As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, an HR professional explains why she’s ‘anxious, but coasting’.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 41.
Ethnicity: Pākehā.
Role: HR professional.
Salary/income/assets: Over $90k.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $450 per week split between two. I feel extremely lucky as I live centrally and one-bedroom units now go for $500pw. It’s basic but my landlord is good – I’ve not had a single inspection or rent rise in five years.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: Student loan takes over $300 a fortnight.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: I spend $150 a fortnight at the supermarket.
Eating out: I budget $30 per week but I save that up and eat somewhere nice or go to a show less than once a month.
Takeaways: $30pw.
Workday lunches: None. I work from home three days and the other two just pack lunch.
Cafe coffees/snacks: None unless someone else invites me… maybe $10 a month. I don’t do coffee but I do wander to the dairy and grab a cold drink… so $8 per week.
Other food costs: $10pw for my garden (eight pots).
Savings: Including retirement, travel and house deposit I put away about $1,300 a fortnight.
I worry about money: Always.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Anxious, but coasting. (I have a house deposit but because I’m single and live in Auckland I’m struggling to buy a home which is where the anxiety comes in. I have plenty of money but no real security or freedom because I’m renting.)
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Celebrations. I have to have a dedicated fund for them because I will buy the best wine and food for special occasions.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Most weeks nothing but if I average out Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, holidays and crappy Tuesdays, $20 per week. I tend to restock my wine and cocktail cart at Christmas.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $20 petrol, $15 bus.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $1,200. I budget annually and deduct a set amount from each pay. Last year I spent the full $1,200 but it did include skincare, jewellery, shoes, underwear and clothing.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $250 on ankle boots.
My last pair of shoes cost: $25 on some ballet flats.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $90. I cut my hair at home and receive a skincare subscription.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $100 pool fees. I’ve been battling a chronic illness and long Covid for a couple of years now so haven’t been back to the gym since 2020, but on good weeks I do head to the pool in winter and beach in summer.
My last Friday night cost: $15, bottle of wine bought on sale at Christmas plus $80 for my share of the Airbnb we stayed at.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: I always regret takeaways.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Investing in a good dietitian, they have been amazing and have really guided well on the best ways to take care of myself while managing chronic illnesses.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Rent. I’m not moving till I buy because it’s cheap, even though I desperately want a garden and cat.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Balanced, fun, structured, anxious.
I grew up in a house where money was: Managed by my mother. She taught me how to plan and save while not being too strict. She also gave us the basics around debt and investing. My father is more of a wild card. He can make money hand over fist but it does also just slip through his fingers. But they are both generous and spend money on others.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Can’t recall. I don’t swipe without knowing exactly how much is my account.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: As a homeowner rebuilding my KiwiSaver.
Describe your financial low: About 15 years ago I was pretty much homeless. I had left a bad relationship and was too proud to let people know how much I was struggling mentally and why. I eventually moved home to regroup but for six months prior just floated from couch to couch and spent a couple of nights in my car.
I would love to have more money for: A cleaner. I hate housework, it makes me want to stab myself in the face. I hired a cleaner once last year when I was really struggling with my health and my boyfriend was away… it was not relaxing, I felt guilty the whole time she was there.
I give money away to: Family, friends who are fundraising, charities that support women, mental health and food banks.