As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a high school teacher and solo parent shares their financial situation.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 44.
Ethnicity: NZ European.
Role: High School teacher and head of department.
Salary/income/assets: $113,000 before tax.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $300 just me, a solo mum and my tween.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: No other debts. Have worked really hard to pay everything off. Had built up an emergency fund but just had to spent $950 on fixing my car. So starting the emergency fund again.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $180 for two of us.
Eating out: Never.
Takeaways: Never.
Workday lunches: Take packed lunch, fruit, crackers, nut bar.
Cafe coffees/snacks: $20 per fortnight max.
Savings: 6% KiwiSaver. Saving for when I retire. Also currently saving up a $1,000 emergency fund… slowly.
I worry about money: Always.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Careful, inequitable, insecure.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Pams Mexican salad.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Zero.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $40, commuting 50 minutes per day in a small, economical car.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $400, mainly op shop purchases.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Jeans, bought online from the US. Almost $200. Was feeling fat and bloated and buying secondhand jeans is usually a disaster.
My last pair of shoes cost: $14 from Kmart.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Hairdressers, $800 – my only vice.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $364, $7 per week gym membership.
My last Friday night cost: Zero, stayed home as normal.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Very expensive jeans. I like them but such a lot of money and sent my budget into panic mode.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A four-slice toaster from Kmart. Has transformed my life!
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Is it a want or a need? 99% of my purchases are “need” only.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Cautious, anxious, frugal, prudent, creative.
I grew up in a house where money was: Not discussed but for about a decade it was enough for family holidays twice a year.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: June 2024.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: In a similar position as now. Carefully budgeting. Worrying how I will support my child through university.
Describe your financial low: Domestic violence and financial abuse, new baby, no job, huge debts, continued abuse and legal stress.
I would love to have more money for: Ensuring my child can go to university. Going on holiday without the prospect causing undue financial stress. Going to the supermarket without anxiety at the checkout. Paying my rates bill that had increased by almost $800 per year.
I give money away to: Saving for my child’s future. Occasional Givealittle causes or fund raisers that I empathise with.
