A highlight clip from the April 2021 episode, "Can you reach financial security without a house?" with then-Hatch CEO Kristen Lunman.

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Each week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how a 25-year-old has overhauled her finances to pursue financial independence. Hosted by Frances Cook.

When you talk to people about taking control of their money and learning to invest, you’ll often hear this particular phrase – “I wish I started earlier”.
Today’s guest, however, doesn’t have to worry about that.
At 25 years old she’s decided she’s ready to ditch old habits like a fast fashion addiction, and focus on hitting financial freedom, ideally within the next 10 years.
No, she’s not earning mega-bucks, and she’s not someone who has a lot of family help, or a business degree to guide her.
What she does have is a solid full-time job, a willingness to learn, and a focus on making the money changes that could give her the freedom to live life on her terms.

For the latest podcast I talked to “Baddie”, from the Instagram account @BaddieAndMoney, who is staying anonymous for work reasons.

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A highlight clip from the November 2019 episode "How to budget without feeling deprived", with PocketSmith CEO Jason Leong.

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Each week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the pros and cons of peer-to-peer lending. Hosted by Frances Cook.

There’s been a lot of talk about bank profits lately, and whether or not they make too much money.

But if you had the opportunity to step into their shoes and make money in a similar way, would you?

Enter peer-to-peer lending, where regular New Zealanders are given the opportunity to invest into someone else’s mortgage.

Just like the banks do, you can lend cash to someone else who is wanting to do something like buy their home.

They then pay you back, with interest, just like you usually do with a bank.

It’s an interesting type of investment, and one that isn’t commonly talked about in New Zealand.

For the latest podcast I talked to David Cunningham, CEO of Squirrel.

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A highlight clip from the March 2021 episode "How to choose a financial advisor", with Gillian Boyes from the Financial Markets Authority.

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Each week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how the founder of Twiice is finding investment to help them break into Europe. Hosted by Frances Cook.

It’s one of those pieces of advice that gets trotted out like it’s so simple; if you want to increase your income, consider starting a business of your own.
Now it’s true that a successful business can create wealth, but that’s also the trick. Most businesses aren’t successful. It’s hard to do well.
New Zealand particularly suffers from a very small investing environment, so it can be hard for our businesses to get the cash injection they need once they’re ready to take things to the next level.
Well one business owner is willing to share their journey of how they’ve tackled these problems.
You might have heard of Twiice, which produces edible coffee cups, and had a big early success when Air New Zealand got on board with their idea.
Now they’re courting investors including private equity funds, high net worth individuals, and venture capital firms, as they work to fundraise for a push into the UK and European markets.
For the latest podcast I talked to Jamie Cashmore, co-founder and director of Twiice.
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A highlight clip from the August 2022 episode "Your KiwiSaver questions answered, part one", with Dr Claire Matthews, associate professor from Massey Business School.

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Each week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the strategies to use to improve your chances of getting a raise. Hosted by Frances Cook.

It’s that time of year – the time when many people are getting their performance review. 
Which means it’s the perfect time to ask for a pay rise. 
Data from Seek shows that the top three reasons New Zealanders look for a new job are to get more money, progress their career, or find better work-life balance. 
Your performance review is the place to see whether you could get those things from your current job. 
But Seek data also shows that last year, 42 per cent of New Zealanders headed into their performance review unprepared. 
That’s a waste of a golden opportunity to make your working day work better for you. 
For the latest podcast I talked to Seek career expert Leah Lambert from Relaunch Me.
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A highlight clip from the October 2019 episode "How the rule of 100 helps decide your investing strategy", with Mark Lister from Craig's Investment Partners.

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Each week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s what really matters to employees in 2023. Hosted by Frances Cook.

We hear a lot about the war for good talent right now, and how businesses are struggling to find and keep the best workers.
So it’s timely that Mercer has just put out its Global Talent Trends Survey for 2023, which for the first time includes data specifically looking at the New Zealand situation.
So what are the biggest problems for New Zealand businesses? The theme seems to be overwork.
61% say too many priorities are distracting their people, 47% say there’s a lack of capability and future skills, and 42% say employee exhaustion.
What to do about it?
Well, the research shows money does talk, and it’s often the best way to get people in the door. But after that, you need good company culture, and to be talking to your people honestly about what they need.
For the latest podcast I talked to Mercer New Zealand’s head of workforce solutions, Andrew McKechnie.

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