As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, an advertising creative shares their financial comings and going.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 26.

Ethnicity: NZ European and a sprinkling of Māori.

Role: Creative in advertising.

Salary/income/assets: $80,000.

My living location is: Suburban.

Rent/mortgage per week: $255 a week including bills. Living with my boyfriend and four other flatmates (rough).

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Have recently paid of my student loan.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: Approximately $60 a week for myself. Boyfriend and I buy seperate groceries because he eats like there’s no tomorrow.

Eating out: Rarely go out for dinner to save money. But if we do I’d say $45.

Takeaways: I am a sucker for a midweek Uber Eats. $20.

Workday lunches: I try to bring my lunch most days but you know how sometimes you make something and then immediately can’t stand the thought of eating it again? That happens on occasion, so I’d say $15.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $0. I don’t drink coffee.

Other food costs: $200. Tried to start up a veggie garden once. Spent more money trying to keep it alive than I got vegetables in return. Clearly not my forte.

Savings: I’m in a position where I don’t have many regular expenses, so I’m usually able to save around $2,000 a month. Occasionally I’ll dip into that when my other account runs low. I currently have about $8,000 saved, after recently buying a new car. I’m not saving for anything specific at the moment. Buying a home isn’t on the cards ANY time soon, so I see it more as a flexible fund — something I can use for a holiday, or keep set aside for unexpected expenses.

I worry about money: Sometimes.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Comfortable, sometimes anxious, cruising.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: A good $14 kumara sourdough from Daily Bread once a month. They’re so good but I can’t justify buying them unless it’s payday.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: I don’t drink much, unless I’m going out to a friends house or to a gig. But when I do I’d say $29 for a box.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: The petrol crisis is definitely hitting me (and everyone else) at the moment – it costs over $200 to fill up my car every one-and-a-half to two weeks. On top of that, I’m paying around $40 a week for parking in the city. It’s one of those situations where public transport isn’t really a viable option either, as it would mean catching three buses each way to get to and from work. So unfortunately, there’s not much room for me to cut costs or save more in that area.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: I have a very committed relationship with retail therapy. I love shopping and don’t see that changing anytime soon. I’d say I spent over $3,000 on clothes last year without too much trouble. I did go to Japan last year and managed to do some very successful shopping there, which kept me satisfied for a little while…

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: If shoes count, I bought a pair of Salomons in Shibuya for about $300NZD. But I ADORE them and I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth.

My last pair of shoes cost: I bought a pair of New Balance 1000s from someone on Depop for about $50. They retail around $280 so I was pretty pleased with that one.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: I don’t use a lot of makeup – mainly just mascara and a bit of highlighter. I do, however, love Japanese and Korean skincare, and probably spend around $200-300 a year on that for the luminous glow. I also get a keratin treatment once or twice a year to tame the beast that is my hair, along with a few haircuts, so I’d estimate I spend about $600 annually at the hairdresser.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: I always say there’s nothing more important than spending money on your health, so I’m pretty happy to invest in that where I can. I go to the gym regularly, which is only $7 a week for my City Fitness membership, a bit of a steal. I also do two Pilates classes each week at $20 each, and play indoor social netball every so often at around $8 a week when I’m in a team. All up, I’d estimate I spend somewhere between $1,500-$2,000 a year to stay active and feel good.

My last Friday night cost: $29. Went over to my parents’ house for a wood-fire pizza dinner and a few drinks (which I bought).

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A pair of silver Nike Total shoes. I loved the look of them but they are just SO silver. I have probably worn them twice and don’t know if I ever will again.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: My trip to Japan was definitely my most memorable expense. It was my first proper long-haul trip out of New Zealand, I’d only been to Australia and Fiji before, and it ended up being the best trip I’ve ever had.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Supermarket purchases are where I’m quite conscious of spending. I almost always go for the home brand options – realistically, they taste the same, it’s just the label that changes the price. If I can save a bit of money by choosing supermarket brands over well-known names, I’ll do it every time.

I grew up in a house where money was: Money was somewhat tight growing up, but we never went without, there was always food on the table, everything we needed for school, and the occasional treat and sometimes a holiday away. I was taught from a young age to value money and be grateful for it. I’ve always carried that mindset with me and feel really thankful for what I had growing up and especially grateful to my parents for giving me such a great childhood.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Probably 2019 during Uni. Probably while out in town for drinks.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: I would love to go up the ranks in my job, hopefully have a kid OR a dog with my partner and be on the road to buying my first home.

I would love to have more money for: Travelling. This is where I really really try to save for. I haven’t been to a lot of places and I would love to be able to travel the world.

Describe your financial low: Having three bank accounts open and all of them having $0. Having to borrow money from my parents for rent and living off Marmite and toast for breakfast lunch and dinner. Again, I am extremely grateful to have parents that can help me out in tougher situations.