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Making Cents

Frances Cook
Financial Independence
Digital Nomad Life
Budgeting
Investment Strategies
Intentional Living
Investing
Interest Rates
Home Buying
Personal Finance Management
New Zealand Housing Market
Money Management
Financial Freedom
Financial Education
Real Estate
Social Media Influence
Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (triple CFA)
Debt To Income Ratio (DTI)
Loan To Value Ratio (LVR)
Personal Finance
Financial Planning

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, wi... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes228Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Making Cents

Latest Episodes

A breakup doesn’t just end a relationship. It can blow up the entire financial plan you built together.

For many people in their 40s and 50s, that means suddenly having to make huge money decisions alone, about the house, retirement, and what rebuil... more

You can cancel subscriptions, ditch takeaway coffee, and trim your budget… but you still have to eat. And the way most of us shop for food? It’s costing us more than it should.

In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook talks to Michal Garvey, fo... more

I spent $89,000 on solar power and an electric car… and it has a better return on investment than the sharemarket.

With electricity prices rising fast, more Kiwis are asking whether solar panels, home batteries, and electric vehicles are worth it.

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A conflict in the Middle East is already showing up in Kiwi bank accounts, after sending shockwaves through the global economy.

From food to petrol, daily essentials are becoming more expensive. Interest rates and mortgages could be going up. The s... more

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Recent Guests

Emma Healey
Frugal living and investing insights expert
mumsmoney.co.nz
Episode: From $30,000 Debt to Financially Free and Travelling the World: The Shift That Changed Everything
Chris Schulz
Investigative journalist for Consumers NZ
Consumers NZ
Episode: Supermarket Tricks, Insurance Hacks & Subscription Traps: How to Stop Overpaying
Glen James
Australia-based financial advisor, host of Money Money Money podcast, best-selling author of The Quick Start Guide to Investing
Money Money Money podcast; Quick Start Guide to Investing
Episode: These Investing Mistakes Cost Kiwis Millions, with Glen James
Jarrod Haar
Professor of Management and Māori Business
Massey University
Episode: NZ Career Survival Guide 2026: How to Get Paid More In A Bad Economy
Dileepa Fonseka
A journalist who has closely tracked the shifts in the New Zealand property market.
BusinessDesk
Episode: Is the age of property investment over?
Kristin Sutherland
Financial Advisor Extraordinaire
EnableMe
Episode: How To Get Ahead In NZ Without Earning More
Bronwyn Candish
Chartered accountant focused on aiding individuals in achieving financial independence.
Episode: How Everyday Kiwis Can Become Financially Free with Bronwyn Candish
Claire Matthews
Professor and Head of School for Massey University's School of Accountancy, Economics and Finance
Massey University
Episode: How to invest in the sharemarket in 2026 - WEBINAR REPLAY
Damian Venuto
Money editor for Stuff
Stuff
Episode: How to invest in the sharemarket in 2026 - WEBINAR REPLAY

Host

Frances Cook
Frances Cook is a financial journalist and best-selling author, known for breaking down complex financial concepts into relatable and practical advice. She is passionate about helping listeners navigate their financial journeys and achieve financial independence.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 343 ratings
  • Good, just not great

    Frances has some good observations and is clearly accomplished and intelligent. Her work is just not for me. Still well worth a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lunaandhope56
    New Zealand3 months ago
  • Great for early investors

    I love the way Frances manages to give me the confidence to makes changes to how I use my money and also know what I’m doing is working. Knowing you don’t need massive sums to make a difference key messaging that’s consistent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lifelonglover
    New Zealand9 months ago
  • Money tips made easy

    Frances knowledge experience and passion is transmitted in her words. She’s so relatable and approachable when she talks money. Simple and easy to understand. Broken down into simple steps so that we can apply whatever is shared. Best financial podcast in my experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nancyska33
    New Zealand10 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Great podcast especially for those who have little financial literacy. Frances helps us peek behind the curtain and get a better understanding of how our money can work for us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jubru21
    New Zealanda year ago
  • Timely and sound

    I’ve been listening to Frances Cook podcast for many months now and being following her on instagram for longer. Her podcast is so informative, timely and based on sound knowledge and market insights. The budgeting and money insights are great! Thanks Frances for bringing good “cents” back into the conversation !! Ka pai

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Melscoelho
    New Zealanda year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are high remarks on the podcast's ability to empower listeners in their financial journeys, providing both education and inspiration.
Listeners appreciate how the host simplifies financial concepts, making them relatable and practical for everyday people.
Some find the content particularly beneficial for those with limited financial literacy, while others suggest it may not offer enough depth for seasoned investors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How To Save Your Cash When The Price Of Everything Is Going Up
Q: Is it understandable or even wise to pause KiwiSaver contributions when the cost of living rises?
It's understandable but not ideal; try to maintain as much of the employer match as possible and time any reductions, so you don't miss long-term government contributions and retirement benefits.
How To Save Your Cash When The Price Of Everything Is Going Up
Q: If things are feeling tight, Frances, what is the best first thing to cut back on? Is there any such thing as low-hanging fruit?
Focus on controllable expenses and look for changes that won't drastically reduce quality of life, such as reviewing fixed costs, using power comparison tools, and negotiating rent where possible.
"Is Politics About To Ruin My First Home Buying Plans?" - Mailbag Episode
Q: What should first-home buyers watch for in the political landscape that could actually move the dial on their plans?
Key indicators to monitor include KiwiSaver legislation, any adjustments to loan-to-value ratios, and changes in capital gains rules, while recognizing that investors' changes can indirectly create opportunities for first-home buyers.
"Is Politics About To Ruin My First Home Buying Plans?" - Mailbag Episode
Q: If I'm wanting to buy this year, is it likely that housing becomes a political football? What changes should I be watching?
Vanessa suggests focusing on market fundamentals and personal finances rather than headlines, aiming to buy in a stable window when prices are balanced and supply is healthy, while staying alert to KiwiSaver changes and capital gains discussions.
KiwiSaver Is Changing, Here’s Everything You Need To Know
Q: Hi Frances. I'm hoping you might be able to untangle something for me. How should I think about the KiwiSaver changes given I'm worried about take-home pay and different income levels?
The experts suggest first understanding your current KiwiSaver setup, then calculate how changes affect your cash flow, and finally select a fund that matches your time horizon and risk tolerance, using tools to compare fund performance and fees.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Cents

What is Making Cents about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the practical steps towards achieving financial freedom, tailored for individuals who want to manage their finances without sacrificing their everyday pleasures. The host engages with a variety of guests who share their personal stories of overcoming financial challenges, investing wisely, and making impactful financial choices. The format includes weekly feature interviews with individuals who have successfully navigated their financial journeys, and episodes dedicated to expert advice, making complex financial concepts accessible and relatable.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Making Cents. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Making Cents and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Making Cents get?

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How many subscribers and views does Making Cents have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Making Cents has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Making Cents?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Making Cents:

1. Keep The Change
2. The Property Academy Podcast
3. The Curve
4. Shared Lunch
5. The Happy Saver Podcast - Personal Finance in New Zealand

How many episodes of Making Cents are there?

Making Cents launched 2 years ago and published 228 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Making Cents?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Making Cents?

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What guests have appeared on Making Cents?

Recent guests on Making Cents include:

1. Emma Healey
2. Chris Schulz
3. Glen James
4. Jarrod Haar
5. Dileepa Fonseka
6. Kristin Sutherland
7. Bronwyn Candish
8. Claire Matthews

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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