Cooking The Books

A 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.

Each 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 with AirBnb is that it can be trickier than it looks at first. Customers can be fussy, and a lot depends on getting some gorgeous photos to really sell the place. There are some tricks to make that listing pop though, and they don’t have to cost much, either. For the latest podcast I talked to Kellie Richardson, from Kurved by Design. 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

A 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.

Each 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 do a bit of ‘couple maths’, deciding that if the woman earns less it’s her who should go down a gear in her career. But this can have big impacts on future earnings, as well as planning for the future, such as your KiwiSaver. So how do you figure it out, so that it’s a deal everyone is happy with? For the latest interview I talked to Ellen Hooper, career coach and co-founder of the Growth Collective. 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'

A 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.

Each 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 everyday investor when they’re part of something like a fund. Just like investing in shares, you pool your money with other investors, and then get a slice of the profits. But with the work from home revolution, insurance costs going up, and interest rates still high, is commercial property still the cash cow it once was? For the latest podcast I talked to Scott McKenzie, CEO of PMG 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 Faceb

A 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.

Each 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. For the latest podcast I talked to Pattrick Smellie, editor at BusinessDesk, and Liam Dann, business editor-at-large for the New Zealand Herald. 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.

A 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.

A 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.

Each 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 the sale was announced, so that the shop could claim a bigger percentage drop, and trigger our love of a bargain. Meanwhile 16% of products had a price increase so steep, they were actually more expensive than before, even with a supposed sale going on. I’d like to think we won’t be repeating that on Boxing Day sales, but the cynical side of me feels it’s likely. The push to spend alongside these types of tactics can lead to some of us swiping our credit cards to make it all happen. So how can we reduce the need for debt in th

A 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.

Each 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 easily it can happen, and just how hard it is to stop. One New Zealander has discovered exactly that, but as he’s battled the issue, found techniques that stopped the debt collectors in their tracks. For the latest podcast I spoke to Keith Ng. 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.

A 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.

Each 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. But now on to the bad, and look, there are some dark clouds. When you look at KiwiSaver compared to other countries, it could be doing more for us. The amount you put in is quite low, so you could think you’re dutifully saving for retirement and still come up short once you hit the golden years. The Government contribution is nice and all, but you do still get taxed on the money going in, while other countries give much higher tax breaks to help your savings go further. For the latest podcast, I talked to Sharesies co-founder

Each 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 Andrew Martin, regional director for the Strategic Specialists Group. 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. This podcast contains general information only, not professional advice. BNZ and NZME are not liable for any losses resulting from this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each 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 it’s impossible, though. Often you know that you have the skills, the work ethic, and the results to justify being paid well. The problem is how you communicate that to the people in charge of the purse strings. For the latest podcast I talked to Rosie McCarthy, founder and CEO of Badass Careers. 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.

A 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.

Each 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 time you retire. That’s from the new KiwiSaver Value for Money report, from National Capital. Even if you’ve figured out what type of fund you should be in, such as growth or conservative, different providers can give you a better return. Sticking with a provider that isn’t doing so well could cost you big time, or in this case, an average of $88,000. Retirement can feel so far away that it’s easy to ignore - you tell yourself you’ll get around to it soon. Then there’s a panic on at the finish line when you realise you’ve run

Each 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 editor at large.  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. This podcast contains general information only, not professional advice. BNZ and NZME are not liable for any losses resulting from this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.