As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 47-year-old public servant, mother and musician shares her approach to spending and saving.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 47.
Ethnicity: Pākehā.
Role: Public servant, mother, musician.
Salary/income/assets: $124,000.
My living location is: Suburban.
Rent/mortgage per week: My rent is $400p/w which is truly amazing thanks to good landlords allowing me to keep saving for my house deposit. I live with two of my four children (the other two have flown the coop).
Student loan or other debt payments per week: Zero.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: I try to spend no more that $200 per week but this is proving incredibly difficult.
Eating out: I only rarely eat out. Probably spend a total of $50 a month max, including takeaways.
Takeaways: I don’t have any takeaway choices nearby which means the spend is pretty low. Fish and chips are a treat these days.
Workday lunches: I make my own lunches most of the time but allow myself $50 a month for the odd lunch here and there.
Cafe coffees/snacks: I make my coffee at home – never go out for it unless it’s a work meeting.
Other food costs: I grow a lot of salad, fruit and herbs, but propagate most from friends.
Savings: I’m saving $1,700 a month towards the (ever elusive) first home deposit. It’s incredibly difficult to get into the housing market if you don’t already own property, so potentially this is futile. As someone who was widowed young with multiple children, a career in the arts (read: costs more money than it makes), I focused on community volunteering for social change. And my kids obviously.
I worry about money: Always.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Stable (if I could just get the whole housing thing sorted!).
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Port Salut cheese. Mmm.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $50
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Train commute: $80 a week. Petrol: $30 a week.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: All of my clothing and shoes (except socks and undies) I buy secondhand. I love fashion but can’t afford the stuff I really like, so I scour Trade Me. All up I spent about $800.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A Zambesi jacket for $140.
My last pair of shoes cost: $40 – Spanish leather boots. Score!
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: I cut and dye my own hair (and my kids’). I buy moisturiser and lipstick but that’s largely it. All up about $200 a year.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Zero.
My last Friday night cost: $14 – a cheap bottle of wine with friends.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A lovely designer jacket ($100) that didn’t fit me.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A smart frame TV. First new television I’ve ever bought! I hate the look of TVs and this one seamlessly blends with the decor.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Usually, TVs but I guess I can’t say that now! So it would have to be cars. It’s a shame they’re so useful. Although from these answers it might sound like I’m a bit of a tightwad all round, I’m really not!
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Generous, creative, flexible but organised.
I grew up in a house where money was: Just money, not happiness. We didn’t grow up with much – no overseas holidays or fancy footwear, but we did have the best camping experiences, a fridge brimming with food, and a well-stocked booze cabinet. My parents shared everything they had with whoever needed it. The table was full. I like to think I continue that familial trend.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Not since I’ve had my grown-up’s job (2.5 years). But plenty of times before that when I had many mouths to feed and recently widowed.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Settled.
Describe your financial low: A widow with young children, literally counting every cent. Kids with dire health needs, as well as school uniforms etc. Financial lows were my everyday norm for many, many years. Easily most of my adult life.
I would love to have more money for: A family holiday. Oh, and a house, obviously.
I give money away to: My children, local community initiatives, social justice, fundraisers, school (for those who can’t afford to buy lunches or camp expenses – I was one of those parents once).