The cost of being: A disability beneficiary who can only work one day a week

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a disability beneficiary and part-time charity worker on their approach to spending and the value of a daily coffee.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 44.

Ethnicity: Pākehā.

Role: Disability beneficiary, part-time work for a charity (I currently only work one day a week, due to health). No children, one dog, live with my partner who works full time.

Salary/income/assets: $550 per week (disability allowance and part-time work). No assets.

My living location is: Urban.

Rent/mortgage per week: Rent, $250 per week. Living with two other adults, one of whom is my partner and pays a larger share of the rent because he works full time (so enables me to afford living expenses).

Student loan or other debt payments per week: Loan repayments, $40.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: Averages around $60 per week, sharing costs with the two other members of the house which helps a lot!

Eating out: No.

Takeaways: Occasional takeaways from the local fish and chip shop.

Workday lunches: N/a.

Cafe coffees/snacks: I buy a coffee each day, $7.

Other food costs: We have a veggie garden, have probably spent around $200 on setting it up for the season – it’s going well and providing good produce.

Savings: No!

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Anxious and embarrassed. I try to stay positive about it, otherwise it’s just another thing wearing me down, which is not good for my health.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: A daily soy milk coffee from my local cafe which is on the dog walking route. It’s a nice experience being out, and seeing other locals at the cafe. My lifestyle is quite limited because of my health and budget, so buying a coffee is quite meaningful.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $40.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $0 upfront because I have an electric bike that I ride everywhere. So just the cost of charging absorbed into the household electricity bill.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $400.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Nothing springs to mind, I primarily buy from op shops.

My last pair of shoes cost: $15 from an op shop for a pair of black leather boots – such a score!

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Haircut is the single most expensive item – $120 every two months.
Otherwise it’s all just Chemist Warehouse and supermarket products. Hair dye from the chemist is usually about $15, once a month. Annual cost for the rest maybe $200.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: A big part of my modest budget! I pay $150 per month for a yoga and Pilates studio membership. It’s really important for my health. Also go swimming at the local recreation centre at around $5 a swim.
I ride an electric bike everywhere, so it’s transport and exercise combined. The bike cost $2850, which I purchased at the beginning of the year. I now don’t have any expenditure on petrol which was around $70 a week. Also no parking costs or ongoing car costs.

My last Friday night cost: $30.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Nothing. I don’t have that luxury.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Concert tickets.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: All of my “tightwadness” is built into my lifestyle – op shopping, growing food, riding a bike etc. So I don’t see it that way. It’s also about sustainability.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: You only live once.

I grew up in a house where money was: Mixed messages! Upper middle class, but hugely leveraged with big mortgages causing a lot of stress. Very concerned about image and social status, buying the right things etc.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Last week for an automatic payment that was meant to come out.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Not sure… definitely not rich! Lols

I would love to have more money for: Less stress and a rainy day.

Describe your financial low: Every week now! I was the victim of major financial abuse from my ex-husband three years ago. I was bankrupted by it. So I can’t even get a credit card now.

I give money away to: Greenpeace and SPCA each month.