As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a mother on maternity leave who’s living on savings explains how she and her young family are getting by.

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Gender: Female

Age: 41

Ethnicity: NZ European

Role: On maternity leave with two under two.

Salary/income/assets: No income at present so living off savings. Usually $110k plus partner income $125k.

My living location is: Suburban

Rent/mortgage per week: $1,600 p/w which takes up almost all of my partner’s pay.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: No other debt but owe some money to family who’ve helped us out.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: About $300-$350 in a weekly “big shop” which includes nappies and baby foods plus top-up shops in between.

Eating out: Never.

Takeaways: Never.

Workday lunches: Take stuff from home.

Cafe coffees/snacks: Usually just coffees and treats on a weekend. $20-$25 a week.

Other food costs: $50 vege box a couple of times a month.

Savings: We are living off our savings at the moment. It’s nerve-racking.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Precarious, confronting, uncertain.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Donuts.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $50 for a box of beers and a bottle of wine.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Around $50 (max) on fuel, partner has a work vehicle.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Not much for me but have purchased a bit for the kids.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A rain jacket that cost $160 and was my birthday treat to myself.

My last pair of shoes cost: Crocs (I know), c$100.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Hairdresser $500-$600, makeup and skincare about $350. No beauty treatments, just moisturisers and the odd bit of makeup.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Can’t afford a gym right now so stick to free YouTube tutorials.

My last Friday night cost: Nothing.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A problematic car.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Garden furniture – if you can’t go out then you need a good space at home.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Holidays, we just can’t stretch to the cost of travel for a small family.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Optimistic, structured, intentional, occasionally frivolous.

I grew up in a house where money was: Scarce. I’ve earned and organised my own money from a young age (with varying success).

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Yesterday – hit my credit limit.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: A lot healthier – a very young family and a big mortgage is a challenging time. On paper we earn too much to get help but our mortgage is enormous.

I would love to have more money for: Little luxuries, like a restaurant meal (I can’t remember the last time). We’re doing OK and have more than most, but I feel like we live on essentials and it would be nice to feel confident to splurge once in a while. A holiday would also be nice.

Describe your financial low: A very expensive and unforeseen car repair a couple of months ago. When you’re living off savings and this kind of thing hits it’s a real gut punch.

I give money away to: Investing in shares for the kids, no charitable donations at the moment as we can’t afford to but in the past I’ve given to Red Cross and SPCA.