As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a council planner explains how they manage their money – and why they can’t stop thinking about advent calendars.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 47.
Ethnicity: NZ European.
Role: Planner for a large council.
Salary/income/assets: I earn a gross salary of $133,000. So far, I have nearly $80,000 saved in my KiwiSaver, plus around $50,000 in combined savings and investments with my husband. We also keep a $10,000 emergency fund for peace of mind.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: We pay $975 a week towards our mortgage, which is split between my husband and me. It’s just the two of us living in a three-bedroom house.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: No debt except the mortgage. Our student loans are fully paid off, and we have no consumer debt.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: We’re a household of two adults and two cats, and we budget around $200 per week. Usually, our main shop comes in under that, but with extra trips to the supermarket and cat food factored in, our weekly spend tends to creep closer to $350. After splurging a bit too much last year, we’ve been really focused on cutting back this year. Our grocery budget covers breakfasts, lunches, most dinners, and about half of the cat food (we go to the vet for the rest).
Eating out: We hardly ever eat out these days – way more likely to grab a takeaway and head home. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time we sat down at a restaurant!
Takeaways: We love a good takeaway, but are definitely trying to cut back. When it’s pizza, it usually costs around $90 a time; curry runs about $75; and fish and chips come in at roughly $35. All up, it averages out to about $50 per week.
Workday lunches: We always pack our lunches from home – no spending there! Very occasionally, maybe once a month, we’ll treat ourselves to some sushi for around $20.
Cafe coffees/snacks: We usually get a coffee a couple of mornings a week – it’s about $24 for two cups, so around $6 each. That’s right at the upper limit I’m comfortable with, so if the coffee wasn’t great or I had to spend more, I’d definitely rethink it.
Other food costs: I don’t have a veggie garden – though I’ve thought about starting one. The thing is, I value my time too much, and it just doesn’t make sense financially or practically. In the end, it’s cheaper and easier for me to just buy what I need.
Savings: I contribute 10% pre-tax to KiwiSaver and invest about half of my “fun” money. Together with my husband, we’re focused on paying off our mortgage first. After that, our sights are set on travel and building a comfortable retirement. It feels good to have a plan and watch those goals get closer bit-by-bit.
I worry about money: Rarely.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Privileged, apprehensive, cautious. I know I’m in a better position than many, and I don’t take that for granted. In fact, we checked out Giving What We Can’s “How Rich Am I?” and found we’re in the top 2% globally – which honestly doesn’t feel like it day-to-day. Still, I’m very aware of how quickly things can change, so I tend to be careful – and maybe a little anxious – when it comes to money.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Edible advent calendars are my ultimate indulgence. Last year it was candyfloss and Pepper & Me, and I’m already on the lookout for new ones to try this year (editor’s note: this was written in June). There’s something so joyful about a daily treat – it’s like grown-up Christmas magic.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: These days, I’m drinking less and less – maybe a bottle of wine every two to three weeks, so around $8-9 a week on average. Even though I could afford to splurge a little, I still find myself hesitating to choose a “nice” bottle. Old habits die hard!
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: My weekly transport costs add up quickly. I drive every day, which means about $25-30 on petrol and around $15 when you average out servicing and maintenance. But the real budget-burner is parking – $20 a day adds up to a whopping $100 a week. Easily the most expensive part of getting from A to B!
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Around $500. I mostly shop sales and discounts – it’s habit, even though I can afford to spend more now. I’m not particularly keen on fashion and tend to wear things well past their best, so I guess I just find it hard to justify paying full price when the deals are there!
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Honestly, no idea! Probably something I grabbed on sale at Farmers during a bargain haul. Nothing fancy or high-end – just practical pieces that caught my eye at a good price.
My last pair of shoes cost: I’m really not a shoe person anymore – used to have plenty, but now it’s mostly sneakers or just going barefoot. The last pair I bought were sneakers, around $30 thanks to a 2-for-1 deal at Number One Shoes. Simple, comfy, and good enough for me!
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Oh boy, it’s pretty much non-existent! I don’t wear makeup, I just use basic soap for my face and body, and it’s been over a year since my last haircut. So, my annual spend on this is basically… zero. I’m definitely embracing the low-maintenance life!
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: A solid zero! I’m not one to spend money on things I won’t use, so no gym memberships or fancy gear here. If I ever get around to exercising (which, yes, I really should), it’ll probably just be a good old-fashioned walk.
My last Friday night cost: Nothing. I did a grocery shop and then promptly fell asleep in front of the TV. Ah, the glamorous mid-life life!
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Definitely a beer advent calendar. I don’t even like beer and barely drink, so it was a total mismatch from the start. Lesson learned.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: My Food Bag for Christmas. It was absolutely delicious and such a relief not to have to think about recipes or do the shopping. We’ll definitely be doing it again this year – it was a tasty holiday luxury and a much-needed break for both the taste buds and the brain!
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Everywhere! I’ve hit that stage where retirement feels like it’s looming around the corner, and it’s made me super conscious about saving every dollar I can. So yeah, I’m probably stingier than I used to be – but all with good reason!
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Prudent, steady, thoughtful, cautious, hopeful. I like to take a careful, steady approach with money. I think things through before spending and try not to take big risks. Even though I’m cautious, I’m hopeful about building a better financial future – one step at a time.
I grew up in a house where money was: Tight, rarely talked about, and often a source of anxiety. Bills were paid as late as possible, nothing was ever new, and things tended to stay broken. Despite all that, generosity was always a quiet but powerful presence – we made sure to give to causes and help others whenever we could, even when there wasn’t much to spare. That mix of carefulness and kindness shaped how I think about money today.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: It was just last month – but it was actually my credit card. I’d recently set it to paywave only, but I absentmindedly tried to swipe and insert it while chatting away. It got declined twice, even though there was literally nothing wrong with my account or even owing on my card. Mega embarrassing!
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Feeling much more financially secure. I want a solid emergency fund, steady contributions to my retirement savings, and enough set aside to travel without guilt. It’s not about being wealthy – it’s about having choices, less stress, and the freedom to say yes to things that matter.
I would love to have more money for: A rainy day – not just for emergencies, but for peace of mind. There’s something really empowering about knowing you have a buffer if life throws a curveball. It’s not about big spending, just having the freedom to breathe a little easier when the unexpected happens.
Describe your financial low: Right after school, I ended up with a pile of credit card debt – mostly from spending on things I didn’t need and can’t even remember now. My parents bailed me out, which I’m grateful for, but I felt embarrassed and guilty. The truth is, even after that, I didn’t really start saving or being smart with money. It’s only been more recently that I’ve started to shift my mindset. I’m still figuring it out, but I’m a lot more aware of my habits now – and the impact they have.
I give money away to: Causes and people that matter to me. Sometimes it’s through donations like Givealittle or local charities, but often it’s more personal. I’ll shout my workmates a coffee or lunch when I can, or cover groceries if someone’s going through a tough patch. It’s not about grand gestures, just small ways to show up for people.
