How to quit the money guilt (without quitting your financial goals)
Feeling guilty every time you spend money? You’re not alone, but it might be doing more harm than good.In this episode of Making Cents, we’re diving into why money guilt is one of the biggest mindset traps stopping people from saving, investing, or sticking to a budget.I’ll break down the psychology behind guilt and spending, and show you how to shift your habits without giving up the things that make life fun.We’ll talk:• Why guilt-based budgeting usually backfires• How to enjoy your money while staying on track with financial goals• The science-backed way to build better money habits (without relying on willpower)• What behavioural economists like Richard Thaler and psychologists like Brad Klontz say about shame and self-sabotage• How to set up systems that make saving, spending, and financial planning easier• Why small wins and values-based spending matter more than you thinkWhether you’re dealing with debt, trying to grow your savings, or just want to stop feeling anxious every time you tap your card, this episode is your guide to dropping the shame and taking control.Because being good with money shouldn’t mean punishing yourself.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-------- Â
31:41
--------
31:41
Why New Zealanders are scared of the sharemarket
A quick hit highlight clip from the April 2025 episode "Housing, KiwiSaver, and debt: Solving NZ’s biggest money issues with the Retirement Commissioner", with Jane Wrightson.Making Cents is supported by 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-------- Â
6:57
--------
6:57
How to stay motivated when your money goals feel too big
Ever felt like your financial goals are just too far away?Whether you're dreaming of financial independence, planning for early retirement, or just trying to build up a decent savings buffer, staying motivated over the long haul can be tough.In this Ask the Experts episode of Making Cents, we're talking about how to stay on track with your biggest financial goals, even when progress feels slow.Financial adviser Lisa Butler from EnableMe shares practical money mindset strategies, goal-setting techniques, and real-life examples of clients who turned things around, one small step at a time.We break down how to:Set achievable money goals without getting overwhelmedStay motivated while saving for retirement or financial freedomUse mindset shifts to avoid burnout and build momentumCreate financial milestones and celebrate wins along the wayMake smart, strategic progress toward long-term goalsBuild consistency into your budgeting and investing habitsIf you're working toward long-term wealth, debt freedom, retirement planning, or simply want to get better at sticking to your financial plan, this is the episode 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-------- Â
18:49
--------
18:49
When stage 4 cancer hit, financial independence gave her room to breathe
What if the worst happened, but you were financially ready?When Caroline Gordon was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, everything changed. But because she’d already built financial independence, she had something many people in crisis don’t: options.In this episode of Making Cents, we dive into how financial freedom became Caroline’s safety net. She shares how it allowed her to:- Self-fund private cancer treatment not available in the public system- Travel overseas for surgery when time was critical- Step away from a stressful job to focus on recovery- Maintain her quality of life without financial panicWhether you’re working towards FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), building your first emergency fund, or just trying to create more security, this episode shows what financial freedom really means.Caroline shares her investing strategy (including index funds and ethical investing), and what she wishes more people understood about money, health, and freedom.It’s not about the money.It’s about what the money makes possible, especially when life gets messy.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-------- Â
35:03
--------
35:03
How do banks decide if they'll lower interest rates - and are they going down more?
Will your mortgage rate go down soon, or will banks keep them higher for longer?In this episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook joins RNZ’s Nights on 14 August, to break down everything you need to know about New Zealand interest rates right now.We cover:How the Official Cash Rate (OCR) works and what it means for home loansThe link between what savers get in their term deposit, and what borrowers are charged for their mortgageWhether banks are competing hard enough for customersWhy banks cut or raise interest rates at different timesWhether you’re a homeowner, first-home buyer, or looking to grow your savings, this episode explains how bank decisions, Reserve Bank policy, and market competition all affect your wallet.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand