r/MooseMoney

I’m so exhausted and stressed about everything.

Canada keeps acting like poverty is a personal failure. But actually, wages are insanely stagnant and grocery shopping feels like a rectal exam without lube. Don’t even get me started on insane housing prices. I just watched Ron Butler speak at a Finance Committee of Parliament, saying that only the top 20% of income earners in Canada can afford to buy a house.

Like excuse me, what?

So the rest of us are just…. fucked? Feels like the economy is rigged so you only win if you’re a parasitic landlord or a soulless corporation that lays people off after posting record profits.

I’m sorry, but opposing a universal basic income is just weird. People are already working. They’re just working harder for less. Now we’re all burnt out, drowning in debt, mental health in the toilet, and too stressed to think beyond next month’s bills.

And now AI is already coming for entry-level and mid-level jobs? I just wanna give up. Something’s gotta give.

I know a UBI is a contentious topic. But from what I’ve read, every major long-term study shows the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. I think at this point, we should at least give it a shot. It is the bare minimum for a country that claims to care about dignity while letting working people drown in plain sight.

If Canada can find endless money for corporate subsidies, consultants, and tons of other bureaucratic bullshit, it can find money to make sure we the people can afford food and rent. And maybe go back to school. Or start a business. Or go back to work because now we can actually afford daycare (this is what the research shows people actually do, btw).

So this might be a hot take, but I think a country as rich as Canada choosing to keep millions financially cornered is far more reckless than giving us a basic income floor.

Heads up for anyone travelling soon, especially if you bought or plan to buy travel insurance through Manulife.

Manulife says the ongoing global jet fuel shortage is now considered a “known event” as of May 5, 2026 for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.

For policies bought on or after May 5, benefits related to fuel-shortage disruptions may not apply. If your your flight gets cancelled or changed because of fuel shortages, Manulife says the airline/travel supplier is generally responsible first for refunds, rebooking, or credits. Insurance coverage is secondary and depends heavily on your specific policy.

The other insurers are likely to follow suit.

Before you travel anywhere this summer, read your policy exclusions carefully. Check what counts as a known event, and make sure you understand whether your credit card insurance works differently from a standalone travel insurance policy. You should also check Government of Canada travel advisories for your destination and contact your insurer before assuming cancellation or interruption coverage will apply.

I've put links to sources in the comments.

Thanks to Trump’s Iran situation, the price of everything shot up overnight. I was already avoiding travel to the US and thinking about maybe Mexico or Cuba. But that was before things got messy there too. I checked out a few other destination options, but the prices are just unreal.

So now I’m thinking, forget it. I should explore my own country instead.

I ran the numbers, and even with higher gas prices, it’s still cheaper to road trip and camp. I’ve got a decent vacation fund saved up, and I’d rather spend it here and know I’m supporting the Canadian economy.

Right now, the only places on my list are:

• Banff
• Fogo Island
• Tofino

I’m curious what cool place you’d recommend. I know there are a ton of amazing hidden gems I’ve never heard of, and they probably don’t get the attention they deserve.

I love cool small towns, stunning scenery, national/provincial parks, camping, hiking, kayaking, amazing food, historical sites, tourist attractions, etc.

Literally open to anything. Where would you go if you had a few weeks free? Bonus points for being budget-friendly and/or including smart budget hacks.