As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, an artist and cafe worker explains what they spend their money on.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 29.
Ethnicity: Pākehā.
Role: Artist and cafe worker.
Salary/income/assets: $420 a week guaranteed.
My living location is: Suburban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $230, living with my friend’s mum.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: Student loan.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: I try for $70. If I have any cash in my wallet I always use it at the grocery shop.
Eating out: Only as a reward after a decent art project, I really try not to make a habit. But if I can I do try and go for a nice steak dinner once a month.
Takeaways: I’ll treat myself to a fancy coffee every few weeks.
Workday lunches: I am so lucky to be fed in the cafe, I think it’s half the reason I have the job?
Cafe coffees/snacks: Mostly from work. Occasionally I may splurge on a nice coffee on my days off, but never more than once a week.
Other food costs: I love my tomatoes, and sell seedlings in the spring to help offset the cost of having a veggie garden.
Savings: I save every week, even if just a few dollars. It’s a really important habit for me.
I worry about money: Sometimes.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Lucky, secure, intentional. But it’s taken a lot of inner work to get to this stage.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Sourdough baguette and dark chocolate. It’s my treat every week and normally lasts for a few breakfasts, you just shove a few squares inside a baguette slice, microwave it, and enjoy the luxury.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: I don’t drink often, maybe $20 a month?
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $20 on public transport. I live in Ōtautahi and luckily our transport is capped after 10 trips.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Maybe $100-$200? I thrift most clothes, the only times I really buy new are for band merch.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: I went on a “big shopping spree” when I moved down to Ōtautahi, and spent a grand total of $47 in the op shops…
My last pair of shoes cost: $70 Converse, on sale! I wear them all the time, they’re platforms so they’re so comfy for walking.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: I put aside $5 a week towards beauty costs, this is more than enough as I cut and dye my own hair, and try to buy beauty products when they’re on sale.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: I walk everywhere so have never considered a gym membership!
My last Friday night cost: $146. I treated myself to a rural staycation to enjoy the eclipse. $120 went on accommodation, $20 on supermarket snacks and $6 on hot chips.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Cigarettes. They’re not worth the cost. But sometimes I just crave them and suddenly i’ve spent $40 on a pack of 20. Sure it lasts a month, but I really hate buying them.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: I spent $300 on a hotel room over New Years – I was temporarily living in a hostel and I just wanted to wake up feeling relaxed. It was the only room left in the whole village as I’d left it til the absolute last minute, but I genuinely think it set me up for a very good start to the year.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Everywhere!!!!!!!! If I can thrift it or DIY it, I will. If I can work out a way to exchange my time for something, I will.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Opportunistic, treat your self (intentionally).
I grew up in a house where money was: Worshipped. But also hoarded, and never actually abundant: It was a huge focus for my parents, and I think it’s why I’ve built a life that doesn’t revolve around it. Sure we need it, but also it’s not the main purpose in life.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Last Wednesday. I used the wrong account.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Hopefully just as secure. Though the cost of living is constantly stretching my skills at living a low-cost life.
I would love to have more money for: Travel. This is where I end up sinking most of the money from my art, but it’s OK. It’s all worth the experiences.
Describe your financial low: I was really dumb straight out of high school, and racked up $5,000 of debt between credit cards and overdrafts so fast. It took me years to work out how to claw my way out of it, but once I did I refused to ever go back there. Now I don’t borrow from my future self.
