How pent-up pandemic demand may have redefined what's essential

Canada’s annual inflation rate hit a 30-year high in January, which in a pre-pandemic world likely would have pushed consumers to start cutting non-essential spending — but the past two years have some reconsidering what’s a necessity.

Gayla Cameron, a third-year engineering student at the University of Prince Edward Island, says getting her nails done has become a key piece of caring for her mental health.

“[It’s] just something I do every month that is like the one self-care thing that I do for myself, so I always do it. It’s not that big of an expense compared to everything else I have,” she