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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 57분 전

    Buying vs building: Which property strategy builds more wealth over time?

    Old vs new: Which property strategy builds more wealth? When you're deciding whether to buy a house or build one, you're not just choosing a home, you're making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. In this Ask the Experts episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook is joined by Kirsty Healey from EnableMe to unpack the pros and cons of buying an existing home vs building new. And importantly, which option could help you build more long-term wealth. Whether you're a first-home buyer or property investor, the choice between old and new has serious financial implications. New builds often come with lower maintenance costs, better mortgage deals, and the potential for higher-quality construction. But they also carry risks like construction delays, budget blowouts, and developer red tape. On the flip side, buying an existing home is faster and feels more straightforward. But it can come with hidden costs, future-proofing challenges, and unexpected renovation bills. In this episode, we cover: How new builds can affect your mortgage rate and deposit requirementsThe most common building pitfalls, including budget and council issuesWhy existing homes aren't always the “safe” choiceWhich option could offer better long-term value growthHow to decide based on your personal timeline, risk tolerance, and financial goals If you're stuck between buying or building, this episode will help you weigh the real costs, risks, and rewards. 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.

    18분
  2. 9월 14일

    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.

    51분

소개

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.

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