Making Cents

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.If your hair really bothered you, to the point where you thought about it all the time, would you spend $20,000 on a permanent fix?Today’s guest did exactly that. And not only does he say it was worth it, he also says it was a good financial decision.That’s a bold claim, but he would know. Because he’s a financial adviser.Now, you might be thinking, “That’s nice if you’ve got $20,000 to throw away on your hair.” But as he puts it, that’s the point.The whole reason to pursue financial freedom is so that you can spend money on the things that really matter to you, without going into debt, and while still hitting your other long-term goals, like buying a house, saving for retirement, or investing to build wealth.In this episode we talk about:– Values-based spending– Budgeting for major lifestyle expenses– How to avoid financial guilt– Tools for tracking your money– And yes... does a hair transplant hurt?It’s money, mindset, and spending without regret.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.

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.Here’s a scary stat for you: there’s research that shows your money personality is already set, done, dusted, by the time you’re seven. Seven! That’s well before most parents start talking to their kids about money — let alone teaching them how to save, budget, or understand the value of a dollar.So what does that mean for your kids' financial future? And what can you do if you didn’t get a great financial education growing up?In this episode, we tackle the big questions around raising money-smart kids, breaking bad money habits, and how to teach financial literacy at home, even if you’re still figuring it out yourself.Kiwibank's Julia Jackson is a pro in helping families build stronger money habits. We dive into:How to teach kids about money at different ages, from pocket money to their first jobPractical ways to build financial literacy at home (without needing to be an expert)The importance of age-appropriate money lessons, and how to tailor them to your childHow kids absorb money behaviours from you (even if you never talk about it)It's practical steps to raise financially confident kids — no spreadsheets requiredLinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Fast Money with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Chatting everything from what's happening with the economy, will house prices go back up, and should you be investing in gold at a time like this?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.

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.You’ll definitely recognise the name of today’s guest - Jay-Jay Feeney, who was on the airwaves across New Zealand for 33 years. A radio career that many would kill for, except she decided to chuck it all in, and launch a business instead. Taking all of that radio knowledge and channelling it into what she sees as the future for audio: podcasting. Problem being, she’s the first to admit that she’s not naturally a business-person. So she decided to team up with someone she trusted, her ex-husband, fellow former radio host Dom Harvey. The ex is not who most people would go into business with, but Jay-Jay and Dom are not like most former couples. They decided that trust, and their continuing friendship, was the most important foundation to build their business on. They’ve got practice because they’ve actually never really bothered to separate their finances, just the romantic relationship.So, the business parts, they figured they could also work out together.  This episode dives into the real behind-the-scenes of what it takes to reinvent your career, including:How Jay-Jay financially planned to leave her high-profile jobThe challenges of starting a bricks-and-mortar business in today’s economyThe risks and rewards of entrepreneurshipWhat happens if the business doesn’t become profitable, and how long she’s giving herself to find outWhether you're thinking about quitting your job, launching a podcast, or starting a business with someone unexpected, this is a must-listen episode packed with honest insights on personal finance, career reinvention, and startup life in New Zealand.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.

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.Here’s a horrifying stat: economist Shamubeel Eaqub crunched the numbers and found that single people spend 14% more than couples.In some categories, it’s even worse. Housing? 53% more. Healthcare? 40% more.That’s not avocado toast. That’s basic survival.This episode is all about what you can do to fight back. Whether you’re single by choice or circumstance, we’re breaking down the numbers, calling out the hidden costs, and helping you find smart ways to protect your financial future, without compromising your lifestyle.For this episode I’ve partnered with Enable.Me, and their strategic consultant Shelley Palman joins us to break it all down.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.

A replay of a conversation with the 1News Breakfast team, on red flags to watch out for if you're investing in the sharemarket. 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.

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.This episode is for anyone torn between living life and staying smart with money. Because you don’t have to choose just one.When Mireia Muller-Pallares decided to leave her 9–5 and move to Spain, she wasn’t willing to blow her savings or give up on her future goals. So she built a plan to keep investing, cover her student loan, and stay financially secure - while still living her dream life in Valencia.We cover:How to set up your finances before moving overseasWhat really happens to your KiwiSaver and student loan when you leave NZCreative ways to keep investing while earning lessHow to redefine “success” when you’re no longer climbing the ladderWhether you're planning an OE, thinking about quitting your job, or just craving a different way to live — this episode proves it's possible to do it without tanking your money.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.

Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening in the market right now, and what that means for the strategies you should use to make the most of your money.If you’re a first home buyer or property investor, you already know the stakes: house prices are high, and competition is fierce. We’ve recently covered how to get mortgage-ready and what to look for in a property, but today, we’re diving into the part that could literally save you tens of thousands of dollars.The negotiation.This is where most buyers freeze. Should you go in low? How do you spot a vendor bluffing? What phrases can kill your offer? We’re breaking down the biggest negotiation mistakes people make when buying a house, and how to avoid them.Whether you’re in the middle of house hunting, prepping your first offer, or just want to get smart before entering the market, this episode is packed with expert-backed advice to help you negotiate like a pro.This week I’ve partnered up with http://realestate.co.nz, who’ve kindly lent us their expert Vanessa Williams, to walk us through it all.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.