The cost of being: A mum of four, saving to buy a house

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 36-year-old tertiary adviser and bartender shares her approach to spending and saving.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 36.

Ethnicity: Pākehā.

Role: Tertiary adviser, bartender, mum of four.

Salary/income/assets: $1,300 a week

My living location is: Suburban.

Rent/mortgage per week: $500 rent for an as-is house that doesn’t exist according to banks and insurance. Six humans in house, partner pays rent, I pay food, power etc.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Nil.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $250.

Eating out: $10 a week averaged over a year.

Takeaways: $10 a week averaged over a year

Workday lunches: Typically cook too much so there’s another dinner for can’t be f*cked nights and work lunches.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $5 average. Make our own coffee typically.

Other food costs: Chickens, but they pay rent in eggs. Dogs, they pay rent in love.

Savings: $400 a week, for a house. This is neurotic, but renting is so awful.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Anxious, ass-busting, future-proofing.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Chocolate.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Nil.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $100 petrol, bus, rego, WOF and maintenance.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Net zero. Op shop all except socks and undies, sell through consignment (and/or donate) when finished with things. Works out zero a year.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $200 for $500 new Docs because I never pay full price for anything.

My last pair of shoes cost: $20, old (but excellent) Docs from an op shop.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Maybe $100 for moisturiser and deodorant. Included in groceries. Do not get hair, nails etc done.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0. Yoga With Adriene on YouTube, dogs and home workouts.

My last Friday night cost: $0, unless you count Hello Nasty which we bought on vinyl for $40.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: The Canva subscription I keep forgetting to cancel. I think I’ll do that right now.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: New Docs.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Everywhere.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Hoard saver. Know poverty. Striving.

I grew up in a house where money was: Not there. $13 a week after rent.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: A year or more ago.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Owning my own home, no longer fretting.

Describe your financial low: When I had four little babies and $33 after the rent. This was only a decade ago. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I would love to have more money for: Security of home ownership.

I give money away to: KidsCan, sporadic Givealittles, environmental causes.