Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's why a clean conscience could actually make you the most money. Hosted by Frances Cook.Nobody wants to be a bad person, but sometimes, life doesn’t make it easy for you to be a good person. So it is with money, where many have assumed for years that making the most money means getting your hands a little dirty. But is that actually true? Ethical investing is an area that’s starting to boom, with investors demanding it, and companies actively pursuing it. It extends to your KiwiSaver as well. There are now several options for those who want a good retirement with a clear conscience, and they boast a pretty good return for your money. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Ethics and morals are deeply personal things, and everyone draws the line somewhere else. I talked to Sam Stubbs, managing director of Simplicity, for the latest Cooking the Books podcast. We discussed rising customer demand for ethical investments, how they handle the grey areas, and what sort of money is to be made. For the interview, listen to the podcast.If you have a question about this podcast, or an idea for the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/, Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

Cooking the Books with Frances Cook

The rising power of ethical investments

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the things you need to know before monetising a hobby. Hosted by Frances Cook.When you're trying to get better with money, there's on simple truth that can't be ignored: it's always easier to do well if you have more cash coming in the door. Asking for a raise is one option, but another that appeals to many people is starting their own business. After all, the stakes may be high, but so are the rewards. It is something the average person can do. After all, New Zealand is famous for its business scene being dominated by small to medium businesses. The trick is that, if it's just you, you only have yourself to rely on. You need to become a jack of all trades, and learn fast, if you want to be successful. I talked to Xero's Managing Director for New Zealand and Pacific, Craig Hudson, for the latest Cooking the Books podcast. We discussed what to know before you start, the common problems, and how to wrap your head around the financial side. For the interview, listen to the podcast.If you have a question about this podcast, or an idea for the next one, come and talk to me about it.I'm on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook 

How to successfully make money from your hobbies

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the inside secrets to looking glam on a budget. Hosted by Frances Cook.What's the point of a podcast, if not abusing it to simply find out things you want to know yourself? There's no point, that's what. So today I'm hijacking the platform to give us the inside word on how the pros find the best second hand gems.Many of you will already know I’ve set myself a challenge for all of 2020, to only buy clothes second hand, nothing new. It was only supposed to be a bit of fun, but soon people were sending me questions and wanting to know more about whether I was managing to make it work. I admit, I’ve been partial to a bit of op shopping before, but it’s a whole new level when you commit to only doing that. You soon find out fun tricks like what types of repairs you’re actually capable of, how to snag a bargain at designer recycle stores, and that where your secondhand shop is located is one of the most important factors. But that's nothing compared to what the professionals know. For the latest Cooking the Books podcast I talked to Trudi Bennett from Wardrobe Flair. We discussed how to find the true bargains, how to check for quality, and where to find the best second hand shops. If you have a question you'd like answered in a future podcast, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

The tricks to op shopping like a pro

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the best ways to start investing in New Zealand. Hosted by Frances Cook.There’s been lots of chat about whether you should be investing these days, with my inbox flooded with people wanting to give it a try. To recap, the answer is a cautious yes, as long as you do it in the right way – we’ve covered that in recent podcasts. But what about the nuts and bolts of where you actually invest? You want something that’s low fee, easy to use, and lets you make the type of investments that suit your plan. So on the latest Cooking the Books podcast I talked to Herald careers and money writer Diana Clement about the main options for New Zealanders. We discussed the different investing platforms, how safe they are, and investing in individual companies versus funds. 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 https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

The nuts and bolts of how to start investing

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the good and bad of buying a house with a friend. Hosted by Frances Cook.Money can be particularly difficult when you're flying solo. You don't have the luxury of pooling resources with someone else, buying the same thing for a fraction of the price. Or don't you? Particularly in the house buying world, some people are now teaming up with friends. It's a smart way to get around steep prices - particularly when most houses have more than one bedroom anyway, and you were probably already thinking about a flatmate in order to keep the bills down. There's just one issue; buying a house is a major commitment, even for those in a romantic relationship. For a friendship you want to make sure you do this right, as there's no standard divorce law to help you out if things go sour. That means there are a couple of legal considerations you need to be aware of first. For the latest Cooking the Books podcast I talked to Joanna Pidgeon from Pidgeon Law. We discussed what legal problems can come up, what to put into a contract, and how to vet the person you're thinking about buying with. If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

What to know before buying a house with friends

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the things you need to know before maxing out your KiwiSaver. Hosted by Frances Cook.KiwiSaver is a wonderful scheme. You get free money from the Government and your employer, it automates your retirement savings, and it has plenty of options to let you do what's best for you and your money. It's safe to say, I heartily approve of KiwiSaver. But just because it's a good scheme, doesn't mean you're safe from messing it up. Many people will max out their KiwiSaver, happy in the knowledge that they're doing the best thing for their future. The issue is that putting three per cent of your income into KiwiSaver has a very different result from putting eight per cent into it. You get totally different benefits, and you arguably do better with three percent going in. Once that money is in, it's locked in, until you retire. So you want to be sure you're making the right choice, before padlocking your money away for decades.For the latest podcast I talked to David Boyle, currently at Mint Asset Management, and formerly from the Commission for Financial Capability, about KiwiSaver limits. We talked about where KiwiSaver gives the most reward, where it can hold you back, and better options for your money. For the interview, listen to the podcast.If you have a question about this podcast, or an idea for the next one, come and talk to me about it.I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/,Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook. 

The argument against maximising your KiwiSaver contributions

Each week the NZ Herald's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the woman who tackled $94,000 of debt in three years, and why she still side hustles now that she's debt-free. Hosted by Frances Cook.There are all sorts of good reasons to want more cash on the side, especially these days. You might have had your pay reduced, you’re working towards a big goal that needs more cash, you want to boost your savings account, or you just want more money to ease life’s stresses – in situations like these, a side hustle can be a great idea. The problem is when you try to look up what ones could work for you, you’ll often be swamped by ideas from overseas, that just aren’t available here. But that’s ok, I’ve found us an expert. She side hustled her way to paying off $94,000-dollars of debt. For the latest episode I was joined by Tracy Hemingway, also known as the Debt Free Diva. If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

The NZer who paid off $94,000 debt in 3 years, by side hustling

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to figure out what insurance is worth getting, and what's not. Hosted by Frances Cook.Insurance is one of those areas that gets murky even for the experts. There are lots of different things you can insure, from your stuff, to your house, even pets or your health. There's also insurance for your income, and one rather worrying statistic shows about 55,000 NZ households lose their main source of income each year, whether that's because of accident, illness, or unemployment. Most of us need that income to get by, yet only about 15 per cent of us have income protection insurance.But what's hard about insurance more generally is knowing when it's worth it. Insurance can cost a lot, and while it gives you peace of mind, you also want to be sure you get the benefits that make it worthwhile. There is a school of thought that says you should "self-insure" – otherwise known as making sure you have enough savings to replace something yourself, if disaster strikes. That can work well for the small stuff.Happily the Herald has rolled out a series on insurance, putting all aspects under a microscope.For the latest Cooking the Books I talked to Herald money editor Tamsyn Parker. We discussed what most people are missing, how to figure out what you need for your life, and common areas of overinsurance. You can read more about the insurance series here:https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12295127https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12300549If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

The common insurance mistake New Zealanders are making

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how you can have fun without spending a cent. Hosted by Frances Cook.A basic rule of personal finance is to live within your means. Spend less than you earn. Have some self-restraint.Which is all well and good, but that's really hard.The finer things in life are fun, and I'm as susceptible as anyone else to just giving in, yelling out YOLO, and blowing my budget.So it's with a bit of self-interest that I put this episode together. There are many ways to have fun cheaply, or even for free. Sometimes we just need a reminder.I know what my favourite ones are, but I wanted to know yours, as well.Cooking the Books listeners are smart, and you guys always suggest something that I hadn't thought of.So the call went out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, asking for your favourite ways to have fun on the cheap.The results? Eight clever ways to have fun without spending a cent. For some of them, you might even make money.For the tips, listen to the podcast.If you have a question about this podcast, or an idea for the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

How to have fun for free

It's not goodbye, it's see you later

You need a will when you're still young - much younger than you expect. Yes I know, none of us like thinking about death, and frankly many of us feel broke and like we don't have much to leave to loved ones, but you still should consider a will. If you have sentimental jewellery that you'd like to leave to a particular someone, a few thousand dollars that might help out your partner, or even a car that you'd like to go to your car enthusiast friend, you need a will. Without one, your property can end up in different hands than you might expect.The court process can also drag on for a long time, and cause more pain to your grieving loved ones. Importantly, setting up a will doesn't have to cost heaps. For the latest podcast I talked to barrister and solicitor Dee Holmes, from Community Law Waikato. If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

Why you need a will much younger than you think

Each week the NZ Herald's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how smartphones are changing the way we handle our cash. Hosted by Frances Cook. We've all heard about how Covid-19 forced us to do years worth of digital adoption in just a few short weeks, and now, we've got some numbers on it. The Financial Services Council carries out regular research on what's happening with our money, and their just released report on the rise of digital investors is fascinating. Forty per cent of us are either already using, or planning to use, micro-investing DIY platforms like Sharesies, Hatch, or Stake. It's not just the young 'uns either, as there's a noticeable increase in DIY digital investing in all the age groups up until about 60, where it starts to taper off. There are downsides to this though, with plenty of people worrying if this new surge in online platforms leaves them exposed to privacy problems or cyber attacks. And frankly, when we've seen hackers go after the NZX and Waikato DHB, that's a fair concern. For the latest podcast I talked to Richard Klipin, CEO of the Financial Services Council. If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

How the digital world is turbo-charging change in our money habits

Each week the NZ Herald's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's an honest assessment of what's next for property. Hosted by Frances Cook. We've just had one of my favourite times of year – Budget Day, where the government not only tells you where they're spending their billions of dollars, but also what they're assuming will happen in our country over the next few years. This year, Treasury made an interesting prediction that house prices will flatten off in the next 12 months, finally giving buyers some breathing room. Take this with a grain of salt, because Treasury also thought house prices might fall over the last year, because of the impacts of Covid-19. Instead the national average for houses is now $913,000 and depending on whose figure you use, we've seen a price increase of 21-26% over the year. However, there are reasons to think that prices could actually cool down this time around. The Government's brought in changes including tougher lending requirements for landlords, and a change to property investment tax rules. Interest rates are expected to start slowly increasing, which usually cools prices. There's also a big push to get more houses built. For the latest podcast I talked to independent economist Tony Alexander.If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

Will housing market changes be enough for first home buyers?

Each week the NZ Herald's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to write a budget that doesn't make you miserable. Hosted by Frances Cook. Budget. Did you just get a shiver down your spine? Immediately clutch your takeaway coffee cup a little closer to your chest? Have a vision of yourself sitting on the couch on a Friday night, watching your friends on social media having fun without you? To say budgeting has an image problem is an understatement. It's actually the key to feeling happy with our money, and often the key to getting those things in life that really will make us happy. Far from cutting out what we enjoy, I'm a strong believer that a good budget is about figuring out what you need, what you want, and then stopping all the other little things that could get in the way of that. But I admit that can be easier said than done. We're also sometimes our own worst enemies on this. When it comes time to sit down and thrash it out, it can be tempting to write the "perfect" budget for the person we want to be. But we have to be honest with ourselves or it just won't work.For the latest podcast I talked to Jason Leong from PocketSmith.If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

How to make a budget that isn't about punishing yourself

Each week the NZ Herald's Cooking the Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the balance between money and happiness. Hosted by Frances Cook. I'm a firm believer that managing your money is actually about anything but money. Piling up cash just for the sake of it isn't just boring, it's pointless. Study after study has shown a big pile of cash on its own won't make you happy. But deciding what you want out of life, and using money as a tool to get you there? Now that's something I could talk about all day. The latest research from ANZ shows the sorts of changes that most of us would like to make when thinking along these lines. Especially after the impacts of Covid-19, family is the most important thing for most of us: 68 per cent of those surveyed said wealth was being able to pay for things that would help their family thrive. Unfortunately while trying to do that, 77 per cent of us feel like we could do better with our money. The biggest priority for most people is learning how to invest or save more money, while paying off debt and mortgages is the second biggest area. For the latest podcast I talked to Ben Kelleher, managing director for personal banking at ANZ.If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook

How to use money to boost your happiness

Each week the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking the Books tackles a different money problem. Hosted by Frances Cook.

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Cooking the Books with Frances Cook

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