The cost of being: A retired 72-year-old living off super, with ‘not much left in the pot’

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a superannuitant and ‘very anxious budgeter’ shares how they get by.

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Gender: Not stated.

Age: 72

Ethnicity: NZ Euro.

Role: Retired.

Salary/income/assets: Super (current rates are $606.67 per week, before tax, for a single person living alone).

My living location is: Urban.

Rent/mortgage per week: Freehold house.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: n/a

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $100

Eating out: Meet a friend for coffee and a walk around the garden centre once a fortnight on pay day.

Takeaways: A salmon and lettuce sandwich and a raspberry slice from local bakery every second week.

Workday lunches: n/a

Cafe coffees/snacks: See above.

Other food costs: n/a

Savings: Can’t really save but put aside $10 per week towards hairdresser.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Constantly concerned, careful.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: I buy cheap chocolate bars for grandchild but often eat them myself.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Zero, gave up two years ago.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $60 Waitomo fuel once a month.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $500 tops. I buy cheap Temu dresses and leggings, $6 Warehouse T-shirts and decent undies from Farmers where my account is in credit.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $50 each on bras, $20 on knickers.

My last pair of shoes cost: $30 on Number One sneakers on sale.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $500 on hair, occasional cuts and foils done by hairdresser friend at home. Makeup and skin care on Farmers account, mostly Natio.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Nil. Walk or free bus rides courtesy of Winnie and his gold card.

My last Friday night cost: Nothing, home watching TV.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A birthday Prezzy Card for my ungrateful brother, won’t do that again.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A $59 handbag from the garden centre.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Heating the house in winter. I only turn on the heater if family or friends visit. Go to bed, wear a beanie and dressing gown and turn the electric blanket on.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Reformed spender, very anxious budgeter.

I grew up in a house where money was: Father a teacher, mum a nurse aide so not dripping in cash but never discussed in front of the kids. We didn’t go without and lived a simple and full life where everyone seemed alike. 1950s and 60s.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Hasn’t happened… yet.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Having run out of money in part because of my inability to pay rates, insurance and other utilities.

I would love to have more money for: Fix my 2005 car, pay for a plumber and builder to make essential repairs to my home.

Describe your financial low: Several redundancies in my working life. I never quite rebuilt my savings or KiwiSaver and consequently went into retirement seven years ago with not much left in the pot.

I give money away to: I have helped out one of my children considerably over the years. Did so readily and didn’t realistically expect repayment.