Making Cents

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 trip up during this phase, and how to set yourself up so your money feels easier, not harder, in 2026 Frances Cook brings in her favourite experts to tackle the different areas of your money that you should know more about: realestate.co.nz's Vanessa Williams, to answer your burning questions about the property market TVNZ business reporter Jason Walls, for the big picture on the economy and political forces in play this year EnableMe head strategic coach Katie Wesney, for the investing and KiwiSaver insights you need to know 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 This podcast was filmed & produced by Fanaticals Video editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock

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 risky. Will White from Heartland Bank is in the expert hotseat, to talk about how you protect a huge cash balance, avoid rushing into bad decisions, and turn a once-in-a-lifetime payout into a secure, comfortable retirement. If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode! 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 This podcast was filmed & produced by Fanaticals Video editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock #MakingCents #FrancesCook #MoneyMindset #WealthManagement #RetirementPlanning #FinancialAdvisor #TermDeposit #Windfall #SuddenWealth #ScamAwareness

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 finance degree. Just consistent habits, deliberate choices, and a clear goal. Jane shares how she started investing while still a university student, why she focused on small, regular contributions instead of waiting to feel “ready,” and how she balanced earning more with spending intentionally. We talk about avoiding lifestyle creep, negotiating fixed expenses, side hustles, and what is really took to build her first $100k. We also dig into her investing approach - from early stock picking to a growing preference for index funds - plus the mindset shifts that helped her stay consistent through market ups and downs. 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 This podcast was filmed & produced by Fanaticals Video editing & content production by Lana Byrne Audio engineering by Tash Chittock #MakingCents #FrancesCook #Investing #FinancialFreedom #CompoundInterest #IndexFunds #InvestingForBeginners #MoneyMindset #WealthBuilding #SideHustle #LifestyleCreep #SavingsHacks

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: index funds vs property for retirement planning the role of diversification, liquidity, and risk as you get closer to retirement whether selling in a flat property market makes sense how debt, tax structure, and cashflow strategy can change the picture entirely If you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to [email protected] and you might feature on our next episode! Links 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. This podcast was filmed and produced by Fanaticals Video editing & content production by Lana Byrne  Audio engineering by Tash Chittock

If you’ve ever put off investing because the sharemarket felt scary or “not for people like you,” this episode is your shortcut to getting past that. I’m sharing the five things I wish I knew before I started investing: the mindset shifts, the beginner mistakes, and the $5 habit that changed everything for my financial future. We’ll talk about why starting small is a superpower, why you don’t need to be an expert to invest, and how the sharemarket actually makes money (in plain English). You’ll also get the behind the scenes of my first big investing crash during COVID, and how that one moment taught me more than any book ever could. If you're a beginner investor, trying to understand index funds, nervous about market volatility, or stuck in analysis paralysis, this episode will help you build confidence, start investing sooner, and grow wealth over time, without the hype or jargon. You’ll learn: • Why shares aren’t “just for rich people” • How $5 a week can kickstart your investing journey • What to do when the market tanks • Why you don’t need to pick stocks to succeed • The two ways shares actually make money If you want to learn more, my free Market Memo newsletter breaks down sharemarket investing each week in simple, practical steps. Sign up at francescook.co.nz/invest Links 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. This podcast was filmed and produced by Fanaticals Video editing & content production by Lana Byrne  Audio engineering by Tash Chittock