When you watch the Canadian teen drama series Fakes, starring Emilija Baranac and Jennifer Tong, it’s easy to spot two standout performances. But there’s a third essential presence on screen: money. The colorful Canadian bills you see—blue, purple, green, red and brown—are real. In Canada, production teams cannot use counterfeit banknotes for filming, so the show uses authentic currency to tell a story about cash, identity and consequence.
Fakes follows two high-school friends, Zoe (Emilija Baranac) and Becca (Jennifer Tong), as they build a thriving fake-ID operation. What begins as a chaotic, comedic hustle quickly becomes a lesson about how money influences ambition, ego and relationships. The series also weaves in contemporary financial themes: the thrill and anxiety of speculative assets, peer-driven spending, and the ripple effects of sudden access to cash. One fictional example in the show—Tayocoin, a volatile crypto—illustrates how watching markets can affect mood and decision-making, especially for young investors.
To explore the actors’ personal attitudes toward money, Baranac and Tong answered a My MoneySense-style questionnaire. Their responses offer insight into how these performers relate to finance in real life—no acting required.
Who are your money heroes?
Baranac: Zoe, my character. She’s driven and knows what she wants.
Tong: Zoe for me too. In the show she even organizes her Canadian bills by color in a money box—she takes money seriously.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Baranac: Mostly watching YouTube—it’s relaxing and a great way to discover trends and inspiration.
Tong: I enjoy exploring Vancouver, trying new cafés and restaurants, taking dance classes and travelling when I can.
If money were no object, what would you be doing right now?
Tong: Sipping sangria on a yacht in Greece—very Becca vibes.
Baranac: Buying my parents their dream home.
What was your first memory about money?
Tong: Asking my mom for candy at the grocery store and being told we couldn’t afford it. Now I make an effort to buy a little treat for her when I can.
Baranac: Waking up when my mom tried to tuck a dollar coin under my pillow for a lost tooth—I learned the tooth fairy story doesn’t hold up!
What’s the first thing you remember buying with your own money?
Baranac: Little treasures from Claire’s—those accessories felt like grown-up purchases.
Tong: Clothes from fast-fashion stores like Forever 21 when I was a teen.
What was your first job?
Baranac: My first paid acting job was a commercial when I was nine. My parents likely saved that money for me.
Tong: I worked in a small gift shop in Steveston Village, Richmond, B.C. I remember spending my first paycheck on frozen yogurt across the pier.
Biggest money lessons learned as an adult
Tong: I’m learning to accept that “money comes, money goes.” Working in the arts means income can be unpredictable. Growing up with scarcity taught me to hold on tightly to money; now I’m trying to focus more on experiences and connections.
Baranac: Plan for taxes. They can take a large portion of earnings if you don’t set money aside, so I budget for tax payments to avoid overspending.
Best and worst money advice
Tong: The best advice came from my popo (maternal grandmother): “If money can fix it, it’s not the real problem.” It reminds me that the most meaningful things in life aren’t for sale. The worst advice? Spending thousands on headshots—it’s usually unnecessary.
Lump sum or steady income?
Baranac: I’d take a large lump sum. I’m impatient and would rather make big moves now.
Underrated financial tips and misconceptions
Baranac: Opening a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a smart, often overlooked move for long-term savings.
Baranac: A common misconception is that taking higher risks guarantees higher returns. That’s not always true—risk must be managed thoughtfully.
Tong: On the show, Tayocoin demonstrates how volatile speculative assets can be; not every on-screen success story translates into a real-world strategy.
Money regrets and values
Baranac: My main regret is renting for long periods—buying property would have built equity, but right now renting fits my life.
Tong: I value experiences over possessions. When I spend on dining or travel, I’m paying for memorable moments, not just the items themselves.
Baranac: For me, value means durability and long-term usefulness. I’m willing to invest in technology, furniture or a car if it lasts and serves me well.
Purchases, splurges and everyday items
Baranac: I’m still working toward my first major adult purchase—ideally an apartment someday.
Tong: I prefer buying secondhand and thrifting instead of splurging on brand-new items.
Tong: My recent splurge was a matching set from an ethical brand that uses recycled materials.
Baranac: I surprised my boyfriend with a trip to New York City.
Baranac: In my wallet: my credit card.
Tong: In hers: a loyalty card—she’s collecting points.
Favourite possessions and goals
Baranac: A stuffed Winnie-the-Pooh from my grandmother. It’s sentimental and reminds me of our time together.
Tong: A cherished doll named Ruby, a family gift from my birth that I still keep close.
Baranac: Next money goal: buy an apartment.
Tong: Next money goal: visit every continent before 35 and save for travel adventures.
Go now
My MoneySense quick questions
Rent or own?
Baranac: Own.
Tong: Rent—for now.
Buy or lease?
Baranac: Buy.
Tong: Lease.
Save or invest?
Baranac: Invest.
Tong: A mix of both.
Budget or not?
Baranac: Not really—she prefers flexibility.
Tong: No—she tends to manage expenses without strict budgets.
SIGN UP NOW
Further reading about young money
- The MoneySense Student Money Guide
- How young people can start investing
- How to afford moving out on your own
- Strategies to pay off student loans faster