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Making Cents

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes290Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for Making Cents

Latest Episodes

Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to explain excuseflation, the trend of businesses using wall to wall inflation headlines as cover to hike their own prices, and what you can actually do to fight back.

Follow me everywhere!

Facebook / http... more

Is your Afterpay habit hurting your financial future and stopping you from hitting big life goals like buying your first home?

Every financial decision leaves a digital footprint, and banks and mortgage lenders use that data to check your creditwort... more

What if financial independence is something you could build for yourself, before you even hit 40?

Katie and Alan Donegan did exactly that.

No lottery win, no trust fund, just a determination to live simply, stack their cash, and build a life where ... more

Frances Cook joins the Seven Sharp team to unpack a coin flip experiment that reveals how Kiwis think about risk and money, and why we will happily put it all on red but get nervous about the kinds of risk that actually build wealth.

Follow me every... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Aaron Cattell
The Mortgage Man, mortgage advisor and guest expert on mortgages and property
The Mortgage Man
Episode: The Mortgage Advice That Fails in NZ: With Aaron Cattell (The Mortgage Man)
Susan Edmunds
Personal finance journalist, author of Your KiwiSaver Questions, Answered
RNZ; Author
Episode: Simple KiwiSaver Mistakes That Cost You Thousands (And How To Fix Them)
Chris Schulz
Journalist who tested money-saving apps and discussed consumer tricks
Consumer NZ / journalist
Episode: I Interviewed Dozens Of Money Experts - This Was The Best Advice
Hannah Koumakis
Creator of a viral budgeting system
Self-employed / financial educator
Episode: I Interviewed Dozens Of Money Experts - This Was The Best Advice
Alice Taylor
Chef focused on budget-friendly cooking
Chef and food educator
Episode: I Interviewed Dozens Of Money Experts - This Was The Best Advice
Georgia Grange
Head of Revolut NZ
Revolut NZ
Episode: How To Travel For Years Without Killing Your Career
Janika Terellen
Property reporter for Stuff, expert on housing market dynamics in New Zealand
Stuff
Episode: Is Your Home an Investment - Or Just a Place to Live?
Kaela Hindle
Career coach and recruitment consultant
MyCareerBrand
Episode: How To Get Paid More In NZ - WEBINAR REPLAY
Dr. Kenny Ching
Senior Lecturer in Management and International Business
University of Auckland
Episode: How To Get Paid More In NZ - WEBINAR REPLAY

Host

Frances Cook
Host of Making Cents

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 369 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 Zealanda month 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 Zealand8 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.

How to Build Financial Independence Without Living on Instant Noodles
Q: Is FIRE just for the very rich or tech-savvy people, or can everyday workers participate?
Anyone can participate with the right budgeting, education, and discipline; investing in simple, broad index funds tends to outperform more complex strategies for most people, especially when combined with a clear end-goal and values-based spending.
How to Build Financial Independence Without Living on Instant Noodles
Q: In brief, what is the FIRE movement?
Financial independence, retire early, where you live frugally, invest aggressively (often in broad market index funds), and aim to reach a state where you can choose how you spend your time without being financially pressured.
Have I Set My Kids Up, or Set Them Back?
Q: What should be the first step if a parent wants to course-correct and involve their kids more in money matters?
Start with a calm conversation about university costs and life choices, expose them to the numbers behind education, and gradually involve them in budget planning to build their understanding and commitment.
Have I Set My Kids Up, or Set Them Back?
Q: What's your immediate thoughts on the letter?
The guest emphasizes that overprotecting can hinder real-world readiness and advocates for giving children early, tangible money responsibilities while coupling that with transparent conversations and strong parental role modeling.
The "Safe" Place for Your Money Is Not What You Think
Q: What will this recent OCR hike mean for the average New Zealander?
Frances Cook explains that the OCR hike affects debt, mortgages, and everyday costs, and that savers need to balance safety with growth by considering time horizons and inflation, rather than assuming bank deposits are always safest.

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. Shared Lunch
4. The Curve
5. The Property Academy Podcast

How many episodes of Making Cents are there?

Making Cents launched 2 years ago and published 290 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. Aaron Cattell
2. Susan Edmunds
3. Chris Schulz
4. Hannah Koumakis
5. Alice Taylor
6. Georgia Grange
7. Janika Terellen
8. Kaela Hindle

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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