As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, Rodney from our documentary Last Home Renters discusses the costs of being on a pension without a secure living space.
Gender: Male
Age: 76
Ethnicity: Māori (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Maniapoto)
Job: Retired with some voluntary work and a pension.
My living location is: Rural Coromandel.
Rent/mortgage per week: $250. I am the sole occupant of a bedsit.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $278. I shop at the local shop which is more expensive.
Eating out: $0
Takeaways: $0
Workday lunches
Cafe coffees/snacks: $20.
Savings: I can’t save on the pension.
I worry about money: Always.
Three words to describe my financial situation would be: Lucky, broke, anxious.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Meat.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $25
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $20 for petrol. I don’t drive much because of petrol costs.
Lifestyle costs
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $300.
My most expensive piece of clothing in the past year was: A jacket from the op-shop, $35.
My last pair of shoes cost: $25.
My annual grooming/beauty expenditure (include hair cuts): $80.
My exercise expenditure in a year is: $1300.00, golf fees.
My last Friday night cost: $20.
My most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Nothing.
My most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Golf course fees, this is daily exercise for me and also social.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad: I use my electric golf cart for local errands.
Five words to describe my financial personality: Resourceful, responsible, frugal.
I grew up in a house where money was: Lean.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: My accommodation is temporary and I am not sure where I will live.
I’d love to have more money for: Security in my living situation and freedom to travel.
My biggest financial low was: I was declared bankrupt in 2015 aftergetting into debt with tax bills and a bad decision going guarantor on a loan for an ex-partner that wasn’t paid off.
I give money away to: Nobody, I don’t have extra money to give away, my family helps me out sometimes.
Want to contribute? Send us an email briefly describing your situation at costofbeing@thespinoff.co.nz