Your favourite personal finance stories of 2025

Oh, hi again. And happy New Year. Today’s edition looks a little different. We’re hopping on the nostalgia train and looking back at the personal finance stories that resonated most with Globe readers in 2026. Strap in.

The Globe’s best personal finance stories of 2025, according to you

It may be a new year, but the grind of personal finance never really stops. Over the past 12 months, our small but mighty team of reporters has been cranking out stories to help you navigate the money questions that matter to you.

These are the articles you clicked, shared and emailed friends about – and in many cases, connected with – the most. Special thanks to Bianca Bharti from our audience team for pulling together these top stories.

🏦 Why banks are closing accounts without explanation

Globe reporters Erica Alini, Alexandra Posadzki and Stefanie Marotta spent weeks digging into a question that quietly terrifies people: How can your bank cut you off and refuse to tell you why? For those caught up in the process, “debanking” can mean relying on high-interest loans, scrambling to move mortgages or lines of credit, or even being shut out by multiple banks. As regulators push institutions to crack down on financial crime, this once-rare practice is becoming more common and more disruptive.

💰 They worked hard to retire early. Now, they have regrets

I’ve long been fascinated by the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early), and especially the Canadians who push themselves to the limit in their 30s and 40s in order to save aggressively. This story stood out because it challenged the dream itself. It followed a man who gave up a lot to retire early and then realized he hadn’t built a life to retire to. It’s a reminder that no matter your age, money can’t replace purpose.

🍁 Buy Canadian movement starts to take a bite out of U.S. business

Tariffs dominated headlines last year and Globe reporter Mariya Postelnyak was on the front lines, explaining what that meant for everyday Canadians. Her story on how the Buy Canadian movement was hurting U.S. businesses took off with readers because it showed that consumer behaviour isn’t just symbolic. Our buying patterns actually have power.

🛍️ It’s time to rethink U.S. spending – you might even save money

Former Globe columnist Rob Carrick was one of the first personal finance voices to talk seriously about boycotting the U.S. back in early 2025. He iconically dubbed it the “Bye, America” spending plan. Rob retired later that summer (we miss him!), but thankfully he still writes for us, and his influence on how Canadians think about values-based spending clearly stuck.

🏠 Goodbye, shoebox condo. Here’s how Canada can build livable apartments

It’s no surprise Erica Alini shows up twice on this list, and it’s heartening that both of her most-read stories were in-depth projects. This one broke down how rules around condos and rentals are making the housing crisis worse, and what actually needs to change if we want livable homes, not just more units.

Best of the Rest

The Globe’s audience team also pulled together each reporter’s most-read stories of 2025, and I couldn’t help but notice a pattern in my own work.

Readers loved service-y pieces, but many of my top stories were deeply human ones.

I wrote about young Canadians buying “boring” businesses; lawyers’ tips for travelling to the U.S.; snowbirds fleeing American RV parks and retirees navigating complex pension plans and more complex emotions.

That’s what brings me the most joy: talking to people across the country and telling their stories. My goal is always the same – to help readers feel seen and a little more confident in navigating their own financial lives.

Next week marks one year for me at The Globe. It’s been a wild ride and I’m so grateful you’ve come along for it. Thank you for reading and for sticking with me.

Try This

💰 What do you want to see from me in the new year? Do you have a story idea? Something you want more (or less) of? E-mail me at mraman@globeandmail.com.