The cost of being: A disabled beneficiary who often has to spend bus money on food

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a ‘skint’ 32-year-old on the supported living payment explains how she gets by.

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Gender: Trans woman.

Age: 32.

Ethnicity: Pākehā.

Role: Long-term disability on supported living payment.

Salary/income/assets: $600 weekly including temporarily additional support and accommodation supplement. $0 assets.

My living location is: Urban.

Rent/mortgage per week: $350 for just me.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: ~$25 on Afterpay.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $90-$120 for one person.

Eating out: Never.

Takeaways: $10 max but less than once a week.

Workday lunches: –

Cafe coffees/snacks: Never.

Other food costs: –

Savings: I don’t! $0 savings.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Skint, desperate, lucky.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Coca-Cola.

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

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: I have $10 for the bus in my budget but usually end up having to spend it on food.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $15, they’re starting to fall apart a bit.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: I bought some fingerless gloves last winter for $15.

My last pair of shoes cost: $50 from Number One Shoes, they were half price and took Afterpay.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: At most $100 total for moisturiser and razor blades.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0.

My last Friday night cost: $6 for nice bread and a pie that was discounted at the supermarket because it was the end of the day.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: I got a $10 chilli beef bowl from a local place. It made me sick.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: $70 on sushi when I moved cities. because it was a friend’s shout and I love unagi.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Only one?

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Making the best with little.

I grew up in a house where money was: Extremely tight – boiled mince on toast, run the bath once for the whole family, and sleep three to a room tight.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: March 2024 (the answers were provided in April).

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Same or worse.

I would love to have more money for: Hobbies,  video games, medical care, dentistry, transition care.

Describe your financial low: I’m not sure any time has been notably low compared to now? A couple months ago my card got refused because I was 12 cents short on a sub-$3 microwave mini pizza? That was pretty embarrassing.

I give money away to: Leftist political causes, internet archive.