As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a pilot explains where their money goes and what they’re saving for.
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Gender: Male.
Age: 40.
Ethnicity: Pākehā.
Role: Airline pilot with a partner and preschool child.
Salary/income/assets: $171,000. Three-bedroom townhouse and two cars.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $895 – my partner contributes $225 of that.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: Paid off student loan this year – finally! No other debt other than the mortgage.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: We have a good account that we put $425 into a week. That covers groceries, the occasional takeaway and weekend cafe trips or snacks.
Eating out: No family support means together it’s rare. Maybe once or twice a year we’ll go for a nice meal and probably spend $300 plus about $120 on a babysitter.
Takeaways: Maybe once a month, usually Thai, Indian or pizza (around $70) or fish and chips (around $30) paid from that food account.
Workday lunches: Free from work for me generally.
Cafe coffees/snacks: I take Nespresso capsules with me or use ones at the hotels I stay at for work. Captains often shout coffee and I will reciprocate every now and then. I drink the black coffee on the aeroplane anyway. Snacks also generally provided at work too.
Other food costs: Our Vegepod has been neglected but I’m hoping to get motivated again come spring. Perhaps dedicate $15 a week to it tops.
Savings: With the student loan paid off each fortnight I put $500 in general savings, $200 into joint savings and $20 into the child’s savings. I have a $50 automatic payment into Sharesies and a $50 one into a Simplicity fund. Mainly saving to put anything over the buffer into investments and future life plans. But also holidays which are too few and far between. I put 6% into KiwiSaver and my employer matches up to 7.5% so next year I will bump up my contribution to 8%
I worry about money: Sometimes.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Considered, deliberate, comfortable.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: At the moment probably Haigh’s chocolate blocks on Oz overnights. They’re A$18.90 a block!
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Two bottles in the weekly shop from the food account. Occasionally get a six-pack of craft beer, would average out to $40.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: I allocate $75 a week to fuel up both cars. They’re nine and 12 years old respectively so hoping to replace with EVs in the not-too-distant future.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $1,700. That would be the most I’ve spent for a long time but tend to try and make things last.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Black jacket from I Love Ugly. $219 on sale.
My last pair of shoes cost: Cariuma OCA sneakers, $89.99.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $540 for monthly trips to the barber.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $210 for Asics outlet running shoes.
My last Friday night cost: It happens rarely but a friend catch-up – $200.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Everything is very considered so can’t think of anything.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Not paid for yet, but big rooms at five star hotels for our first family holiday in two years.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: I will labour over and deeply consider things so in general I’m a tightwad. I’m all for specials, sales and discount. Always check the staff discounts through work when reasonable purchases need to be made.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Jekyll & Hyde within reason.
I grew up in a house where money was: Limited but well utilised. I still can’t quite comprehend how my parents managed, but they did and I had a happy childhood. I think I recognised how limited resources were so I started working after school and weekends at Pak’nSave once I turned 14.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Probably at university in 2003.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: With the same sized mortgage but closer to the beach.
I would love to have more money for: Travel and to upgrade the cars.
Describe your financial low: 2007. I was working but not in a flying role and after rent, bills and groceries there was like nothing left and the overdraft and credit card were being worked hard. The thought of a holiday was unachievable.
I give money away to: Greenpeace and Starship Foundation regularly but occasionally to Heart Foundation, Cancer Society and various other Givealittles and fundraisers that I want to support.
