The cost of being: A 19-year-old studying in the US on a full scholarship

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a student abroad shares his approach to spending and saving.

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Gender: Male.

Age: 19.

Ethnicity: Tongan/European.

Role: Student, research assistant at a museum, marketing and operations intern with a tech-consulting startup.

Salary/income/assets: I study in the United States on full scholarship and not dependent on parents in NZ because one has an erratic income and the other is on ACC – they also both don’t own homes and have minimal assets. It’s quite stressy at times, but I try my best to make it work. I work as much as possible, balance scholarship stipends and budget all my monthly costs. I anticipate to earn around $35,000-$40,000 from work and scholarships.

My living location is: Urban.

Rent/mortgage per week: My tuition pays for my living costs on campus, but flying home during the holidays when we need to leave dorms is the big bank breaker – it cost me around $7,500 to fly back to NZ for three weeks over last Christmas. When in NZ, I stay with Mum in Auckland and help with gas, utilities and groceries when need be.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: I don’t have any student loans, but I have a US credit card which I use for cash-back benefits and credit building. Since I use it for all regular purchases, and try to keep them minimal, my end-of-month bill ends up being between $550-$700NZD. I pay it off on time to make sure I maintain good credit and don’t accrue interest.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: I eat at university dining halls and it’s included in my scholarship so no money spent on groceries.

Eating out: $100 – the coffees and late night food runs do add up every week.

Takeaways: I don’t usually get takeaways here – I either scab off of friends or eat from the dining hall. When I’m in NZ though, I can end up spending up to $200 a week on takeout depending on who I’m with and where.

Workday lunches: N/A.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $40 – coffee in America is expensive and tastes like shit, but I still end up getting them.

Other food costs: $60 for Uber Eats once a week.

Savings: I have around $21,000 in savings – $16k in a term deposit, $3,500 in an emergency fund and $1,500 in shares. I also have around $3,000-$4,000 floating around in my NZ and US checking accounts which I use for immediate things.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Lucky, anxious, careful.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Lindt chocolate.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: 0 whilst in the US (until I get to duty-free in Auckland and buy a bottle of gin and vodka).

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: 0 in the US, and around $90 per week in NZ. I used to have a car, but sold it when I moved to study in the States – I now borrow family cars and top up the tank whenever I need to drive around.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $5,000.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A North Face puffer jacket – it was around $750NZD. The winters in the northeastern US are no joke, and it is a warm and nice looking too.

My last pair of shoes cost: Birkenstock Boston clogs – they were about $350.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $130.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $200.

My last Friday night cost: $90.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A $160 T-shirt from a flea market in New York.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A holiday to Tahiti on my way home to NZ at the end of the semester.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Coffee prices and gas! I’ll always compare and look for the cheapest coffee shops and gas stations.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Calculated, stingy, motivated, fearful, determined.

I grew up in a house where money was: Hard to come by.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never! (I only buy things I know I can afford, and double and triple check my balance and outgoings before any big-ish purchases).

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Beginning to thrive.

Describe your financial low: Mum and Dad had/have tough relationships with money and have limited incomes, and thus don’t have the ability to fully support me. I worked in retail as much as possible before moving to the States last year and sold off my car to have a small lump of money to fall back on whilst being here. I have realised as I have gotten older that establishing financial independence and responsibility was the best thing I could do for my financial security now and in the future – compounded by the fact I’m 14,000 kilometres away from home nine months out of the year and am very much on my own. It’s definitely a bit daunting at times.

I would love to have more money for: Travel.

I give money away to: To close family if they need it and I also shout friends and cousins food and drinks every now and then. I love my friends and family, and will help/shout for things out of love, but I will not jeopardise my financial security to give.