old friend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Todd Ulysses B
    Canada2 months ago
  • Don’t ever stop!

    Always look forward to the new episode each week

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ben_Horne
    Canada3 months ago
  • One of my favourite show

    Interesting topics about living in Canada

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KCS ON
    Canada4 months ago
  • I feel 10% less dumb after listening

    This show makes business reporting accessible and entertaining — good work team!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JBitz93
    Canada4 months ago
  • Hy-un-dai?

    Why doesn’t Hyundai have an auto plant in Canada? Maybe because you can’t even pronounce it right

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bruindude88
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners find the host's delivery warm and approachable.
Audiences appreciate data-backed context and practical takeaways.
The podcast consistently explains economic topics relevant to everyday life in Canada.
Guests are knowledgeable and the discussions are accessible.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#39
Canada/Business
Apple Podcasts
#233
Colombia/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A big reason the U.S. still needs Canada? Our aluminum
Q: Is it now easier to buy a home than it has been?
The expert says it's slightly easier than a year ago, but prices remain high and affordability is still a long way off, with multiple factors like local markets and income levels influencing actual ability to buy.
BONUS: How high could oil prices go?
Q: At what point does the duration of this oil shock start to really become a serious issue for policy makers?
Rory suggests that even if the war ends soon and Hormuz reopens, the economy could feel the effects for months, and policymakers would need to respond to persistent supply-induced inflation and the resulting consumer cost pressures, which could influence political calculus and policy timing.
BONUS: How high could oil prices go?
Q: So then Rory, how high could gas prices go if all this keeps going on?
Rory explains that peak pump prices could reach well above current levels, with potential scenarios where gasoline could rise to several dollars per liter in Canada and correspondingly high per-gallon prices in the U.S., driven by constrained supply and continued demand pressure.
The billionaire backlash
Q: What does Joe Heath suggest about regulating billionaire wealth?
Heath suggests that if people want to address billionaire influence, they need to get specific and identify unfair practices to fix.
The billionaire backlash
Q: Why is there a backlash against billionaires?
The backlash stems from growing wealth inequality, billionaires being perceived as morally problematic amidst extreme poverty, and their influence on democracy and politics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Living

What is Cost of Living about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A Canadian economics show that translates complex money topics into everyday relevance. Episodes routinely explore how price changes, policy decisions, and broader market forces touch daily life—from housing affordability and consumer costs to inflation, labor markets, and energy dynamics. A key strength is the mix of accessible explanations, real-world anecdotes, and expert guests ranging from academics to policy researchers and industry insiders, which helps listeners understand the practical impacts behind headlines. The series often threads together Canadian-specific context with broader global trends, making it useful for both informed consumers and professionals tracking market developments. Noteworthy is the tendency to combine clear... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cost of Living?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cost of Living:

1. The Dose
2. The Sunday Magazine
3. The Current
4. Front Burner
5. White Coat, Black Art

How many episodes of Cost of Living are there?

Cost of Living launched 7 years ago and published 46 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cost of Living?

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What guests have appeared on Cost of Living?

Recent guests on Cost of Living include:

1. Barry Appleton
2. Martha Hall Finley
3. Shana Morris
4. Stefan Szymanski
5. Jim Stanford
6. Mike Sheckman
7. Carly Fine
8. Courtney Watkins

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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