Cooking the Books with Frances Cook
457 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsEach week the New Zealand Herald and BusinessDesk's Cooking the Books tackles a different money problem. Hosted by Frances Cook.
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Episodes
How to tell the scammers from the do-gooders, in ethical investing
May 19, 2024 17:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how to spot the true ethical investments that aren’t greenwashing. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is bitcoin legit now?
May 12, 2024 17:00 - 48 minutes - 44 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the shift in how bitcoin is treated by the mainstream finance world. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cooking the Books podcast: Is bitcoin legit now?
May 12, 2024 17:00 - 48 minutes - 44 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the shift in how bitcoin is treated by the mainstream finance world. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can investing in fossil fuels actually be the ethical choice?
May 05, 2024 17:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the best strategy to take to actually make an ethical impact. Hosted by Frances Cook. This episode is brought to you by Milford Asset Management. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The truth behind building passive income through the sharemarket
April 28, 2024 17:00 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s whether truly passive income is possible. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The tricks to living a good life for less
April 21, 2024 16:00 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how to be boujee on a budget. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why 'impact investing' is taking over ethical investing
April 14, 2024 16:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBEach week, BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackle a different money problem. Today, it’s how “impact investing” is taking over the ethical space. Hosted by Frances Cook. This episode is brought to you by Milford Asset Management. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
LIVE in Auckland
April 07, 2024 16:00 - 1 hour - 91.8 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s a live event brought to you by the New Zealand Shareholder's Association featuring women talking about how they used the sharemarket to create independence. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.c...
Why self-employed workers need a different plan for retirement
March 31, 2024 16:00 - 38 minutes - 35 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how sole traders can still protect their future finances, in a tough economic environment. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to talk to your kids about investing
March 24, 2024 16:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how to help your kids feel confident in the money world. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you want to join the Investing Made Simple course for April, you can find out more at Frances Cook's website here If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here....
‘Rich listers get addicted to the success, not the money’ – what Liam Dann’s learned about money
March 17, 2024 16:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how economics becomes the engine room behind your money. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Strategies to help when your job is stressing you out
March 13, 2024 16:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s what you can do to manage stress levels at work. Hosted by Frances Cook. This episode is brought to you by AIA New Zealand. What do you do if you love your job, but it’s stressing you out? That’s the question many financial advisers seem to be asking themselves, after wellbeing research showed 50% say they feel burned out or stressed, and 52% saying they feel as though they ...
Why the RBNZ thinks your money life is about to get better
March 10, 2024 15:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s first home tricks that can help you over the line. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Quick Hit: Why shares scare some people
March 06, 2024 16:00 - 8 minutes - 7.92 MBA highlight clip from the August 2018 episode "What's the best investment for your life stage?", with Mark Lister from Craig's Investment Partners. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mortgage myths that can hold you back from a first home
March 03, 2024 15:00 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s first home tricks that can help you over the line. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What you need to know about mortgage changes
February 18, 2024 15:00 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackle a different money problem. Today, it’s how mortgage rule changes will impact everyone from first-home buyers to investors. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Quick Hit: What helps and hurts your credit score
February 14, 2024 16:00 - 6 minutes - 6.38 MBA highlight clip from the July 2019 episode "How to fix a bad credit history", with Dan York from Harmoney. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What to know when you’re trying to pick the best KiwiSaver
February 11, 2024 16:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how to find the best KiwiSaver options for a wealthy retirement. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How frugal living and investing saw this couple retire at 31
February 04, 2024 15:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how a couple retired early for more family time. Hosted by Frances Cook. Retiring early while your kids are still young enough to actually want to hang out with you? A dream, surely. Well this couple managed it, through a combination of property investing, and very frugal living, hitting their goal number in their early 30s. They don’t feel as though they missed out on life ...
Quick Hit: The argument against maximising your KiwiSaver
January 31, 2024 16:00 - 7 minutes - 6.69 MBA highlight clip from the August 2021 episode "The argument against maximising your KiwiSaver contributions", with David Boyle from Mint Asset Management. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why ‘boring’ investing trends are back
January 28, 2024 15:00 - 38 minutes - 35 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s why investors are turning away from meme stocks, to more traditional investing methods. Hosted by Frances Cook. It’s been a wild few years on the share market. When interest rates were so low, other types of investments didn’t seem too interesting, so investors flooded to shares. That led to a sugar rush on the market, sky rocketing values, and trends like meme stocks taking o...
Quick Hit: Why ethical investing can make more money
January 24, 2024 16:00 - 5 minutes - 5.41 MBA highlight clip from the February 2020 episode "How to tell an ethical KiwiSaver from a greenwashed one", with Mindful Money founder and CEO Barry Coates. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to make money from your spare room
January 21, 2024 15:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the hidden tricks to a successful AirBnB listing. Hosted by Frances Cook. With life more expensive by the day, plenty of people are looking for ways to bring in more money. One popular option I’ve seen people go for is using AirBnB, whether it’s just a room in their house, or renting out the whole thing, while they go and stay with family members for a holiday. The problem w...
Quick Hit: How to move from side hustler to business owner
January 17, 2024 16:00 - 8 minutes - 7.51 MBA highlight clip from the November 2018 episode "How to successfully make money from your hobbies", with Xero's then-Managing Director for New Zealand and Pacific, Craig Hudson. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to protect your career after kids with ‘couple maths’
January 14, 2024 16:00 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the longterm planning that can make a big difference to your finances. Hosted by Frances Cook. Having kids is a joy and delight, but often also a big hit to the finances, and even the career. It’s a busy new schedule, and as parents try to figure it out, there’s a particular pattern that often crops up. In a heterosexual couple, often the pair look at who’s earning more, and...
Quick Hit: How ethical investing can actually make you more money
January 10, 2024 16:00 - 5 minutes - 5.41 MBA highlight clip from the February 2020 episode "How to tell an ethical KiwiSaver from a greenwashed one", with Mindful Money founder and CEO Barry Coates. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why investing in commercial property is both easier and harder than ever before
January 07, 2024 16:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how the push to work from home changed the commercial property game. Hosted by Frances Cook. When you think about investing into property you probably think about buying a house, renting it to someone, and acting as a landlord. But an area that’s often overlooked is commercial property, such as shops, or office buildings. They’re more expensive, but become achievable for the...
Quick Hit: How this couple paid off $566k debt in three years
January 03, 2024 16:00 - 8 minutes - 8.01 MBA highlight clip from the August 2019 episode "the NZ couple who paid off $566k of debt in three years", with Bradie Claydon. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to watch your pennies in 2024
December 31, 2023 15:00 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the likely good and bad in the year ahead. Hosted by Frances Cook. New year, new us, new money problems. After a 2023 where we battled falling house prices, rising interest rates, and eye wateringly expensive cost of living… what’s next? I rallied the troops to help us peer into the crystal ball and predict the good, bad, and in between that could be heading our way for 2024...
Quick Hit: How a NZ couple became mortgage-free in seven years
December 24, 2023 16:00 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MBA highlight clip from the June 2023 episode "from living paycheque to paycheque, to mortgage free, in just seven years", with Cathy Anderson from Curated Money. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Quick Hit: Tips to smash your mortgage faster
December 20, 2023 16:00 - 6 minutes - 5.66 MBA highlight clip from the February 2023 episode "Is it still worth investing in property?" with Ed McKnight from Opes Partners. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beware 'fake sales' at Christmas
December 17, 2023 15:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how fake sales can lead to a overspend, and debt spiral. Hosted by Frances Cook. Christmas is an expensive time of year, which can leave us vulnerable to tricky sales tactics, and getting pulled into a debt spiral. Figures out from PriceSpy show some shops even indulge in ‘fake sales’ – the recent Black Friday sales saw 15% of products actually have a price increase before th...
Quick Hits: The financial prep that's needed before a baby
December 13, 2023 16:00 - 9 minutes - 8.48 MBA highlight clip from the February 2023 episode "How to baby-proof your finances… kind of", with Cat Emerson from Kernel. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What happens when your identity is stolen
December 10, 2023 15:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how to fight back when fraud is committed in your name. Hosted by Frances Cook. It’s the sort of thing that makes for a good scary headline, but you might never think could happen to you. Having your identity stolen, so that people can commit fraud and dodgy financial dealings in your name, while you suffer the consequences. Well you might be surprised to learn just how easi...
Quick Hit: How to budget hack the holidays
December 06, 2023 16:00 - 6 minutes - 5.69 MBA highlight clip from the December 2019 episode "how other NZers stay on budget over Christmas", with Tom Hartmann, from the Commission for Financial Capability. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why KiwiSaver needs to change
December 03, 2023 15:00 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBEach week, BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackle a different money problem. Today, it’s how your KiwiSaver could be working harder for you. Hosted by Frances Cook. Let’s start with the good - I’m a huge fan of KiwiSaver. It helps you save up for a first home or retirement, when it can be daunting to do so by yourself. It’s also full of little sweeteners, such as the employer contribution and Government contribution, which can double your money from the start. ...
Quick Hit: How to know when it’s time to sell your business
November 29, 2023 15:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how to sell your business for a tidy profit. Hosted by Frances Cook. Even the most successful business owner at some point faces the decision to step back, and let someone else take over. If handled right, exiting the business can mean a sale for a tidy profit, and an easier retirement. But it does take preparation to make the most of it. For the latest podcast, I talked to...
Why embracing a ‘personal brand’ could get you a pay rise
November 26, 2023 15:00 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how a bit of personal marketing can land you the dream job. Hosted by Frances Cook. It’s never been more needed, but more difficult, to get a pay rise. The cost of living is shooting up, making it difficult for many people to pay the bills. But the economy is also fairly rough, and businesses aren’t handing out fat pay packets just because you ask nicely. That doesn’t mean ...
Quick Hit: How to have a holiday on a shoestring budget
November 22, 2023 16:00 - 6 minutes - 6.33 MBA highlight clip from the September 2019 episode "the most successful ways to travel on a budget", with Herald travel editor Stephanie Holmes If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why ignoring your KiwiSaver could cost you $88,000
November 19, 2023 15:00 - 41 minutes - 38 MBEach week, BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackle a different money problem. Today, it’s how to check if your KiwiSaver is working as hard for you as it should be. Hosted by Frances Cook. It’s the things we know we should do, but never quite get around to, that can be killers in the money world. So I winced, but wasn’t all the surprised, when new research rolled across my desk showing that ignoring your KiwiSaver could mean you have $88,000 less in there by the t...
Quick Hit: What businesses need to know about a rough economy
November 15, 2023 16:00 - 10 minutes - 9.9 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s all about staying successful in challenging times. Hosted by Frances Cook. It’s been a rough time for business lately, with a maybe yes maybe no recession that appeared and then disappeared just as quickly. But in reality, there are always challenges in the business world. The key is how you tackle them. For the latest podcast, I talked to Liam Dann, Herald Business edi...
What it’s really like to quit your job and travel with the family
November 12, 2023 15:00 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s how one family managed to travel the world on a shoestring budget. Hosted by Frances Cook. Many of us will have thought of chucking in the day job and travelling the world, but it’s not always so easy to turn into reality. Particularly if you have children – you obviously have to consider their schooling, extra costs from extra people, and also just whether they’ll be able to...
How to budget without restriction
November 05, 2023 15:00 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the ways to make a boring budget a bit happier. Hosted by Frances Cook. Let’s start with the elephant in the room, nobody likes the idea of a budget.It immediately makes you think of cutting back, restricting, losing the little things that make life enjoyable. But there’s also the reality that times are tough, and creating financial security means knowing where your money is ...
Quick Hit: Four key drivers of cashflow success
November 01, 2023 16:00 - 10 minutes - 9.6 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s all about the tricks to boost your cashflow. Hosted by Frances Cook. One of the biggest killers for business is the pure and simple reality of cashflow. So, today’s quick hit is all about getting to the heart of this problem, with four factors that can get that money coming into your business. For the latest podcast, I talked to BNZ head of business development Matt Carnell....
How high interest rates change your investing plan
October 29, 2023 15:00 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s why interest rates have changed the favoured investment types. Hosted by Frances Cook. Interest rates have rocketed up both in New Zealand and around the world, and it’s safe to say, it’s changed the maths for a lot of investors. While savings accounts, term deposits, and bonds were all a bit miserable for a while there, now they’re making more money. You may well be watchin...
Quick Hit: The buy and hold investment strategy
October 25, 2023 16:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBA highlight clip from the April 2018 episode "How to stop emotions hurting your finances", with Martin Hawes, Authorised Financial Advisor. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. Here is a link to the audience survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DRF9TBG I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Would you trust AI with your investing portfolio?
October 22, 2023 16:00 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the reliability (or not) of AI and your money. Hosted by Frances Cook. • Check out Frances Cook’s new money course, Money Made Simple, at francescook.co.nz, for a masterclass on everything from setting goals, creating a spending plan that works, mastering debt, beginning to invest, and understanding your KiwiSaver. Everyone is abuzz about AI, and of course, that means people ...
Quick hit: How to take a small business international
October 18, 2023 16:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s all about expanding your customer base by going international. Hosted by Frances Cook. When you’re on the hunt for customers, you usually would like as many as possible. One way to increase those numbers is to increase the size of your hunting ground, by taking your business international. Of course, that is better suited to some businesses than others, and you might need to...
Your bank account is changing - here's what you need to know
October 15, 2023 15:30 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBEach week BusinessDesk and the NZ Herald’s Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it’s the changes coming from open banking law changes, and a Commerce Commission investigation. Hosted by Frances Cook. • Check out Frances Cook’s new money course, Money Made Simple, at francescook.co.nz, for a masterclass on everything from setting goals, creating a spending plan that works, mastering debt, beginning to invest, and understanding your KiwiSaver. Your bank account...
Quick Hit: How one New Zealander became interested in FIRE
October 11, 2023 16:00 - 6 minutes - 6.03 MBA highlight clip from the January 2018 episode "could you retire at 30?", with Alpha Leung. If you have a question about this podcast, or a question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here, and Twitter here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.