Making Cents

I join Jim Mora on RNZ Sunday Mornings to work through the latest money news, from new data on unpaid overtime and the cost of living crunch, to Auckland house prices dropping below a million for the first time in six years, and whether Meta’s AI shopping agent is actually a good idea.

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

For years, buyers have complained the property market wasn’t on their side - but that has just changed in a way New Zealand hasn’t seen in six years.
Auckland’s average asking price has dropped under $1 million for the first time since 2020, and with 34,000 houses on the market across the country, buyers have serious choice and negotiating power.
But while listings pile up and prices stay flat, why is a full-blown property crash still off the cards?
Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to break down the latest property data and reveal what is actually happening beneath the headlines. From the South Island regions hitting record highs to what gets a home sold right now, Vanessa shares what buyers and sellers need to know.
In this episode:
Auckland house prices dip below $1 million: what the six-year milestone means for buyers and sellers
Why the South Island is booming while the North Island cools
Selling in a buyer’s market: the 3 non-negotiables to get your property sold without slashing your price
The "roast me" test: why brutal feedback on presentation can save you thousands
Why waiting for the election or summer could cost buyers their negotiating edge

Whether you're looking to buy your first home, make a move, or work out what the shifting market means for your equity, this episode breaks down the numbers to help you make your move on your own terms.
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

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

Ever wanted to turn to your boss and say, "I could run this place better, and you should let me"?

In reality, you probably want to phrase it a little more diplomatically than that. But it is possible - because Sarah Murray did exactly that.

Sarah Murray, owner and editor of FQ, shares the raw reality of stepping from employee to business owner.

From valuing a legacy media brand and writing a winning bank business plan with no prior corporate finance background, Sarah pulls back the curtain on taking the ultimate career swing.

In this episode:
The audacity of buying the company: how Sarah built up the courage to pitch her boss
What it takes to value an established business and get bank approval with no formal business background
The "part-time work" trap for working parents, and taking on your dream role with young kids
Navigating the shift from coworker to editor-in-chief and business owner
Balancing creative integrity vs the bottom line: why "bougie" brand details sometimes matter
The modern media blueprint: turning a print magazine into a 360-degree ecosystem of events and memberships
Practical advice for pitching your boss if you want to buy out or take over a company

Whether you're dreaming of turning your career into business ownership or navigating the high-stakes world of running a brand, this episode breaks down what it really takes to back yourself and build something on your own terms.

This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Odoo. Go to https://www.odoo.com/r/hpl now and try it for free, for 15 days.

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 the election ramping up, promises to change KiwiSaver are flying thick and fast.
Time to break down what each party is suggesting, what the experts think is missing from the debate, and what it could all mean for your retirement savings.
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

With petrol prices spiking to record highs, hitting $3.52 a litre, switching to an electric or hybrid car can look like the ultimate way to wipe out a massive daily living cost. But is it actually the right financial move for your lifestyle, or could hidden ownership costs end up costing you more?

Financial journalist Frances Cook breaks down the real numbers on petrol, hybrid, and fully electric cars.

From real-world running costs and road user charges to battery lifespan facts and a brutal warning on vehicle depreciation, Frances shares the exact maths you need to know before making a move.

In this episode:
The real cost to charge an EV: running the numbers on off-peak power vs $3/litre petrol
Factoring in NZ Road User Charges: what EV driving actually costs per 450km
The hybrid trap
EV insurance and servicing costs: the trade-off between higher premiums and lower maintenance
Will the battery die and bankrupt you? Real-world data on EV battery degradation and warranties
The depreciation rule: why buying a 2–3 year old EV saves you tens of thousands
How green loans work: using 0% to 1% interest bank financing without touching high-interest car loans
Frances’s golden rule: why the cheapest car is almost always the one already in your driveway

Whether you are feeling squeezed at the pump or weighing up your next vehicle purchase, this episode breaks down the practical numbers to help you make the right call 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