As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a woman who works multiple jobs and looks after her dad shares her approach to spending and saving.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 41.
Ethnicity: Māori, Rarotongan, Tahitian.
Role: GM, facilitator, contractor.
Salary/income/assets: GM salary $100k (pro rata), facilitator per case average $60-$400, contractor $150-$300 per hour. Assets: Sharesies $1,000 (for my moko), car (2003 model but freehold), $65k in KiwiSaver.
My living location is: Suburban.
Rent/mortgage per week: Previously one studio unit at $250pw, since moved back in with partner to the whānau home to care for Dad (house is freehold). We don’t pay rent/board, we take care of all bills exc power and rates.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: Just bought a cellphone (first finance in years). My general rule is if I can’t afford it in cash then I can’t afford it. Broke this rule cos my cell broke and I needed a way for mahi and family to call me, hence financing.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $250pw for three adults.
Eating out: $0.
Takeaways: $100
Workday lunches: Rarely so average maybe $10-15 per week.
Cafe coffees/snacks: $0.
Other food costs: $40pw for vege garden if I have enough. I’ve been learning to grow through trial and error. My dream is to create a food forest. Am only fortunate to be able to do this at the whānau home. Our previous unit where we stayed had no front or backyard.
Savings: Kāo, took me seven years to clear silly debt (MoJ fines, old credit card).
I worry about money: Sometimes.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Fortunate, blessed, thankful.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Snickers bar.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: A box if I can afford it.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Petrol averages between $60-$80 depending on what bills are due.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $100 on underwear and socks for all three adults lol.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Jacket at $40 my sister bought for me.
My last pair of shoes cost: $300. Paid at $75 per week lay-by.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $70 per month for waxing and threading.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0 – my garden and ChatGPT are my trainers lol.
My last Friday night cost: $0 – spent it chilling at home.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: My shoes lol. Wish I’d got trainers instead.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Physio, podiatrist and mirimiri.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: I’m rarely like that. If someone needs it and I’ve got it I’ll give it.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Learning from each mistake made.
I grew up in a house where money was: Bad. Didn’t learn from mum or stepfather. Learnt from a work friend.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never. I check my accounts always.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: $50k in savings, co-owner alongside my siblings of two properties that we’re able to raise all our tamariki and moko in, working with myself, choosing what I want to take part in.
Describe your financial low: Lowest of the low was facing eviction because I’d fallen into alcohol (had a major case going on).
I would love to have more money for: Passing on to our next generations.
I give money away to: My siblings and children.