How bad is the cost of living crisis in Canada? - eviltoast

I watched this YouTube video https://youtu.be/WP-ktk7Tt6w?si=hnKOC08_KYGn8UBW

How bad is it over there and how widespread? As a foreigner I thought my country was bad. How bad is it for people on average wages? Is it really hard to pay the rent and put food on the table or is that just a small minority who don’t know how to manage their money?

  • ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    You’re a foreigner but all your lemmy posts are about Canadian politics and your link is to a campaign video for Pierre Poilievre?

    Rent and house prices have inflated significantly in recent years but that only effects people who don’t own a home. I own a home so I haven’t noticed drastic increases in my expenses. I spend about $1,000 a month on mortgage and house bills, I have friends renting small apartments for $2,000 a month. It’s impossible to save for a downpayment with that kind of monthly expense. A downpayment would be something like $50,000 for a really cheap place. If you don’t own a home already, I really do feel like you’re stuck unless someone helps you with the downpayment (typically parents/grandparents). This really needs to be fixed.

    Groceries can be expensive too but I meal prep cheap foods like pasta, curry, burritos and pizza. I eat for about $80 a week. I know people who spend $400 a week because they buy non-essentials. When I talk to them about this they usually just say that they want to be able to eat what they what, when they want, and not have to be rich to enjoy such a simple luxury. I get it, but unlike housing and rent, I don’t have much sympathy for people spending $20 on Doritos and Pepsi or using a food delivery app to order a burger and fries for $50. Yes it’s expense, so stop buying it.

    Edit: I forgot kids. Raising a kid is a huge expense. My friends with kids are broke. This is a pretty common problem in any advanced economy though, which is why their birth rates are so low.

    • kiwiheretic@lemmy.caOP
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      1 year ago

      You’re a foreigner but all your lemmy posts are about Canadian politics and your link is to a campaign video for Pierre Poilievre?

      Correct. I am from and in New Zealand. I joined up on lemmy.ca because you seem to be affiliated with more communities than what the NZ lemmy is.

    • Screwthehole@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      For the past 6 months, every Monday I get 5 40% off Uber Eats food deliveries. By spending $40 on this, I find myself having dinner for us, and leftovers for someone’s lunch, for not a whole lot less than cooking our own. For instance I roasted a chicken the other day, I made a caesar salad, with all the fixings. The chicken was what 11 bucks the salad stuff was another eight for the lettuce and the dressing. Meanwhile I order a $40 Uber Eats meal and pay 30 including delivery/tip so it’s not really that far off. If they ever stop sending me those coupons then it’s back to the kitchen for me. But for now, might as well order my burritos or pad Thai while the going is good!