The cost of being: A dairy farm worker who’s saving money ‘because I feel like I should be’

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a young dairy farm worker shares their financial comings and going.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 24.

Ethnicity: Māori

Role: Dairy farm worker

Salary/income/assets: $76,000 per year .

My living location is: Rural.

Rent/mortgage per week: $300 per week. I live alone so pay this myself.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Student loan debt. Usually around 250 dollar repayment each fortnight. Sometimes more or less just depends on how many hours I work.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $140 per week for just myself + 1 cat

Eating out: $30-50.

Takeaways: A kebab combo once a week – $24.

Workday lunches: $0

Cafe coffees/snacks: $25 per week.

Other food costs: N/A.

Savings: I don’t save nearly as much as I should. I have $1,800 in savings. Currently just saving because I feel like I should be and that I need a large savings to fall back on if some sort of emergency were to happen

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Anxious, below average, frivolous. 

My biggest edible indulgence would be: A cheese scone from the coffee cart.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be:$150 on petrol. I live rural so travel into the small town to go to the gym a lot and into the bigger city usually about twice a week.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $4,000.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A Saben Fifi handbag that cost $439.

My last pair of shoes cost:$170 for a pair of asics running shoes.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: I get my nails done once a month for $75 and probably spend about $100 a month on hair, body and skin care. Estimate $2,500 a year, including hair dye and the occasional make up product.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about:$1,416 in a gym membership, $300 in club sports fees, $340 on 2x rugby boots and netball court shoes, $300 on 2x pairs of shoes for the gym.

My last Friday night cost: $20.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was:A Ninja creamy that was $280 and I’ve used like twice.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A Huffer puffer vest. $200 but I wear it almost every day.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Power, as I pay the whole bill myself.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be… Reckless, inconsistent, unstable, irresponsible and unsure.

I grew up in a house where money was: Complicated. My parents both earned good money. My mum always prioritised needs and necessities. Whereas my dad often spent a lot of his money on alcohol and wants, leaving my mum to cover for him a lot. Making their relationship strained and a lot of talks about money and financial decisions .

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never. I always transfer money around. Even if it often means taking out of my savings.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Hopefully with a lot more savings. My biggest financial goal is to save more money in case of an emergency.

I would love to have more money for: An overseas trip.

Describe your financial low: When I transferred the last 27 dollars out of my savings to go buy dinner with my friends. Approximately nine months ago.

I give money away to… No one.