As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a TV producer near the end of their career shares their financial situation.

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Gender: Male.

Age: 61.

Ethnicity: NZ European.

Role: Television producer in a dying industry.

Salary/income/assets: $75k PA, KiwiSaver, mortgage-free Auckland home.

My living location is: Suburban.

Rent/mortgage per week: $0. It took a lot of hard work over the years.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: $0. It took even more hard work! Never get a car loan, they’re a scam.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: $300 a week for my wife and myself. Combo of My Food Bag and supermarket.

Eating out: $0, not a regular event for us.

Takeaways: $25 (actually $50 a fortnight, we’d do dumplings or Thai once a fortnight).

Workday lunches: $15 a week, only buy lunch once a week.

Cafe coffees/snacks: $0, free coffee machine at work.

Savings: Still saving couple hundy a month, have had it set as an automatic payment for years. Always put a little something aside, even when you think you can’t afford it.

I worry about money: Rarely.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Lucky, secure, worked hard to get to where I am now (yes it’s more than three words).

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Dumplings via Uber. And sweet bread. Yum!

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $20 just a bottle a week. Hmm, that sounds worse than I thought.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $10. Drive an EV because of rising petrol prices. Will probably shift to the train if congestion charges come into effect in Auckland.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $2,000.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: $200 shirt for a wedding. I’ve put on weight so the shirt doesn’t fit anymore.

My last pair of shoes cost: $90 Skechers. Very comfy and will buy again. Good bargains to be had at Manawa Bay shops.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $300. Just haircuts. $50/haircut every 2 months.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $0 outside of sneakers for walking, don’t do the gym.

My last Friday night cost: $20, with the aforementioned red wine.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Cheap shoes. Not worth the pain.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A new hobby has made me open my wallet. But having a hobby is essential, so thoroughly worth it.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Using electricity. We have solar and an EV so buying expensive electricity annoys me.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: When spending, make it count – don’t fritter away on crap.

I grew up in a house where money was: Available. No overseas holidays as a kid, but we had a warm house, new clothes and loads of food. Mum and Dad both worked, so we had money, they just weren’t overly flash with it.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never, I keep a good tally of what’s in the account and don’t try to buy anything if it’s empty (yes, sometimes it’s at $0 just before payday).

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Starting to tuck into my KiwiSaver, hopefully retired. But I wish I had started KiwiSaver when I was younger, it’s a no-brainer and anyone not contributing into their account while working is a fool.

I would love to have more money for: Overseas travel. Have travelled the globe in my 20s and 30s, now I’d like to go to France for two months to chill. Or Spain. I’m not fussy.

Describe your financial low: Was facing redundancy at 60 last year. There’s just no work out there for us aged experienced people. From good income to the dole? It was a sobering moment. Have worked all my life, raised good kids… but I have my roof over my head, so I appreciate how lucky I am. But it was a tough 30 years that came with a high toll, so don’t begrudge me for what I have now.

I give money away to: Cancer Society, because F$#! cancer. Starship, because they’re awesome. The odd Givealittle that tugs at the heartstrings. It’s a shame my tax dollars don’t give enough to these areas instead of perks to politicians.