As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a young New Zealander who moved to Australia after graduating shares where their money goes.
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Gender: Male.
Age: 24.
Ethnicity: Pākehā.
Role: Graduate.
Salary/income/assets: $75,000 AUD.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $530 split between two.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: That awesome $5000 mandatory repayment for every year spent outside NZ.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $60 for just me.
Eating out: $30.
Takeaways: $0.
Workday lunches: Included in the eating out… I usually bring in a lunch!
Cafe coffees/snacks: $10 a week while at work.
Savings: I manage to save a decent amount?? But having moved here, it drained my savings soooo much, so now back to basics. Have a heap of different savings accounts: travel, general savings, ring / wedding saving, and one for student loan repayments.
I worry about money: Sometimes.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Surprisingly kinda lucky?
My biggest edible indulgence would be: I love trying out new ramen places, so always on the hunt for that!! I’ll also always get a sweet treat when at the local markets…
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $20 max if going out with friends.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $20 if using bus around the city, but usually I walk to most places. And owning a car is too expensive in Aus for my poor old graduate wage!
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Around $1000 – I had to buy a bunch of new work clothes, and some new shoes as well.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A new pair of Dr Martens boots, around $240? I love them so much despite the pain they have caused my feet!
My last pair of shoes cost: See above.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Around $100 every few months for a haircut and a beard trim.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: My workplace has an on-site gym, but I also pay around $1000 a year for a local climbing gym!
My last Friday night cost: $40, shouted some beers for my coworkers!
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Probably a pair of Dickies I bought that were way, way too big for me. They sat in my drawers for ages and I had to give them away when I moved to Australia.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Bought some cool artwork from a favourite artist of mine! One of them has an orangutan and the other has a gorilla with a banana.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: N/a
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Carefully calculated but love spending.
I grew up in a house where money was: Tight growing up, but as we got older and my siblings moved out, it freed up more money for my parents to renovate the house.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: About last December? I often forget to put money in the account lol
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: On my way to getting a deposit down on either a house or apartment with who I hope will be my wife!!
I would love to have more money for: Travelling… now being in Australia, I’m desperate to get all over Asia, but don’t have nearly enough money. Oh and to get more tattoos!
Describe your financial low: After fourth year of uni, I had literally $0 in my accounts. I had to rely on asking my parents to cash in FlyBuys points to get New World vouchers.
I give money away to: My parents whenever I can, they’ve done so much for me so I love being able to help out any way I can.
