/on-demand/cooking-the-books/rss 九一星空无限 Thu, 08 May 2025 01:51:27 Z en /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-summer/cooking-the-books-why-do-sales-make-us-irrational/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-summer/cooking-the-books-why-do-sales-make-us-irrational/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how shops get into your head, and how to fight back. Hosted by Frances Cook. We're in the final throes of the season of excess, and New Zealanders like to go out with a bang.  Right after receiving a bunch of presents for Christmas, many of us like to head out on Boxing Day and get even more stuff.  It's traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year in New Zealand, and retailers like to step up to the occasion with big sales to make sure they're the ones who get the Christmas cash from your grandma's card.  But once you're in the store, a weird thing can happen.  The red discount signs and frenzy from shoppers around you can ruin even the best laid plans.  You go in for a blender, and walk out with a TV, three pairs of shoes, and a coffee machine that you're sure you need.  Not that I'm talking from experience or anything.  For the latest Cooking the Books podcast I talked to AUT lecturer Sommer Kapitan.  We talked about what those sales signs do to your brain, and how to fight back. For the interview, listen to the episode.  Tue, 25 Dec 2018 19:10:24 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-summer/cooking-the-books-can-you-afford-your-pet/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-summer/cooking-the-books-can-you-afford-your-pet/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's what to consider before bringing home an animal companion. Hosted by Frances Cook. We're in the thick of puppy and kitten season, when cute little furry faces appear in pet shop windows, beckoning for you to take them home and enjoy their cuteness all day.  Add that we're also in the season for presents, and some people get the idea that a pet could make the perfect present, whether for themselves or others.  But as any pet owner will tell you, there are unexpected costs that come with a pet.  There's the food of course, but also vaccinations, vet bills when they've found an inventive way to hurt themselves, a cattery or kennel if you want a holiday, or things they can destroy in a moment of furry madness.  As kittens, my cats once took a liking to a particular corner of the wall, and chewed through the plaster and GIB all the way back to the stud.  Why? Who knows. If you figure out the cat mindset, please let me know.  It helps to know what you're in for before you bring your new friend home.  I talked to SPCA CEO Andrea Midgen and Southern Cross Pet Insurance GM Anthony McPhail, for the latest Cooking the Books podcast.  We talked about the day-to-day costs, things people tend not to expect, and how to prepare for those costs.  For the interview, listen to the podcast. Wed, 19 Dec 2018 00:45:24 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-summer/cooking-the-books-how-to-holiday-on-a-budget/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-summer/cooking-the-books-how-to-holiday-on-a-budget/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to take a the best holiday for the least money. Hosted by Frances Cook. I'm a big believer that having your money situation sorted doesn't mean you miss out on having a life. In fact, if you do the money thing right, it actually means you can focus more on the things that truly make you happy. So now that summer is getting underway it's time to think about holidays. Whether you're staying in New Zealand or going overseas, there are plenty of ways to have fun and new experiences without getting into trouble with your bank. Or maybe you're eyeing up a New Year resolution of chucking in your job, in order to go travelling for longer. In which case, I say go for it, and we have tips for that too. I called up Robin Censur from Backpacker Guide NZ, to talk about how all types of holiday-makers can get the best bang for their buck.  We discussed hotel types, how to wine and dine, and which destinations help stretch your dollars further.  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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook  Wed, 12 Dec 2018 01:21:36 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-what-do-the-mortgage-changes-mean-for-you/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-what-do-the-mortgage-changes-mean-for-you/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today it's what's actually changed for mortgages, and how you can take advantage of it. Hosted by Frances Cook. For those who feel home ownership is out of reach, there's been some welcome news in the last week.  The Reserve Bank has loosened the mortgage rules, making it easier for people with a small deposit to be approved.  Of course, those with a small deposit are usually first home buyers.  Add to that, interest rates are staying low, Auckland and Queenstown house prices seem to be cooling down, and KiwiSaver has existed long enough for some people to have built up a good deposit amount.  It certainly seems enough to be cautiously optimistic – so is it big enough to help you get a foot on the property ladder?  I talked to Mortgage Lab CEO Rupert Gough for the latest Cooking the Books podcast.  We discussed what's changed for both home buyers and investors, the fish hooks that still exist, and what more changes might be on the horizon.  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  https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter  https://twitter.com/FrancesCook.  Wed, 05 Dec 2018 01:10:28 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-argument-against-maxing-your-kiwisaver-contributions/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-argument-against-maxing-your-kiwisaver-contributions/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk 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. 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.  Wed, 28 Nov 2018 01:02:58 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-successfully-make-money-from-your-hobbies/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-successfully-make-money-from-your-hobbies/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk 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  Wed, 21 Nov 2018 01:18:45 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-a-lotto-win-can-ruin-your-finances/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-a-lotto-win-can-ruin-your-finances/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to deal with an unexpected change in finances. Hosted by Frances Cook. Lying awake at night, dreaming of how things would be different if we won Lotto, is something all of us have done from time to time.  The house we'd pay off, the job we'd quit, the holidays we would take. I'm sure all of us can think of how life would be easy if millions of dollars just fell out of the sky.  But a sudden lump sum of money can actually do more harm than good, if you aren't prepared for it.  You can overcommit to a new flashy lifestyle, or even struggle emotionally, leading to bad, rushed decisions. It doesn't even have to be a lottery win. A big enough change in your job, house value, or even an inheritance, can all have this effect.  For the latest podcast I talked to The Private Office authorised financial adviser Nick Crawford, who specialises in advising people who have come into sudden wealth.  We discussed the emotional impact, mistakes people make, and the better ways to handle it. 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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ Twitter  https://twitter.com/FrancesCook  Wed, 14 Nov 2018 01:20:28 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-can-buying-with-a-friend-get-you-a-house/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-can-buying-with-a-friend-get-you-a-house/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to make shared equity work for you. Hosted by Frances Cook. As the talk-fest on what to do about our housing market continues, one idea hasn't had the scrutiny it deserves. That's the idea of shared equity, where you might buy a home with a friend or family member to reduce the cost of a deposit, as well as the ongoing mortgage. So far so sensible, but actually, it's much harder than it sounds. For one thing, banks are often quite wary of it. They may ask you to practically sign your life away just to get approval on a joint mortgage. It's not that different to buying a house with your significant other, but you wouldn't know that from how banks react. You might also want to draw up a legal agreement between the two of you, as a shared house is quite the commitment, and can certainly go wrong. The problem is it shouldn't be this difficult, as shared equity between friends is a great solution to a very real problem. House prices may be flattening out, particularly in Auckland, where prices actually dropped 0.3 percent in the three months to October. But they're already at sky-high levels, with the average Auckland home now a smidge over $1million. So while it's nice it's not going any higher, holding steady at that high price still isn't all that helpful. I talked to Lesley Harris, from the First Home Buyers Club. We discussed what you need to get the bank to sign off, the problems people don't expect, and the legal issues to be aware of.  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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter  https://twitter.com/FrancesCook  Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:40:07 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-use-the-skills-you-have-to-get-paid-more/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-use-the-skills-you-have-to-get-paid-more/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to tip the job market in your favour. Hosted by Frances Cook. As we hurtle towards the end of the year, it can often be a time to take stock.  If the latest employment data is anything to go by, many of us will be taking stock of our job prospects.  The Westpac McDermott Miller employee confidence index shows many of us aren't feeling flash, with a fall in employee confidence levels over the September quarter.  That's partly driven by a drop in people expecting a raise.  The survey found only 27.5 per cent of us are expecting a pay rise in the next year, which is the lowest levels in three years.  It's part of a broader trend. Wage growth has been stubbornly flat over the last few years, even though economic activity is picking up.  If you're wanting to take matters into your own hands, I don't blame you.  There can be many opportunities outside of getting a raise for the job you currently do.  You can position yourself for a promotion, or maybe, change how you use the skills you already have, to get an entirely new job.  I talked to Brendan Kelly, Deputy Chief Executive Information for the Tertiary Education Commission, about the issue.  We discussed how to find information about what jobs are out there, how to repurpose the skills you already have, and how to get ahead with your time outside of work.  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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:18:14 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-kiwisaver-can-help-and-hurt-first-home-buyers/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-kiwisaver-can-help-and-hurt-first-home-buyers/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the things to know if you want to buy a house using KiwiSaver. Hosted by Frances Cook. You don't need me to tell you it's difficult for first home buyers right now. We all know this. What's more useful is finding out the various ways you can tip the scales in your favour.  The biggest weapon in your arsenal is KiwiSaver.  It can supercharge your savings, guaranteeing you double your money, even before you get any interest or investment returns.  But while KiwiSaver can be a godsend, you have to know how to use it.  For instance, it can be extremely difficult to use if you're buying a house at auction.  You also can't use it if you live in an expensive market like Auckland, and want to buy elsewhere.  There's no point stashing all your money in KiwiSaver, only to find out years down the track that you did it wrong.  I talked to Canstar's Jose George about why KiwiSaver is more powerful for house savings, the best fund to get you ahead, and the drawbacks that can trip people up.  For the episode, 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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter  https://twitter.com/FrancesCook  Wed, 24 Oct 2018 01:37:02 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-the-ocr-is-the-key-to-your-financial-life/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-the-ocr-is-the-key-to-your-financial-life/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the subtle ways interest rates influence everything money. Hosted by Frances Cook. Talking interest rates, or the official cash rate, tends to make all but the most hardened personal finance nerds glaze over.  The rates go up, they go down, who cares, what's for dinner and has anyone taken the dog outside yet? But don't be fooled into thinking this dry talk of percentages has no impact on your daily life.  In fact interest rates are the key to many of your most important money decisions. It even flows well past credit cards and mortgages, to change our housing market, and even the share market.  So now the Reserve Bank has decided to keep New Zealand's official cash rate at the historic low of 1.75 per cent. It's even expected to stay down there, all the way until 2020.  You can bet that's important to your back pocket.  For the latest podcast, I spoke to Chris Tennent-Brown, senior economist for ASB Wealth.  We discussed why you need to care about the OCR, the weird and wonderful things affects, and how to make the most of the current situation.  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  https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook  Wed, 10 Oct 2018 01:10:51 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-are-the-highs-of-high-risk-investing-worth-it/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-are-the-highs-of-high-risk-investing-worth-it/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's why people bother with volatile higher risk investments. Hosted by Frances Cook. When we talk about investing, we often take the time to warn about high-risk investments.  We’ll tell people you need to be ready for the ups and downs of such investments, to do your research, prepare mentally, and make sure you have a long timeframe to ride out volatility.  It’s all true, but talking about this often gives the unfortunate impression that investing puts you at risk of losing everything. So people do nothing.  What gets missed in those conversations is why you would even bother with all of that.  If high-risk investments often go down and have the potential to cause sleepless nights, why would you put yourself through it?  The problem is that it’s impossible to reach certain financial goals if you only ever put your money in a savings account.  Well as it’s World Investor Week, now seems as good a time as any to make it clear why people say you don’t get the reward without the risk.  Because while some people think a low-risk investment is the same as a safe investment, sometimes it’s anything but.  I talked to David Boyle from Mint Asset Management about the pros and cons of higher risk investments, and the difference between a calculated risk, and gambling.  For the episode, 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  https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook  Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:52:10 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-nz-family-man-saving-50-percent-of-his-income/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-nz-family-man-saving-50-percent-of-his-income/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the strategies one New Zealander uses to get financial independence. Hosted by Frances Cook. Money stress is so common that the majority of New Zealanders are struggling with it. In the latest Barometer survey, the Commission for Financial Capability found that 69 percent of people were concerned about their money.  It was so bad, that 30 percent of them were literally losing sleep. While there are certainly times that the situation is out of our control, that's not the reality for the majority of people. And yet the majority are stressed.  It's not as easy as giving up avocado toast for breakfast, which might make you sad and have little impact on your finances.  But there are New Zealanders who found out they could turn things around, without sacrificing their quality of life.  They focused on the bigger areas like housing and transport, and soon found they could reap the rewards. For the latest Cooking the Books podcast I spoke to Nick Carr, who is aiming to retire at 50, and is saving 50 percent of his income to do so.  He is also a financial freedom coach and registered financial advisor, at Your Money Blueprint https://www.yourmoneyblueprint.co.nz/  We discussed why financial freedom was important to him, what strategies he was using to get there, and why he won't compromise on the things that make him happy.  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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 26 Sept 2018 01:33:33 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-are-you-getting-gouged-on-your-electricity-bill/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-are-you-getting-gouged-on-your-electricity-bill/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's what on earth is happening in our electricity sector. Hosted by Frances Cook. If you've ever shivered through a winter's evening because you don't want to turn on the heater and face a stiff bill, you're not alone.  Many people, myself included, have at times put their health at risk in a cold house because they simply can't afford for the electricity use to go up.  Well the first report out of the Electricity Pricing Review has shed light on why this has become quite so common.  Household prices for electricity have surged up almost 80 per cent since 1990. Yes, that's adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, industrial users are paying 18 per cent less, while commercial prices have gone up only 24 per cent.  The review highlighted some other problems. People who don't shop around are paying up to 50 per cent more, but comparing prices between companies can be very difficult.  There is also at least 103,000 New Zealand families officially in energy poverty, with children overrepresented in those homes.  The review does include recommendations for changes in the sector, but systemic change can of course be slow.  I talked to Consumer NZ head of research Jessica Wilson about what people can do about it now.  We discussed whether this report was a one-off, the impact electricity poverty has in New Zealand, and how to make sure you're not paying over the odds.  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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter  https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 19 Sept 2018 01:36:57 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-smartest-ways-to-buy-a-car/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-smartest-ways-to-buy-a-car/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's both the financial and practical aspects to buying the best car for you. Hosted by Frances Cook. Buying a car has so many different parts to it, you can easily forgive people getting confused. First, you need to decide what kind of car you want. Little for commuting around a big city, bigger for ferrying kids around, maybe even bigger again so that you can fit tools in the back for your work. Then you need to make sure you're not buying a lemon. Most of us aren't mechanics, but we still have to figure out a way to check a slick salesman isn't pulling one over us. All of this before you even get to ways to pay for it. Let's be realistic, sometimes you genuinely need a car, and you don't have the cash to hand yet. Some of the options to fund it can leave you in a hole for years to come, so you have to proceed with care. The topic is so broad I couldn't even find one expert to cover all the different angles; so for the first time ever, we have two. On this week's Cooking the Books I first talked to AA Motoring Advisor Cade Wilson about rules of thumb for finding a good car, how to check safety ratings, and spotting a lying salesman. I then spoke to Tom Hartmann from the Commission for Financial Capability, about how much you should spend on a car, whether you should use debt and the best and worst finance options. For the interviews, 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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 12 Sept 2018 03:14:59 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-shelter-your-kiwisaver-from-lifes-storms/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-shelter-your-kiwisaver-from-lifes-storms/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's getting past the retirement scaremongering to figure out what you really need. Hosted by Frances Cook. KiwiSaver has to be the thing I get the most questions about. People are rightfully wanting to look after it, manage it well, and ensure they have a comfortable retirement. Unfortunately, there are a few misconceptions floating around, that could see people hurt their future instead of helping it. Like, that if you’re worried about a market crash, you can ensure your safety by going for a low risk fund. That’s not necessarily true. Or, that markets going up and down, is even a thing to be avoided. Labelling certain types of investments as high risk does make some people nervous, but it can be more risky for your future to be always playing it safe with your retirement fund. I talked to Financial Markets Authority investor capability manager Gillian Boyes for the latest Cooking the Books podcast. We discussed what people are getting wrong, and what we should be doing instead. For the interview, listen to the podcast above. To take the FMA KiwiSaver quiz, click here https://kiwisaverriskquiz.co.nz/ 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. Wed, 05 Sept 2018 02:40:04 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-get-started-as-a-diy-investor/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-get-started-as-a-diy-investor/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the things to know if you want to fly solo in the sharemarket. Hosted by Frances Cook. Just getting started always seems to be the hardest part. So it is with shares. I receive plenty of messages from listeners who tell me that they'd like to buy some, but don't know where to start. Many people say they would rather do it themselves, rather than ease in with a funds manager. That's fair enough; I also enjoy the DIY approach. It's easy enough to do the technical parts, with many beginners setting up a trading account with one of the banks, or opting for a low cost option like SmartShares or Sharesies. But the trick is actually what to do from there. Because when you want to go it alone, you do have to be sure you've done your homework. There's nobody there to clean up the mess if you get ahead of yourself. I talked to Shareclarity managing director Daniel Kieser for the latest Cooking the Books podcast. We discussed whether a rookie can get into shares, the most important things to watch out for, and the way to protect yourself when you're just starting out. For the interview, listen to the podcast above. 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, Instagram and Twitter. Wed, 29 Aug 2018 02:03:29 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-whats-the-best-investment-for-your-life-stage/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-whats-the-best-investment-for-your-life-stage/ Title: What's the best investment for your life stage? Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the different ways to grow wealth in different stages of life. Hosted by Frances Cook. It might come as no surprise to you that many people believe investing is only for the rich. Heck, even I used to think that. The Financial Markets Authority has released research on attitudes to investing, and shock horror, older men with high incomes feel the most confident about investing into the financial market. Women, and younger people with low incomes, are the least confident. But investing doesn't have to be for the rich; in fact, it's the opposite. Usually, it's the way that people become rich in the first place. What's important is that you pick the right investment for your stage of life. While many people want to buy a house first up, it requires a huge deposit, and ties you down to one place. There are actually better options for those who are younger, and want to do something good with their money. I called up Mark Lister, head of private wealth research for Craigs Investment Partners, for the latest Cooking the Books podcast. We talked about how to much in a savings account can be a bad thing, how to weigh up housing versus shares, and when to consider niche investments. 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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 22 Aug 2018 02:50:57 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-set-yourself-up-for-a-pay-rise/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-set-yourself-up-for-a-pay-rise/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the best strategies to argue for a raise. Hosted by Frances Cook. Whether or not to give a pay rise has become a hot potato. Unemployment is low, at 4.5 percent, which would usually mean employees could demand better pay or they'd walk. And yet, the latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show there's not much movement. Private sector wages have only gone up 2.1 percent in the last year, and some of that lift is due to the Government raising the minimum wage by 75 cents. There are also rumblings that low inflation and low business confidence are making bosses unwilling to part with the extra cash. So it seems employers aren't wanting to come to the party, despite it becoming an increasingly heated issue. Just look at the nurses strikes; they haven't walked off the job in almost 30 years, but they did just that in July, and would have again if they didn't eventually get an agreement nailed down. Teachers and cops are the next groups making noises about needing more. Over in the private sector, research by recruitment firm Robert Half has found employers are already seeing increased staff turnover, and are expecting 13 percent of their staff will find another job this year – that's 340,000 people. I talked to Strategic Pay CEO John McGill for the Cooking the Books podcast about how employees can make the most of the current situation. We talked about how to arm yourself with background research, how to approach the conversation, and what arguments your boss will find the most persuasive. 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 Wed, 15 Aug 2018 02:43:45 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-tricks-to-negotiating-the-best-mortgage/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-tricks-to-negotiating-the-best-mortgage/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's why and how you should negotiate your mortgage. Hosted by Frances Cook. Hope is on the horizon for those who want to buy a house. The recent Quotable Value House Price Index for July found that prices have stagnated, and investor activity has dropped off. That’s left a window of opportunity for first home buyers. Homes officially considered affordable, that’s those under $650,000, are being snapped up at a great rate of knots. There’s also the KiwiBuild programme getting underway. It will need to be tested in the real world before we know if it works or not, but there have been tens of thousands sign up, many in Auckland and Wellington. So there’s a mood of hope in the air for those who were previously worried they’d be forever locked out from buying their own home. But if everything goes well, and people find a home they can afford, that’s just the beginning. You’ll have to keep paying it off through your mortgage, and if you get it wrong, you might just find yourself homeless once again. So negotiating your mortgage is crucial. I called up Mortgage Lab CEO Rupert Gough about what's on the table in negotiations, how to make a bank think you're a good bet, and what first home buyers need to know. 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, Instagram and Twitter.     Wed, 08 Aug 2018 01:01:29 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-money/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-money/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to give your kids a good start with money. Hosted by Frances Cook. Family politics is hard enough without bringing money into it. But just because it's hard, doesn't mean you can put it off. For better or worse, most schools don't teach your kids about finances. Money makes the world go round, but somehow our kids are supposed to just figure it out for themselves. Never mind that roughly a third of New Zealanders don't understand compound interest, according to the Commission for Financial Capability. Compound interest is the easiest, laziest, and most reliable way to make money, yet people are missing out because they simply don't know what it is. Making sure kids learn the basics of money is a good starting point. Yet when money is a touchy subject, there are ways of having the conversation that are better than others. Then there's how you should help them out if you have some extra cash. Should you invest it? Put it into a savings account for university? Or what about a savings account for a house? Should you even do any of that, in case coddling them teaches them to blow it all, then hold their hands out for more? It's territory that gets tricky quickly, and the pressure of trying to give your kids the best start in life doesn't make it any easier. I talked to EnableMe founder Hannah McQueen for the latest episode of the Cooking the Books podcast. We talked about when to start talking about money, how to have the conversation and the best options to invest for your childrens' future. 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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ Twitter  https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 01 Aug 2018 02:42:51 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-a-market-downturn-can-be-the-best-time-to-buy-shares/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-a-market-downturn-can-be-the-best-time-to-buy-shares/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to brace for a market downturn. Hosted by Frances Cook.   Those who like to dabble in shares have had a dream run in recent years.   Prices have gone up, dividends have been generous, and investors have happily raked in the returns.   But there's a chill wind starting to blow. There have been rumblings for the last couple of years that the good days are set to end, and market watchdogs are only getting more dire in their predictions.   The market regulator in France has warned that it's worried about a Wall Street crash, possibly as soon as this year.   Meanwhile market heavyweight Vanguard has told its investors to expect much lower returns over the next ten years.   While this all makes for a nice scary headline, it could actually be good news for some people.   If someone is investing in shares over the long term, and is ready to ride the rollercoaster, you could even call this a golden opportunity.    I called Mark Fowler, head of investments at Hobson Wealth, for the latest Cooking the Books podcast.   We talked about how investing strategies can change in a downturn, the risk of a trade war, and how this will hit the KiwiSavers.   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 https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 25 Jul 2018 03:08:02 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-have-your-own-the-block-without-going-broke/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-have-your-own-the-block-without-going-broke/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the strategies for getting through a housing renovation. Hosted by Frances Cook. It's easy to look at a TV show on housing renovation, and start to feel the itch yourself. Maybe you start to see the improvements you could make to your own home. Or you fancy yourself a house flipper, doing up a house to sell on for monster profits. The problem is that behind the TV editing lies hours and hours of hard work. There's also the sponsorship and reality television budgets that make the issue of money a non-issue. I called Canstar general manager Jose George to find out what us mere mortals should expect, and where to find the money to make it happen. We talked about what mindset you'll need from the start, tips for keeping the costs down, and the best and worst finance options. 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 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 02:46:52 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-new-zealanders-are-scared-of-the-sharemarket/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-why-new-zealanders-are-scared-of-the-sharemarket/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's what puts people off the sharemarket, and why it's worth a rethink. Hosted by Frances Cook. New Zealanders have a love affair with housing. It's true, owning your own home gives you security, and if you pay it off before retirement your golden years should be a lot easier. In comparison, many Kiwis are nervous of the share market. We were particularly badly burned by the 1987 crash, and that memory still haunts many people. Investment platforms Sharesies and the NZX's Smartshares have commissioned research from Colmar Brunton, that shows yes, we're a cautious bunch with the sharemarket. Only 20 percent of New Zealanders own shares, compared to 31 percent of Aussies, and over 50 percent of Americans. The biggest barriers were a belief that shares are for people with lots of money, the idea shares are particularly risky, a lack of spare cash, and not knowing where to start.  But the times do change, and so it's worth re-evaluating these old truisms. Housing is now getting further and further out of reach for many people. It's also not the solid, risk-free investment that many believe. It ties you to one place, and if you get into financial difficulty, you have to sell the whole thing or risk the bank taking it off you. Meanwhile, the sharemarket has had an overhaul since 1987, with tougher rules. It's arguably a better investment for young people as you need far less cash than a house deposit, and it won't tie you to one location early in life. I talked to Sharesies co-founder Sonya Williams for the latest episode of the Cooking the Books podcast. We discussed why people are holding back, and what she makes of the shares versus housing mentality. For the episode, 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/franklysnapping/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCook  Wed, 11 Jul 2018 03:37:03 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-should-you-drain-your-kiwisaver-to-buy-a-house/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-should-you-drain-your-kiwisaver-to-buy-a-house/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's whether it's worth draining your retirement savings to buy your first home. Hosted by Frances Cook. Scraping together a deposit for your first home can be a fraught exercise. House prices are through the roof, and in some areas, only getting worse. Take the latest data from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. Last month it revealed that finding an affordable home was getting harder for first-home buyers. It's particularly bad for those who live in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, or Tauranga. So, the vast majority of the country's young people. The solution held up to this is often to use KiwiSaver. Your savings go out automatically and get boosted by a three percent employer contribution, as well as $521 a year from the Government. But the problem is that your KiwiSaver is meant to be for retirement. There are plenty of personal finance experts who argue you should leave it alone,  and save for your house in other ways. I called up Dr Aaron Gilbert, associate professor for AUT's Business School, to discuss the dilemma. We talked about how to supercharge your KiwiSaver savings, the pros and cons of using that for a house, and what other options there are for a person to get into their first home. 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  https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/  Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook Wed, 04 Jul 2018 02:03:42 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-simple-maths-behind-early-retirement/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-the-simple-maths-behind-early-retirement/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's what some say you need saved to achieve early retirement. Hosted by Frances Cook. It doesn't matter how much you like your job, you're there to get paid. That's what makes it a job, rather than a volunteer role. But while many people are counting down to retirement at 65, others have their eye on the exit a little earlier than that. We've mentioned on this show before about the FIRE crowd, meaning Financial Independence, Retire Early. Many of those smart cookies are working on plans to retire at 30 or 40. Some even want to retire in their twenties. Well now it's time to get into the nitty gritty, because a key idea behind that is the 25x rule. The idea is that you work out how much you need to pay your expenses each year, and then you save 25x that amount. Invest the money well, and you could live off the profits, rather than slaving away each day for a wage. I called KiwiBank's chief economist, Jarrod Kerr, to talk about if it works, and the pros and cons. For the full 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 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:49:54 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-is-a-side-hustle-worthwhile/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-is-a-side-hustle-worthwhile/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the options for earning more money on the side. Hosted by Frances Cook.   Making extra money on the side can be an appealing idea.   Maybe you're trying to save for a house, or you just want to go on holiday and see a bit more of the world.   You don't always have time for the long-term goals of pushing for a raise or a promotion. So you're left with earning more money in your spare time.   But frankly, side hustles make me nervous. I don't like the idea of people working every waking hour, just to scrape by. That's not normal.   Some of these 'genius' side hustles will chew you up and spit you out. You can actually end up losing money if you're not careful.   It's not worth killing yourself working two jobs, especially if you'll barely break even at the end of it.   Not all side hustles are created equal.   I talked to Diana Clement, money writer for the New Zealand Herald, about what options are out there and what it takes to make them work.   We discussed the pros and cons of the sharing economy, including Airbnb, Uber, and Builders Crack, as well as the one bit of advice she has for everyone considering the sharing economy.   For the episode, 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, Instagram and Twitter.   Wed, 20 Jun 2018 02:28:58 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-stay-warm-this-winter-without-going-broke/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-to-stay-warm-this-winter-without-going-broke/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how to stay on top of the power bill in winter. Hosted by Frances Cook. You know it’s cold when everyone suddenly becomes a fan of cuddles. The cats, the dogs, the children, all pile together in a big heap of body warmth, and all you want to do is join them. Even my snobby cats have been trying to dig their way under the covers each morning. But trying to stay warm without going broke isn’t easy, and sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s worth doing, and what’s going to just be an annoyance that saves you about 50 cents. Energy poverty is a real and worrying phenomenon, but turning off the heater needs to be the last resort, because otherwise, your health is at risk. I talked to EECA energywise technical expert Christian Hoerning and how you can stay warm over winter without going into debt. We discussed the best types of heaters, subsidies for insulation, and the other places you can cut back on power so you can afford heat. For the episode, 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, Instagram and Twitter. Wed, 13 Jun 2018 01:55:20 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-much-money-do-you-need-to-retire/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-how-much-money-do-you-need-to-retire/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's getting past the retirement scaremongering to figure out what you really need. Hosted by Frances Cook.   There's nothing more irritating than patronising, scaremongering articles pretending to offer helpful advice about money.   Take the recent claims that you should have saved your annual salary by the time you turn 30.   As someone who's about to turn 30 myself, I'm only just getting to grips with how money actually works, never mind sitting on a stash of tens of thousands of dollars.   Often these articles seem like nothing more than a way for the author to show off their own money skills.   'I've done it, and so can you,' is the attitude, paying no attention to the fact that we're all different, and especially so when it comes to our money situations.   It's all very well for the boffins to set these high targets, but for mere mortals, something so unrealistic can make you feel like it's not even worth trying.   That said, retirement is something many people look forward to, but don't do enough to prepare for.   I called up David Boyle from the Commission for Financial Capability, to talk about what people actually need for retirement.   We discussed the scare tactics around retirement savings, and the different factors people need to consider when planning their retirement.   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, Instagram and Twitter. Wed, 06 Jun 2018 02:00:39 Z /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-know-thy-money-personality/ /on-demand/cooking-the-books/cooking-the-books-know-thy-money-personality/ Each week the NZ Herald and 九一星空无限talk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's how figuring out your money personality can give you back control. Hosted by Frances Cook. There's a weird thing about economists, where they assume we're all calm and rational with our money. Whole systems have been designed around the idea that people weigh their choices, think calmly, and go for the best options, particularly when it comes to our money habits. But you only have to exist as an adult human to know that's not always true. That you buy something you shouldn't when you have a bad day. That you know people who were burned by the 1987 stock market crash, so you'll never buy any form of shares.  That saving sometimes feels boring, even when you know you need to. Emotions, past experiences, and yes, your personality, all have a major impact on our money choices. But Kiwibank has now come to the party with a money personality quiz, that aims to help you figure out how you feel about money, and use that information to your advantage. I talked to KiwiBank's group manager marketing Mark Wilshire, about their quiz. We discussed what types of money personalities there are, how people can use this knowledge to their advantage, and the results we both got from the quiz. 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. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/franklysnapping/  Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancesCook. Wed, 02 May 2018 02:04:01 Z