As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a part-time media librarian and superannuitant explains how he spends and saves.
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Gender: Male
Age: 65
Ethnicity: European
Role: Media librarian
Income: In total about $50k (NZ super and part-time job), a $1m house, $55k KiwiSaver, solar panels (no power costs), water tank (no water costs). Husband is unwaged.
My living location is: Small town
Rent/mortgage per week: Nil
Student loan or other debt payments per week: Nil
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $200 – shared with my husband.
Eating out: $200
Takeaways: Nil
Workday lunches: Nil
Cafe coffees/snacks: Nil, free at work.
Other food costs: Growing salad and herbs in the garden.
Savings: Yes, savings used for home and car maintenance, insurance, travel.
I worry about money: Rarely.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Secure, comfortable, happy.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Mussels and chips at the Belgian cafe.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $50
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Nil due to free SuperGold Card travel.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $200.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Winter hoodie, $100.
My last pair of shoes cost: Pair of Converse sneakers, $110.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $50 Body Shop male deodorant.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Nil
My last Friday night cost: $50 dinner and drinks at the Waiheke RSA.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Air New Zealand return tickets to Napier. Both flights were cancelled.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: $300 on secondhand books in shops around the country.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Clothes shopping.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Careful, not impulse driven, saver.
I grew up in a house where money was: Tight but comfortable.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: A little less rich due to planned overseas travel.
I would love to have more money for: Longer travel.
Describe your financial low: Conscripted for two years in 1980 as conscientious objector, forced to live on a soldier’s salary but not housed, clothed or fed, unlike them.
I give money away to: Local Waiheke charities.
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