Making Cents
Episodes
Use the bank's money to pay off your mortgage? You bet.
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A quick and dirty update of mortgage tricks to get rid of the debt faster. Including using the bank's money, instead of yours!Frances Cook joins the T...
“Are those ‘mortgage-free in five years’ hacks for real?” Mailbag episode
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered whether those “mortgage-free in five years” hacks you see online are real, or just clever marketing?With so many mortgage “shortcu...
How nine years in a tiny home bought freedom
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever wondered whether living in a tiny home can genuinely change your life, this is a story worth hearing.After nearly nine years in her t...
“How to find an affordable first home in an expensive city - maybe with a llama?” Mailbag episode
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If property prices are doing your head in and you’re starting to wonder whether buying a first home is even possible anymore, it’s time to figure ...
Angry at credit card debt? Here’s how to fight back, with Sasha Lockley from Money Sweetspot
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Plenty of us get angry about the money world being unfair. But few people get angry enough to actually change something.Sasha Lockley did.Sasha starte...
How to take the first steps into investing
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Become an investor with less stress, and no finance degree.Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk about how to get out of your own way if ...
“Single mum at 46, how do I avoid poverty at 70?” Mailbag episode
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve pushed money aside for years, only to wake up in your mid-40s with a toddler, a tiny KiwiSaver balance, and a creeping fear about what lif...
I cut 8 years off my mortgage with $20 - here's how
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A simple $20 tweak can dramatically cut down the life of your mortgage, so now it’s time to talk about the strategy I used to shave eight years off ...
Smart, simple, sharemarket investing, get your money strategy ready for 2026. WEBINAR REPLAY
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cash funds, bonds, index funds, shares… what’s the difference, and how do you figure out which mix is right for you?If you want to invest but have...
"My kids want me to get a reverse mortgage, will it ruin their inheritance?” Mailbag episode
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve worked your whole life to pay off the mortgage. The house is finally yours. But somehow, the money worries haven’t gone away.In this Making...
Chef Alice Taylor on budget recipes that actually work: $1.50 loaf, 20c noodles
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Supermarket total making your stomach drop? You’re not imagining it, food prices have become one of the biggest pain points of the cost-of-living cr...
Boost your savings without living a boring life
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Create a savings buffer without that nagging feeling of deprivation. Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk about the savings tips that he...
“We were gifted $100K, how do we not blow it?” Mailbag episode
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A $100,000 gift should feel like freedom, so why does it come with so much pressure?In this Making Cents mailbag episode, a listener writes in after b...
KiwiSaver weapons investing is up 40% - how to invest ethically and still make money, with Mindful Money’s Barry Coates
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the biggest tools you’ve got for creating change is already in your pocket - your KiwiSaver.It quietly funds companies, industries, and ideas...
Is the 0.01% rule the secret to guilt-free spending?
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fast Money with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Does the 0.01% rule help us spend in a smarter way? And if you really hate maths, does the 24-hou...
“I can’t buy a house, is commercial property a better investment?” Mailbag episode
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the smartest way to get into property investing isn’t a house at all?That’s the question in this week’s Making Cents mailbag, from a lis...
Overcoming a $100k fear of failure, with Ecoya CEO Claire Barnes
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Ecoya CEO Claire Barnes was 23, she lost $100,000 of her dad’s life insurance money on a failed business. The experience left her with a fear o...
Smart side hustle strategies for when work isn't paying enough
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're looking to earn more money on the side, here's the guide to doing it more successfully.Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain...
“We’re paying for private school, two dream homes, and we’re out of cash.” Mailbag episode
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On paper, today’s listener has it made. Two multimillion-dollar homes, no mortgage, and investments on the side.But with private-school fees, high l...
My lazy investing strategy, account hacks, and what real financial freedom looks like: Your questions, answered
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You sent in a flood of money questions, and I’m ready to answer them all.In this Ask Me Anything episode, I’m going unfiltered to talk through the...
Jobs, interest rates, and real strategies for surviving New Zealand's ‘grumpy’ economy WEBINAR REPLAY
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel like you’re doing it tough, you’re far from alone. The New Zealand economy has been struggling, and regular New Zealanders are feeling...
Mailbag: “How much should I save, when my job is shaky?”
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How much should you actually have in savings to feel safe?In this week’s Ask the Experts, it’s a listener letter from someone worried about layoff...
Financiallly free in just 11 years, with The Happy Saver
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if financial freedom didn’t take a lifetime, but just 11 years?Ruth Henderson,also known as The Happy Saver, proves it’s possible.She’s nev...
Why 'perfect balance' can wreck your finances
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your bank balance might be looking rough, but don’t panic.Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain why it’s normal for your money to ...
The $1 trillion time bomb: Why Kiwi families are blowing the inheritance conversation
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand is in the middle of a $1 trillion inheritance wave, and most families are walking into it completely unprepared.As Baby Boomers move into ...
"I nannied for billionaires, it changed my entire money outlook”: building a business on your own terms, with Hannah Koumakis
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the 9-5 is over?The idea of a steady job and one career path for life is becoming rarer, and maybe even unrealistic.In this episode of Making ...
"Shock therapy" OCR cut, job pain, mortgage gain? Here's what's really going on
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Reserve Bank has slashed the Official Cash Rate, so what does that mean for how bad the economy is, and what is coming next?Frances Cook talks to ...
Mailbag: “Can I find an undervalued suburb, or was my parents’ success just luck?”
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A listener letter asks if you can really find an undervalued suburb, or is it all luck?Host Frances Cook is joined by Vanessa Williams from http://rea...
“Consumerism is just filling a void” - how to stop money myths from draining your bank account
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all like to think we’re making smart money decisions… but half the time it’s actually our unconscious brain calling the shots.The result? Acc...
Why "financial flashpoints" hold you back, and how to fix it
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Financial flashpoints" are the moments that can take over you subconscious, and quietly derail the best of money plans. They can push smart people, t...
Buying vs building: Which property strategy builds more wealth over time?
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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'...
What I learned from starting over in my 30s
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What really happens when you burn everything down and start over in your late 30s?In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook shares the raw reality...
The hidden costs of buying a home (and how to avoid nasty surprises)
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buying a house in New Zealand? Don’t get caught out by hidden costs.In this episode of Ask the Experts, we reveal the true cost of buying a home, be...
How to start investing, and go from $5, to financial freedom. Webinar REPLAY
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think shares are too risky or too complicated? Think again.In this live webinar, Frances Cook is joined by Ruth Henderson from The Happy Saver, indepe...
Why we financially sabotage ourselves, and how to stop
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us don’t just make money mistakes, we repeat them.Why? Because our money beliefs and money psychology are quietly running the show.In this e...
Using your home to buy investment property: smart or risky?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
What it’s really like to quit work forever at 30, with Captain FI
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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?W...
No pay rise? How to ask for benefits instead
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ris...
Side hustle mistakes that cost you time and money
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Exp...
How to find a financial adviser you can actually trust (In NZ)
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, y...
Small changes to beat the cost of living
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. France...
The KiwiSaver trap: why a common tactic can accidentally torpedo your nest egg
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
From Uber to dog poop: The side hustles people really get paid for
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Cheap reno wins vs expensive fails: What adds real value
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Small fixes for a big win: it’s time for renovations that actually add valueNot all renovations are created equal. Some upgrades could cost you thou...
Outsmart the cost of living: Here’s why your wallet feels empty
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why does life still feel so expensive?In this webinar, we break down what’s really driving the cost of living in New Zealand, and why your grocery b...
How to quit the money guilt (without quitting your financial goals)
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling guilty every time you spend money? You’re not alone, but it might be doing more harm than good.In this episode of Making Cents, we’re divi...
Why New Zealanders are scared of the sharemarket
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A quick hit highlight clip from the April 2025 episode "Housing, KiwiSaver, and debt: Solving NZ’s biggest money issues with the Retirement Commissi...
How to stay motivated when your money goals feel too big
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever felt like your financial goals are just too far away?Whether you're dreaming of financial independence, planning for early retirement, or just tr...
When stage 4 cancer hit, financial independence gave her room to breathe
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the worst happened, but you were financially ready?When Caroline Gordon was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, everything changed. But be...
How do banks decide if they'll lower interest rates - and are they going down more?
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Will your mortgage rate go down soon, or will banks keep them higher for longer?In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook joi...
We love Lotto, but investing loves us back
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why we choose Lotto over investing, even when it’s irrational, and how to flip the script so investing feels just as exciting.A replay of a conversa...
From broke to thriving: Money fixes for self-employed and side hustlers
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you enjoying the freedom of self-employment - or just underpaid, overworked, and financially stressed?Running your own business can give you freed...
“We sold everything and moved into a caravan” - creating financial freedom without the fat paycheck
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
She hit financial freedom at 51, by downsizing to a caravan and selling the family trade business.It wasn’t a tech salary. It wasn’t an inheritanc...
How to stop guilt sabotaging your money goals
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 1news Breakfast team have questions about how we can beat the guilt, and create systems to help us feel better about our money. A replay of the TV...
Are house prices about to drop more? What you need to know in 2025
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are house prices about to drop more, or is this the bottom of the market?In this episode of Ask the Experts, we dig into what’s really going on with...
Building FU money on an average income - "Enough is not a number, it's a decision"
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You don’t need a million dollars to reach financial freedom.In this episode of Making Cents, we’re breaking down how Germano Gomes built lifestyle...
Major money changes you need to know: protect your savings account, KiwiSaver cuts, and grocery fights
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a wave of major money changes rolling through New Zealand, hitting everything from where you keep your savings, to what’s in your KiwiSave...
The real estate standoff: Buyers, sellers, and the gap no one wants to close
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Being too polite could cost you $240,850
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if being polite was secretly draining your bank account?Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving...
How to get your boss to pay for your insurance
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hate paying for insurance? What if you didn’t have to?Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the insid...
Rentvesting: A fast look at pros and cons
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 1news Breakfast team have questions about the good and bad of rentvesting. A replay of the segment from 22 July. Making Cents is supported by our ...
"Why I gave up my dream home to rentvest instead" - Ilse Wolfe
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if renting your dream home and building long-term wealth weren’t opposites?Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial f...
The pocket money debate: Should kids earn it or just get it?
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Should kids get pocket money, and what’s the best way to teach them to use it?Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the i...
Could you save on insurance, or should you cancel it? As well as grocery prices, house values, and how to survive NZ's money madness
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fast Money with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Chatting everything from why your groceries are so expensive, how to save money on insurance, why...
Bitcoin made boring: How crypto going mainstream is changing how we invest into it
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee. I’m Frances Cook, an independent financia...
The mortgage mistake that’s costing you thousands (and how to fix it)
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
More food tips that'll save your budget (fast edition)
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A replay of a conversation with the 1News Breakfast team, on the best tips to save money from your food budget.Making Cents is supported by our friend...
“Food shouldn’t be this expensive” - chef Alice Taylor on eating well for less
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grocery prices have gone off the rails. Butter costs more than brunch, olive oil feels like a luxury item, and meat? Don’t even ask.It’s enough to...
One in three NZers 'accidentally' bought a house? Here's how
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to industry insiders to get the inside word on what’s happening in the market, and what that mea...
Quick Hit: Is a revolving credit mortgage worth it?
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A highlight clip from the February 3rd episode, “From how I invest, to getting rid of the mortgage fast: A chaotic Ask Me Anything episode”, with ...
Should you invest in gold?
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial...
The US-Israel-Iran conflict shows chaos is the new normal - LIVE replay
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a live episode of Making Cents, it's time to decode the tension still simmering in the US-Iran-Israel conflict, and the reaction from the money wor...
Is renting really throwing money away?
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Why being too polite, costs you
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A replay of a conversation with the 1News Breakfast team, on how being too polite could actually cost you thousands of dollars. Making Cents is suppor...
I spent $20,000 on my hair - and I'm a financial advisor
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial...
By age 7, your money personality is locked in — can you change it?
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Will property bounce back, should you invest in gold?
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 sho...
Why Jay-Jay Feeney started a business with ex Dom Harvey, and went from radio star to startup life
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial...
The hidden cost of being single: How to beat the ‘singles tax’ and build wealth anyway
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Investing red flags to watch out for
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 suppor...
Spain, sun, and investing: The real way to move overseas and keep building wealth
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial...
Thank you.
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
House buying negotiation mistakes that cost you thousands (and how to avoid them)
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, an...
The ultimate first home buyer's guide (NZ edition) - LIVE REPLAY
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A special live edition where we look at what is happening with NZ property right now, and what that means for hopeful first home buyers.Whether you're...
Think like a financial journalist: how to research stocks like a pro
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial...
The investing shift that builds wealth (even in a recession)
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Quick Hit: Can you mix money and family?
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A highlight clip from the February 10th episode, “Viral mortgage hacks debunked: Separating clickbait from real advice”, with Dan Bell, financial ...
How to be "boujee on a budget"
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial...
Making Cents of the Budget: What KiwiSaver changes mean for you, and could you get a pay rise? LIVE REPLAY
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
KiwiSaver’s been cut, so what should you do now?In this special live episode of Making Cents, we unpack the 2025 Budget and what it means for your m...
What the bank wants to know before it approves your mortgage
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
KiwiSaver changes, renters get a break, and should we worry about the brain drain? BONUS episode
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Money world update, with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Chatting everything from possible changes to KiwiSaver, whether renters can get ahead ri...
"You can have it all, but at what cost?" How to beat burnout with Claire Wasserman from Ladies Get Paid
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid, shares how she went from 'having it all' to suffering burnout, and how that's changed the advice she giv...
FOMO vs financial goals: How to stay focused when everything’s a temptation
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Quick Hit: The reality behind early retirement
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A highlight clip from the Janury 27th episode, “Financially free at 30: How this dad quit the corporate world”, with Nick Gentle, buyers agent and...
How to negotiate a killer mortgage
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jackson Hapeta, co-founder of Lenda, shares the moment he realised he was overpaying for his mortgage, and how that inspired him to found a business t...
Why a moodboard is the secret to mastering your money: LIVE REPLAY
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to save more money without relying on willpower? You might need a moodboard.In this live episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Co...
Renting doesn't have to suck - how to outsmart the housing market to get the best deal
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Sharyn Casey on quitting the 'dream job'
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sharyn Casey, radio, TV, and podcast personality, shares why she quit what was once her dream job, and how she's handled that financially.You can have...
When can you crack into your KiwiSaver early?
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
Listener mail: Buy your first home or invest? LIVE REPLAY
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Live replay from a YouTube listener mail question.After years of living paycheck to paycheck, a Making Cents listener has received a substantial inher...