The cost of being: A full-time working solo mother in Auckland

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a solo mum living with her daughter in a Kainga Ora house shares her day-to-day expenses.

Want to contribute? Email costofbeing@thespinoff.co.nz to receive the form.

Gender: Female

Age: 31

Ethnicity: Māori

Role: I work full time as an editor. I’m a freelance writer, poet, and I’m a solo mother to a 10-year-old daughter.

My living location is: Suburban – central Auckland

Rent/Mortgage per week: $260. My daughter and I live in a Kainga Ora house. I pay income-related rent.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: $70 on my student loan and $50 from a personal loan.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: Around $130 a week.

Eating out: Maybe $50 dollars a month. I might go and have lunch at a cafe once a month with family or friends, and go out for dinner on special occasions.

Takeaways: Around $50 a week. We will get takeaways or Uber Eats once or twice a week. Because of my working hours, I often don’t have time or energy to cook.

Workday lunches: $20 a week for a bit of sushi or a pie.

Cafe coffees/snacks: Around $5 a fortnight. My work office has a coffee machine, so I don’t have to spend a lot on coffee. I might buy the odd one when I’m out and about.

Savings: $20,000 in KiwiSaver which I hope to use as a first home deposit one day. No other savings.

I worry about money: Always. I do a fair amount of juggling to keep my utility bills in order, and I quite often have to decide which ones I can pay when my paycheque comes in and which ones will have to wait until next payday. I also put things like car repairs on the backburner until I have some extra money after those immediate costs.

Three words to describe my financial situation would be: Slightly worrying, liveable.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: One of those caramel slice bars from the bakery section at the supermarket.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $70 dollars on petrol. I’ll sometimes take public transport when I can and spend around $10.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Around $100.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A skirt from Postie Plus which was $29.

My last pair of shoes cost: $14 – A pair of white sneakers from Kmart.

My grooming/beauty expenditure includes (eg makeup, hair dye, skincare, hairdressers, beauty treatments): I have a haircut probably once a year which costs about $40 now. Last year when I had a bit of extra money I’d buy odd bits of makeup, costing $50 all up.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0.

My last Friday night cost: $27. I bought dinner for me and my daughter after work.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months: A Hello Fresh subscription. It was good at first, but I just couldn’t afford to continue it after the promotion expired. I cancelled it after two weeks.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months: I recently bought a new office chair for working from home. It cost $90. For a year I was sitting on an office chair propped up by books because the wheel broke, so it’s nice to sit comfortably without the risk of falling off.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Going to “fun” places with my daughter, like the movies, zoo or the arcade. I never used to be, but money’s become a bit tight, so we don’t get to go that often anymore.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Realistic, temperate, accommodating, simple pleasures.

I grew up in a house where money was: Pretty tight, but I was always fed, clothed and looked after. I was also raised by a solo mum who worked very hard. Mum always provided what I needed and shielded me somewhat to the personal cost it was to her.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: I think about three years ago. I always check what I have in the bank, either before leaving home or going up to the checkout to pay.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Hopefully a bit better off. Having all my bills paid and up-to-date and having a bit of money left over to save would be really nice. I want to take my daughter overseas one day.

I would love to have more money for: Travel and savings toward a house deposit.

Describe your financial low: In 2016, I was studying and wasn’t working. My daughter was three. We had just gotten our house with Kainga Ora. All we had was a mattress to sleep on in the lounge on our first night. I had no money. I was due to sort out a food grant in the morning. I was happy, because we had finally got our own place, but we had nothing. I’m quite proud of where we are now, even though I dream of having more.

I give money away to: Kidscan and Auckland City Mission. I give one-off donations to them when I can. I also put $5 into my daughter’s KiwiSaver every week, and give money to family when they ask and when I can spare it.

Want to contribute? Send us an email briefly describing your situation at costofbeing@thespinoff.co.nz

Read the previous Cost of Beings here.