The cost of being: A (mostly) retired nurse living alone

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a mostly retired registered nurse explains where their money goes.

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Gender: Female.

Age: 73.

Ethnicity: Tangata Tiriti.

Role: Registered nurse, mostly retired, work about six hours one day a week in a private cardiology clinic.

Salary/income/assets: Approximately $42,000 Super and salary – my home is mortgage-free.

My living location is: Suburban.

Rent/mortgage per week: None. I’m single and live alone.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: None. And I pay my credit card in full every month!

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: Average about $70-$80. Live alone.

Eating out: Occasionally. Maybe $50 a month.

Takeaways: About $30 a month.

Workday lunches: None.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $20 a month.

Other food costs: I have a vegepod for growing herbs and a few veges such as lettuce, but I’m not great at it. I have several fruit trees, I bottle my fruit and make jam.

Savings: I managed to save well while working full time, with KiwiSaver and an investment fund. Now I’m drawing from them, a set amount monthly, $1300. This is saved as much as possible for big expenses and travel.

I worry about money: Rarely.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Comfortable enough (mostly).

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Whittaker’s Dark Ghana – which I’m good at making last!

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: I buy wine by the carton, a week would be 2-3 bottles so about $30.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: Fares paid with SuperGold card! Petrol about $15 a week.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $500.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $90 fabric to sew some tops. Haven’t bought much this year, other years it could be more!

My last pair of shoes cost: $12 sneakers from The Warehouse.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Moisturiser, shampoo from the refill stand at the supermarket, 4-5 haircuts a year, sunblock. So about $220.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: Lately, nothing. I walk and tramp, and my boots, raincoat, poles etc are very durable.

My last Friday night cost: Nothing. Not my scene at my age!

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: An e-bike. I didn’t enjoy it, and then it got stolen!

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Tour to Egypt and Jordan. Expensive but worth it!

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: So-called luxury foods. Can’t see the point.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Careful, realistic, generous, content.

I grew up in a house where money was: My father died when I was a child, and my mother was a child of the Depression, so it was a bit careful.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Pretty much as I am now.

I would love to have more money for: TRAVEL!

Describe your financial low: This month, probably! But it was just a combination of several big expenses, and I’ll be fine again by next week. If there was ever a serious one, it’s so long ago I don’t remember.

I give money away to: Charities. Some monthly, some annually.