Making Cents

Frances Cook

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!

  1. 2d ago

    Kiwis Want Time More Than Money: Here’s Why

    What matters more to you, money or time? Nearly half of us would accept getting paid less just to get more time back in our lives. Not more stuff, not a bigger house - just time. Yet in reality, we are getting squeezed on both fronts with less money and less time. New research from Revolut and YouGov shows 44% of Kiwis would take a pay cut for a four-day work week, while six in ten are working overtime - and nearly a third get nothing extra for it. To make matters worse, budgeting and managing money has become the single biggest drain on our free time. Georgia Grange, Chief Operating Officer at Revolut New Zealand, joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to break down how to take back control of our hours. From the generational divide between Gen Z and management to practical automations that kill off the "Sunday scaries," Georgia shares how to simplify your money so you can get your life back. This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Revolut, the card and app for everyday spending in NZ, and smarter money on your travels. Use this link https://get.revolut.com/e9Jc/makingcents7 to try them out, spend, and Revolut will give you $40 to get started.* In this episode: - The four-day work week reality: why 44% of Kiwis would trade pay for time - The generational divide: why 65% of young workers want shorter weeks while older bosses hold back - Why overtime and "always-on" digital tools are driving burnout and unpaid work - How budgeting became the #1 free-time drain for 32% of New Zealanders - The Sunday scaries test: why spending hours on spreadsheets is a red flag - How to automate your income, bills, and wealth building so money management takes 10 minutes a week - Using disposable virtual cards and spend limits to kill unwanted subscriptions and overspending - Moving from presenteeism to output: what workplaces need to change Whether you're feeling burnt out by the daily grind or spending way too much of your weekend stuck in spreadsheets, this episode breaks down real, practical steps to help you take control of your time and your money on your own terms. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join 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 Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest #MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom Production and video editing by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Filmed by Fanaticals

  2. 5d ago

    How Some Kiwi Families Keep Their Wealth for Generations

    Building a comfortable money life for yourself is one thing - building wealth that outlives you is a completely different game. The problem is that when people get this wrong, it is not just the money that disappears; families often fall apart trying to figure it out. From mismatched expectations to the old saying that wealth is lost in three generations, passing down money without a clear plan can create entitlement rather than long-term security. Andrew Clements, private wealth and succession lawyer at Grayson Clements, joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to pull back the curtain on how to make family wealth last. Drawing on his career advising some of the wealthiest families in the country, Andrew explains why generational planning isn't just for billionaires, and why the most powerful thing parents can do is equip the next generation for responsibility. In this episode: The 5 capitals of wealth: why true wealth comes from wellness, not just moneyWhy 70% of family wealth is lost by the second generation, and 90% by the thirdThe entitlement trap: why handing kids a soft landing can backfireThe tradie family blueprint: how a modest-income family set their daughters up to own property togetherHow to create a "family sandbox" and family advisory board to practice money decisions safelyWhy every family upset is actually a broken rule, and how to define your family rules earlyThe two-year transition model: moving from a "family business" to a "business family"How to teach kids to fail safely so they build resilience and protect their reputation Whether you are starting from modest means or building a legacy to pass on, this episode breaks down practical steps to help you lead your family and build lasting wealth on your own terms. This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join 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 Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest #MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom Production and video editing by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Filmed by Fanaticals

  3. Oct 14

    Auckland House Prices Just Hit a 6-Year Low - But The South Island Is Booming

    For years, buyers have complained the property market wasn’t on their side - but that has just changed in a way New Zealand hasn’t seen in six years. Auckland’s average asking price has dropped under $1 million for the first time since 2020, and with 34,000 houses on the market across the country, buyers have serious choice and negotiating power. But while listings pile up and prices stay flat, why is a full-blown property crash still off the cards? Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to break down the latest property data and reveal what is actually happening beneath the headlines. From the South Island regions hitting record highs to what gets a home sold right now, Vanessa shares what buyers and sellers need to know. In this episode: Auckland house prices dip below $1 million: what the six-year milestone means for buyers and sellersWhy the South Island is booming while the North Island coolsSelling in a buyer’s market: the 3 non-negotiables to get your property sold without slashing your priceThe "roast me" test: why brutal feedback on presentation can save you thousandsWhy waiting for the election or summer could cost buyers their negotiating edge Whether you're looking to buy your first home, make a move, or work out what the shifting market means for your equity, this episode breaks down the numbers to help you make your move on your own terms. Join 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 Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz #MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom Production and video editing by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Filmed by Fanaticals

  4. Oct 11

    From Employee To Owner: How She Bought The Magazine She Worked For

    Ever wanted to turn to your boss and say, "I could run this place better, and you should let me"? In reality, you probably want to phrase it a little more diplomatically than that. But it is possible - because Sarah Murray did exactly that. Sarah Murray, owner and editor of FQ, shares the raw reality of stepping from employee to business owner. From valuing a legacy media brand and writing a winning bank business plan with no prior corporate finance background, Sarah pulls back the curtain on taking the ultimate career swing. In this episode: The audacity of buying the company: how Sarah built up the courage to pitch her bossWhat it takes to value an established business and get bank approval with no formal business backgroundThe "part-time work" trap for working parents, and taking on your dream role with young kidsNavigating the shift from coworker to editor-in-chief and business ownerBalancing creative integrity vs the bottom line: why "bougie" brand details sometimes matterThe modern media blueprint: turning a print magazine into a 360-degree ecosystem of events and membershipsPractical advice for pitching your boss if you want to buy out or take over a company Whether you're dreaming of turning your career into business ownership or navigating the high-stakes world of running a brand, this episode breaks down what it really takes to back yourself and build something on your own terms. This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join 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 Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest #MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom Production and video editing by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Filmed by Fanaticals

  5. Oct 7

    My Car Costs $13 to Fill Up... Should You Go Electric Too?

    With petrol prices spiking to record highs, hitting $3.52 a litre, switching to an electric or hybrid car can look like the ultimate way to wipe out a massive daily living cost. But is it actually the right financial move for your lifestyle, or could hidden ownership costs end up costing you more? Financial journalist Frances Cook breaks down the real numbers on petrol, hybrid, and fully electric cars. From real-world running costs and road user charges to battery lifespan facts and a brutal warning on vehicle depreciation, Frances shares the exact maths you need to know before making a move. In this episode: The real cost to charge an EV: running the numbers on off-peak power vs $3/litre petrol Factoring in NZ Road User Charges: what EV driving actually costs per 450km The hybrid trapEV insurance and servicing costs: the trade-off between higher premiums and lower maintenance Will the battery die and bankrupt you? Real-world data on EV battery degradation and warranties The depreciation rule: why buying a 2–3 year old EV saves you tens of thousands How green loans work: using 0% to 1% interest bank financing without touching high-interest car loans Frances’s golden rule: why the cheapest car is almost always the one already in your driveway Whether you are feeling squeezed at the pump or weighing up your next vehicle purchase, this episode breaks down the practical numbers to help you make the right call on your own terms. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join 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 Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest #MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom Production and video editing by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock Filmed by Fanaticals

About

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!

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