As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a part-time media librarian and superannuitant explains how he spends and saves.

Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.

Gender: Male

Age: 65

Ethnicity: European

Role: Media librarian

Income: In total about $50k (NZ super and part-time job), a $1m house, $55k KiwiSaver, solar panels (no power costs), water tank (no water costs). Husband is unwaged.

My living location is: Small town

Rent/mortgage per week: Nil

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Nil

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $200 – shared with my husband.

Eating out: $200

Takeaways: Nil

Workday lunches: Nil

Cafe coffees/snacks: Nil, free at work.

Other food costs: Growing salad and herbs in the garden.

Savings: Yes, savings used for home and car maintenance, insurance, travel.

I worry about money: Rarely.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Secure, comfortable, happy.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Mussels and chips at the Belgian cafe.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $50

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Nil due to free SuperGold Card travel.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $200.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Winter hoodie, $100.

My last pair of shoes cost: Pair of Converse sneakers, $110.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $50 Body Shop male deodorant.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Nil

My last Friday night cost: $50 dinner and drinks at the Waiheke RSA.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Air New Zealand return tickets to Napier. Both flights were cancelled.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: $300 on secondhand books in shops around the country.

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

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Careful, not impulse driven, saver.

I grew up in a house where money was: Tight but comfortable.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: A little less rich due to planned overseas travel.

I would love to have more money for: Longer travel.

Describe your financial low: Conscripted for two years in 1980 as conscientious objector, forced to live on a soldier’s salary but not housed, clothed or fed, unlike them.

I give money away to: Local Waiheke charities.