Not Just Money

About Not Just Money

Money is the fuel of possibility. Managing it well is possibility lived. Managing it poorly is possibility stolen. We say it’s “just money” – but it never is. Money shapes our lives — where we live, what we dream about, how secure we feel, what we think we’re worth, what we think we deserve. And it’s not just about numbers. It’s about who we are, what we believe, and the stories we tell ourselves. Join our hosts, Doretta and Li, for deep conversations on money and meaning. Because Money is never just Money. Tune in every Friday @ 7am for a new episode. Connect with us Email: NotJustMoneyPodcast@gmail.com (mailto:NotJustMoneyPodcast@gmail.com) YouTube: @NotJustMoneyPod

Publisher

notjustmoneypodcast

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Nov 2025

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

50 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   50 Boomers, Millennials & Inflation: Housing, Cars, Clothes and the Real Cost of Living in Canada

   Was life really more affordable for Boomers? Or are Millennials and Gen Z facing challenges previous generations never had to deal with? In this episode of Not Just Money, Doretta and Li dig into the numbers behind one of the biggest debates in personal finance: How has inflation changed the cost of living across generations? Using historical Canadian data from 1985, 2005, and 2025, they compare housing, household goods, appliances, furniture, clothing, transportation, technology, and everyday expenses to uncover what's actually become more expensive, what's surprisingly cheaper, and why the answer is far more complicated than most headlines suggest. You'll learn: Why housing affordability challenges are very real — and how they compare to previous generations How home prices, mortgage rates, and household income interact to determine affordability Why average Canadian home prices have increased more than threefold since 1985 How much of household income is now required to carry a mortgage compared to previous decades Why major appliances, furniture, clothing, and technology are dramatically cheaper in inflation-adjusted terms How lifestyle inflation and expectation inflation affect our perception of affordability Why comparing generations is harder than simply adjusting for inflation How technology has replaced dozens of products and expenses from previous generations What inflation calculators can and cannot tell us Why the growing gap between rich and poor may be a bigger issue than inflation itself Doretta and Li also explore the hidden forces behind financial nostalgia. Were Boomers really better off? Are Millennials as disadvantaged as they're often portrayed? And how much of our financial frustration comes from changing expectations rather than changing prices? This episode challenges common assumptions about inflation, purchasing power, housing affordability, and generational wealth, offering a more nuanced view of what it means to build a middle-class life in Canada today. If you've ever wondered whether things were really better "back in the day," this episode is for you. Good talk. Links: Bank of Canada Inflation Calculatorhttps://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/ RBC Housing Affordability Reporthttps://www.rbc.com/en/economics/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/03/Affordability-gains-become-weaker-and-sparser-in-Canada-.pdf?utm_

2. 

   16 Oct 2026

   49 Financial Stress & Mental Health: What the Latest Research Reveals About Money, Anxiety, and Well‑Being

   Money doesn’t just shape our bank accounts — it shapes our mental health. In this research‑packed episode of Not Just Money, Doretta and Li explore the powerful, often overlooked relationship between financial wellbeing and mental wellbeing, drawing on new studies from Canada and around the world. Financial hardship, comparison culture, social media pressure, rising costs, and uncertainty about the future are taking a toll — especially on Millennials and Gen Z. But the data also shows where we do have control, and how financial literacy, confidence, and values‑based decision‑making can meaningfully improve our mental health. You’ll learn: The three dimensions of financial wellbeing (material, psychological, and future resilience) Why Canadians can meet their bills but still feel financially unwell How financial hardship strongly correlates with depression and anxiety across 24 countries Why perceived financial wellbeing predicts mental health more than actual income or debt How comparison — especially feeling poorer than peers — lowers happiness, meaning, and life satisfaction The behavioural signs of financial anxiety: avoidance, hypervigilance, doom spending, decision paralysis, shame, and relationship strain Why even financially secure people can feel chronically anxious about money How financial anxiety and mental health challenges reinforce each other What the research says about financial literacy interventions — and why habits matter more than concepts The limits of financial education (it can’t fix inadequate income) and where it can make a meaningful difference Why grounding your financial life in your own values, goals, and realistic expectations is essential for peace of mind This episode is for anyone who has ever felt stressed about money — whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or objectively doing fine but still feeling anxious. The research is clear: financial wellbeing and mental health are deeply connected, and understanding that relationship is the first step toward taking control. Good talk. Links: (for the research nerds) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560325000933 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212657026000747 https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/feeling-poorer-peers-linked-lower-wellbeing-even-when-incomes-are-similar-373318 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214804325000679 https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/programs/research/financial-education-budgeting-longitudinal.html https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/programs/research/online-intereventions-increase-young-womens-confidence-final-report.html https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39529498/

3. 

   9 Oct 2026

   48 The Power of Gratitude: How Thankfulness Rewires Your Brain, Redefines Wealth & Stops the Comparison Trap

   In this Thanksgiving‑themed episode of Not Just Money, Doretta and Li explore one of the most misunderstood — and most powerful — tools for financial well‑being: gratitude. Not the $13.99‑on‑Amazon journal version, but the deeper psychological, ethical, and human version that has shaped cultures, religions, and philosophies for thousands of years. Building on last week’s episode about why we feel poor even when we’re not, this conversation dives into how gratitude interrupts the comparison cycle, quiets the dopamine‑driven chase for “more,” and helps us recognize the wealth already present in our lives — wealth in its original meaning: well‑being. You’ll learn: Why gratitude is a two‑step process (and why most modern wellness advice only teaches half of it) How gratitude hijacks your brain’s network to refocus attention on what truly matters Why comparison culture makes us feel poorer — and how gratitude breaks the cycle The neuroscience behind rumination, wanting, and the hedonic treadmill How ancient traditions, Indigenous teachings, and modern psychology all converge on the same truth Why defining “enough” is essential for financial peace The surprising link between gratitude and generosity — including research showing grateful teens donate 60% more Why humility (not humiliation) is a forgotten virtue in a world obsessed with self‑optimization How gratitude helps us see the richness of time, relationships, nature, creativity, and community Why Thanksgiving’s meaning — recognizing plenty and sharing it — is the antidote to consumerism If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of wanting more, comparing more, or feeling like what you have isn’t enough, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human reset. Wishing you a grateful, grounded Thanksgiving. Good talk.

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