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PODCAST

Making Cents

The podcast for people who want financial freedom, without giving up their coffee.That means it"s time to make the money world make cents. Join Frances Cook, best-selling author and award-winning journalist, to talk about the proven ways to invest your way to financial independence, buy your first home, or just get your spending under control.Every Monday we have the week"s feature interview, with someone who"s done something interesting with their money. From paying off a mountain of debt, or

business investing

All Episodes

47:21

From Uber to dog poop: The side hustles people really...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/31

Everyone wants a bit of extra cash, but are side hustles actually worth your time, or just another way to burn out?From driving for Uber to picking up dog poop, side hustles in New Zealand range from the weird to the wonderful. Some can bring in fast money to help with the cost of living crisis, while others might grow into a full-time business or a path to financial freedom.In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook explores which side hustle ideas are worth it in 2025, and

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20:14

Cheap reno wins vs expensive fails: What adds real value

Making Cents ·

2025/08/27

Small fixes for a big win: it’s time for renovations that actually add valueNot all renovations are created equal. Some upgrades could cost you thousands without adding a cent to your resale value.In this Ask the Experts episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook is joined by Vanessa Williams from realestate.co.nz to reveal which home improvements genuinely increase property value, and which ones are a total waste of money.Whether you’re preparing to sell or just want to be smart

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53:57

Outsmart the cost of living: Here’s why your wallet...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/26

Why does life still feel so expensive?In this webinar, we break down what’s really driving the cost of living in New Zealand, and why your grocery bill, rent, and power costs keep climbing while tech and travel seem cheaper.You’ll learn: - The hidden forces pushing up the price of essentials - Smart ways to save on food and bills without giving up life’s small joys - Budgeting strategies that actually work in today’s economy (no “just skip coffee” advice here) - How to take back control, even when

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31:41

How to quit the money guilt (without quitting your...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/24

Feeling guilty every time you spend money? You’re not alone, but it might be doing more harm than good.In this episode of Making Cents, we’re diving into why money guilt is one of the biggest mindset traps stopping people from saving, investing, or sticking to a budget.I’ll break down the psychology behind guilt and spending, and show you how to shift your habits without giving up the things that make life fun.We’ll talk:• Why guilt-based budgeting usually backfires• How to enjoy your money while

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6:57

Why New Zealanders are scared of the sharemarket

Making Cents ·

2025/08/21

A quick hit highlight clip from the April 2025 episode "Housing, KiwiSaver, and debt: Solving NZ’s biggest money issues with the Retirement Commissioner", with Jane Wrightson.Making Cents is supported by Kiwibank.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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18:49

How to stay motivated when your money goals feel too big

Making Cents ·

2025/08/20

Ever felt like your financial goals are just too far away?Whether you're dreaming of financial independence, planning for early retirement, or just trying to build up a decent savings buffer, staying motivated over the long haul can be tough.In this Ask the Experts episode of Making Cents, we're talking about how to stay on track with your biggest financial goals, even when progress feels slow.Financial adviser Lisa Butler from EnableMe shares practical money mindset strategies, goal-setting

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35:03

When stage 4 cancer hit, financial independence gave...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/17

What if the worst happened, but you were financially ready?When Caroline Gordon was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, everything changed. But because she’d already built financial independence, she had something many people in crisis don’t: options.In this episode of Making Cents, we dive into how financial freedom became Caroline’s safety net. She shares how it allowed her to:- Self-fund private cancer treatment not available in the public system- Travel overseas for surgery when time was

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9:50

How do banks decide if they'll lower interest rates -...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/16

Will your mortgage rate go down soon, or will banks keep them higher for longer?In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook joins RNZ’s Nights on 14 August, to break down everything you need to know about New Zealand interest rates right now.We cover:How the Official Cash Rate (OCR) works and what it means for home loansThe link between what savers get in their term deposit, and what borrowers are charged for their mortgageWhether banks are competing hard enough for

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11:59

We love Lotto, but investing loves us back

Making Cents ·

2025/08/14

Why we choose Lotto over investing, even when it’s irrational, and how to flip the script so investing feels just as exciting.A replay of a conversation with Wallace Chapman on RNZ's The Panel, from 11 August.Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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22:03

From broke to thriving: Money fixes for self-employed...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/13

Are you enjoying the freedom of self-employment - or just underpaid, overworked, and financially stressed?Running your own business can give you freedom, flexibility, and the chance to build something that truly works for you.But without the right systems in place, it’s also easy to end up burnt out, broke, and completely unprepared for the future.In this Ask the Experts episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook is joined by Justin Gauci from EnableMe to unpack the money traps that

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41:18

“We sold everything and moved into a caravan” -...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/10

She hit financial freedom at 51, by downsizing to a caravan and selling the family trade business.It wasn’t a tech salary. It wasn’t an inheritance. It was good old-fashioned DIY thinking, property investment, and a whole lot of planning.In this episode of Making Cents, you’ll meet Charmaine Hands, who “re-lifed” in her 50s and built a whole new life of travel, flexibility, and financial independence.She ran a glazing and locksmithing business with her husband for over two decades, raising their

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7:36

How to stop guilt sabotaging your money goals

Making Cents ·

2025/08/07

The 1news Breakfast team have questions about how we can beat the guilt, and create systems to help us feel better about our money. A replay of the TVNZ segment from 5 August.Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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17:13

Are house prices about to drop more? What you need to...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/06

Are house prices about to drop more, or is this the bottom of the market?In this episode of Ask the Experts, we dig into what’s really going on with New Zealand’s housing market in 2025.Whether you’re a first home buyer, property investor, or current homeowner, understanding the true drivers behind NZ house prices is essential to making smart money choices.House prices are flat or falling across much of the country. So what’s holding the market back, and what could trigger the next move?Join

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40:29

Building FU money on an average income - "Enough is...

Making Cents ·

2025/08/03

You don’t need a million dollars to reach financial freedom.In this episode of Making Cents, we’re breaking down how Germano Gomes built lifestyle freedom on an average income. No lottery win. No six-figure job. Just smart money moves.He paid off his mortgage in five years, lived simply, and built up enough FU money to say no to the traditional 9–5. All while still enjoying the things that matter most.Now? He works part of the year, travels the world, and funds it with casual jobs on his terms.This

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44:53

Major money changes you need to know: protect your...

Making Cents ·

2025/07/31

There’s a wave of major money changes rolling through New Zealand, hitting everything from where you keep your savings, to what’s in your KiwiSaver, to the price of your weekly groceries.In this live Making Cents episode, Frances Cook is joined by Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy to break down what actually matters, and what you should do next.We cover:- The new bank protection rules, under the Depositor Compensation Scheme. What the $100,000 guarantee really means, and how to make sure you’re covered-

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16:38

The real estate standoff: Buyers, sellers, and the...

Making Cents ·

2025/07/30

Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the tactics that you should use to make the most of your money.Buyers vs Sellers: What’s really happening in NZ’s housing market right now?In this episode of Ask the Experts, we dive into the growing standoff between buyers and sellers in New Zealand’s property market.House prices are falling across much of the country, but many sellers are

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33:16

Being too polite could cost you $240,850

Making Cents ·

2025/07/27

What if being polite was secretly draining your bank account?Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, a financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.In this episode of Making Cents, I'm breaking down how to negotiate better rates, reduce your cost of living, and stop overpaying on bills, with simple phrases that could save you $240,850.This is your guide to asking for more

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15:05

How to get your boss to pay for your insurance

Making Cents ·

2025/07/23

Hate paying for insurance? What if you didn’t have to?Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the tactics that you should use to make the most of your money.Insurance is one of those financial to-dos that’s easy to ignore, until it’s suddenly urgent.It can be confusing, expensive, and way too easy to shove to the bottom of your priorities list. But here’s the thing: New Zealanders are

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6:51

Rentvesting: A fast look at pros and cons

Making Cents ·

2025/07/22

The 1news Breakfast team have questions about the good and bad of rentvesting. A replay of the segment from 22 July. Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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43:29

"Why I gave up my dream home to rentvest instead" -...

Making Cents ·

2025/07/20

What if renting your dream home and building long-term wealth weren’t opposites?Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, a financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.Today we’re diving into “rentvesting”, the strategy where you rent in the lifestyle location you love, and invest in property somewhere more affordable to grow your wealth.It’s a smart workaround for high-price

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178 results

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