Making Cents

There's a belief that's almost a religion to some people: buy a home, hold onto it, pay off the mortgage, and you're financially sorted.More often than not, it's not true. And if you let that belief guide you, you could miss real opportunities for building wealth, because you feel like you're ahead when you're actually not.Janika ter Ellen knows this better than most. She's a property reporter for Stuff, covering these issues every day.So when she finally sat down and ran the actual numbers on her own home, what she found surprised her, and not in a good way.Turns out there are hidden costs to owning a home, and missed opportunities while you're paying off that mortgage, that change the story we've all been sold.So if your home isn't quite the investment you thought it was, what is it? And does that change whether you should buy at all?In this episode:Is buying a house a good investment in New Zealand, and what happened when she ran the numbers on 11 years of home ownershipWhy city and regional property markets tell completely different storiesHouse vs shares returns over 10 yearsWhat she'd have been worth if she'd invested her deposit instead of buyingThe hidden costs of home ownershipRenting vs buying a houseThe difference between a home as an asset versus a home as an investmentAuckland house prices vs regional house pricesThis episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to http://odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

If it feels like getting a pay rise is harder than ever, you're not imagining it.But even in a tough market, there are strategies that work, and people using them to get ahead.Frances Cook is joined by University of Auckland senior lecturer Dr Kenny Ching, MyCareerBrand career coach Kaela Hindle, and Side Hustles NZ founder Rachel Mills to break down how to actually earn more in this environment.We're covering:– Which skills are gaining value right now, and which are losing ground– How AI is reshaping the job market, and how to protect your career from it– The script and tactics that actually work when asking for a pay rise– How to find your most monetisable skill and turn it into a side hustle that pays properly– Whether a portfolio career beats going all-in on one thing You can't control the wage stats. But you can control your strategy. Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

The highest number of June listings just hit the NZ property market, since 2020.But the impact isn’t what you would think.Despite the flood of listings, prices haven't moved.Nationally, prices have barely moved in three and a half years, even as listings pile up. The picture also varies sharply depending on where in New Zealand you're looking, with wide swings across regions, within that national average.Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz is ready to break down the story behind the numbers:- NZ property market update June 2026: why listings are rising while national house prices stay flat- Regional house prices vs national average NZ: which areas are outpacing the rest of the country, and why- OCR interest rate rise 2026: what it means for mortgage holders, first home buyers, and savers- How to sell a house in a slow market NZ: pricing and marketing strategy for a stock-flooded market- First home buyer tips NZ: avoiding overwhelm and knowing your non-negotiables when house huntingFollow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletterhttps://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

There’s nothing quite like starting young. But most of us don’t build a business before we can vote. Never mind several of them.Hamish Sutherland is 17 and already on his fourth business.He felt the spark to get ahead early on but turns out it’s hard to get a job when you’re eight. Rather than let a tricky thing like employment law hold him back, he just started his own business instead.By 13, that was a lawn mowing and water blasting business. At 15, he wrote a Kindle book that made $60,000. Then he moved into a property investment project. Now he’s building AI-focused businesses, fresh off an entrepreneurship intensive in Malaysia.The world of work is changing fast, and it’s easy to freeze when you’re not sure where you fit into that change. Hamish isn’t freezing. He’s looking for the opportunity in it.In this podcast we talk about:• How to start a business as a teenager with no money or experience• Making money on Kindle direct publishing, and how his book made $60,000• Investing in property young• AI business ideas for 2026, and where he’s focusing next• Using social media to grow a business as a young entrepreneur• Gen Z entrepreneurship, and why young people are more willing to take the riskIf you’ve ever wondered whether you’re too young, too late, or too unqualified to start something of your own, this episode is the reminder that none of that has to be true.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

With the OCR on the rise and inflation heading up again, Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain why the safest place for your money depends entirely on when you need it and why bank accounts are not always the answer.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

Free Power Forever? The Real Cost, Payback Time, and Battery Truth on Solar in NZ18 months ago, I spent $89,000 on home solar and an electric car. I told you about it, and was flooded with questions on how this could work for other people.(You can listen to the previous episode from 1 April, titled "I Spent $89,000 on Solar And Electric Car In NZ… Was It Worth It?")This episode is the follow-up, answering every question from the practical (does my roof even work?) to the financial (do I actually need a $10,000 battery?).I’ll break down:Would solar work on your house, and what it takes to make solar power workHow to run the numbers to find out how long solar would take to pay itself off. I’ve got a three-figure back-of-envelope calculation anyone can do with last year's power billsDo you need a battery to make solar power worthwhile?What to do if money's tight, or you rentWhere solar power is heading next, including balcony solar and virtual power plantsFollow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Why do so many high performers end up exhausted and burned out?Mindset coach Sarah Robb has spent years working in this area, and says that unfortunately, many of us burn ourselves out, usually trying to prove we're good enough.At 26, Sarah had lost both her parents, in difficult circumstances.What she built afterwards became the foundation for how she now coaches high achievers, business owners, and ambitious women through burnout, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt - without losing their drive.In this episode:How to stop burnout without giving up ambitionWhy energy management matters more than time managementThe hidden reasons we hold onto limiting beliefsHow to set boundaries and say no without guiltHow to build self-compassion (not just self-love)Why presence, not productivity, is the antidote to overwhelmIf you've ever felt successful on the outside but exhausted on the inside, this conversation is for you.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk through one of her favourite money hacks, using the second hand market to both clear out the clutter at home and score serious bargains on everything from furniture to kids clothes.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

Are there still good property deals in New Zealand right now? Here's where to actually look.A listener wrote in with the question everyone's asking: prices are technically down, but they still feel expensive. Interest rates aren't friendly. Rents don't cover the mortgage.So is property investment still worth it, or has the window already closed?On this episode of Ask the Experts, Katie Wesney from EnableMe is ready to talk about what changes the calculations on whether property investment is worth it.In this episode:New builds vs. existing homes: which one actually protects your moneyThe real relationship between rental yield and capital gainsWhy buying outside your own city can be a smart risk-mitigation moveWhich parts of New Zealand currently have the strongest property fundamentalsHow to use equity in your own home instead of waiting to save a depositThe difference between a genuine bargain and a property that's "cheap for a reason"The one question to ask before buying ANY investment propertyIf you've been told property investment doesn't work anymore, this episode will change how you think about it.If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

There's actual behavioural science behind why we freeze up around money, and it's the same science that Mark White-Robinson has built a business around solving.Mark is the co-founder of Feijoa, an app that rounds up your everyday purchases and tips that spare change straight into your KiwiSaver.Seven months in, his users are on track to build millions in retirement savings.The trick to money is usually small habits, over a long time. That's it. But there's a real science to making them stick.In this episode we get into:Why doing nothing is usually the worst financial decision you can makeThe three things that stop people taking action with money (and how to get around them)Why 1 million eligible New Zealanders are missing out on over a billion dollars a year in free KiwiSaver contributionsThe behavioural tricks built into Feijoa, and how to steal them for your own money lifeWhat open banking has changed for everyday KiwisThis episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Frances Cook joins Jim Mora on RNZ Sunday Morning to cover the latest in money news, from why the job market feels so tough right now and where the work actually is, to the AI investment boom, social media spending traps and whether nicking the hotel soap counts as a financial strategy.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

Your side hustle is making real money. Now what?Because when the income is real, things are growing, you can suddenly realise the whole operation is held together with sticky tape and good intentions.Income from a job, income from side work, all of it landing in the same personal account with no clear picture of what's coming in, what's going out, or what any of it means for tax time.This week on Ask the Experts, James Gibson, head of Revolut Business, walks through exactly what to do when a side hustle outgrows its informal beginnings.It’s a question that a lot of self-employed New Zealanders will recognise: how do you set up your finances properly when your side hustle starts making serious money?This episode is proudly supported by Revolut Business. Sign up online and get a one-month free trial at this link https://get.revolut.com/e9Jc/makingcents1 T&Cs apply, subscription fees will apply at the end of the trial, see website for details. Revolut Payments New Zealand Pty Ltd.This episode covers:When to open a separate business bank account for your side hustleHow to manage multiple income streams without losing trackWhat happens if you mix personal and business finances, and why it matters at tax timeHow to track self-employed income and expenses without an accountantBudgeting and cash flow basics for first-time business ownersSimple financial systems for the self-employed that don't require a finance backgroundHow to structure your money when you're employed and self-employed at the same timeIf you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

There’s a wealth transfer ready to happen right now, but only if you know where to look for it.A generation of baby boomers built their businesses over decades. Now they're ready to retire. But they can't find buyers.Which means there are businesses out there right now, with existing customers, existing income, existing systems, waiting for the right person to take them over.Jeremy Pak has a ringside seat to all of it. He's a chartered accountant and managing director of Velocity Capital, who spends his days helping New Zealanders buy and sell businesses worth millions.What he's learned about how wealth actually gets built in this country might change how you think about your own options.In this episode we cover:When to buy a business, vs starting one from scratchHow to fund a business purchase even if you don't have cash sitting around (including vendor finance)What Jeremy is seeing in the market, and why he's forecasting a threefold increase in business sales next yearHow to stress test a business before you buy itWhich types of NZ businesses Jeremy thinks have the potential to earn the mostThis episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Financial freedom sounds great in theory, but what does it actually take to get there as a normal person?In this webinar, Frances Cook is joined by Sheppard & Ormsby chartered accountant Bronwyn Candish and EnableMe national coaching lead Katie Wesney to break down what financial freedom really means, how to find the money to invest, the biggest mistakes people make along the way, and one thing you can do this week to get startedFollow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

Being weird with money is the smartest thing you can do, to get financial freedom.Most of us are following the same money playbook, and it’s not working.Around 30% of New Zealanders don't have $1,000 in savings, and over 60% couldn't cover a real emergency.Frances Cook, financial journalist and host of Making Cents, shares exactly how embracing "weird" money habits helped her build financial freedom, and how you can do the same.In this episode:Why the standard approach to money keeps so many of us stuck, and what to do insteadThe hedonic treadmill: the psychology trick that's draining your walletHow to figure out what actually makes you happy (it's probably cheaper than you think)The secondhand challenge that changed Frances's financesWhy a cheaper daily life and big one-off experiences beats an expensive lifestyle every timeHow to stop spending on what other people want, and start spending on what YOU wantFollow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Many New Zealanders are overpaying tax, missing refunds they're entitled to, and leaving money on the table, simply because the system is confusing and nobody explained the rules.In this episode of Making Cents, chartered certified accountant Baqir Hussain, founder Finex Accounting, breaks down exactly how to stop losing money to the tax system and start making it work in your favour.We talk:The single biggest mistake Kiwis make with the IRD, and how it turns small issues into massive tax debtHow New Zealand's progressive tax system actually works (and why you should always take that pay rise)Surprise tax bills: the most common causes and how to avoid themWhat salary earners can legitimately claim back, including income protection insurance, donations, and investment costsWorking for Families: who qualifies, how to backdate claims up to four years, and how one family recovered $15,000 they didn't know they were owedHome office deductions for self-employed workers and contractorsWhy tax threshold creep means most Kiwis are quietly paying more tax every yearWhether you're a salary earner, raising a family, or running a small business, there are straightforward steps you can take right now to reduce your tax bill — legally, and simply.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to http://odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain the loyalty tax costing New Zealanders hundreds of dollars a year on power, insurance and banking, and the simple habit that can win it back without even switching providers.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

You're about to spend thousands getting your house ready to sell. Professional staging. A photographer. Maybe a lick of paint on the fence.But in a buyer's market with interest rates climbing, how do you know what actually moves the needle for getting the house sold?Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz is back in the hot seat with the actual data on what's working right now.We get into whether professional staging shows up in the sale price, which presentation upgrades are genuinely worth it and which ones aren't, what http://realestate.co.nz sees in listing performance when photos are good versus average, and whether the ROI on all of this changes when buyers have more choice.If you're about to list and wondering where to spend and where to save, this one's for you.In this episode:Does professional staging actually increase your property sale price?Which house upgrades are worth it, and which aren't?Does better photography get more home buyers through the door?How to sell a house in a buyer's marketWhat sellers can do themselves vs where to spend the moneyThe mistakes sellers make that cost them thousandsIf you have a letter you’d like us to answer, send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!

Something’s off, and that something is the economy.The latest drop of economic forecasting shows exactly what’s happening with the cost of living, your job, and your mortgage. It’s not looking great. But if we know what's coming, we can actually plan for it.To help us make sense of it all, Massey University’s Christoph Schumacher is in the hot seat. He’s Professor of Innovation and Economics, Director of the Knowledge Exchange Hub, and more importantly, he can explain all of this like a real human being.We cover:Why your money is feeling so tiring right nowHow much of this is the impact of the Iran war and fuel pricesWhat rising inflation means for your mortgage, your job, and your everyday costsThe NZ productivity problem, and which industries actually have a future hereWhat’s happening with AI, and how AI will change your jobWhen a real recovery might arrive, what it depends on, and what you can do to make life easier until thenThis episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to http://odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

As SpaceX hits the share market in one of the biggest IPOs ever, Frances Cook breaks down how IPOs actually work, why retail investors are getting an unusually large slice this time and whether that is as generous as it sounds.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week Newsletter sign up

Retirement planning is stressful enough without governments constantly threatening to move the goalposts.Means testing, wealth taxes, a rising retirement age; how much of it is real, and how much can you actually count on NZ Super?Katie Wesney, National Coaching Lead at EnableMe, joins us in the hot seat to cut through the noise.We get into whether the pension is a plan or just a foundation, what the actual numbers look like week to week in retirement, how KiwiSaver, property, and investments fit together, and why worrying about a wealth tax might be the most expensive mistake you make.Plus: the one mindset shift that separates people who reach financial freedom from people who are still waiting for a politician to sort it out.If retirement feels far away, close, or just confusing, this one's for you.In this episode:How much can you actually rely on NZ Super?What does retirement actually cost week to week?How KiwiSaver, property, and investments work togetherShould you worry about means testing or a wealth tax?How to build a retirement plan that doesn't depend on government settings staying the sameIf you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Most investing mistakes don't look like mistakes when you're making them.Chris Walsh from MoneyHub joins us to break down the most common investing traps New Zealanders fall into, and the simple strategies that actually work long term.We get into why dollar cost averaging beats trying to time the market, what "invest in what you know" actually means (and how it gets misused), why borrowing to invest is riskier than most people realise, and what financial foundations you need in place before you start investing at all.Plus: why 86% of active fund managers underperform the index, and what that means for the rest of us trying to grow our money.If you've ever wondered whether you're investing smart or just getting lucky, this one's for you.In this episode:Why dollar cost averaging works, and how to do itThe problem with picking single stocksWhat "invest in what you know" gets wrongShould you borrow to invest? The risks explainedTime in the market vs timing the marketWhat financial foundations to have before you start investingKiwiSaver: are you leaving free money on the table?How to course correct if you've made investing mistakesThis episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Best Business Podcast - NZ Radio & Podcast Awards 2026

With the latest Budget signalling little relief for struggling Kiwis, Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk about what you can actually do to protect yourself financially when the recovery keeps getting pushed further down the road.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week Newsletter sign upBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

Could the home of the future be the size of a carpark? The government is talking about scrapping minimum apartment size rules, and one Making Cents listener wants to know if that's a housing fix or a housing trap.Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz has fresh data to help us figure this out.We get into whether micro apartments could actually ease the housing shortage, what banks will and won't lend on when it comes to small apartments, and who this would most likely impact, from first home buyers, to investors, or students.Plus: how New Zealand's apartment market compares to the rest of the world, and whether our obsession with the quarter-acre dream is starting to shift.In this episode:Could scrapping minimum apartment sizes help first home buyers?What do banks actually lend on when it comes to small apartments?Are micro apartments a smart investment or a future problem?How New Zealand's property culture compares globallyWho stands to gain, and who should be cautiousIf you have a letter you’d like us to answer, send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Adele Holland cooked for billionaires on private jets. Now she helps real people eat well for $50 a week, and she reckons the skills transfer better than you'd think.Adele is a Michelin-trained chef who spent years cooking in Swiss chalets and on superyachts before walking away from the waste and opulence of that world.Now, as the creator behind Dishes with Del, she's on a mission to make budget meals genuinely delicious.In this episode, we get into how to meal plan on a budget, the cheap pantry staples that do the heavy lifting, how to stretch expensive proteins further than you thought possible, and the small chef tricks that make a real difference to your grocery bill and your food waste. Think feta brine, coconut cream ice cubes, and frozen soup bases you can make from scraps.Whether you're trying to cut your supermarket spend, reduce food waste, or just get more interesting meals on the table for less, this one's for you.In this episode:How to meal plan for the week on $50Budget pantry staples every kitchen needsHow to reduce food waste with simple chef tricksHow to stretch meat and protein on a tight budgetWhy planning is the unsexy secret to saving money on groceriesThis episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to http://odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Apartments and townhouses are selling for less than people paid for them, and in record numbers. Frances Cook joins RNZ Nights to break down why smaller properties are taking a bigger hit than the rest of the property market and what it means for first home buyers, investors, and owners in negative equity.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe, orAudio engineering by Tash Chittock#MakingCents #FrancesCook #ShareMarket #MarketVolatility #Bitcoin #Gold #Silver #AI #BigTech #Investing #NZEconomy #PropertyInvesting #MarketCorrection

If you've ever wondered why some people build real wealth on ordinary incomes, while others save for decades and still feel behind, this episode is the answer.Financial journalist Frances Cook breaks down the relationship between money and time, and why getting this right changes everything about how you invest, where your money goes, and how hard it can work for you.In this episode:The rule of 100 - how to figure out how much to invest vs keep in cashNow money, soon money, and later money - the simple framework for organising your financesWhy your emergency fund needs to stay in cash (even when it feels like a missed opportunity)Compounding returns explained simply - and why $10k will eventually feel smallThe rule of 72 - how to calculate how fast your money doublesWhether you're just starting your investing journey or want to make sure your money is working as hard as possible, this episode gives you a practical framework you can actually use.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

What if the chaos of parenthood is actually building your business brain?Renata Wiles was posting videos on the internet, with no business background, no tech background, and no real following.Now she's the founder of Roam with Kids, an app helping New Zealand parents find family-friendly places to go.In this episode, Frances talks with Renata about the messy reality of going from frustrated mum to tech founder.They’re talking:Why overwhelmed parents spend more, and the surprisingly simple fixThe KiwiSaver gap for parentsHow to turn a parenting pain point into a businessBuilding multiple income streams so one bad month doesn't sink youWhy you don't need a following, a business degree, or a perfect plan to startIf you've ever had a business idea but talked yourself out of it, this episode is the nudge you needed.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to http://odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomProduction and video editing by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash ChittockFilmed by Fanaticals

Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to crunch the numbers on a proposed policy that would automatically enrol newborns into KiwiSaver with a $1,000 government contribution and what that could actually be worth by the time they retire.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week Newsletter sign up

One in four young people in NZ can't find work. But some jobs are up 200% year on year.The job market hasn't collapsed - it's split. And if you're on the wrong side of that split, waiting for things to improve isn't a strategy.In this episode, we get into which jobs are actually booming right now, what the latest Stats NZ unemployment numbers really mean once you dig past the headline figure, and what it tells us about where the economy is actually heading.Then we get practical. How to make yourself the person your employer can't afford to lose. How to job hunt strategically when most roles are never even advertised. And how to ask for a pay rise, with real scripts, not vague advice about knowing your worth.We also talk honestly about AI: what it actually means for your career right now and the two smart plays depending on where you want to go.In this episode:The Stats NZ unemployment data and what's buried in itThe top 10 most in-demand jobs in NZ right nowWhy the hidden job market is 70-80% of all roles (and how to access it)Two career strategies for navigating AIHow to ask for a pay rise: timing, preparation, and the exact words to useFollow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

Most of us assume that getting ahead financially means working harder, watching the markets, and making smart moves. The data says that’s wrong.In this episode, Frances talks with Sean Freer, Director of Global Exchange Indices at S&P Dow Jones Indices, about why passive investing consistently beats active fund management, and what that means for everyday investors.We talk about:Why 86% of professional fund managers fail to beat the index over 15 yearsWhat index funds and ETFs actually are, and how to choose between 14,000+ optionsThe NZX 50, the S&P 500, and how market concentration really worksWhy fees quietly destroy your investments, and what to do about itThe behavioural finance traps that cause investors to sell at exactly the wrong momentWhy the "set and forget" approach outperforms almost everything elseWhether you're new to investing or already have a passive strategy, this episode will sharpen your thinking… and probably confirm you're overcomplicating it.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to http://odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

Frances Cook shares the ten money lessons she wishes she'd known at 20, including the mindset shifts, small habits, and easy wins that made the biggest difference to her financial life.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week Newsletter sign up

It's one thing to build financial stability, it's another to actually let yourself enjoy it. In this Ask the Experts episode, Frances Cook is joined by Katie Wesney from Enable Me to unpack a problem that's more common than you'd think: what happens when the scarcity mindset that helped you build financial security starts working against you? A listener wrote in with a $5 million net worth, and genuine anxiety about spending any of it. Kmart clothes, secondhand cars, no overseas trips in six years. On paper, financially free. In practice, still living like every dollar matters. In this episode, we get into: – Why money anxiety doesn't disappear when the numbers improve – The difference between what you should spend on and what actually lights you up – How childhood experiences with money shape your relationship with it for decades – What a financial adviser actually does to help you build permission to spend – The practical systems that replace anxiety with confidence – Why the 4% rule exists, and how to think about your own number. Have a question you'd like us to tackle? Send it to [email protected] and you might feature on a future episode.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

What does it actually cost to walk away from a successful career and build something that matters?Ali Mau is one of New Zealand's most recognised television faces, including Breakfast, Fair Go, Seven Sharp, One News.She was also made redundant five times along the way.Instead of treating each setback as a dead end, she used them as clarity. Now in her sixties, she’s co-founded Tika, a tech-for-good startup helping survivors of sexual harm.In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook talks with Ali about the real financial reality of a major career pivot: the year of zero income, burning through savings, accumulating debt, and why none of that was visible from the outside.They dig into how to fund a passion project when traditional funding streams are stacked against you, how transferable skills show up in unexpected ways, and what you actually need to have in place, both financially and personally, before you make the leap.If you've ever wondered how to afford a career change, how to keep the lights on while building something meaningful, or whether it's too late to start over, this episode is for you.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

With six in ten Kiwis making impulse purchases from social media every month, Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain the manipulative tactics behind online shopping and how to take back control of your spending.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week Newsletter sign upBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter Newsletter sign upAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

Financial freedom is a series of levels, and once you understand them, the whole thing stops feeling impossible and starts feeling like a plan.In this solo episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook breaks down the five levels of financial freedom, from knowing your numbers for the first time, to the point where work becomes genuinely optional.Each level builds on the last. Each one makes the next one easier to reach, not harder. And the first level doesn't require much money at all - just honesty.We talk about:Why knowing your numbers is an underrated form of financial freedomThe one thing that reduces money stress at every income levelWhat "I have options" actually looks like in real NZ dollarsHow compounding returns turn into a second job that requires nothing from youThe 4% rule, and how to use it to figure out your numberWhy level five isn't the absence of work, it's the absence of fearWhether you're drowning in debt and just trying to get a grip, or you're already investing and wondering what comes next, this episode will tell you exactly where you are, and where to aim next.Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/investFollow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

You know what you should be doing with your money. So why aren't you doing it?You know you should ask for the raise. Start investing. Stop spending on things you don't care about. And yet, somehow, you don't.Counsellor and change therapist Charlotte Cummings has a name for what's stopping you, and it's not laziness or lack of discipline.It's your unbearable feeling.In this episode, Frances Cook sits down with Charlotte to unpack one of the most powerful concepts in psychology: the one or two feelings we hate so much, we structure our entire lives around never experiencing them.And in doing so, we sabotage ourselves financially, professionally, and in our relationships — without ever realising why.We talk about:- What an "unbearable feeling" is and where it comes from- How to figure out what yours is- Why it's often behind the very thing making you successful, as well as being the very thing holding you back- Common unbearable feelings that block people from investing, saving, or asking for more- How to stop being run by your own fears (and what changes when you do)This one will make you think differently about every money decision you've been putting off.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

The war in Iran is already moving mortgage rates, and it's not done yet.Interest rates are moving, and this will change everything with your money. Beyond the mortgage, it’s also your savings, your investments, and even your job.So what's actually happening, and what should you do about it?Frances Cook is joined by Massey University’s Christoph Schumacher and EnableMe financial coach Katie Wesney to break down the chain reaction from a conflict on the other side of the world, straight to your bank balance.We're covering: – How a war in the Middle East ends up pushing up your interest rate – What the Reserve Bank is likely to do next, and when – The key decisions to help you be smarter with your money, and especially your mortgage– How to build genuine financial resilience when the future is uncertainYou can’t control the war. But you can control how you prepare.

The New Zealand property market is shifting, and the latest data from http://realestate.co.nz tells us exactly how.In just the last three months, sellers dropped their prices enough for a total of $54 million to be wiped off asking prices across New Zealand.But strangely, it could be good news, as it’s slowing from previous falls.So are we at a turning point?In this episode of Making Cents Ask the Experts, financial journalist Frances Cook sits down with Vanessa Williams from realestate.co.nz, to break down what's actually happening in the NZ property market right now. Not the vibes, the real numbers.We cover:Whether New Zealand is still in a buyer's market, and how long that might lastHow the Iran conflict and rising oil prices could affect propertyThe best strategies for sellers in this marketHow buyers can negotiate hard, and where the best opportunities are hidingWhat the data hints at for the next 6 to 12 monthsWhether you're buying, selling, or just watching the market, this episode gives you the real picture on New Zealand property in 2026.If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

Made redundant in your 50s? It might just be the start of something.After decades as one of New Zealand's most recognised news presenters, Wendy Petrie was made redundant from the 6pm news. No warning, no plan B, just the sudden reality of starting over at a stage of life when most people assume the big career moves are behind them.So she bought a business. Built it from the ground up. And figured it out as she went.In this episode of Making Cents, Wendy Petrie opens up about what redundancy really feels like when it hits, why she chose to bet on herself instead of looking for another job, and the raw truth about buying and building a business in your 50s - the financial risk, the steep learning curve, and what nobody tells you before you take the leap.This is the episode for anyone who's been made redundant, anyone who's wondered whether it's too late to start over, and anyone asking themselves: could I actually do this?Spoiler: you might be surprised.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

With warnings that interest rates are heading up fast and soon, Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to break down what mortgage holders can do to avoid the squeeze.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week Newsletter sign upBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter Newsletter sign upAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

Petrol is up 43%. Diesel has nearly doubled. But the financial damage from the Iran war goes way deeper than what you're paying at the pump, and a lot of it is already locked in, whether there's a ceasefire or not.In this episode, Frances Cook breaks down exactly what this means for your groceries, your mortgage, your job, and your KiwiSaver. And most importantly, what you can actually do about it right now.We’re talking:- Why fuel prices won't drop quickly even if the conflict ends- The fertiliser story nobody's talking about (and why it'll hit food prices in the months ahead)- What the Reserve Bank's latest warning means for your mortgage- Whether you should change anything with your KiwiSaver or investments- Practical steps you can take today on transport, food, your job security, and moreThis isn't doom and gloom for its own sake. It's about taking back control of the parts you can actually influence.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

Your personal brand could be the most powerful, yet overlooked, career tool you have. Marketing expert Stanley Henry, founder of The Attention Seeker, believes everyone from tradies, to career professionals, to business owners, build visibility online. And when they do, they attract opportunities, and earn more, even without going viral or becoming a full-time content creator. Stanley specialises in organic social media growth, helping everyday people figure out how to earn attention online without paying for it. The reality is the people who get the best opportunities aren't always the most qualified. They're the most visible. And if you're a secret, you don't get opportunities. In this episode: what a personal brand actually is, why it matters for your career and income, and exactly what a normal person needs to do to build one, without the cringe.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

Five clever ways to live the good life without blowing the budget, because cutting lattes isn't the only answer. A replay of Frances Cook's column for Stuff.co.nz, read here with permission. Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom

Property vs shares. It’s one a big investing decision, and also an easy one to get stuck on.In this Ask the Experts episode, we’re tackling a question that comes up all the time: should you invest in property or the sharemarket?Frances Cook is joined by Katie Wesney from EnableMe to break down the real differences between property investing and sharemarket investing.We get into:– Is property still a good investment in New Zealand, or has the game changed?– What people don’t realise about the costs, risks, and returns of rental property– Why shares feel scarier, and how to get past that– The rise of DIY investing, and what beginners need to know before jumping in– How to choose between property and shares based on your goals (not someone else’s)– Simple ways to get started, even if you’re feeling overwhelmedIf you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

She used to think she was “bad with money.”Now she’s a confident, and unapologetically unconventional, investor.In this episode of Making Cents, Sophie Hallwright, co-founder of The Curve, is ready to unpack the messy path from financial self-doubt to building real confidence with money.Before helping thousands of women learn about investing, Sophie learned the hard way.This conversation digs into the reality behind that shift. The trial and error, the risks, and the lessons that actually stick.Because for many people, getting “good with money” doesn’t come from following a perfect plan. It comes from trying, failing, and figuring out what works.In this episode:The financial mistakes that shaped Sophie’s approach to moneyLessons from investing in shares and propertyThe reality of buying property with someone you met three weeks earlierWhat it’s really like to start a business with a friendPractical insights on building confidence and momentum with moneyListen to more from Sophie @thecurveplatform or anywhere you listen to podcasts.This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

With power prices and fuel costs climbing, Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to break down who solar panels and electric vehicles actually make sense for and how to run the numbers yourself.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / Frances Cook - JournalistInstagram / Frances | Money | Investing (@francescooknz) • Instagram profileTikTok / Frances Cook on TikTokJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week Newsletter sign upBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter Newsletter sign up#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

A breakup doesn’t just end a relationship. It can blow up the entire financial plan you built together.For many people in their 40s and 50s, that means suddenly having to make huge money decisions alone, about the house, retirement, and what rebuilding your life actually looks like from here.In this episode of Ask the Experts, Will White from Heartland Bank is in the hot seat to help a listener facing exactly that situation.After a 10-year relationship ends, our listener is trying to decide whether to buy their ex-partner out of the family home, sell and downsize, or walk away and start again somewhere new. The numbers are tight. The lifestyle trade-offs are real. And with retirement getting closer, the stakes feel higher than ever.In this episode, Frances and Will cover:The biggest financial pressure points after a breakup in your 40s or 50sWhether buying out an ex-partner is a smart move, or a financial trapWhen selling and downsizing might actually put you in a stronger positionThe hidden financial risks of stretching your mortgage too farLifestyle trade-offs: space, pets, privacy, and quality of lifeWhether getting a flatmate or AirBnB could make the numbers workHow to rebuild financial stability when retirement is closer than you plannedIf you have a letter you’d like us to answer, send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode!Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock

You can cancel subscriptions, ditch takeaway coffee, and trim your budget… but you still have to eat. And the way most of us shop for food? It’s costing us more than it should.In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook talks to Michal Garvey, founder of Foodprint, the app that’s redirected millions of dollars’ worth of surplus food from cafés and restaurants into the hands of everyday Kiwis, at a fraction of the price.But this isn’t just about cheaper meals.Michal shares a different way to think about food, money, and the cost of living, including the common food budgeting mistake most people don’t realise they’re making, and why it’s leaving money on the table.We also get into the link between your grocery bill and the survival of small businesses, how much food cafés are actually throwing away each year, and what that waste is really costing them.Not to mention, what all of this says about New Zealand’s food system, supply chains, and long-term food security?If you want to spend less on food, eat well, and understand what’s really driving food prices, this episode is for you.In this episode, we cover:How to save money on food without cutting qualityThe biggest food budgeting mistake most people makeHow surplus food apps like Foodprint workWhy cafés throw away so much food (and what it costs them)The link between cost of living and small business pressureWhat’s really going on with food supply and security in New ZealandThis episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock