The cost of being: A night shift worker on a 'brutal' roster

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a former labourer turned night shift worker explains their financial situation.

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Gender: Male

Age: 46

Ethnicity: Pākehā/NZ European

Role: Former labourer, now full time night shift at a secure care facility, working a brutal roster with very little time off. Also studying full time (the night shifts are good for doing assignments), however that's almost over for the year and not sure if I will continue next year as the student loan debt is worrying, along with the time commitment. I used to have a little hobby job repairing things which basically provided beer money, but don't have time or a workshop, but looking around for a suitable space. A rental with a garage just out of my reach at the moment.

Salary/income/assets: Approximately $70,000 ($57,000 base with 30% penal rate plus travel allowance – this is why unions are important, the job wouldn't be worth it without the penal rates). KiwiSaver approximately $25,000 (very slowly building back up after withdrawing it for a house I no longer own about 10 years ago. Really should check the fund I'm in). Only other assets are a cheap car and a lot of tools.

My living location is: Urban

Rent/mortgage per week: Live by myself, pay $300 for a non-healthy homes compliant cold, dank little flat which gets no sun in winter. It's OK in summer though.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Approximately $20,000 student loan, repayments about $250 a fortnight. $12,000 personal loan, repayments $200 a fortnight. Will look to increase that in new year to try and pay it off faster. The student loan can take care of itself for the time being. $500 credit card which is more for emergencies.

Groceries: Approximately $100 a week, if that. Breakfast is the only main meal (usually eaten in the afternoon). At work I usually just graze on light, healthy stuff – vege sticks, fruit, nuts etc.

Eating out: Very, very rare. Three or four times per year. $25-30 each time.

Takeaways: Maybe once every six weeks. Usually vege burger and 1/2 a scoop for about $11 at the excellent local chippy.

Workday lunches: $0. Don't usually eat lunch, and if I do it'll be a homemade sandwich and fruit.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $5.50 for takeaway coffee once or twice a week. Plus another $5.50 for accompanying cheese scone.

Savings: About $1,500 and slowly growing. Better than nothing right? Many have it tougher, so I consider myself pretty lucky to be earning enough to put a little aside. That hasn't always been the case.
Aiming for about $3,000 just for breathing room, and to use either for bond etc. in case I decide to move to a warmer house, or a holiday somewhere tropical – been awhile.

I worry about money: Sometimes

Three words to describe my financial situation: Better than before.

My biggest edible indulgence: Tamari almonds.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $25 for a box weekly, and $40 at the pub monthly to catch up with friends. Until this year it used to be at least $100 a week before I started working nights. Used to drop $150 over the bar pretty regularly – was generous with it though! A former functional alcoholic. Sort of managed to wean off without having to stop altogether.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $60 per week. A tank of gas almost lasts a fortnight. Expecting that to rise with all the small dick swinging happening in the Middle East. Use buses and trains occasionally. $20 on the Snapper card lasts a while.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Approximately $400. Some new Levi's (on sale), and some cheap T-shirts and work clothes from Kmart.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: About $80 for the jeans.

My last pair of shoes cost: About $100 for some new sneakers.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $100 all up for a haircut at the beginning of each season. Everything else (razors, toothpaste etc.) included in groceries. About to drop $450 on some sort of laser treatment to mitigate years of sun damage to skin.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $936 for gym membership. Usually get at least three hard workouts in a week. Planning on running again once weather warms up. Used to get all my cardio through working manual labour, but now have a sedentary job so gotta get a bit more active!

My last Friday night cost: Nothing. Was at work (weeps).

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Pretty careful with most purchases. It was buying a bag of whole coffee beans instead of ground. Don't have a grinder.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A beautiful mid-century cocktail cabinet. Think it cost $60 second hand.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Clothing. I wear things until they literally fall apart, and then they become rags.

Five words to describe my financial personality: Frugal, reckless, careful and careless.

I grew up in a house where money was: Not discussed at all. Lower middle class upbringing, always clothed, housed and fed and able to participate in sports. The occasional holiday, but no luxuries, and certainly weren't spoilt.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Couple of months ago at supermarket. Forgot some bills were going out. Had to transfer from savings. No drama.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Impossible to tell. NZ is in a state of (badly) managed decline, and it's tempting to just head back to Oz and return to trade (manual work is much better paid and has more respect there than here). I only really came back to NZ to re-train for the day the knees/back/joints finally give up. If the government changes that may give pause for thought, but as Pete Townshend wrote: "meet the new boss, same as the old boss". A new government surely will be less hostile to social services and those doing the noble mahi to support those who aren't "wealthy and sorted" though... Surely?

I would love to have more money for: To give to those organisations doing the noble mahi to support those that truly need it, and for animal charities.

Describe your financial low: Mid-last year. Self-employed and work dried up. Didn't know what to do or where to turn, financial stress is an awful thing. Literally no jobs going either. Too proud to ask for help. Not so proud now. Probably would have got through if I could have held out another month. Blinked too soon. Cost more than just money to have to wind it up and move away.

I give money away to: A little where I can, particularly to animal charities.