As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a new mum shares her mortgage anxiety as her paid maternity leave period comes to an end.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 30.

Ethnicity: Chinese.

Role: Medicine, but currently on maternity leave.

Salary/income/assets:Usually $170k pretax, currently getting full pay but that will end soon and only government contributions.

My living location is: Urban.

Rent/mortgage per week: $3000-ish per month in interest only payments, 105 per week for a seperate 15k top-up. Was $1200/week before going on maternity leave.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: All paid up!

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: 3 people at home, not including the baby. About $300/week in groceries.

Eating out: $20 for lunch/brunch once or twice a week.

Takeaways: $50/week in takeout maybe once a week most weeks, sometimes we might get a more expensive meal for up to $100 for two.

Workday lunches: All from home.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $20-30 per week.

Savings: $500/fortnight each (partner and I) for utilities, most of this is saved for a rainy day. Separate $200/fortnight myself into a savings account for mortgage once maternity leave payments end.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Anxious. I don’t think I have enough saved for my mortgage for a whole 12 months of maternity leave and I’m not willing to return to work full time before she’s at least a year old.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Boba! Once or twice a week we’ll get boba, usually when I take the baby out for a walk and there’s a shop just… Coincidentally… On the way…

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0. Not drinking while breastfeeding and nobody else at home likes alcohol much.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: None. Drive so rarely currently I haven’t fuelled up for three months. Partner works from home, has fuelled up for the first time in 3 months last week – about $100. Should last us about that long again.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $500? Spent a lot on breastfeeding bras, maternity and breastfeeding clothing, but all from budget places.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $25 bra.

My last pair of shoes cost: Haven’t bought shoes for a year plus, probably a $60 pair of Skechers that have lasted until now?

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Nothing regular, but I’m expecting a $200 hairdressing appointment once I’m done with breastfeeding in another year or so…

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: None. I just go on walks with the baby, and have simple gear at home (yoga mat, small stepper, a roller).

My last Friday night cost: Can’t go anywhere with a baby…

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Got a Snoo bassinet to help with baby sleep. She hates it and refuses to be put down in it. Even secondhand it was $1500. Need to sell it on.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: About $2k+ in baby clothes. Even if she just wears it once, it’s so cute, I can’t help it. Zero regrets.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Mine and my partner’s clothes. Wouldn’t buy anything more than $40/piece.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Anxious, naive, ignorant, really oblivious.

I grew up in a house where money was: Very tight. We were immigrants with a mortgage. Pretty much always ate at home and became very money conscious very early on. Parents had no idea about investing either so that was never a part of the conversation.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: A few months ago – I keep spending money in a separate account to other finances, and keep that quite tight. Miscalculated and needed to move the money around before I could afford my groceries.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: A little better off, back at work and paying back my mortgage a little faster.

Describe your financial low:Before I realised I can change my mortgage to interest only, a month or so ago, I was calculating whether I’d need to withdraw my KiwiSaver to afford the repayments.

I would love to have more money for: Baby. I’d like to start an investment account for her, to help her get a home deposit in the future. Also some home renovations would be very nice.

I give money away to: Doctors Without Borders. Not very much – $25/month only pretty sure.