The cost of being: A 45-year-old tech worker fighting ‘lifestyle creep'

The Spinoff

26-05-2025

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, an 'obsessed' saver and investor shares a glimpse into her finances.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 45.
Ethnicity: Pākehā.
Role: Full-time in tech, no kids.
Salary/income/assets: $95k salary. Modest investment earnings.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $0 – I was not focused on money in my 20s and 30s, so I was incredibly lucky to get my act together and scramble onto the property ladder just in time before prices went crazy. I purchased something modest at a good price and was able to pay it off pretty quickly once the focus was there. It's heartbreaking that younger people generally don't have that luxury of taking their time these days.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: $0 – no student loan. I only buy cheap cars with cash and don't crave expensive toys.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: Two adults, shared grocery bill of about $250.
Eating out: We go to a cheap and cheerful joint about once a week or so and spend $40-ish. Somewhere fancy four to five times per year and spend $200+.
Takeaways: $30 from the local shops once a week.
Workday lunches: $15 – I BYO lunches as much as possible but might get something once a week.
Cafe coffees/snacks: I can't bring myself to buy coffee, it has gotten so expensive, but occasionally I'm too haggard and need it – $10 monthly.
Savings: I'm a little bit obsessed with building a retirement nest egg right now. Currently putting away $500 per week into long-term investments and trying to not let lifestyle creep be a thing. I've been frugal for years while paying down the mortgage as quickly as possible, and it was a grind, so I'd like to also save for a overseas trip and celebrate the milestone.
I worry about money: Rarely.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Lucky, privileged, grateful.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Hot chips.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $10 – a quiet beer or a wine at home. I'm not the party animal I used to be.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $25 petrol, $20 buses.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $600 – I try to pick sustainable underwear brands and quality secondhand clothes as much as possible.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $60 a secondhand wool jumper.
My last pair of shoes cost: $100 hardly worn secondhand leather boots that should last me a few winters.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $1,500 – this is probably where the most lifestyle creep has occurred as I get older. Expensive hair appointments three times per year, facials and nice skincare.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $650 gym membership, $100 sneakers.
My last Friday night cost: $0 – movie, snacks and a cheap wine at home.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Not much, maybe an overpriced cocktail or something – I'm pretty careful these days, but when I make a mistake I shrug and move on quickly.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don't regret) in the last 12 months was: Bitcoin – maybe a regret or maybe the best investment ever, but it will be an interesting experiment and I'm ok with either outcome.
One area where I'm a bit of a tightwad is: Coffee.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Learning, evolving, repairing past mistakes.
I grew up in a house where money was: Stable but not abundant, with a basic old-school approach to things. I have always worked and earned my own money, but I had to teach myself modern concepts of budgeting, credit, saving and investing. Podcasts have been a great resource.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: A few months ago. I forgot what was in the account and had to shuffle funds from one account to another then put it through again.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: On my way to financial security in retirement. Still working and saving but enjoying a few treats here and there.
Describe your financial low: I have been very fortunate to have steady work most of the time and a parental safety net when I was young. I was broke and unemployed a few times in my teens and 20s but never felt stressed about fixing the situation.
I would love to have more money for: Supporting local artists, events and businesses. I try to do what I can but I'm not a big spender overall so my impact is not huge right now.