KiwiSaver’s been cut, so what should you do now?

In this special live episode of Making Cents, we unpack the 2025 Budget and what it means for your money.

Spoiler: the government just halved the KiwiSaver contribution. And if you’re earning over $180k? You’ll lose it entirely.

There’s a lot of noise out there, but this is where we get to the real talk.

We cover:

- What the KiwiSaver changes actually mean for your pay and your future

- Whether it’s still worth contributing (especially if you’re self-employed)

- The sneaky detail about employer contributions no one’s talking about

- How to build long-term wealth even when the rules keep changing

- Plus what global interest rates and US election chaos could mean for NZ investors

Joined by:

Hannah McQueen (Enable.Me)

Ron Montgomery (BlackRock)

Aaron Klee (AMP)

If you’re feeling frustrated or confused — you’re not alone. But the good news? You’ve still got options.

We'll break it down, calmly and clearly, so you can stay one step ahead.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the tactics that you should use to make the most of your money.

Going in to ask for a mortgage is enough to make anyone a bit sweaty, even if you’re usually the calm and confident type. The process is a bit mysterious, and frankly, a test that is too important to fail.

So what are mortgage lenders actually looking for? What red flags make them nervous, and what won’t matter nearly as much as you think?

This week we’ve partnered with Kiwibank to get answers straight from the source.

Mobile mortgage manager Chelsea Ladbrook joins us to explain how to increase your chances of mortgage approval, common mistakes to avoid, and the surprising tactics that can help you borrow smarter.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money world update, with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning with RNZ. Chatting everything from possible changes to KiwiSaver, whether renters can get ahead right now, whether the property market is about to bounce back, and how worried should we be about the brain drain and everyone fleeing to Australia?

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid, shares how she went from 'having it all' to suffering burnout, and how that's changed the advice she gives as a career coach.

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee.

I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.

Imagine you’re the one people come to for career advice. A coach helping women land promotions, negotiate raises, and build powerful careers. Then suddenly, you're the one who burns out.

That’s what happened to Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid.

In this episode, she shares what burnout taught her about success, why she stepped off the hustle treadmill, and how she’s now redefining ambition for a new generation of women.

If you've ever questioned the cost of chasing career goals, or felt like your dream job turned into a trap, this one's for you.

We dig into career pivots, money mindset shifts, and what it really means to build a life on your own terms.

Hit play to hear the truth behind the girlboss era, and what comes next.

Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Ask the Experts, where each week we talk to people in the industry to get the inside word on what’s happening right now, and what that means for the tactics that you should use to make the most of your money.

FOMO is sneaky — it slides in to lighten your wallet while you're just trying to live your life.

From social media comparison to impulsive late-night purchases, it's all too easy to get distracted from your long-term financial goals. Never mind the locked in spending like groceries, which can destroy the budget entirely.

In this episode, we unpack the real psychology behind overspending, why self-control isn't just about willpower, and how to build systems that help you win without giving up what you love. Then it's on to tackling those bills you can't avoid, and getting life basics for less.

EnableMe senior financial adviser Justin Gauci joins Frances Cook to share practical mindset shifts and small changes that can help you break the FOMO loop — and actually feel good about it.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A highlight clip from the Janury 27th episode, “Financially free at 30: How this dad quit the corporate world”, with Nick Gentle, buyers agent and property coach.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jackson Hapeta, co-founder of Lenda, shares the moment he realised he was overpaying for his mortgage, and how that inspired him to found a business that helped everyone negotiate better.

Welcome to Making Cents, the podcast for people who want financial freedom without giving up their coffee..

I’m Frances Cook, an independent financial journalist and fellow financial freedom seeker who makes money simple for you.

Buying a house is one of the biggest financial moves most of us will ever make. But paying it off smartly? That’s where the real money is.

You could be spending thousands more on your mortgage than you need to, simply because nobody told you the tricks to get a better deal.

There’s the interest rate that's advertised, and then there’s the real rate — the one they might offer if you know exactly what to ask for.

There are also extra perks on the table (think cashbacks or fee waivers), but they often don’t mention them unless you bring it up.

So in this episode, I talk to someone who’s built a business around helping people negotiate like a pro — after realising his mates were quietly saving thousands just by playing the mortgage game better.

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.

Making Cents is supported by our friends at Kiwibank.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to save more money without relying on willpower? You might need a moodboard.

In this live episode of Making Cents, financial journalist Frances Cook dives into the unexpected psychology behind saving money — and how a tool usually reserved for Pinterest weddings might actually be your biggest financial secret weapon.

Don't believe me? Here's what you need to know:

• Why traditional budgeting often fails (and what to do instead)
• The science-backed link between moodboards and higher savings rates
• How to use “future self” visualisation to beat impulsive spending
• What financial psychologists like Dr Brad Klontz have discovered about motivation
• Practical hacks like renaming accounts, mental accounting, and financial mindfulness

This isn’t about magical thinking — it’s neuroscience, and it works.

If you’re tired of spreadsheets, and want a way to make money habits stick, this episode is for you.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.