Making Cents

Making Cents

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, with someone who's done something interesting with their money. From paying off a mountain of debt, or investing for financial independence, or starting a new business, these are the ordinary people making the extraordinary possible. On Thursday we have Ask the Experts, where industry insiders answer your questions on the money world. From earning more in your career, to investing, or sticking to a budget, they'll help make money simple. Every now and then you'll get a bonus episode too, but the fun of those is that you never know when they're coming!

Episodes

Is the age of property investment over?

February 22, 2026 • 32 mins
For decades in New Zealand, property wasn’t just an investment, it was THE investment. The safest bet. The biggest capital gains. Often tax-advantaged. And for many households, the clearest path to building long-term wealth. But that narrative is starting to shift. House prices remain high. Debt is expensive. And a growing number of New Zealanders are questioning whether residential property is still the best way to build ...
Mark as Played

How your subscriptions and KiwiSaver can change the world (from little old NZ)

February 19, 2026 • 8 mins
In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk about the growing "resist and unsubscribe" movement, how everyday New Zealanders can use their wallets to make a statement, and why your KiwiSaver might be one of the biggest votes you'll ever cast. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz TikTok / https://www.t...
Mark as Played

How To Get Ahead In NZ Without Earning More

February 18, 2026 • 24 mins
What if you genuinely can’t earn more? Are you stuck financially? In this Ask the Experts mailbag episode of Making Cents, we tackle a question that so many teachers, nurses, and public sector workers quietly wrestle with: what do you do when your income is capped? Today’s letter writer is a teacher. She’s hearing the usual advice, to “earn more”, “start a side hustle”, “increase your income”, but her reality is strict salary...
Mark as Played

How Everyday Kiwis Can Become Financially Free with Bronwyn Candish

February 15, 2026 • 39 mins
If you want the truth about retiring early as a regular person, it doesn’t come from highlight reels or motivational posts. It comes from the numbers. When you strip away the vibes, hacks, and hot takes, the numbers show what actually works, what doesn’t, and how real people build passive income that gives them real choice over their time. That’s where Bronwyn Candish comes in. Bronwyn is a chartered accountant who specialis...
Mark as Played

The 4 money personalities that shape how you save, spend, and fight about money

February 11, 2026 • 21 mins
Money fights aren’t really about money. They’re about expectations, and how differently we respond to them. In this episode of Making Cents, I’m breaking down the four money personalities that shape how you save, spend, budget, and argue about money. Get ready to finally understand why financial advice works brilliantly for some people and completely falls apart for others. Based on Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies framework,...
Mark as Played

What's going on with markets? Shares, gold, crypto, and the wild ride ahead with RNZ's Jim Mora

February 9, 2026 • 19 mins
From the real risks behind AI hype and whether we're heading for a crash, to the surprising weakness hiding inside Big Tech's profits, and why digital advertising might be the canary in the coal mine that nobody's watching… it’s time to make sense of the chaos. Fast Money with Jim Mora on RNZ’s Sunday Mornings, it’s time for the money update you need. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Ins...
Mark as Played

NZ Mortgage Myths That Cost You Years On Your Mortgage: With Aaron Cattell (The Mortgage Man)

February 8, 2026 • 45 mins
There is a lot of mortgage advice out there that is confidently wrong. And the cost of following it isn’t just money, it’s time. Sometimes years of your life spent under pressure you didn’t actually need. In this episode of Making Cents, we’re cutting through the biggest mortgage myths that trip people up both before they buy a home and long after they’ve signed the papers. From “cleaning up” bank statements and chasing th...
Mark as Played

How to fix your finances in February before you fall off the wagon

February 5, 2026 • 8 mins
If you're feeling the February slump and wondering how to get back on track without starting from scratch, this one's for you! A replay of Frances Cook's column for 1 News, read here with permission, on 7 science-backed ways to get your money back under control. Follow me everywhere! Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescoo...
Mark as Played

7 mental traps to avoid when you’re investing

February 4, 2026 • 13 mins
This episode was originally part of the Market Memo newsletter, where you learn about sharemarket investing every week. You can subscribe to that, here https://marketmemoweekly.substack.com/ It’s never been easier to start investing. And that’s both brilliant, and part of the problem. Between constant headlines, market swings, hot takes on social media, and apps that let you trade with a swipe, investing has turned into a psych...
Mark as Played

How to build wealth like the 1% (on a normal income)

February 1, 2026 • 45 mins
If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually going on behind the scenes of the 1%, beyond the headlines, Instagram posts, and glossy business profiles, this episode pulls back the curtain. Because beneath the public image of wealth is usually a highly deliberate money strategy. And it doesn’t have to be exclusive to the ultra-rich. In this episode of Making Cents, Frances Cook speaks with Andrew Clements, a private wealth and succ...
Mark as Played

How to invest in the sharemarket in 2026 - WEBINAR REPLAY

January 29, 2026 • 51 mins
Everyone says you should start investing in the stock market, but how do you actually do that? Time for a quick roadmap to get you started. Whether you’re starting from scratch, or you’ve been investing for a while but you’re not sure you’re nailing it, this is the live session to help you feel like the confident investor you should be. With top industry experts -Kernel chief executive Dean Anderson -Stuff money editor D...
Mark as Played

"Is renovating my home an investment, or am I fooling myself?" Mailbag episode

January 28, 2026 • 18 mins
Are home renovations actually an investment, or just an expensive way to make your house nicer to live in? In this Ask the Experts mailbag episode, it’s time to answer the question many are scared of: have I overcapitalised my home? Which renovations genuinely add value, and which ones don’t? Is your own home an investment, or a lifestyle choice? And if you’ve already spent the money, should you even consider an investment proper...
Mark as Played

A quick new year money reset

January 27, 2026 • 7 mins
Quick-fire tips and tricks for feeling more in control of your money in 2026. Frances Cook joins the TVNZ Breakfast team to talk about it, replayed here with permission. 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 h...
Mark as Played

How to invest in silver and gold without getting wrecked, with financial adviser Darcy Ungaro

January 25, 2026 • 51 mins
Gold and silver prices are booming, and it’s being driven by something deeper: how people are feeling about their money. When trust starts to break down, investors don’t just talk about it, they move their money. Darcy Ungaro, a financial adviser and host of the NZ Everyday Investor, is seeing more New Zealanders actively asking about gold, silver, Bitcoin, and other alternatives. It’s not out of greed, but out of caution. ...
Mark as Played

"I’m a saver, he’s a spender, how do we get on the same page?" Mailbag episode

January 21, 2026 • 17 mins
Opposites attract, until it comes to money. This week’s listener says she’s a saver, her partner is a spender, and every attempt to “get serious” about their finances ends the same way: frustration, guilt, splurging out of spite, and a plan that falls apart by March. Instead of moving forward, they’re cancelling each other out, and it’s starting to wear them both down. In this Ask the Experts episode, EnableMe head strategic coa...
Mark as Played

Olympic psychology that works for your money

January 17, 2026 • 53 mins
Why do so many smart, motivated people struggle to stick to money goals? You set the intention to save more, invest properly, or finally get organised, and then, a few weeks or months later, it falls apart. It’s not that you don’t care or don’t know what to do. It’s that your mindset and financial habits get in the way. In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook is joined by Dom Vettise, a clinical and pe...
Mark as Played

What actually matters for your money in 2026 - WEBINAR REPLAY

January 15, 2026 • 53 mins
Time to talk about what will actually move the needle for you in 2026, and help you feel more confident with your money. Whether it’s property, investing, KiwiSaver, or just feeling calmer about the decisions you’re making, we’re covering the things you actually need to know. We’ll be talking about what an election year really means for your money, how to think about the economy as it starts to turn, where people accidentally tri...
Mark as Played

"We’re $8m richer overnight, now what?" Mailbag episode

January 14, 2026 • 16 mins
Money panic doesn’t always come from not having enough. Sometimes it comes from suddenly having far more than you ever expected - $8 million more, to be exact. This week’s Ask the Experts letter comes from a couple who spent 40 years dairy farming, living with constant debt and tight cashflow. Now they’ve sold the farm and their financial reality has flipped overnight. A dream problem? Maybe. But sudden wealth is notoriously ...
Mark as Played

“I invested 100k by 25 - here’s how” with Jane Joo

January 11, 2026 • 28 mins
They say that the first $100,000 invested is the hardest milestone, but also most important. Once you’re there, compounding starts to do more of the heavy lifting. But getting there, well, you’ll have to scrap for it. Today’s guest, Jane Joo, reached that milestone by age 25. So how did she actually do it? This episode cuts through the noise to unpack what works in the real world. No trust fund, no extreme deprivation, and no f...
Mark as Played

“Rental property vs. index funds: should we switch?” Mailbag episode

January 7, 2026 • 14 mins
An investment property to fund retirement is part of the Kiwi dream to many - but what if it’s not the smartest move? In this Ask the Experts mailbag episode, a listener in 50s asks, should we keep our rental property, or sell up and invest in index funds instead? So how do you compare property vs shares in real life? EnableMe head strategic coach Katie Wesney is in the expert hot seat, ready to help us break down: inde...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics

    Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics

    Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.

    iHeartOlympics: The Latest

    iHeartOlympics: The Latest

    Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.

    Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

    Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

    The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.

    Betrayal Season 5

    Betrayal Season 5

    Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.