Making Cents

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.LinksFollow 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.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

KiwiSaver’s been cut, so what should you do now?In this special live episode of Making Cents, we unpack the 2025 Budget and what it means for your money.Spoiler: the government just halved the KiwiSaver contribution. And if you’re earning over $180k? You’ll lose it entirely.There’s a lot of noise out there, but this is where we get to the real talk.We cover: - What the KiwiSaver changes actually mean for your pay and your future - Whether it’s still worth contributing (especially if you’re self-employed) - The sneaky detail about employer contributions no one’s talking about - How to build long-term wealth even when the rules keep changing - Plus what global interest rates and US election chaos could mean for NZ investorsJoined by:Hannah McQueen (Enable.Me)Ron Montgomery (BlackRock)Aaron Klee (AMP)If you’re feeling frustrated or confused — you’re not alone. But the good news? You’ve still got options.We'll break it down, calmly and clearly, so you can stay one step ahead.LinksFollow 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.Going in to ask for a mortgage is enough to make anyone a bit sweaty, even if you’re usually the calm and confident type. The process is a bit mysterious, and frankly, a test that is too important to fail.So what are mortgage lenders actually looking for? What red flags make them nervous, and what won’t matter nearly as much as you think?This week we’ve partnered with Kiwibank to get answers straight from the source.Mobile mortgage manager Chelsea Ladbrook joins us to explain how to increase your chances of mortgage approval, common mistakes to avoid, and the surprising tactics that can help you borrow smarter.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Money world update, with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Chatting everything from possible changes to KiwiSaver, whether renters can get ahead right now, whether the property market is about to bounce back, and how worried should we be about the brain drain and everyone fleeing to Australia? LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid, shares how she went from 'having it all' to suffering burnout, and how that's changed the advice she gives as a career coach.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.Imagine you’re the one people come to for career advice. A coach helping women land promotions, negotiate raises, and build powerful careers. Then suddenly, you're the one who burns out.That’s what happened to Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid.In this episode, she shares what burnout taught her about success, why she stepped off the hustle treadmill, and how she’s now redefining ambition for a new generation of women.If you've ever questioned the cost of chasing career goals, or felt like your dream job turned into a trap, this one's for you.We dig into career pivots, money mindset shifts, and what it really means to build a life on your own terms.Hit play to hear the truth behind the girlboss era, and what comes next.Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.LinksFollow 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.FOMO is sneaky — it slides in to lighten your wallet while you're just trying to live your life.From social media comparison to impulsive late-night purchases, it's all too easy to get distracted from your long-term financial goals. Never mind the locked in spending like groceries, which can destroy the budget entirely.In this episode, we unpack the real psychology behind overspending, why self-control isn't just about willpower, and how to build systems that help you win without giving up what you love. Then it's on to tackling those bills you can't avoid, and getting life basics for less.EnableMe senior financial adviser Justin Gauci joins Frances Cook to share practical mindset shifts and small changes that can help you break the FOMO loop — and actually feel good about it.LinksFollow 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 Janury 27th episode, “Financially free at 30: How this dad quit the corporate world”, with Nick Gentle, buyers agent and property coach.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Jackson Hapeta, co-founder of Lenda, shares the moment he realised he was overpaying for his mortgage, and how that inspired him to found a business that helped everyone negotiate better. 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. Buying a house is one of the biggest financial moves most of us will ever make. But paying it off smartly? That’s where the real money is.You could be spending thousands more on your mortgage than you need to, simply because nobody told you the tricks to get a better deal.There’s the interest rate that's advertised, and then there’s the real rate — the one they might offer if you know exactly what to ask for.There are also extra perks on the table (think cashbacks or fee waivers), but they often don’t mention them unless you bring it up.So in this episode, I talk to someone who’s built a business around helping people negotiate like a pro — after realising his mates were quietly saving thousands just by playing the mortgage game better.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

Want to save more money without relying on willpower? You might need a moodboard.In this live episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook dives into the unexpected psychology behind saving money — and how a tool usually reserved for Pinterest weddings might actually be your biggest financial secret weapon.Don't believe me? Here's what you need to know: Why traditional budgeting often fails (and what to do instead)The science-backed link between moodboards and higher savings ratesHow to use “future self” visualisation to beat impulsive spendingWhat financial psychologists like Dr Brad Klontz have discovered about motivationPractical hacks like renaming accounts, mental accounting, and financial mindfulnessThis isn’t about magical thinking — it’s neuroscience, and it works.If you’re tired of spreadsheets, and want a way to make money habits stick, this episode is for you.LinksFollow 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.We talk a lot about how to buy property — but what if you’re renting?With rental prices rising and housing taking up a huge chunk of the average budget, renters need smart strategies too. In this episode, I team up with realestate.co.nz and speak with property expert Vanessa Williams about how to make the most of your money while renting.We cover how to understand the rental market in New Zealand, how to protect yourself financially as a tenant, what to know if you want to buy a home eventually, and how to set goals that work whether you rent short- or long-term.Whether you're a lifelong renter or saving for your first home, this episode, we've got your back.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Sharyn Casey, radio, TV, and podcast personality, shares why she quit what was once her dream job, and how she's handled that financially.You can have the dream job. The big career. The success everyone else envies. And still realise; this isn’t the life you want.That’s exactly what happened to Sharyn Casey, who you probably already know from listening to her on the radio during her long stint on The Edge, or maybe when she hosted Dancing with the Stars. Or maybe you just like following her on instagram, along with tens of thousands of other people. And if you do know her from all of that, you’ll also know, that at the top of her game, she walked away.So what actually happens when you step off the success treadmill?What about the bills that still need paying, the kids that still need feeding, the future you still have to build?What does it take to quit a top-tier media career?How do you handle the financial impact of leaving a steady job?And is it really possible to rebuild a better life on the other side?In this episode of Making Cents, Sharyn shares what led to her decision to quit, how she’s handling the transition financially, and the surprising truths about burnout, motherhood, and building a more meaningful career.If you’ve ever fantasised about quitting your job – or wondered what it really costs to change your life – this one’s for you.Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.LinksFollow 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.This week we’ve partnered up with AMP, who has kindly leant us their expert Devon Walen, a client adviser, and we’re talking about when you can crack into your KiwiSaver a little early, whether it’s for good, or bad reasons.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

After years of living paycheck to paycheck, a Making Cents listener has received a substantial inheritance. But now she's frozen, worried about making the right choice, and torn between buying a first home for her family, or investing the money. There's also a layer of emotional pressure to not waste the gift her beloved dad left her. Frances Cook lays out the best money options for this situation, as well as inviting the Making Cents community to offer their own advice for this situation. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ/ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe

Roy Chowdhury, founder of Homely, shares how he created an AI tool to make home lending easier, and the dangers of letting AI take part in your financial decisions.The property journey can be a frustrating one, and frankly, a bit intimidating. We’re talking big numbers, lots of jargon, and people in suits who are in charge of telling you yes or no to your dream. Lovely. So what about a digital helper? An app, that helps you figure out what’s possible and what’s not? Of course, it’s 2025, so it’s using AI. Now this might sound like a welcome handy helper, or it might freak you right out, because you’re wondering why you would trust AI with some of your most sensitive financial information. So let’s dive in - what’s possible, what’s not, and should you trust it? Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank. LinksFollow 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.Interest rates are finally coming down, and so many of us breathe a sigh of relief, especially all the people with a mortgage. But how do you make the most of that, and maybe even get ahead, by putting that new interest rate to work?To get under the skin of the banking world we’ve partnered up with Kiwibank, who has kindly leant us their expert Nicole Pervan, and we’re going to smash through this.LinksFollow 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 10h episode, “Viral mortgage hacks debunked: Separating clickbait from real advice”, with Dan Bell, financial adviser and co-founder of Colab Mortgages.LinksFollow 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, supported by our lovely friends at Kiwibank. I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you. Have you ever wished you could hack your brain, so that you can actually do all of that good stuff you know you should be doing with your money? You know, saving for a rainy day, paying off debt, investing… we know we should, but we often don’t, because frankly there are other things to do that are way more fun. Well, enter the latest tech innovation. They’ve tapped into the behavioural psychology that’s often used to keep us online, or gambling, or doing other naughty things… and they’ve flipped it, to help us do the good stuff instead. 

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. This week we’ve partnered up with Xero, which has kindly lent us their expert GM Sustainability and Impact Tam Somers, and we’re talking about how we shouldn’t let the fear of numbers hold us back from those dreams of launching a side hustle or small business, absolutely speaking my language on this one because I don’t love the spreadsheet side of my business either, but it’s still doable!Check out Xero's free Know Your Numbers financial education resource right here: https://knowyournumbers.xero.com/ If you want to bag a bargain, Making Cents listeners can get a whopper of a discount on Xero. Go to this link www.xero.com/francescook to help supercharge your small business.The information in this podcast is general information only and you should seek appropriate tax, financial and legal advice as may be appropriate for your personal or business needs.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

With tariffs flying, interest rates falling, and the job market looking a little rough... how do you survive? Here's a survival plan, and an Ask Me Anything session, so that you can feel more confident with your cash in 2025. Follow me everywhere! ` Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ/ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee, supported by our lovely friends at Kiwibank. I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you. How much money would it take for you to abandon your morals? Or sell something that you didn’t really believe in anymore?That’s the question that today’s guest Rosie McCarthy had to ask herself. She’d built up a career coaching business, Badass Careers, and was making over a million dollars in sales a year. And yet, as it progressed, she got disillusioned. She had ringside seats to exactly how bruising the world of work was becoming, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to encourage people into the corporate grind anymore. Instead, she was becoming more convinced of self-employment, and entrepreneurship, as the path to help people find financial freedom while still living a life that they found rewarding. So she decided… time to shut it all down, and start again. To leap into the unknown, stop being a career coach, and instead help people build a business for themselves. So why has the world of work turned so toxic, and should we all become our boss? Let’s talk about it. LinksFollow 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 the live webinar version of Making Cents, answering audience questions on tariffs, how to invest when the market is down, what to do about KiwiSaver, best strategies for the mortgage while interest rates are falling, and whether your job is safe. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ/ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe

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. We’ve been talking a lot about a buyer’s market in property, which has led to my DMs filling up with hopeful first home buyers, saying, is it our time? So this week I’ve partnered up with realestate.co.nz, who has kindly leant us their expert Vanessa Williams, and she’s going to help us answer exactly that - if you want to buy now, can you make the most of the current situation? LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

There’s investing, and then there’s "Capital I Investing", the one that comes with big risk, and if it works, big reward. Today’s guest Rowan Simpson is someone who’s flown under the radar in that scene for a while, first working at some of our iconic tech startups, and then investing in them. Rowan Simpson started out by saving up $10,000 to create his own tech company, Flathunt.co.nz. He’s since gone on a journey that involves TradeMe, Xero, Vend, and Timely, iconic companies, and he’s got millions more than that first $10,000. Now, he’s a private and early-stage venture investor, keeping an eye out for that next great business that can take the world by storm. So how did he get from $10,000 to tens of millions… and what does he want the rest of us to know, before we try to copy him? Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ/ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe #makingcents #francescook #rowansimpson #trademe #investingforbeginners #entrepreneurlife Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:52 - Rowan’s First Startup 05:02 - Trade Me’s Near Death Experience 07:20 - Identifying Successful Ideas 11:39 - The Reality of Startup Life 17:00 - Learning from Mistakes 19:56 - The Role of Ego in Business 21:18 - The Compounding Effect of Success 25:56 - Private Investing 29:13 - Rowan’s Involvement With Companies 30:45 - How To Identify A Good Founder 31:53 - Angel Investors 35:29 - Diworsification 41:03 - Balancing Life With Startups 42:42 - New Zealand’s Business Reality 45:28 - Advice To Founders 47:26 - Pro Capital Gains Tax 52:38 - Reaching Financial Freedom 54:07 - Advise To Investors 55:35 - “How To Be Wrong” 56:49 - Conclusion

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.This week we’ve partnered up with Xero, which has kindly leant us their expert Mere Teinaki, from Northland Chartered Accountants, and we’re talking about how everyone says you need to know your numbers... but how do you actually do that? Then, how you use that to make a plan?Basically, it's how to use the past to predict the future.If you want to bag a bargain, Making Cents listeners can get a whopper of a discount on Xero. Go to this link www.xero.com/francescook to help supercharge your small business.The information in this podcast is general information only and you should seek appropriate tax, financial and legal advice as may be appropriate for your personal or business needs.LinksFollow 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 17h episode, “How to negotiate your career like a CEO”, with Rhiannon McKinnon, former CEO of Kiwi Wealth, current CEO and founder of CEO101.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson explains some of the biggest money mistakes she sees, and how we can all do something to fix them. Money can be frustrating, and all of us have had at least once or twice when we’ve wondered, why isn’t someone trying to make this a bit easier for me? Why does it have to feel like such an uphill battle? Well, there are actually some people whose job it is to work away behind the scenes, badgering the government on everything from changing our education system, to retirement savings, to housing… it’s just that, well, there’s a lot to fix and sometimes resistance to fixing it. One of those people here in New Zealand is the Retirement Commissioner. And actually, her job starts well before you or I turn 65. One of her big projects at the moment, is actually helping us stamp out money problems while we’re still at school. So what are most of us getting wrong with our money, and are there easy wins, whether it’s from us, or bigger government changes? Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ/ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:57 - The Role of the Retirement Commissioner 04:30 - The Sorted Fund Finder 05:22 - Personal Journey and Financial Awareness 10:01 - The Impact of Historical Financial Crises 13:21 - The Biggest Surprise In Her Role 15:00 - Common Financial Mistakes and Debt Management 20:48 - The One Thing You Should Set Up During Your First Job 22:12 - Kiwibank Ad 22:38 - Positive Trends in Saving and Financial Awareness 25:40 - Balancing Individual Responsibility and Systemic Issues 28:02 - Integrating Financial Education into Schools 34:00 - Enhancing KiwiSaver for Future Generations 44:59 - Addressing Housing Affordability and Options 51:10 - Long-term Solutions for Retirement Savings 56:05 - Conclusion

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.This week we’ve partnered up with Kiwibank, who has kindly leant us their expert fraud specialist Alyssa Charles-Green, and we’re talking about the fraudsters and scammers who want to get you, and how you can beat them at their own game.LinksFollow 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 November 11h episode, “Your questions, answered: Why I quit, best investing strategy?”.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

If you've ever wondered, what is FU money, and could you ever have enough to quit your job? In this episode Frances breaks down what FU money is, and the four levels that make it easier to achieve, from basic survival funds to true financial independence. Then it's into an Ask Me Anything, for your burning questions including how investment funds work, and the benefits of rentvesting as an alternative to buying a home. LinksFollow 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. This week we’ve partnered up with AMP, which has kindly leant us their expert Aaron Klee, General Manager, Investment Management. We’re talking how it feels like the world is falling apart at the moment, and how to invest through volatility, uncertainty, and a rollercoaster ride of a stock market.LinksFollow 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 December 9th episode, “The secret to making money doing what you love”, with Pepper Raccoon, artist and merch designer.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Beth Vickers, vocal coach, singer, doula, gardening influencer, shares how motherhood led to changing everything about her career. It can be really hard to make life and work fit together, and that’s particularly the case when kids come along. Time becomes scarcer than ever, but you also very much need to keep paying the bills. Now you might not think that that’s the ideal time to launch your own business… but that’s what one mum did. She took the leap into the self-employed life, and found that with a bit of planning she was actually working less, earning more, and enjoying life a lot more. Here’s the unusual way she made it work. LinksFollow 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.This week I’ve partnered up with realestate.co.nz, who has kindly leant us their expert Vanessa Williams, and we’re talking about what you need to know before you sell your house, so that you can be the smartest seller out there.LinksIf you want to join the Money Bootcamp course, click here https://www.francescook.co.nz/money-bootcampFollow 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 November 4th episode, “The no BS strategy for budgeting, investment, and ditching debt”, with Glen James, author of The Quick-Start Guide to Investing and host of the Money Money Money podcast.LinksIf you want to join the Money Bootcamp course, click here https://www.francescook.co.nz/money-bootcampFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Muhammad Lambat, content creator and founder of @musliminvesting, shares how halal investing works, and some of the barriers for Muslim people becoming confident with their money. There are lots of issues that can hold people back from learning about their money, and one of them is just feeling like it could all be a bit complicated and hard.So add in a layer of religion, and what works and doesn’t work for your faith, and you have a recipe for people getting confused, and giving up. Enter Muhammad Lambat from Muslim Investing. He’s dedicated himself to figuring out halal investing, and what that means, from whether you can get a mortgage, to when crypto is ok, or not. There are also lots of grey areas, where even people in the know disagree. So let’s jump in to figure it out.  LinksIf you want to join the Money Bootcamp course, click here https://www.francescook.co.nz/money-bootcampFollow 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.This week I’ve partnered up with Xero, who has kindly lent us their expert, chartered accountant Paul Churchman, and we’re talking about the myths that pop up at the end of the financial year.If you want to bag a bargain, Making Cents listeners can get a whopper of a discount on Xero. Go to this link www.xero.com/francescook to help supercharge your small business.The information in this podcast is general information only and you should seek appropriate tax, financial and legal advice as may be appropriate for your personal or business needs.LinksIf you want to join the Money Bootcamp course, go to https://www.francescook.co.nz/money-bootcampFollow 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 December 23rd episode, “Why this family switched 'early retirement' for 'mini retirement' in a van”, with Kellie Dawson.LinksIf you want to join the Money Bootcamp course, click here https://www.francescook.co.nz/money-bootcampFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Angela McLachlan, professional organiser and founder of Sort My House, shares how to organise your life to reduce stress and save money.When you’re trying to live your best life for less, there’s an underrated trick… just getting organised. Knowing what you have, and where it is, can mean not buying as much overall. Not to mention, your time has value, and being organised can save a heap of that. But where do you start, and do you need to buy a bunch of stuff to get organised too? Let’s bring in the pros. LinksIf you want to join the Money Bootcamp course, click here https://www.francescook.co.nz/money-bootcamp 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. This week we’ve partnered up with Kiwibank, which has kindly leant us their expert Hayley Tito, senior product manager for everyday banking, and we’re talking parenthood and how that changes your finances.LinksFollow 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 December 16th episode, “The hidden psychology that helps you build wealth - and why meditating hurts your money”, with Dr Brad Klontz, co-author of the new book Start Thinking Rich: 21 Harsh Truths to Take You from Broke to Financial Freedom.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Frances Cook breaks down the problem with plastic surgery loans now targeting you on social media, then answers your questions in a quick-fire Ask Me Anything session. LinksFollow 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.This week we’ve partnered up with AdviceFirst, which has kindly leant us their expert Willie Moala, national insurance lead. We're talking everything you've always wanted to know about insurance, including what you need, and what you don't.LinksFollow 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 December 23rd episode, “Why this family switched 'early retirement' for 'mini retirement' in a van”, with Kellie Dawson, financial freedom seeker and mum.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Rhiannon McKinnon, former CEO of Kiwi Wealth, current CEO and founder of CEO101, talks climbing to the top of the finance industry, how analysts make investing decisions, and how to take your career to the next level.Your career is a huge investment in your financial future, but only if you take control of it. If you want to earn more, and get the bigger opportunities, you have to get strategic, and learn how to negotiate. So how pushy can you get? Well let’s talk to someone who’s been at the top of the financial industry, so they can tell us not only how to negotiate like a CEO… but also how to invest like one. LinksFollow 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.This week I’ve partnered up with realestate.co.nz, who has kindly leant us their expert Vanessa Williams, and we’re talking about what actually happens with house values, the myths, and the truth of it.LinksFollow 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 Novemer 11th episode, “Your questions, answered: Why I quit, best investing strategy?”.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.

Dan Bell, financial adviser and co-founder of Colab Mortgages, shares how his tips for property investment, mastering the mortgage, and understanding international money markets. If you’ve been lucky enough to get a first home, or even an investment property, there’s two things that happen quite quickly. First, the excitement of making a big money move for your future. Second, the mild panic of seeing several hundred thousand dollars of mortgage debt turn up in your account. And there are all sorts of ‘gurus’ who take advantage of that to get your attention with mortgage hacks that may or may not work. So what’s good, and what’s not, from someone who both works in the financial industry and is a property investor themselves? Let’s find out. LinksFollow 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. This week I’ve partnered up with Xero, who has kindly lent us their expert Bridget Snelling, Country Manager NZ and we’re talking about how to stop any extra money leaking out of your small business or side hustle, and especially what magic an accountant can and can’t work, in order to help you with that.If you want to bag a bargain, Making Cents listeners can get a whopper of a discount on Xero. Go to this link www.xero.com/francescook to help supercharge your small business.The information in this podcast is general information only and you should seek appropriate tax, financial and legal advice as may be appropriate for your personal or business needs.LinksFollow 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 December 9th episode, “The secret to making money doing what you love”, with Pepper Raccoon, artist and merch designer.LinksFollow Frances Cook on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week.