Making Cents

Eight weeks before her wedding, lawyer Holly Egerton’s life fell apart. What followed was a brutal four-year legal battle over the house she helped build and nearly $100,000 in legal fees.

Holly joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to pull back the curtain on how relationship property, wills, and enduring powers of attorney actually work in New Zealand. From the truth about de facto property laws, to why relying on a lawyer for "justice" is a costly trap, Holly shares the practical protections you need before life gets messy.

In this episode:
Why knowing the law professionally is different from living through a relationship breakup
The 3-year de facto rule: how you can qualify even without living together or sharing finance.
The pre-nup conversation: why having a 10-minute chat early saves years of pain and legal bills
Why KiwiSaver, house deposits, and family gifts get tangled in separation without written agreements
Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs): the document every couple needs before an unexpected illness or injury
Why dying without a will can cause months of costly court delays

Whether you're buying a home with a partner, moving in together, or simply wanting to protect what you've built, this episode breaks down real steps to safeguard your money and your future on your own terms.

This episode is supported by Tiger Fintech (NZ) Limited.
Sign up through my link to get an extra NZ$100 Stock Discount Voucher. You can also scan the QR code on screen, or enter FRANCESCOOK (all one word, no space) as your Invitation Code https://www.tigersecurities.com/signup?&invite=FRANCESCOOK&region=NZL&lang=en_US
To qualify, your Net Deposit also needs to reach NZ$2,000 within 14 days of your first deposit. This is not financial advice. Investing carries risk. Terms and conditions apply to each campaign. See tigerbroker.nz for more. T&C’s https://www.tigerbrokers.nz/activity/forapp/rules?id=COOK2628

Find Holly Egerton across socials @succession.nz
Want to get your relationship property sorted? Use code MAKINGCENTS for $100 off the Relationship Property Academy: www.relationship-property-academy.circle.so

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#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom

Production and video editing by Lana Byrne
Audio engineering by Tash Chittock
Filmed by Fanaticals

I join RNZ Nights to talk through what is actually happening with AI valuations, what a correction or crash could mean for the average KiwiSaver balance, and why the sleepy New Zealand sharemarket might be better positioned than you think if things go south.

Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe
Become a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

Follow me everywhere!
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#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom

The luxury flex is changing: it is no longer about watches and handbags - it is about trips, access, and shared experiences.
Even with cost-of-living headlines, Kiwis are breaking ticket sites, booking international flights, and spending more on major events. In Singapore for the Formula One Grand Prix, Kiwi spend jumped 147% year-on-year. But how do you balance wanting a good life, banking "memory dividends," and making sure you don't derail your finances?

Tara Massoudi, Global Head of Premium Product at Revolut, joins Frances Cook on Making Cents straight from the Singapore Grand Prix to break down what our spending patterns say about modern luxury.

In this episode:
Why the flex is shifting from physical stuff to trips, concerts, and live sport
The 147% spend spike: what Kiwi spending at Singapore F1 reveals about our priorities
Memory dividends: why banking shared experiences beats buying designer goods
How to build a "fun fund" so you can enjoy guilt-free luxuries without blowing your budget
The hidden travel costs that eat your savings: dodging high FX fees and roaming charges
Debit vs credit card perks: why you shouldn't have to take on high-interest debt for benefits
Disruption in banking: why New Zealanders pay too much to spend their own money abroad

Whether you are saving for a bucket-list trip or finding room for everyday luxuries in your budget, this episode breaks down practical steps to help you enjoy your money on your own terms.

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
Become a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom

Production and video editing by Lana Byrne
Audio engineering by Tash Chittock
Filmed by Fanaticals

Even the worst economy can still have winners - if you figure out the lay of the land, and have the courage to bet on yourself.

Sarah Davies, founder of Sweet Spot Business Coaching, joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to share the roadmap to ditching employment and thriving as a solopreneur or independent consultant. From her "proof first" validation method to avoiding the feast-and-famine trap, Sarah pulls back the curtain on how to build a business that gives you your time back.

In this episode:
Why being good at what you do and running a business require two different skill sets
The biggest mistake new business owners make: building on guesswork instead of evidence
The "proof first" validation method: how 5 conversations can save you 2 years of trial and error
Why tough economic downturns create massive opportunities for fractional consultants
The pricing trap: factoring in taxes and overheads so you don't work for less than minimum wage
Escaping the feast-and-famine cycle: how to build marketing systems that fit your strengths
Why niching down makes you referable, while being a generalist leaves you overlooked
How New Zealand business owners can access up to 50% government co-funding through Regional Business Partners

As mentioned in the episode, take Sarah’s free 2-minute "Win More Work" quiz to spot the gaps and get your custom action report: https://win-more-work.scoreapp.com/

Whether you're facing redundancy, craving freedom over your calendar, or ready to turn your professional skills into an independent business, this episode breaks down practical steps to help you take the leap on your own terms.

This episode is supported by Tiger Fintech (NZ) Limited.
Sign up through my link to get an extra NZ$100 Stock Discount Voucher. You can also scan the QR code on screen, or enter FRANCESCOOK (all one word, no space) as your Invitation Code https://www.tigersecurities.com/signup?&invite=FRANCESCOOK&region=NZL&lang=en_US
To qualify, your Net Deposit also needs to reach NZ$2,000 within 14 days of your first deposit.
This is not financial advice. Investing carries risk. Terms and conditions apply to each campaign. See tigerbroker.nz for more.
T&C’s https://www.tigerbrokers.nz/activity/forapp/rules?id=COOK2628

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
Become a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom

Production and video editing by Lana Byrne
Audio engineering by Tash Chittock
Filmed by Fanaticals

With election day almost here, I join the TVNZ Breakfast team to look at what the financial promises actually tell us, why the KiwiSaver focus is welcome but incomplete, and what it means that property has barely come up this campaign.
Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe
Become a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest

Follow me everywhere!
Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZ
Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz
TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknz

#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom