Making Cents

Cash funds, bonds, index funds, shares… what’s the difference, and how do you figure out which mix is right for you?If you want to invest but have felt confused by the options, this is the live session for you.In this live edition of the Making Cents podcast, Frances Cook is joined by some of New Zealand’s top investing experts to break down simple, smart sharemarket strategies to help you get your money ready for 2026.We cover:The real differences between cash funds, bonds, and sharesHow to figure out what type of investment suits your goalsWhat to look for (and avoid) when comparing fundsHow to see what’s actually inside your investmentsWhy fees matter more than you think, and how to check yoursIt’s everything you need to start investing with confidence, no spreadsheets, no jargon, just smart strategies that actually work.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week, or become a confident sharemarket investor by joining the Market Memo newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve worked your whole life to pay off the mortgage. The house is finally yours. But somehow, the money worries haven’t gone away.In this Making Cents mailbag episode, a listener in their 70s writes in after becoming mortgage-free, yet still feeling anxious every time they spend a dollar.Living on the pension with little savings, they want to enjoy retirement but are scared of running out of money.Their children think a reverse mortgage could be the answer, but will unlocking home equity today destroy their inheritance tomorrow?Frances Cook talks to Will White, General Manager of Retail & Reverse Mortgages at Heartland Bank, about how modern reverse mortgages in New Zealand actually work, what protections exist, and how to decide whether using your home equity makes sense.They cover the emotional side too, including the guilt many retirees feel about spending their own money, and how to find balance between financial security and quality of life.If you’ve ever wondered how to free up cash in retirement, whether a reverse mortgage is safe, or how to enjoy your hard-earned home without risking the kids’ inheritance, this episode breaks it all down.If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to ask@francescook.co.nz and you might feature on our next episode!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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Supermarket total making your stomach drop? You’re not imagining it, food prices have become one of the biggest pain points of the cost-of-living crisis.In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook sits down with chef Alice Taylor, creator of the Cheap and Realistic Eats Cookbook (available at https://www.alicetayloreats.com) to talk about how to eat well without overspending.From $1.50 loaves of bread and 20 cent noodles, to clever ingredient swaps that make baking cheaper and better, Alice shares practical, tested ways to feed a family for less.She explains how to:Build a staple pantry that cuts costs and wasteUse budget-friendly substitutes that actually workCook healthy, affordable meals that still feel specialSwap food guilt for pride and progress in the kitchenThis is real-world advice for anyone trying to stretch a grocery budget without sacrificing flavour or enjoyment.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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Create a savings buffer without that nagging feeling of deprivation. Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk about the savings tips that help you build a better money life, without cutting everything fun. LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week, or become a confident sharemarket investor by joining the Market Memo newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A $100,000 gift should feel like freedom, so why does it come with so much pressure?In this Making Cents mailbag episode, a listener writes in after being gifted $100K from family.They’ve got a big mortgage, no savings, and a long wish-list that includes home repairs, maternity leave, and some breathing room in the budget.The question: how do you use a windfall like this without wasting it?Frances Cook talks to Katie Wesney, head strategic coach at EnableMe, about how to turn a one-off gift into long-term financial security.They unpack how to prioritise between paying down the mortgage, building an emergency fund, and improving your home, plus smart ways to use a revolving credit account to keep flexibility while cutting interest.If you’ve ever wondered what to do after receiving a cash gift, inheritance, or bonus, this episode will show you how to make every dollar count, avoid the “easy come, easy go” trap, and set yourself up for the future.If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, send it through to ask@francescook.co.nz and you might feature on our next episode!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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the biggest tools you’ve got for creating change is already in your pocket - your KiwiSaver.It quietly funds companies, industries, and ideas every single day. And like it or not, where that money goes can be more powerful than voting or any $5 consumer boycott.The problem? Most of us have no idea what we’re actually investing in.Weapons investing is up 40 per cent. Fossil fuels are on the rise. And some of the world’s biggest corporations are still getting a slice of your retirement savings.In this episode, financial journalist Frances Cook talks to Barry Coates from Mindful Money about how to find out exactly where your KiwiSaver cash is going, and how to shift it somewhere better.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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash ChittockIt’s easier than you think, it doesn’t hurt your returns, and it could be your most powerful vote yet.Because you really can get rich without selling your soul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fast Money with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Does the 0.01% rule help us spend in a smarter way? And if you really hate maths, does the 24-hour rule, the cost per use rule, or the fun budget work better?LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week, or become a confident sharemarket investor by joining the Market Memo newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the smartest way to get into property investing isn’t a house at all?That’s the question in this week’s Making Cents mailbag, from a listener who wants to invest but feels locked out of the residential market.With house prices still sky-high in many areas, this listener asks if commercial property could be the secret path to becoming an investor, or if it’s just a riskier bet in disguise.Frances Cook talks to Vanessa Williams from http://Realestate.co.nz about what first-time investors need to know before diving into commercial property.They break down how the commercial property market compares to residential, what really drives returns and risk, and why things like tenant quality, lease length, and economic trends matter far more than location or school zones.This episode shows you how commercial property investing works in New Zealand, what it costs to get started, and whether it could actually be your next move.If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, send it through to ask@francescook.co.nz and you might feature on our next episode!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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Ecoya CEO Claire Barnes was 23, she lost $100,000 of her dad’s life insurance money on a failed business. The experience left her with a fear of failure so strong it followed her for nearly two decades, even as she rose to lead one of New Zealand’s most successful lifestyle brands.In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook talks to Claire about what it takes to rebuild after financial loss, how to turn failure into a learning curve, and why she now believes fear is proof you’re on the right path.Claire shares the hard-won lessons behind her career; from driving boxes of candles around the country, to running Ecoya, and now launching Bowie, an at-home microneedling and skincare startup she funded after selling her family home.This conversation covers:Overcoming the fear of failure in business and lifeRebuilding confidence after losing moneyInvesting in yourself and starting againEntrepreneurship and leadership in New ZealandTurning anxiety into action and using fear as motivationEven after a $100k setback, you can still build back stronger.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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're looking to earn more money on the side, here's the guide to doing it more successfully.Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain how to find a good side hustle, and do it without tanking your finances.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week, or become a confident sharemarket investor by joining the Market Memo newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On paper, today’s listener has it made. Two multimillion-dollar homes, no mortgage, and investments on the side.But with private-school fees, high living costs, and no full-time second income, the numbers don’t add up.Their savings are shrinking fast, and the stress is rising even faster.In this week’s Ask the Experts, Frances Cook and EnableMe’s head strategic coach Katie Wesney unpack what really causes wealth to feel fragile, even when you’re technically “doing well.”They dig into why cash flow, not just net worth, determines your financial stability, and how to fix a lifestyle that’s quietly burning through your safety net.From whether to sell shares or take out a mortgage again, to tough calls around private school fees and property priorities, this episode gets real about trade-offs, structure, and sustainability.If you’ve ever wondered how people with big assets still end up broke on paper, or you’re feeling the pinch of a high-cost lifestyle yourself, this one’s essential listening.If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to ask@francescook.co.nz and you might feature on our next episode!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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You sent in a flood of money questions, and I’m ready to answer them all.In this Ask Me Anything episode, I’m going unfiltered to talk through the money decisions you’re most curious about, including:What my actual investment portfolio looks like (and why lazy wins)How to set up your bank accounts to kill money stressWhether to pay off debt, boost KiwiSaver, or start investing firstWhen to sell your shares, and when to hold your nerveHow to rebuild financially after hitting resetPlus, the truth about credit card rewards, lifestyle creep, and my own financial freedom numberPerfect for anyone juggling mortgages, investments, or just trying to make smarter everyday money moves.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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you feel like you’re doing it tough, you’re far from alone. The New Zealand economy has been struggling, and regular New Zealanders are feeling the pinch. Business confidence is down, unemployment is up, and core cost-of-living measures such as food and power prices don’t look good. Interest rates are now falling, but house prices are staying flat. So is there hope for an economic comeback, or is there the possibility of a deeper crash? Time to bring in the experts, with: Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel EaqubInterest.co.nz economics and politics reporter Dan BrunskillANZ senior economist Miles Workman. They’re ready to break down what’s actually going on, and what you need to know to protect your money, and ride out the storm. We’ll debate:The Reserve Bank’s "shock therapy" OCR cut, and whether more is comingWhether NZ’s housing market is bouncing back or still heading down.The truth about job security and the real state of the labour market.The smartest money moves right now, for mortgages, savings, and KiwiSaver.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week, or become a confident sharemarket investor by joining the Market Memo newsletter.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much should you actually have in savings to feel safe?In this week’s Ask the Experts, it’s a listener letter from someone worried about layoffs and wondering whether they’ve saved enough - or maybe even too much.Heartland Bank’s Will White joins the show to unpack what a real emergency fund looks like in 2025.How many months of expenses should you really have tucked away? What happens if you over-save and leave too much cash sitting idle instead of investing it? And where’s the best place to keep your buffer; a high-interest account, term deposit, or offset mortgage?If you’ve ever paused your investing to “build up the savings” or felt unsure what enough really means, this episode will give you a clear, practical framework to find your financial safety zone.If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to ask@francescook.co.nz and you might feature on our next episode!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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if financial freedom didn’t take a lifetime, but just 11 years?Ruth Henderson,also known as The Happy Saver, proves it’s possible.She’s never been on a huge salary, didn’t get an inheritance, and never flipped property.Instead, through smart saving, simple investing into the sharemarket, and relentless consistency, they built enough wealth to become work-optional in just over a decade.And Ruth’s ready to share exactly how they did it.In this episode, we cover:How to reach financial independence in New Zealand (without earning six figures)The power of tracking net worth and using KiwiSaver wiselyHow index funds and compounding growth create true passive incomeWhy “work optional” freedom is more achievable than most Kiwis thinkIf you’ve ever wondered how ordinary New Zealanders can retire early (or just get financially free, faster) this episode is your blueprint.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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your bank balance might be looking rough, but don’t panic.Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain why it’s normal for your money to ebb and flow, why “perfect balance” is a myth, and how to stay on track through the messy seasons of life and money.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week, or become a confident sharemarket investor by joining the Market Memo newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Zealand is in the middle of a $1 trillion inheritance wave, and most families are walking into it completely unprepared.As Baby Boomers move into their 70s and 80s, we’re experiencing the biggest intergenerational wealth transfer in the country’s history. But the money isn’t the problem, it’s the silence.In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook is joined by Katie Wesney from EnableMe to break down the inheritance conversations Kiwis aren’t having, and the painful consequences when families avoid them.The truth is that most New Zealand families have no plan for what happens when assets are passed on.Whether the estate is large or small, failing to talk about money, wills, and expectations can lead to legal mess, financial loss, and long-term family rifts.We explore:Why inheritance is about more than money, it’s about love, fairness, and recognitionThe real-world emotional and financial fallout of poor estate planningWhy avoiding the hard conversations now can destroy relationships laterWhere families should start when they realise it’s time to talkIf you want to protect your family and your finances, this episode is your must-listen guide to having the inheritance conversation before it’s too late.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.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the 9-5 is over?The idea of a steady job and one career path for life is becoming rarer, and maybe even unrealistic.In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook talks to Hannah Koumakis about what it actually looks like when you build a career across acting, business, content, and community, all at once.What happens when you abandon the “one job for life” model, and instead create opportunities in the new world of work, where you often need multiple streams of income to get ahead, and where your financial systems need to be even sharper to hold it all together?In this episode we talk about:How to build multiple income streams without chaosThe financial systems that make it all workWhy emotional resilience matters as much as budgetingThe tough times, and why she nearly gave it all upWhat the future of work really looks like for your bank accountLinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Reserve Bank has slashed the Official Cash Rate, so what does that mean for how bad the economy is, and what is coming next?Frances Cook talks to the TVNZ Breakfast team about what you need to know for your mortgage, your job, and the overall economy.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week, or become a confident sharemarket investor by joining the Market Memo newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A listener letter asks if you can really find an undervalued suburb, or is it all luck?Host Frances Cook is joined by Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz to unpack whether you can actually spot an up-and-coming suburb before it booms.Sure, one clever buy could mean your net worth booms, but how do you play that game to win?This episode digs into:How to use real estate data to compare suburbs and spot growth trendsWhat infrastructure, transport links, and buyer demand reveal about the next boom suburbWhy some “bargains” stay cheap, and how to tell the difference with ones that are about to soar in priceSmart, practical tips for first-home buyers chasing value in New Zealand’s housing marketIf you’ve ever wondered how to find the best suburb to buy your first home, or whether “undervalued areas” really exist anymore, this episode has your answers.Send in your own questions, by emailing ask@francescook.co.nzLinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.This podcast was filmed and produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.