The cost of being: A ‘dual income, no kids’ government worker

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a government department team lead lays out their financial situation.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 33.

Ethnicity: Pākehā.

Role: Team lead in a government department.

Salary/income/assets: $130,000ish per year, $480 a year from a small side gig and I own a house.

My living location is: Suburban.

Rent/mortgage per week: Around $1600 a fortnight between two people. I live with my husband and my cat.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Paid off my student loan in my 20s – only debt is a car payment, around $200 a week. Splurged on a brand new car this year.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $200 per week for two people.

Eating out: $30-40 per week.

Takeaways: $50-60 per week.

Workday lunches: None, I bring from home.

Cafe coffees/snacks: I am dedicated to my coffee – $7 a day, five days a week! I couldn’t face the day without it. On a Friday I get myself a sweet treat from a bakery as a reward.

Savings: Around $5,000 currently. It has been wiped out as we just paid all of our debts off – including a $20,000 loan from my dad to buy our first home.

I worry about money: Rarely.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Grateful, careful, optimistic.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Not even for me, my cat needs special food. I spend about $300 a month on wet and dry food. She is a princess!

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0 – only drink a few times a year at social occasions.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: I budget $120 a fortnight for petrol between two people, but have recently purchased a hybrid so expecting that to go down. I cringe to say we spend about $100 a week on parking.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: I would say around $1000 – I am really bad for buying dresses. I try to have a one-in-one-out policy, by selling my older dresses on Facebook Marketplace, but it doesn’t always work in practice.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: I brought three dresses in a Farmers sale on Boxing Day. I hate paying full price and try to wait for sales.

My last pair of shoes cost: A pair of leather Birkenstocks brought in France for around 180 Euro – I didn’t even pay for them; they were a birthday present. I love them.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Around $700 – I get my hair done two or three times a year and my eyebrows done every six weeks – I don’t buy expensive skincare and don’t wear makeup.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $150 for a good pair of shoes – I love walking for exercise and have a kettlebell for at home workouts.

My last Friday night cost: $30 – takeaways on the couch and going down weird YouTube rabbit holes. Bliss!

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Not regrettable in the cost, but more the need – vet bills to diagnose my cat with kidney disease. Not a fun time!

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A doorbell camera – we don’t get many visitors, but I just like to be nosy!

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Most things that aren’t a need or a habit (leave my coffees alone!). I try not to buy bigger items full price and will generally always pick the cheapest version of something I can.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Dual Income, No Kids, Cat.

I grew up in a house where money was: Tight and a stressful topic. Raised between single parents with my mum on the benefit. I appreciate how hard it would have been to raise three kids in that environment.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Can’t recall this happening (what did we do before internet banking?)

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Having a bigger saving account.

I would love to have more money for: Overseas travel – saving for a few trips this year.

Describe your financial low: Brought my house in 2021 at the height of the “bubble” and paid way too much for it. I was very fortunate to have family help with a loan for our deposit. In the years after we got smashed with 7-8% mortgage rates on top of paying back the family loan, so things sucked for a few years. Still really grateful and would love to do the same for my kids or nephew if I ever get the chance.

I give money away to: I volunteer my time to charity. This has reminded me to set up something longer term.