Making Cents

Frances Cook
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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 Thursday we have Ask the Experts, where industry insiders answer your questions on the money world. From earning more in your career, to investing, or sticking to a budget, they'll help make money simple. Every now and then you'll get a bonus episode too, but the fun of those is that you never know when they're coming! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. قبل ساعة واحدة

    What it’s really like to quit work forever at 30, with Captain FI

    It’s a fantasy many of us share: what if you could retire early, walk away from your job forever, and live life on your own terms by the age of 30? Would it be all freedom and fun… or would the reality look very different? In this episode of Making Cents, I talk to Captain Fi, one of Australia’s most well-known FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) bloggers. He shares what it really takes to achieve financial independence at such a young age, and whether he would actually recommend it to others. Captain Fi started out as a pilot, a career that cost him over $300,000 in training. Determined to buy back his freedom, he focused on three strategies that define the FIRE movement: Earn as much as possible through a high-paying job and multiple side hustlesSpend as little as possible by keeping living costs low and avoiding lifestyle creepInvest everything left over into shares and growth assets to build wealth quickly By living on less than $40,000 a year, while sometimes saving up to 90% of his income, he was able to quit work in his early 30s. Today, Captain Fi lives on a hobby farm in Queensland with his wife and young daughter, raising bees, planting gardens, and building the family-focused life he always wanted. But his journey also included burnout, grief, and a surprising twist: after a short period of “retired life,” he realised it wasn’t fulfilling enough and pivoted into something new. In this conversation, we cover: How he built financial independence by 30The reality of early retirement versus the daydreamWhy he “un-FIRE’d” and bought a farmThe hidden challenges of extreme savings and burnoutHis advice for anyone chasing financial freedom today If you’ve ever wondered what early retirement really looks like, or how to use the FIRE movement to reshape your own career and lifestyle, this episode has the insights from someone who has lived it. Links Follow 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.

    ٥١ من الدقائق

  2. قبل ٣ أيام

    No pay rise? How to ask for benefits instead

    Fast Money with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Chatting everything from cost-of-living savings, how to pay off debt faster, how to get a pay rise or what to do next if a pay rise is turned down, and what's happening with the property market at the moment. Links Follow 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.

    ١٤ من الدقائق

  3. قبل ٤ أيام

    Side hustle mistakes that cost you time and money

    Side hustles can boost your money life, but only if you avoid the mistakes that tank most people early on. In this episode of Making Cents: Ask the Experts, we’re breaking down the most common side hustle mistakes, and how to avoid them. From financial pitfalls to admin overload, we’re giving you real, practical advice to help you start a side hustle that actually works. I’m joined by Joanna Greaves, General Manager of Business Banking at Kiwibank, who’s seen thousands of small businesses and side hustles come through the system. She shares what works, what fails, and the one thing most people forget to do when turning a small idea into a successful income stream. We cover: • How to start a side hustle the smart way • Financial tips for side hustlers (before you even make your first dollar) • When to move from personal to business accounts • The hidden risks that catch beginners out • The one step that separates sustainable hustles from burnout traps If you want to start a business on the side, build up financial freedom, or just make a little extra income, this episode gives you the roadmap, minus the guru hype. Links Follow 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.

    ١٥ من الدقائق

  4. ٧ سبتمبر

    How to find a financial adviser you can actually trust (In NZ)

    Finding a financial adviser in New Zealand can feel both overwhelming, and risky. With so many options, how do you know who to trust with your money, your KiwiSaver, your mortgage, or your retirement plan? In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook breaks down exactly how to find a financial adviser in NZ that you can actually rely on. We cover when you really need an adviser, what they can (and can’t) do for you, how they get paid (fees vs commissions), and the red flags that should send you running. Whether you’re buying your first home, setting up life insurance, planning for retirement, or investing a lump sum, this guide will show you how to: Check if an adviser is licensed and registered in New ZealandUnderstand their specialtiesAsk the right vetting questions before you sign anythingSpot common conflicts of interest and sales tacticsKnow the difference between real advice and a product pitch Your financial adviser should be a co-pilot, not the pilot. This episode will help you feel confident, avoid getting burned, and choose someone who puts your interests first. Links Follow 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.

    ٤١ من الدقائق

  5. ٤ سبتمبر

    Small changes to beat the cost of living

    Whether you're hitting the supermarket, or paying your regular bills, here are some quick ways to tackle the cost of living in your daily life. Frances Cook talks to the TVNZ Breakfast team about the ways to fight the price rises. Links Follow 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.

    ٧ من الدقائق

  6. ٣ سبتمبر

    The KiwiSaver trap: why a common tactic can accidentally torpedo your nest egg

    Are you accidentally sabotaging your KiwiSaver? KiwiSaver is one of the most powerful tools New Zealanders have for growing wealth, but if you’re on autopilot, you could be losing tens of thousands of dollars without realising it. In this episode of Ask the Experts, we reveal the common KiwiSaver mistakes that are quietly shrinking your nest egg, and the easy fixes that could supercharge your long-term savings. Whether you're using KiwiSaver for retirement, your first home deposit, or both, it’s time to stop treating it like a passive savings account. Frances Cook is joined by Kristin Sutherland from EnableMe to break down: The risks of “set and forget” with KiwiSaverHow to rebuild your account after using it for a first home depositWhy your KiwiSaver fund type (growth vs conservative) matters more than you thinkHow often you should review your KiwiSaver settingsThe first step to take if you've ignored your KiwiSaver until nowIt only takes a few small tweaks to get your KiwiSaver working harder, and fixing it might take less time than listening to this episode. Listen now to protect your future wealth, and make sure every dollar is doing the most for you. Links Follow 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.

    ١٨ من الدقائق

  7. ٣١ أغسطس

    From Uber to dog poop: The side hustles people really get paid for

    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 which ones are a waste of your time and money. Done right, a side hustle can boost your income, help you start investing, or give you the chance to test a new business idea. Done wrong, it can leave you exhausted with nothing to show for it. We dig into the myths, the money traps, and the side hustles that really do work. From tutoring, to service-based gigs like cleaning and gardening, through to the online hustle trends that promise passive income but rarely deliver. If you’ve ever wondered how to make money online, what the best side hustles in New Zealand actually are, or how to bring in extra income without burning out, this episode gives you the strategies to get the cash without the crash. Links Follow 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.

    ٤٧ من الدقائق

  8. ٢٧ أغسطس

    Cheap reno wins vs expensive fails: What adds real value

    Small fixes for a big win: it’s time for renovations that actually add value Not 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 about where you invest in your home, understanding the return on renovation is crucial. A $50,000 kitchen revamp might look stunning, but will buyers actually pay for it? We cover: Kitchen and bathroom renovations: high impact or high risk?The low-cost power of painting, decluttering, and deep cleaningPools: luxury feature or long-term liability?Do outdoor upgrades like decks and landscaping pay off?Simple layout changes that boost value more than cosmetic tweaksBest renovations for a $5K–$10K budget If you want to increase your home’s value without overcapitalising, this episode is your essential guide to renovation decisions that make a real difference. Links Follow 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.

    ٢٠ من الدقائق
مشاهدة الكل (١٤٤)

مقطع ترويجي

حول

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 Thursday we have Ask the Experts, where industry insiders answer your questions on the money world. From earning more in your career, to investing, or sticking to a budget, they'll help make money simple. Every now and then you'll get a bonus episode too, but the fun of those is that you never know when they're coming! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Frances Cook
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٤ - ٢٠٢٥
  • الحلقات
    ١٤٤
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © Frances Cook
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    Making Cents

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