iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

People think their biggest risk with investing is making the wrong bet on a stock, and losing big time. It’s not. It’s their own brain. 7 of the biggest mental investing traps, and how to avoid them, on the latest Making Cents podcast. Linked next post

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Ok, time to kick the hornet's nest... and debate property versus shares. Because a Making Cents listener has written in to ask, should they trade in their rental property, and go for index funds instead? So let's debate it... all in the latest episode www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4eD...

youtube.com

“Rental property vs. index funds: should we switch?” Mailbag episode

YouTube video by Making Cents with Frances Cook

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

How long does it take to prepare to leave a job? For Jenny-May Clarkson, it was about two years. She's on the Making Cents podcast to talk quiet planning, money decisions, and thinking ahead when careers feel fragile. Linked next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

A 30 year mortgage often means paying DOUBLE your house price. But you can cut that down... if you avoid the fake “mortgage hacks” online. We're laying out the real mortgage freedom strategy on Making Cents. Link next.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Why chase financial freedom? Because when life falls apart, you need space to rebuild without money making it worse. Kasia Morrison has lived in a tiny home for 9 years, and it saved her when her marriage and business collapsed. New Making Cents episode, linked next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

If you're a first home buyer that needs to find a bargain... a few hours of research could be the key to saving you THOUSANDS. How to get that done, on the latest Making Cents episode, linked next post

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

How many millions would you turn down to stay true to your vision? Sasha Lockley wanted to take on the debt world and help people out of the credit card trap - and that meant saying no to an early investor in the company she built to do it. New Making Cents episode, linked next post

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

“It’s time to put your big girl undies on.” A 46-year-old solo mum wrote in terrified about poverty in retirement. Time to hustle? Yes. Impossible? No. We're breaking down the options, on the new Making Cents episode.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Most people overpay their mortgage by thousands without realising it. I cut mine by eight years… with $20. New episode breaks down exactly how, plus the other strategies that actually work. Linked next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

I genuinely don’t want to hear another fucking thing about this horrific Sanson fire. It’s awful. It’s so upsetting. There’s nothing I can do about it, and nothing to be gained from shoving it in my face with push alerts and breaking news banners. It’s grief porn. It’s awful. Stop.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Better food, lower cost, zero shame about finding delicious food that doesn't break the budget. Chef Alice Taylor is talking ways to beat the cost of living crisis in the pantry... but also the wider problems with food prices. On the latest Making Cents podcast, linked next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

You can boycott your coffee. Post your outrage online. But the most powerful vote you’ve got? It’s sitting in your KiwiSaver. How to use your KiwiSaver to make your voice heard, on the latest Making Cents podcast. Linked next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Everyone’s obsessed with getting on the housing ladder, but what if the smarter move isn’t a house at all? A Making Cents listener asked if commercial property could be the underrated way in. Higher risk, higher return, and a few surprises along the way.. episode linked next post

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

At 23, Ecoya CEO Claire Barnes lost $100k of her dad’s life-insurance money on a business that collapsed. That fear of failure followed her for years, even as she turned Ecoya into a household name. Now she's learned how to use that fear - and is even launching a new business.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Not at all, understand the frustration ❤️

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Side note, I'm sorry to hear about the wider issue you raised. It's really hard times out there for a lot of people.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

I never said they need sympathy? I said they have a question, so I answered it.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

If you're earning $6,000 a month, and spending $10,000 a month, how long can that last? Not long. Today we're answering a listener question, for where to start when life costs are spiralling out of control. Episode linked next post!

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

My first book was called “Tales from a Financial Hot Mess”. It was well named! And I am still the same person! So if you’re someone like me, can we still get ahead financially without having a personality transplant? Absolutely yes. open.substack.com/pub/francesc...

open.substack.com

Inside my own money plan

The lazy guide to doing well with your cash

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

A money myth I’ll happily bust: "good with money” doesn’t mean spreadsheets or daily discipline. My money plan is lazy! Automation, multiple accounts, index funds, and it works. Talked all about it (plus financial freedom + rebuilding in your 30s) on the latest Making Cents, linked next post

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Honestly just years of covering personal finance, talking to people, getting to know them, getting recommendations… being part of a community really

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Same! I loved talking to them, so refreshing

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

If you're worried about your job, and want to quickly boost your savings... how do you do that? And where is the smartest place to keep those savings? A real sign of the times, but I'm answering this listener question on the latest Making Cents podcast. Linked next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

“Financial freedom” is often sold as needing a tech-level salary or Lotto win to achieve, and is then funnelled into afternoons lazing about on a yacht. So the ordinary NZers who’ve managed it might surprise you. www.stuff.co.nz/money/360862...

stuff.co.nz

11 years to financial freedom? Here’s how ordinary New Zealanders did it

Financial freedom is more accessible than many of us realise, writes Frances Cook.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

What if financial freedom didn’t take a lifetime, or Lotto? Ruth Henderson from The Happy Saver hit work-optional in just 11 years, on an ordinary income. No tricks, no stock-picking, no inheritance. Her story’s on the latest Making Cents, one of my favourite chats yet. Linked in the next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Working for billionaires looked like the dream, until Hannah saw what money without meaning really looks like. It changed everything she thought about money. Now she's focused on freedom, not stress. Using money to build a life, not just earn one, on Making Cents - linked next post.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

The most expensive words in personal finance? “I’ll start when I feel ready.” You won’t. Confidence doesn’t come first, instead it’s built through tiny, repeatable wins. The new Making Cents episode is all about rebuilding your money confidence, linked in next post!

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

@haydendonnell.bsky.social you’re the only journo I can think of who’s up to the task - we need a come dine with me nz follow up, particularly on the “I only eat plain food” potatoes girl. Has she grown up? Does she admit she cheated, yet? Nz deserves to know Seriously, she’s my Roman Empire 😅

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

I’m just genuinely a bit sad about Nigel Latta. He was a good guy. Deserved more time.

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Frances Cook @francescook.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Walking away from stability is terrifying. But sometimes the bigger risk is staying put. That's why financial freedom isn’t about money, it’s about choices. To walk away, start over, rebuild something better. My own story of burning it down and starting again on Making Cents, linked in next post.

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