Why Your Money Disappears (And The Fix That Actually Works)

Why Your Money Disappears (And The Fix That Actually Works)

August 26, 2026 · 19 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of financial habits on credit scores and mortgage applications in New Zealand, featuring insights from lending expert Jessica O’Hare.

Is your Afterpay habit hurting your financial future and stopping you from hitting big life goals like buying your first home? Every financial decision leaves a digital footprint, and banks and mortgage lenders use that data to check your creditworthiness, spending habits, and loan affordability. But with so much scaremongering and myths around credit scores in New Zealand, it's easy to panic. This week on Ask the Experts, Jessica O’Hare, Head of Lending at Revolut, breaks down the truth about what lenders actually care about, what gets flagged on your credit report, and how to set up simple money systems that stick. This episode of Making Cents is proudly supported by Revolut, the card and app for everyday spending in NZ, and smarter money on your travels. Use this link https://get.revolut.com/e9Jc/makingcents7 to try them out, spend, and Revolut will give you $40 to get started. This episode covers: - How lenders check your credit score, payment history, and loan affordability in New Zealand - What happens when you miss an Afterpay, BNPL, or utility bill payment, and how long defaults stay on your credit file - Red flags vs. green flags on your bank statements and credit…

People in this episode

Host: Frances Cook

Guest: Jessica O’Hare

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Revolut

Mentioned in this episode

Places: New Zealand

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