As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a small town SESTA driver explains how they manage their money.
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Gender: Male
Age: 56
Ethnicity: Euro/NZ
Role: Part time SESTA (Specialised School Transport Assistance) driver who cares for his mum.
Salary/income/assets: $23,280 before tax from 40 part time weeks per year. Plus we have mum’s state pension. $2o,000 in KiwiSaver, another $225,000 invested. We own a four-bed home between us.
My living location is: Small town
Rent/mortgage per week: $0 because we own the home.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: $0
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: About $125, including non-grocery household items.
Eating out: $0, actively avoid it.
Takeaways: $16 on fish and chips every couple of months. I fake-away everything else we like.
Workday lunches: $0, I’m home between school pick ups and drop offs, so cook for us both.
Cafe coffees/snacks: $0, strict home brewer only.
Savings: $100 a week drops into an investment account just to have the habit. 4% KiwiSaver from my wages.
I worry about money: Always.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Eroding security, fortunate.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Whittaker’s chocolate pods, mum’s favourite bought on birthdays and Christmas.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0, rarely drink these days.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $75. I make a $300 tank of petrol last at least a month. This is manageable because I don’t have to commute for work.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $150 in a once a year buy up of T-shirts and undies from Kmart.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A heavy weight black T-shirt at $14.
My last pair of shoes cost: $240, replacement Birkenstock sandals… still unworn as I’m murdering the old pair over winter. Usually last about 3-4 years.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $400: 4x$40 haircuts, blades and Palmolive shaving soap for my old school single-blade razor, decent deodorant stick and whatever aftershave The Warehouse has on special.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0, Shanks’ pony is free.
My last Friday night cost: $0, I have become a stay-at-home hermetic misanthrope.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: $90 on black trainers for work… they don’t quite fit right.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Four tires, bought on special the day after the Iran war started and living in my garage until they need fitting.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: The supermarket. We are being robbed and I am doing my best not to go near the bandits who are robbing us. The local butcher (basically a farm shop) has mince $5 per kilo cheaper than the supermarkets. The local grocer/Indian specialty place is superb and always cheaper on seasonal produce. And The Warehouse has household basics like baking paper, tissues, bleach and soaps etc.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be… Trying hard not to spend.
I grew up in a house where money was: Available in limited quantities. We had what we needed, but I was in my 20s before my parents could afford a reliable car. And my 30s before I had an international holiday.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Downsizing. I’d do it now, but moving would be too much of a strain on my mum. Will try to return to full time work when the time comes, but my age makes it unrealistic.
I would love to have more money for: Security and free time.
Describe your financial low: Now. Lowest income I’ve had since the mid-90s. Returned to NZ in 2018 and frequently regret it. Reserves steadily depleting. I would once have described us as comfortable, but incessant cost increases are eroding security, while wages decline in real terms.
I give money away to: Cambridge Community House and Waikato Hospice, usually in March, claim your rebates people….
