As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a tutor and trainer explains where and how they spend and save.
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Gender: Female
Age: 27
Ethnicity: Pākehā
Role: Tertiary education tutor and CrossFit coach
Salary/income/assets: $80,000 a year, plus approximately $200-300 per month in CrossFit coaching and clients (which I mostly just do for fun because I love training people – a position I’m lucky to be in!). My husband is a police officer and earns about $110,000 a year. We just bought our first home so our KiwiSavers are below $5,000 each. He also contributes to Police superannuation which we also used to help buy our house.
My living location is: Suburban.
Rent/mortgage per week: We bought a house with my parents to help them pay off their mortgage, so we only have a small one – we’re very lucky. All four of us live in the house. We kind of treated it as a foot in the door to the property market and it means they can retire without a mortgage to pay. Our house on the beach was $1.2 million and our mortgage repayments are about $1,050 a fortnight (not including other bills). My parents pay for their share of the remaining bills.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: All student loans have been paid off and my car loan was paid off with our mortgage money. We also bought a new car with our mortgage money and had to pay off my husband’s credit card debt of about $20k (whoops).
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: Maybe $200 a week? My husband and I eat A LOT. I do a lot of training so eat about five meals a day. We cook for my parents about three nights a week too and they probably pay us about $50 a week for this.
Eating out: $70ish. We love going on dates and try to do this most weekends.
Takeaways: $70ish. Biggggg food lovers and we usually don’t feel too guilty about buying yummy food when cooking often costs just as much nowadays…
Workday lunches: We use our own individual money for this so I’m guessing for him – maybe $50 a week? He works shift work so I know he’s getting Maccas on his night shifts lol. Mine is probably the same.
Cafe coffees/snacks: $50 combined maybe? I’ll try to limit buying coffee to once or twice a week max. I have a bomb coffee machine at home so I can’t always justify buying. I’m also a sucker for an instant coffee so buying lots seems silly.
Other food costs: $50 maybe – we buy protein and other supplements.
Savings: $5,000 in our “don’t touch” savings. $3,000 in our South Africa trip savings for September (contributing $300 a fortnight to this and recently just paid for flights and accommodation so it’s dropped down). KiwiSaver and Super are low due to just buying a house. We also had our wedding and honeymoon last year. Then a Europe OE the year before. We often save and then spend most of it on travel or the wedding etc.
I worry about money: Rarely.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Secure, comfortable, careful.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Chicken thighs over breast ANY DAY. Boneless chicken thighs are expensive but I refuse to eat dry chicken.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: I only drink occasionally if I have something on on the weekend so maybe like $20 a month.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: For both of us, petrol would be about $300 a fortnight. We drive hybrid cars but drive to work each day. I used to work 45mins away. My husband works 30mins away.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Probably around $5,000+. I love buying clothes and activewear. I used to be really frugal with clothing but I am a lot more relaxed about it now (although not reckless). Went to Japan in October for our honeymoon and bought HEAPS.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: My wedding dress… $2,500.
My last pair of shoes cost: CrossFit TYR shoes on sale for $200.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: I trade hair appointments for personal training sessions with my hairdresser so that’s technically free. I keep my skincare etc basic. Probably $500 a year. I do have a fake tan addiction though…
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: I get my membership free as I coach. Maybe $800 a year on CrossFit equipment, shoes, sports massage and recovery services.
My last Friday night cost: $20 for a kebab and maybe like $30 petrol driving to Whanganui for the weekend.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Spending $100 to go to one of those pig cafes in Japan. It stunk and made me sad. Would NOT recommend.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: My wedding day (approx $30,000).
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Alcohol on nights out/at bars. I’m usually the one taking some vodka and soda water in a water bottle to the bar if it’s going to be a big night (ssshh)…
Five words to describe my financial personality would be… My family would describe me as a gorse pockets… but I think i’m getting better at letting myself spend.
I grew up in a house where money was: Relatively comfortable. My parents struggled with money before I was born but thankfully I grew up during a time where my dad had good paying jobs. I don’t remember ever feeling like we didn’t have enough money. My parents are open to talking about money and so I’m not too sure where my frugality comes from…
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Not sure… I’m lucky and save well to make sure I have back up money.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Hopefully earning enough to support a child and life a live within my means.
I would love to have more money for: Not sure… I try my best to live within my means and am content and thankful for what I have and how I live.
Describe your financial low: Coming back from Europe OE with less than $1,000 in my bank account. Not too bad compared to many.
I give money away to… Burnett Foundation each month. Plus give a littles sometimes.
