The cost of being: A public servant who just bought their first home

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a full-time public servant explains what they spend and how they save.

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Gender: Female

Age: 27

Ethnicity: Māori

Role: Full-time public servant.

Salary/income/assets: $115,000 salary, $30,000 in savings, $4,400 in KiwiSaver (I just bought my first home!!!)

My living location is: Suburban

Rent/mortgage per week: Mortgage is roughly $425 per week, not factoring in rates, water, insurance etc.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: None – I paid my student loan off in February this year. It was over $60,000 so pretty thankful to have a few extra dollars in the pocket to now go towards a mortgage.

Groceries: I spend maybe $100 a week on groceries for just me. The freezer is my besties and while I try to buy some things in bulk, I have got to have a really clear idea on what my meal planning and prep will look like each week to minimise waste as best I can.

Eating out: I don't eat out – maybe once a quarter? Even then it doesn't usually exceed $50.

Takeaways: Once a pay cycle (every two weeks) which will cost between $15-25 depending on where I feel like eating.

Workday lunches: I go to the office four days a week. Usually I will take leftovers for lunch, but once a pay cycle I do like to treat myself to lunch which doesn't cost more than $20.

Cafe coffees/snacks: No – I drink the free tea, coffee and Milo available in the office.

Savings: I currently have around $30,000 in my savings account. I don't really know what I am saving for at the moment having recently brought a home and no student loan. I did spend much of my late teens and early twenties travelling for pre-career growth and for work, so maybe travelling as an adult and paying my own way would be pretty fun. Maybe somewhere like Africa for a few months to work in a conservation park, or to the Maldives for diving. Saving is on a bit of a pause at the moment while I get into the swing of paying house costs and figure out what I actually want to do with my savings.

I worry about money: Always

Three words to describe my financial situation: Anxious, secure, confused.

My biggest edible indulgence: Lol I do love a Maccas Frozen Coke and will stop to get one if I am out and about and see a golden arches.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0 – for the last six months at least. I have stopped drinking for no reason other than not feeling like it anymore.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Every two weeks I probably spend around $60 on petrol ($30 a week) – joys of having a hybrid vehicle. Then I spend $68 a week on parking – this is one thing I do splurge on as the convenience of having my car nearby work so I can go to the gym before or after work, and go home when I am ready really is a blessing and an expense I am not willing to reconsider (unless daily parking rises above $20 a day - then I will reconsider).

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Maybe $1,000? This past year I have found some gorgini pieces from Māori brands that I love to wear to work. But I probably haven't bought any new clothing items in the last 5-6 months.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A gorgeous jacket from Hunaarn Kākahu which was $254 and worth every penny.

My last pair of shoes cost: $140 – my beloved outside Uggs, the Sheepskin wool ankle tazzy hippie ones. I love them. They were a Christmas present from me to me.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Hair costs about $300-600 a year for at least one permanent straightening and then a haircut once every 2-3 months. I am very lucky my hairdresser also has an in-home service and can come to my home to do these. Outside of that I don't spend any more than $300 for makeup, skin care or anything else really.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Probably $500 a year for gym membership and pool concessions.

My last Friday night cost: $0 – thankful for a roof over my head, the heater on and a cosy book to read.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Genuinely nothing. Everything I have purchased in the last year was intentional and had a pros and cons list before it was in the cart for purchase.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A recent trip to Fiji. In the middle of trying to purchase my first home and a busy period at work, I decided that I needed a break and took a week off to just relax beachside with family (no kids). All up probably cost $3,000 and it was just what I needed.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Going out to eat. I love a hosting moment and prefer having friends and whānau around to visit rather than going out to eat a meal in a place where people can hear our conversations (we can be a bit out the gate sometimes). I am also very house-proud. So having people around is such a joy for me.

Five words to describe my financial personality: Confused, spender, thoughtful, aware, spender (eeks).

I grew up in a house where money was: Sometimes spoken about. I grew up in a single parent-child household, and we always had enough to get by and some. Money was always a topic prior to visiting family over holidays, and it was a constant reminder to be grateful for what I had compared to the realities at home. I was also fortunate to travel internationally at least once a year from age 7. Trips to Asia, Europe and the Pacific Islands were a staple of my childhood. I was expected to be learning while on these holidays – from practical life skills (doing the itinerary, currency conversions) to history, language or whatever else was different compared to life in NZ. I grew up understanding that sacrifices were made to ensure I lived the life that I did and currently continue to live.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: lol today when trying to pay for parking when I got to work – I forgot to move money from my transport costs account to my everyday spending one which is where any purchases on my card come from.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: With an increased income and starting to think about what a retired life would look like and when.

I would love to have more money for: Supporting my nieces and nephews as they grow up. I want them to be able to experience the world as I have, have opportunities for growth and learning, and options available to them for further/future study or life goals that are important to them.

Describe your financial low: Working a full-time role that paid monthly but not enough to cover basic living expenses (rent, food, transport) while also studying full time.

I give money away to: The RSA as I had/have whānau who have served in the Defence Forces. The Cancer Society as my life has been impacted by whānau who have passed from the big ole C. I also give to GiveALittle fundraisers to support our young people who are doing cool things. I also love a raffle or batons up fundraiser to support the kids of people in my office. I love donating to causes which enable our kids to get out there and learn to be good global citizens or looking for support to do the things they love.