Making Cents
byFrances Cook
BusinessInvestingEducationHow-To
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 investing for financial independence, or starting a new business, these are the ordinary people making the extraordinary possible.On...
Episodes(40 episodes)
How to build wealth like the 1% (on a normal income)
If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually going on behind the scenes of the 1%, beyond the headlines, Instagram posts, and glossy business profiles, this episode pulls back the curtain.Because beneath the public image of wealth is usually a highly deliberate money strategy. And it doesn’t have to be exclusive to the ultra-rich.In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook speaks with Andrew Clements, a private wealth and succession lawyer who works with some of New Zealand’s wealthiest families. Andrew spends his days helping high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients...
Published: Feb 1, 2026Duration: 45:20
How to invest in the sharemarket in 2026 - WEBINAR REPLAY
Everyone says you should start investing in the stock market, but how do you actually do that? Time for a quick roadmap to get you started. Whether you’re starting from scratch, or you’ve been investing for a while but you’re not sure you’re nailing it, this is the live session to help you feel like the confident investor you should be. With top industry experts -Kernel chief executive Dean Anderson-Stuff money editor Damian Venuto-Massey University Professor Claire MatthewsAs we answer question...
Published: Jan 29, 2026Duration: 51:25
"Is renovating my home an investment, or am I fooling myself?" Mailbag episode
Are home renovations actually an investment, or just an expensive way to make your house nicer to live in?In this Ask the Experts mailbag episode, it’s time to answer the question many are scared of: have I overcapitalised my home?Which renovations genuinely add value, and which ones don’t?Is your own home an investment, or a lifestyle choice?And if you’ve already spent the money, should you even consider an investment property?To break it all down, I’m joined by Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz wh...
Published: Jan 28, 2026Duration: 18:31
A quick new year money reset
Quick-fire tips and tricks for feeling more in control of your money in 2026.Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk about it, replayed 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/subscribe Become a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the...
Published: Jan 27, 2026Duration: 7:25
How to invest in silver and gold without getting wrecked, with financial adviser Darcy Ungaro
Gold and silver prices are booming, and it’s being driven by something deeper: how people are feeling about their money.When trust starts to break down, investors don’t just talk about it, they move their money.Darcy Ungaro, a financial adviser and host of the NZ Everyday Investor, is seeing more New Zealanders actively asking about gold, silver, Bitcoin, and other alternatives. It’s not out of greed, but out of caution.In this episode we talk about:Why gold and silver prices are ri...
Published: Jan 25, 2026Duration: 51:51
"I’m a saver, he’s a spender, how do we get on the same page?" Mailbag episode
Opposites attract, until it comes to money.This week’s listener says she’s a saver, her partner is a spender, and every attempt to “get serious” about their finances ends the same way: frustration, guilt, splurging out of spite, and a plan that falls apart by March.Instead of moving forward, they’re cancelling each other out, and it’s starting to wear them both down.In this Ask the Experts episode, EnableMe head strategic coach Katie Wesney breaks down why saver–spender dynamics are so common, and why money fights are usually about...
Published: Jan 21, 2026Duration: 17:00
Olympic psychology that works for your money
Why do so many smart, motivated people struggle to stick to money goals?You set the intention to save more, invest properly, or finally get organised, and then, a few weeks or months later, it falls apart.It’s not that you don’t care or don’t know what to do. It’s that your mindset and financial habits get in the way.In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook is joined by Dom Vettise, a clinical and performance psychologist who specialises in helping people move from “pretty good” to world-cla...
Published: Jan 18, 2026Duration: 53:08
What actually matters for your money in 2026 - WEBINAR REPLAY
Time to talk about what will actually move the needle for you in 2026, and help you feel more confident with your money.Whether it’s property, investing, KiwiSaver, or just feeling calmer about the decisions you’re making, we’re covering the things you actually need to know.We’ll be talking about what an election year really means for your money, how to think about the economy as it starts to turn, where people accidentally trip up during this phase, and how to set yourself up so your money feels easier, not harder, in 2026Fr...
Published: Jan 15, 2026Duration: 53:32
"We’re $8m richer overnight, now what?" Mailbag episode
Money panic doesn’t always come from not having enough. Sometimes it comes from suddenly having far more than you ever expected - $8 million more, to be exact. This week’s Ask the Experts letter comes from a couple who spent 40 years dairy farming, living with constant debt and tight cashflow. Now they’ve sold the farm and their financial reality has flipped overnight. A dream problem? Maybe. But sudden wealth is notoriously risky. Will White from Heartland Bank is in the expert hotseat, to talk about how you protect a huge cash balanc...
Published: Jan 14, 2026Duration: 16:54
“I invested 100k by 25 - here’s how” with Jane Joo
They say that the first $100,000 invested is the hardest milestone, but also most important. Once you’re there, compounding starts to do more of the heavy lifting. But getting there, well, you’ll have to scrap for it.Today’s guest, Jane Joo, reached that milestone by age 25.So how did she actually do it?This episode cuts through the noise to unpack what works in the real world.No trust fund, no extreme deprivation, and no finance degree. Just consistent habits, deliberate choices, and a clear goal.Jane shares...
Published: Jan 11, 2026Duration: 28:55
“Rental property vs. index funds: should we switch?” Mailbag episode
An investment property to fund retirement is part of the Kiwi dream to many - but what if it’s not the smartest move?In this Ask the Experts mailbag episode, a listener in 50s asks, should we keep our rental property, or sell up and invest in index funds instead?So how do you compare property vs shares in real life?EnableMe head strategic coach Katie Wesney is in the expert hot seat, ready to help us break down:index funds vs property for retirement planning...
Published: Jan 7, 2026Duration: 14:33
5 things I wish I knew before investing
If you’ve ever put off investing because the sharemarket felt scary or “not for people like you,” this episode is your shortcut to getting past that.I’m sharing the five things I wish I knew before I started investing: the mindset shifts, the beginner mistakes, and the $5 habit that changed everything for my financial future.We’ll talk about why starting small is a superpower, why you don’t need to be an expert to invest, and how the sharemarket actually makes money (in plain English). You’ll also get the behind the sce...
Published: Jan 4, 2026Duration: 18:40
5 things I wish I knew before investing
If you’ve ever put off investing because the sharemarket felt scary or “not for people like you,” this episode is your shortcut to getting past that.I’m sharing the five things I wish I knew before I started investing: the mindset shifts, the beginner mistakes, and the $5 habit that changed everything for my financial future.We’ll talk about why starting small is a superpower, why you don’t need to be an expert to invest, and how the sharemarket actually makes money (in plain English). You’ll also get the behind the sce...
Published: Jan 4, 2026Duration: 18:40
“We’ve saved $80k, is it enough for our first home?” Mailbag episode
Saving $80,000 should feel like a major milestone. But when you’re trying to buy your first home, it can leave you asking a very real question: is this actually enough?In this Ask the Experts episode, a listener who’s fed up with renting wants to know whether they’re genuinely ready to buy, or about to take on more than they can afford.They’ve built a solid deposit, but recent spending has shaken their confidence, and now they’re stuck between waiting longer or jumping in too soon.So what do...
Published: Dec 31, 2025Duration: 19:12
“We’ve saved $80k, is it enough for our first home?” Mailbag episode
Saving $80,000 should feel like a major milestone. But when you’re trying to buy your first home, it can leave you asking a very real question: is this actually enough?In this Ask the Experts episode, a listener who’s fed up with renting wants to know whether they’re genuinely ready to buy, or about to take on more than they can afford.They’ve built a solid deposit, but recent spending has shaken their confidence, and now they’re stuck between waiting longer or jumping in too soon.So w...
Published: Dec 31, 2025Duration: 19:12
Three money psychology shifts that changed how I handle money
Learning about money is one thing. Actually changing how you behave with it is something else entirely.In this special episode of Making Cents, I’m pulling together three powerful money psychology insights that genuinely changed how I handle my own money. It’s not just that they were clever tactics, but that they finally helped me put good intentions into action.Being “good with money” isn’t about deprivation or sitting on a pile of cash you’re scared to touch. It’s about deciding what kind of life you want, working backwards from...
Published: Dec 28, 2025Duration: 29:51
What could a Santa Rally mean for our money?
Fast Money with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Talking the end of year GDP bounce, what a Santa Rally would tell us about 2026, how to control spending over the silly season, and the forecast for our Kiwisaver programme.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.
Published: Dec 25, 2025Duration: 16:44
“I’ve got $1 million in the bank, what do I do with it?” Mailbag episode
Hitting the milestone of $1 million in the bank should feel like financial freedom, but for many people approaching retirement, it’s the moment where the fear kicks in.When a term deposit matures and you’re suddenly responsible for a seven-figure lump sum, the pressure to “not mess it up” can feel overwhelming.That’s exactly the situation in today’s Ask the Experts episode. Our listener is 59, single, mortgage-free, and ready to retire soon, but unsure what to do with the $1 million they’ve worked their whole life to save.EnableMe str...
Published: Dec 24, 2025Duration: 16:36
NZ banking just changed all the rules, are you ready? Open banking with Pocketsmith CEO Jason Leong
New Zealand banking just changed all the rules, and you could be forgiven for not having heard about it, despite the fact this could change everything about how you handle your money.Open banking is now officially live in New Zealand, slipping in right at the end of the year with very little attention. But this isn’t just a tech update. It’s a power shift over who controls your financial information, and how it can be used.That matters, because open banking has the potential to make huge parts of your mone...
Published: Dec 21, 2025Duration: 35:47
Why investing got weird in 2025 - Webinar REPLAY
2025 a strange year for money.AI shot up so fast it started giving people Dotcom Bubble flashbacks.Bitcoin lost more than a trillion dollars in value almost overnight.KiwiSaver turned into an election promise.Interest rates dropped, but didn’t truly soothe the money pain.So if your money felt a bit off this year, you weren’t imagining it.In this live edition of the Making Cents podcast, I’m joined by Stuff’s money editor Damien Venuto and AdviceFirst financial adviser Leon Leonardo...
Published: Dec 18, 2025Duration: 41:35