As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a not-for-profit worker explains their financial comings and goings.

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Gender: Female

Age: 31

Ethnicity: Pākehā

Role: Finance and investment for a not-for-profit.

Salary/income/assets: Joint annual income from salary is about $160,000, and we own our home.

My living location is: Suburban

Rent/mortgage per week: $650 a week, shared between my husband and I (we also have two young children, but they do not contribute financially, though they offer their piggy bank money to us occasionally).

Student loan or other debt payments per week: I still have a student loan (thank you high living costs) and pay around $100 a week through my salary.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: Our budget is $250 a week but I try my best to spend under $200 if possible. We share costs of all expenses but I do the shop. We are fortunate to often have homekill meat so we don’t have to buy a lot of meat from the supermarket.

Eating out: Average is about $100 every month or two (when we can get babysitters).

Takeaways: Our biggest financial downfall – about $50 a week but we’re getting better at not opting for that if it’s been a long day.

Workday lunches: Maybe $10 a week, usually leftovers though.

Cafe coffees/snacks: Coffee machine at home and free (instant) coffee at work means $0.

Other food costs: $50 a month for beans for the aforementioned coffee machine, and a few hundred a year on homekill meat.

Savings: Ideally about $100-150 a week, but that’s definitely not consistent. We bought a house last year so now our savings are for emergencies. It would be cool to save enough to take our kids on a holiday soon as well.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Anxious but grateful.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Whitaker’s chocolate or fancy granola that I don’t share with the kids.

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

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $40ish for petrol but going up every week. Our travel radius is small and I thankfully have a carpark at work.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was:Maybe $1,000? I buy secondhand when I can but spend on underwear and shoes.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: My running shoes, $270.

My last pair of shoes cost: $200 for leather loafers for work.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Minimal – I get my haircut once a year and buy cheap makeup but spend more on skincare and sustainable hair products. Maybe $300?

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $400-500 for running shoes and an exercise app subscription. More if I do running events as they cost a bit.

My last Friday night cost: $50, we had takeaways with my in-laws and split the cost.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: My running shoes, they were meant to be the same as the last pair but weren’t and I’ve never loved them entirely.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A house, it feels nice to have some security over where we live.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Food and clothes – home brand and secondhand are more than sufficient.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be… A saver but anxious and aware.

I grew up in a house where money was: Talked about pretty openly, and we were fortunate to never feel like we went without. We were taught early on the value of money and saving through our pocket money scheme (accountant parent), so I feel very grateful to have had a good level of financial literacy from an early age.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: A few weeks ago, I keep very little money on it so often forget to transfer.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Hopefully secure, and more relaxed about money than now.

I would love to have more money for: Our kids, and having family adventures. And to be able to give my parents gifts that reflect how much I appreciate them.

Describe your financial low: 10 years ago flatting in a big city, living in a mouldy flat and eating porridge for dinner.

I give money away to… Hato Hone St Johns, Breast Cancer Foundation and my time to my kids’ school.