As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, an insurance rep outlines their financial plans for the future.

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Gender: Male.

Age: 24.

Ethnicity: New Zealand European.

Role: Insurance representative (full-time, paid); part-time student (NZ Certificate in Financial Services).

Salary/income/assets: $66,248 p.a. salary, $46,807.39 in KiwiSaver, $5,098.76 in investments, and $5,000 held in an emergency fund (high-yield savings).

My living location is: Urban.

Rent/mortgage per week: I rent an independently leased cabin on the same property as a main house. My rent is $315 per week, and I live alone, paying the full amount.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: I have a student loan with a balance of $17,041.22, with compulsory repayments of $194.40 per fortnight. I also use a credit card for everyday spending but do not carry any debt at the end of each month. I have no other consumer debt.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: My grocery spending is not shared. I track this through a personal spreadsheet, and since June I have averaged $138.34 per fortnight.

Eating out: I track this separately from groceries. Since August, I have averaged $31.17 per fortnight on eating out.

Takeaways: For takeaways, I have averaged $9.41 per fortnight since August. Typically fish and chips every second Friday.

Workday lunches: I have not purchased lunch at work in the past three months. I prepare my own lunches at home, and my workplace provides tea, coffee, fresh fruit, and cheese and crackers.

Cafe coffees/snacks: Since August, I have spent an average of $14.44 per fortnight on café coffees or snacks, typically when catching up with friends during the week.

Savings: I contribute $76.44 per fortnight to KiwiSaver (3% to receive the employer match), $250 per fortnight to my investment account, and $400 per fortnight to my emergency fund. I’m not saving for a specific purchase right now; my focus is on financial stability, especially as I am on a fixed-term contract. My aim is to build my assets to $250,000 by age 30, and I expect to have my student loan fully repaid by April 2029. I would only consider homeownership if housing costs remained below 30% of my gross income and still allowed me to maintain consistent retirement investing.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Stable, cautious, prepared.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: A coffee and croissant after Mass is my main edible indulgence – though having enough set aside for the occasional date with an eligible bachelor is a very nice luxury too.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Since August, my alcohol spending has averaged $34.77 per fortnight.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Since August, my transport spending has averaged $11.73 per fortnight across public transport and the occasional Uber. I walk most places, including to and from work, and I have not owned a vehicle since moving to Wellington in February 2019.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: In the past year, I spent approximately $1,977.76 on clothing (including sleepwear and underwear). I recognise this is higher than it needs to be, and I’ve been actively working in recent months to curb this by focusing on wearing items out, embracing a simpler wardrobe, and resisting unnecessary purchases before replacing anything.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: An Akubra hat from R.M. Williams, which cost $389. I bought it earlier this year.

My last pair of shoes cost: $480 for two pairs of Vessi running shoes. My previous pair had worn out, and because I liked them and they hold up well in Wellington weather, buying two new pairs (and qualifying for free shipping) made sense.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: My grooming and personal care spending isn’t itemised, but broadly includes a monthly haircut ($35), basic skincare such as a bottle of Nivea moisturiser each month and sunscreen as needed, and Regaine at $165 approximately every four months. Altogether, this comes to roughly $1,000-$1,200 per year.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: I pay $7.99 per week for a gym membership (around $416 per year) and purchase running shoes as needed. Altogether, my annual exercise expenditure is approximately $900.

My last Friday night cost:$13.00 – one Cuba Libre at Rainbow Drinks at a local Wellington bar.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A very strong yellow button-down dress shirt I bought online for $78. It didn’t suit my colour palette at all, and because it came from an outlet store it wasn’t eligible for return. I eventually donated it to the St Vincent de Paul op shop in my neighbourhood.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: My Akubra hat. At $389 it was definitely a splurge, but I don’t regret it at all – it’s excellent quality, looks great, and provides strong protection from the harsh New Zealand sun.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Groceries and weekday spending. I shop exclusively at Pak’nSave because it’s demonstrably cheaper than New World or Woolworths for the same basket of goods. As mentioned earlier, I don’t tend to buy lunch at work. I make my own so I can save that money for occasions with friends, which makes eating out feel more intentional and special.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Disciplined, intentional, cautious, value-driven, and quietly ambitious.

I grew up in a house where money was: Not really talked about. My parents didn’t discuss finances openly, which I’ve since learned is quite common in New Zealand households. As an adult, I’ve had to actively build my own financial literacy and habits, and that’s shaped the way I approach money now: more intentionally, more informed, and with a stronger sense of personal responsibility.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Not in recent memory. It would have been over a year or two ago, as I generally monitor my balances closely.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: With a stable career, a solid emergency fund, and a much stronger asset base. I aim to have my student loan significantly reduced (if not fully paid off by 2029), continue contributing consistently to my investments and KiwiSaver, and be well on track toward my goal of reaching $250,000 in assets by age 30. I’d like to maintain low housing costs relative to my income, keep building good financial habits, and ensure I’m in a position where unexpected changes in employment don’t put me at risk.

I would love to have more money for: Building up my investment portfolio, saving for a future hair transplant, and taking a trip to Hong Kong to visit a friend.

Describe your financial low: October 2019, when I had to borrow money from my parents to cover my rent after a period of reckless spending during my early university years. It was a confronting moment, but it became the turning point that pushed me to build proper budgeting habits, track my spending closely, and develop the disciplined financial approach I rely on today.

I give money away to: I don’t currently donate to charities or Givealittle campaigns.