Stress Test Big spender, risky investor: Today's committed Gen Z renter
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Mar 25, 2026 Shannon Lee Simmons, Certified Financial Planner and founder of the New School of Finance, shares practical money wisdom. Conversation covers how giving up on buying a home can loosen budgets and spur bigger investment risks. She explains why easy trading and influencer hype push riskier bets. Practical tips on small consistent savings, using TFSA/RRSP shelters, and a diversified core-plus-risk portfolio are discussed.
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Giving Up On Homeownership Changes Financial Behaviour
- Research (U.S.) finds renters who give up on homeownership spend more, save less, take bigger investment risks, and report lower work motivation.
- The behavioural shift happens once people believe homeownership is permanently out of reach, changing day-to-day choices and long-term planning.
Jessica Chooses Travel Over Saving For A Home
- Jessica, 28, earns $90,000 and pays $1,250 monthly rent while living alone in Montreal and feels defeated by current house prices.
- She spends heavily on travel and hobbies instead of budgeting, admitting she 'no longer have a budget' and puts about $400 into saving buckets when she can.
Nelson Invests Aggressively Instead Of Saving For Down Payment
- Nelson, 24, a Toronto software engineer earning ~$145,000, pays $1,800 rent and invests 50–60% of post-tax income rather than saving for a down payment.
- He focuses on 10–12 individual technology stocks he knows well, avoiding broad market index funds because he prefers company-level conviction.