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Making Cents

Frances Cook
Kiwisaver
Financial Independence
New Zealand
Financial Freedom
Inflation
Investment Strategies
Real Estate
Interest Rates
Investing
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Property Investment
Home Ownership
Budgeting
Mortgages
Savings
Debt Management
Kiwibank
Side Hustles
Cost Of Living

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes308Founded2 years ago
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Latest Episodes

With the election ramping up, promises to change KiwiSaver are flying thick and fast.

Time to break down what each party is suggesting, what the experts think is missing from the debate, and what it could all mean for your retirement savings.

Join... more

With petrol prices spiking to record highs, hitting $3.52 a litre, switching to an electric or hybrid car can look like the ultimate way to wipe out a massive daily living cost. But is it actually the right financial move for your lifestyle, or could... more

Election season is here, and every political party is lining up to promise fixes for your wallet. But behind the political promises on KiwiSaver, grocery prices, and power bills, are any of their proposed solutions actually going to fix the real prob... more

YouTube

While global sharemarkets are booming, New Zealand is sitting quietly near the bottom of the table. I break down why our market is built differently, what that means for your returns, and how to think about whether you should be investing here or loo... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Bernard Hickey
Independent journalist and founder of The Kaka
The Kaka
Episode: Bernard Hickey: The Money Issues That Will Decide This Election
David Boyle
Retirement Commissioner of New Zealand
New Zealand Retirement Commission
Episode: The 3 Things That Decide Your KiwiSaver Balance (In Order)
Jan Verberne
Senior Legal Counsel at Revolut
Revolut
Episode: Dark Patterns: How to Escape the Subscription Trap
Jess Shaw
Director of Vesta Finance
Vesta Finance
Episode: The 5 Ways Regular Kiwis Are Buying Businesses
James Blair
Wealth director at Lighthouse Financial; former guest discussing values-based spending
Lighthouse Financial
Episode: Values Based Spending: How to Enjoy Your Money Now and in the Future
Ilse Wolfe
Property investor and founder of Wolfe Property Coaching
Wolfe Property Coaching
Episode: How Ilse Wolfe Built A $20 Million Property Portfolio
Josh Daniell
Co-founder of Akahu
Akahu
Episode: AI Is Making Mortgage Fraud Easier. Here's What Changes
Jessica O'Hare
Head of Lending at Revolut
Revolut
Episode: Why Your Money Disappears (And The Fix That Actually Works)
Katie Donegan
Co-host/guest who built financial independence with Alan
Donegan family / Rebel Finance School
Episode: From 0 to $1 Million And Financial Freedom - In 10 Years

Host

Frances Cook
Host of Making Cents

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 372 ratings
  • Ev review please

    Ep on solar was great - would really appreciate a similar one on evs - pros and cons for different budgets 👍🏽

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    qux35
    New Zealand3 months ago
  • 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 Zealand9 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 Zealanda year 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 Zealanda year 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

Listeners Say

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

A minority describe the tone as smug or challenging to new financial literacy learners.
Many reviews highlight motivation and empowerment to take control of finances.
A few listeners wish for faster pacing or simpler explanations on some topics.
Listeners praise clear, relatable money guidance and practical steps to implement immediately.
Some find the host very knowledgeable and credible with a strong journalism background.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The 3 Things That Decide Your KiwiSaver Balance (In Order)
Q: Given that and the different conversations you must have had with people in those different roles, is there an overarching thing that you think a lot of New Zealanders get wrong with their money?
A key theme is underestimating the value of time and planning for long-term outcomes, including how compounding, longevity, and habit formation affect retirement readiness. The conversation emphasizes creating a holistic, well-informed plan that links KiwiSaver with NZ Super and other savings so people are not priced out by aggressive changes.
What AI Actually Gets Right About Your Finances (And Where It’s Failing You)
Q: What would you say to clients who come in already trusting AI-generated plans?
I'd acknowledge the usefulness of AI for explanations and data gathering, but push for a full picture: we need to know net worth, expenses, debt details, emergency buffers, and then stress-test the plan against real scenarios before taking action.
The 5 Ways Regular Kiwis Are Buying Businesses
Q: So how does buying a business work as an asset class rather than just an income source?
Jess explains that a business can be an asset you can sell in the future, which creates a saleable value and allows for different financing and risk management approaches beyond relying solely on cash flow.
What Do You Do When Your House Is Worth Way Less Than When You Bought It?
Q: Is renovating a viable way to fix the financial situation, given the high costs discussed?
Renovation can be a path if it aligns with a clear long-term plan and adds livability, but the guests warn that cost overruns and market conditions can undermine the financial upside, so evaluate goals first and balance lifestyle benefits.
What Do You Do When Your House Is Worth Way Less Than When You Bought It?
Q: What do you do if you bought during the boom and now the value has dropped?
The guest advises going back to fundamentals: reassess your original goals, consider whether the location still serves your needs, and decide if renovations should be pursued to fit a long-term lifestyle or if it's wiser to move to something better suited.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Cents

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

The collection centers on practical personal finance, investing, and money mindset, with a strong emphasis on real-world strategies for building financial independence while maintaining quality of life. Episodes frequently feature guests who blend data-driven insights with actionable tips—covering topics like FIRE basics, budgeting systems, travel budgeting, housing costs, investing in fintechs, career upskilling, and side hustles. A notable thread is the balance between prudent money management and living well, often illustrated through NZ-specific context, open banking tools, and real-world budgeting tactics. A standout aspect is the mix of expert guidance, founder perspectives, and relatable stories from everyday people pursuing financia... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Making Cents?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Making Cents:

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

How many episodes of Making Cents are there?

Making Cents launched 2 years ago and published 308 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Making Cents?

Recent guests on Making Cents include:

1. Bernard Hickey
2. David Boyle
3. Jan Verberne
4. Jess Shaw
5. James Blair
6. Ilse Wolfe
7. Josh Daniell
8. Jessica O'Hare

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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