The cost of being: A first-year high school teacher who will ‘always find a discount code’

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a secondary school teacher living in a small town shares her approach to spending and saving.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 27.

Ethnicity: Pākehā.

Role: First year secondary school teacher.

Salary/income/assets: $1,600/fortnight.

My living location is: Small town.

Rent/mortgage per week: Living alone in an old, cold, mouldy, Ministry of Education house – $380/week.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Student loan $150ish/week. $27k left to payoff.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: Average $120 per week for me and my dog. I only ever shop specials, so stock up when something is on sale.

Eating out: $0.

Takeaways: $15 per week average.

Workday lunches: Leftover student lunches or what the food tech teacher cooked in class (same for dinner some nights too).

Cafe coffees/snacks: $0.

Savings: No, I have lost 7k of savings in the past nine months. Largely due to the cost of commuting then moving for work.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Dreary, worrisome, heavy.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Fried chicken

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $10 petrol. I now walk to work and it’s a very short drive to town when needed.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $800. I gained a lot of weight meaning I needed bigger clothes. Always buy on sale though.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $90 – Kathmandu insulated rain jacket (down from $350).

My last pair of shoes cost: $110 – Reebok Nanos (on sale of course).

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $30. Except shampoo, body wash, deodorant etc.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $1,000 – gym membership.

My last Friday night cost: $0 – Netflix (thanks Mum) and Candy Crush.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Curtains and blinds that didn’t fit my rental but I couldn’t return because they were on clearance.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A new mattress. Best decision ever.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Everywhere. Always will find a discount code or way to get something cheaper.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Cheap, bargain hunter, cautious spender.

I grew up in a house where money was: Not talked about but obviously limited.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: 2012 at the high school canteen.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Earning more so having the ability to save.

Describe your financial low: A few months ago I had a full-on menty b after being declined a WINZ allowance to move for work. Had no idea how I would afford rent or furniture. Never had literally no money in my bank account before this year.

I would love to have more money for: Adopting and fostering all the dogs. And being able to do activities or travel NZ.

I give money away to: Shouting my friends dinner in return for favours (eg letting me stay at theirs to limit travel expenses).