Making Cents

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 means for the tactics that you should use to make the most of your money.

Here’s a horrifying stat: economist Shamubeel Eaqub crunched the numbers and found that single people spend 14% more than couples.

In some categories, it’s even worse. Housing? 53% more. Healthcare? 40% more.

That’s not avocado toast. That’s basic survival.

This episode is all about what you can do to fight back.

Whether you’re single by choice or circumstance, we’re breaking down the numbers, calling out the hidden costs, and helping you find smart ways to protect your financial future, without compromising your lifestyle.

For this episode I’ve partnered with Enable.Me, and their strategic consultant Shelley Palman joins us to break it all down.

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.

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 supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

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.

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.

I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.

This episode is for anyone torn between living life and staying smart with money. Because you don’t have to choose just one.

When Mireia Muller-Pallares decided to leave her 9–5 and move to Spain, she wasn’t willing to blow her savings or give up on her future goals. So she built a plan to keep investing, cover her student loan, and stay financially secure - while still living her dream life in Valencia.

We cover:

How to set up your finances before moving overseas

What really happens to your KiwiSaver and student loan when you leave NZ

Creative ways to keep investing while earning less

How to redefine “success” when you’re no longer climbing the ladder

Whether you're planning an OE, thinking about quitting your job, or just craving a different way to live — this episode proves it's possible to do it without tanking your money.

Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

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.

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, and what that means for the strategies you should use to make the most of your money.

If you’re a first home buyer or property investor, you already know the stakes: house prices are high, and competition is fierce.

We’ve recently covered how to get mortgage-ready and what to look for in a property, but today, we’re diving into the part that could literally save you tens of thousands of dollars.

The negotiation.

This is where most buyers freeze. Should you go in low? How do you spot a vendor bluffing? What phrases can kill your offer?

We’re breaking down the biggest negotiation mistakes people make when buying a house, and how to avoid them.

Whether you’re in the middle of house hunting, prepping your first offer, or just want to get smart before entering the market, this episode is packed with expert-backed advice to help you negotiate like a pro.

This week I’ve partnered up with http://realestate.co.nz, who’ve kindly lent us their expert Vanessa Williams, to walk us through it all.

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.

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 just starting to save or already scrolling property listings, this live expert panel has the insider tips you need to get in the door faster.

Mortgage advisor Claire Williamson (My Mortgage) and Vanessa Williams (realestate.co.nz) join Frances Cook on Making Cents to break down everything first home buyers need to know, including:

Where to buy in 2025

KiwiSaver tips to boost your deposit

What kind of property to look for (and what to avoid)

How to save smarter and get mortgage-ready

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. But with the right info, the right strategy, and a little expert help, you can make it happen.

Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

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.

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.

I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.

When it comes to investing, one question tops my inbox: how do you actually figure out if a company is worth your money?

In this episode, we dive deep into how financial journalists read company financials, and the tactics retail investors can borrow to make smarter, more confident investment decisions.

We cover:

- Which numbers matter (and which ones don’t)

- The red flags to watch for in financial statements

- The green flags that signal strong leadership and long-term value

- Why “gossip” and corporate culture can be just as important as the numbers

I’m joined by longtime business journalist Paul McBeth, editor of The Bottom Line (https://www.thebottomline.co.nz/), to unpack the tools he’s used for years to understand what’s really going on inside a company. It's time to know how you can use them too, before you invest another dollar.

If you want to learn how to spot the story behind the numbers, this one’s for you.

Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

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.

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 means for the tactics that you should use to make the most of your money.

The money world has been all over the place recently.

While it does often like to keep us on our toes, recently, it's been even more than usual.

Interest rates are heading down (yay!) but there are talks of recession (boo!) and the sharemarket is all over the place to say the least.

So whether it’s investing or even just your overall money strategy, what do you do at a time like this?

This week I’ve partnered with EnableMe, and head strategic coach Katie Wesney is here to cut through the noise.

She shares what to actually pay attention to right now, how to make progress even when the stock market’s chaotic, and why a few smart moves can make a big difference — even in a downturn.

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.

A highlight clip from the February 10th episode, “Viral mortgage hacks debunked: Separating clickbait from real advice”, with Dan Bell, financial adviser and co-founder of Colab Mortgages.

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.

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.

I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.

Let’s be honest - with the cost of living going up and pay packets staying still, even small treats can start to feel out of reach.

That cheeky brunch, nice skincare, or weekend getaway? Suddenly off the table.

But what if you could still enjoy the good life, without wrecking your budget?

Sabby Jey has gone viral for her tips on how to live luxuriously for less, and in this episode, she shares how to feel rich without spending like it.

From savvy swaps to psychological tricks that make you feel upgraded (without upgrading your credit card balance), this one’s all about living the good life for less, and actually enjoying it.

Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

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.