Doom Spending: Why Canadians Shop When the Future Feels Uncertain
Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce SelleryShow Notes
Why do we spend money to feel better when the news is stressful and finances are already tight? NerdWallet Canada lead writer Clay Jarvis joins Bruce Sellery to unpack “doom spending,” an emotional spending habit reported by two-thirds of Canadians surveyed. They explore the small purchases people use for comfort, how social media and easy online shopping trigger spending, and practical ways to recognize those patterns, find healthier outlets and focus on the financial choices within your control. Find out more at nerdwallet.com/ca and connect on Instagram.
More from Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery
How can parents help kids learn good money habits in a world of tap-to-pay spending? On Moolala: Money Made Simple, Bruce Sellery talks with Wealthsimple senior product director Sam Newman-Bremang about the company’s kids and teens accounts and their approach to financial literacy. They explore hands-on lessons in spending and saving, a tailored account experience for young people, and parent-paid interest, a feature that lets parents top up interest to make the rewards of saving and compound interest more tangible. They also discuss why learning the basics of money management should come before investing, and how Wealthsimple is thinking about future features for young savers. Find out more at wealthsimple.com and connect on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Feeling pressured to buy a home before you’re ready? Financial educator Kelley Keehn joins Bruce Sellery on Moolala: Money Made Simple for the Keys to Home Confidence series to explore the cultural and family expectations around homeownership in Canada. They discuss how to compare renting versus buying, look beyond the mortgage payment to property taxes and maintenance costs, and weigh the opportunity cost of a down payment. From lifestyle trade-offs to the risks of treating home equity like an ATM, Keehn explains why your housing decision should fit your finances and life goals, not someone else’s timeline. Find out more at kelleykeehn.com. Pick up a copy of Save Yourself on Amazon and connect on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Why do smart people make emotional investing decisions, and how can you avoid doing the same? On Moolala: Money Made Simple, Bruce Sellery speaks with psychologist and behavioural finance expert Dr. Daniel Crosby about the updated edition of The Behavioral Investor. Crosby explores how investing biases, market hype and our environment influence financial behaviour, and shares practical approaches to managing volatility, including a safety bucket of savings and support from a financial advisor. Plus, they discuss making retirement goals more vivid and navigating the psychological shift from saving money to spending it. Find out more at daniel-crosby/the-behavioral-investor and connect on X.
How much do emotions shape your financial decisions? On this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, host Bruce Sellery explores the psychology of money with Dr. Daniel Crosby, author of The Behavioral Investor, including practical strategies to manage investing biases, avoid panic selling and shift from saving to spending in retirement. Financial educator Kelley Keehn tackles the pressure to buy a home in Canada, the real costs of homeownership and how to weigh renting versus buying against your goals. Plus, Wealthsimple’s Sam Newman-Bremang explains how its kids and teens accounts use hands-on money management and parent-paid interest to help young people learn about spending, saving and compound interest. To find out more about the guests check out:
Strong revenue doesn’t always mean a healthy business—or a reliable paycheque for its owner. Bruce Sellery speaks with Zenbooks principal Eric Saumure about the Financial Clarity Index and what it reveals about Canadian small business finances. From owners delaying their own pay to gaps in emergency funds, explore why integrated financial tools, cash flow planning, and understanding profit—not just sales—matter for better business decisions. Connect on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.