The cost of being: An unemployed 31-year-old who wishes he could afford good food

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a ‘broke’ volunteer and former policy adviser explains how he gets by.

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Gender: Man.

Age: 31.

Ethnicity: Mixed ethnicity.

Role: Unemployed (ex-policy adviser); volunteer (cultural safety/training lead).

Salary/income/assets: $374.92/wk.

My living location is: Urban.

Rent/mortgage per week: $200.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: $20/wk (credit card debt for medical bills).

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $80/wk.

Eating out: $0.

Takeaways: $0.

Workday lunches: $0.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $0.

Savings: $10/wk (average)

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Broke, depressing, unliveable.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Cheese.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $2.50 (a bottle of cider once a month – if it’s on special).

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $30-$35. $30 Flamingo weekly pass, $5 for the bus if the weather is bad (and I have to go to out, otherwise I just stay home).

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $100.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Shoes ($80).

My last pair of shoes cost: $80, casual.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $250-$300 ($25/mth, buzzcut).

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0.

My last Friday night cost: $0.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Takeaways. If it’s cheap, it’s not satisfying. It wasn’t satisfying.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: $90 Christmas gift to myself: music production software, intro pack (creative outlet).

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Food.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Frugal, self-conscious, anxious, tight, caring.

I grew up in a house where money was: Tight. Solo mum, two kids.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Two weeks ago. Didn’t have the money to pay for a Flamingo scooter weekly pass (cheapest travel option).

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: In a better place than I am now (I hope).

Describe your financial low: Two months ago. Friend had to give me money to see a doctor because I couldn’t afford the transport or the $20 appointment (with Community Services Card) to check out a possible broken bone after a tumble. I’d spent my last $20 buying Betadine and dressings from the pharmacy for the grazes. The bone was broken; I still haven’t been able to repay the friend.

I would love to have more money for: Good food. Ploughmans/Freya’s bread vs $1.20 wholemeal. Chicken breast vs canned chicken.

I give money away to: I don’t have enough money to give away…