As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains where their money goes, and why Mondays are the best night of the week.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 36.
Ethnicity: Pākehā.
Role: Teacher.
Salary/income/assets: Salary: $103,000.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $650 a week split between me and my fiancé.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: None, thank the lord.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $200 for the two of us. My fiancé is a great cook so we eat at home a lot. Having a big grocery spend lets us enjoy our Pepsi Max raspberry and Proper Crisps throughout the week as a lil treat.
Eating out: $60 a week (but not every week) – when we dine out we like to go somewhere low key and affordable.
Takeaways: $40 a week. We have an ongoing takeaway Mondays with two of our friends. The rules are: we pick somewhere to eat that none of us have tried (to stop us always going back to Paradise) and must be under $20pp. It’s turned Mondays into the best day of the week, and we have tried so many new places (plus there are so many family deals at takeaway places – lots of times we have enough to have lunch the next day).
Workday lunches: $0 on account of my chef wife.
Cafe coffees/snacks: $15 a week for my standing Thursday morning coffee date with my favourite colleague.
Other food costs: $10 a week averaged out for our vege garden. Last winter it never got cold enough in Auckland and my cabbages grew all splayed out, and my cauliflower was a rusty unappetising colour. This winter I’m hoping to grow more rhubarb, and will try some alternative winter crops to see what works.
Savings: $300 into a ring fund for my partner. $200 into Investnow total world fund. $200 into saving for lawyers fees for co-homeownership. And $100 into an emergency fund.
I worry about money: Rarely.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Cautious, happy, improving.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Nerds gummy lollies from the dairy. And Muzza’s Pies.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $30. Sometimes I’ll head to happy hour with my colleagues on a Friday, otherwise I’ll have wines or spirits at home with friends.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $20-ish. I am lucky enough to live super close to work, so I get dropped off and then walk home. Contemplating how much I need to keep my car in the current fuel crisis.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $3000-ish. I don’t shop a lot in New Zealand, but when I go overseas all bets are off and I can go a little wild. Last year’s shopping sprees took place in the Philippines while there on holiday, then Melbourne while on holiday. Places like Uniqlo tend to take lots of my money (I can’t complain, I buy their classics and thrash them all year long). I recently read a book by Emma Edwards about not buying clothes for a year. And I have committed to that to try and break the always needing new outfits cycle. Will see how this goes. It’s been a few months and I’m feeling good about it.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Some Bared Footwear shoes for a wedding, just classic black heels for $329. Hopefully they will carry me through a few more events.
My last pair of shoes cost: $380 for some blue suede Birkenstock Bostons. I have been wearing them to work with and without socks. They are the ultimate comfy slide.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $3000. I have a small Chemist Warehouse obsession that might need reining in. I love a lash lift and a bit of a tan. I don’t dye my hair but get a good (expensive) cut every three months.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $500. I bought a walking pad that I now hate and it’s just taking up space in our tiny lounge. The rest was on sporadic gym memberships and running shoes.
My last Friday night cost: $0 – dinner at home and catching up on MAFS.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: The fricken walking pad. Luckily second hand off Facebook Marketplace, but I’ve only used it twice. Hated it both times. I will put it back on Marketplace this week!
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: $1000 for my ADHD assessment. I had been struggling through work and life. Being medicated has made things a lot easier inside my brain and also in my life. Shoutout to Dex.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Food. I’m always wolfing down free food from the shared table at work; currently staying at a hotel that has a buffet breakfast and best believe I’m sneaking croissants into my bag every morning.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Organised, hopeful, always learning, ordered.
I grew up in a house where money was: Mentioned as something we needed to save, but never talked about beyond that.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: A few years ago when I went to buy an expensive lamp.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: With a smaller mortgage and more licence to travel to the expensive areas of the world.
I would love to have more money for: Travel and nights out at bougie restaurants.
Describe your financial low: I remember needing to use my ex’s credit card to pay to see the doctor when I was young and had a UTI. It was so embarrassing and also sore. I hated relying on someone else for healthcare, I also hated how expensive the doctor was and how many times I had to revisit to get it all sorted.
I give money away to: Nowhere honestly. Is it bad to say I think the taxes we pay should provide the services we need as a society? I occasionally am roused to make a one-off donation to a Givealittle but it is very rare.
