As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a chocolatier explains how they spend and where they save.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 37.
Ethnicity: American.
Role: Chocolatier.
Salary/income/assets: Wages $52,000 a year; KiwiSaver $10,500; other investments $13,000.
My living location is: Suburban.
Rent/mortgage per week: Mortgage is currently $637 a week, split evenly between my partner and I.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: We paid off all of our debts before we bought our house.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: We spend about $200 a week, split between two people. I recently took a foraging class so any greens I now pick in my yard for free! We also recently put in a chest freezer which has been amazing – now if things are on special we can stock up.
Eating out: I would love to eat out more and I’m so sad that I can’t support my favourite hospitality businesses the way I’d like to, but realistically we just can’t afford it. We eat out maybe once a month now, about $90 for the two of us.
Takeaways: Rarely! Maybe once a month we’ll get pizza. We probably spend about $50.
Workday lunches: Always make my lunches and they are delicious!
Cafe coffees/snacks: Never.
Other food costs: We’ll put a small garden in – we’ll spend $75 max.
Savings: I follow the Barefoot Investor and each week 20% of my wages goes towards my savings (if I don’t have a bill to pay first). I also try to contribute $50 a week to another investment account, but I don’t always have the money to do so. Anything extra is going in a fund to replace our fridge.
I worry about money: Always.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Fortunate, optimistic, nervous.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Cheese!!!
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Zero. My partner gave up alcohol three years ago so we don’t keep any in the house. I’ll get a glass of something if we go out to eat, but that’s rare these days.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $70 in petrol for my car. I’ve tried to keep costs down by changing my work schedule to four 10-hour days, cutting out one day of travel. I’d like to take public transport but unfortunately the schedule doesn’t run early enough to get me to work on time.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: I did upgrade quite a few things last year, but I agonised over each purchase – I probably spent about $1500 and that included new bras, sports bras, workout clothes, swim suits and summer clothes. I’ve changed size in the last few years and nothing fit well anymore.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: I finally replaced my winter jacket of 10 years with a new one – I paid US$159 (~$275). It’s warm and waterproof and I love it.
My last pair of shoes cost: $59 New Balance running shoes on clearance from Rebel Sport – only bought them because my previous pair was too small and pinched my toes.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $468 on haircuts, $200 on makeup. As someone who works in a factory in baggy chef whites and a hairnet, makeup is my one way to feel feminine.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Joined an online gym a few years ago – I own a spin bike, free weights and pilates equipment which I use at home. My membership is about US$120 (~$210) a year.
My last Friday night cost: $0 – leftovers at home and Taskmaster NZ on demand on the couch.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: I would have liked to pay my insurances in full for the year to save money but we just couldn’t afford it, so we’re paying monthly, which costs slightly more.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: I got a Stanley drink bottle when I was back in the States last month and I LOVE it… my water stays so cold!
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Food costs – we only buy meat that’s on special (hello, yellow sticker!) and I frequently check the Grocer app to see when things are on special. I also turn all appliances off at the wall and try to run them during off-peak times. My partner would tell you I’m crazy – but now he does the same!
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Informed, confident, curious, frugal, transparent.
I grew up in a house where money was: We never went without, but I definitely remember money being tight at times. I vividly remember not being able to afford name-brand food but looking back, that’s probably OK.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: With lots of our mortgage paid off and a comfortable savings cushion.
I would love to have more money for: Eating out because I work in hospitality and know how hard it is right now to make ends meet.
Describe your financial low: My partner was between jobs last year and I had to cover the mortgage by myself for awhile. It was right around my birthday and I was crushed that we couldn’t do anything to celebrate.
I give money away to: SPCA and Surf Lifesaving.
