As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a ‘broke’ volunteer and former policy adviser explains how he gets by.
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Gender: Man.
Age: 31.
Ethnicity: Mixed ethnicity.
Role: Unemployed (ex-policy adviser); volunteer (cultural safety/training lead).
Salary/income/assets: $374.92/wk.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $200.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: $20/wk (credit card debt for medical bills).
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $80/wk.
Eating out: $0.
Takeaways: $0.
Workday lunches: $0.
Cafe coffees/snacks: $0.
Savings: $10/wk (average)
I worry about money: Always.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Broke, depressing, unliveable.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Cheese.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $2.50 (a bottle of cider once a month – if it’s on special).
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $30-$35. $30 Flamingo weekly pass, $5 for the bus if the weather is bad (and I have to go to out, otherwise I just stay home).
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $100.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Shoes ($80).
My last pair of shoes cost: $80, casual.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $250-$300 ($25/mth, buzzcut).
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0.
My last Friday night cost: $0.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Takeaways. If it’s cheap, it’s not satisfying. It wasn’t satisfying.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: $90 Christmas gift to myself: music production software, intro pack (creative outlet).
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Food.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Frugal, self-conscious, anxious, tight, caring.
I grew up in a house where money was: Tight. Solo mum, two kids.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Two weeks ago. Didn’t have the money to pay for a Flamingo scooter weekly pass (cheapest travel option).
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: In a better place than I am now (I hope).
Describe your financial low: Two months ago. Friend had to give me money to see a doctor because I couldn’t afford the transport or the $20 appointment (with Community Services Card) to check out a possible broken bone after a tumble. I’d spent my last $20 buying Betadine and dressings from the pharmacy for the grazes. The bone was broken; I still haven’t been able to repay the friend.
I would love to have more money for: Good food. Ploughmans/Freya’s bread vs $1.20 wholemeal. Chicken breast vs canned chicken.
I give money away to: I don’t have enough money to give away…
