As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a regional journalist explains where their money goes.

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Gender: Male.

Age: 29.

Ethnicity: Pākehā New Zealander.

Role: Regional journalist.

Salary/income/assets: $65,000.

My living location is: Suburban.

Rent/mortgage per week: $525, split 50/50 with my partner.

Student loan or other debt payments per week: $85.

Typical weekly food costs

Groceries: Roughly $150 for the two of us, including meal delivery box.

Eating out: Rare, but will easily spend around $50 on the odd meal out. Maybe once or twice a month.

Takeaways: $20 a week.

Workday lunches: $7 for a scroll and/or bao bun.

Cafe coffees/snacks: N/a.

Savings: $100 to $200 per week.

I worry about money: Always.

Three words to describe my financial situation: Comfortable, anxious, lucky.

My biggest edible indulgence would be: Fast food – specifically a BBQ rodeo burger from BK.

In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Can be anywhere from $19 to $200, depending on the week.

In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: N/a.

I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $1000+.

My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A second-hand Carhartt jacket, for $250.

My last pair of shoes cost: Crocs, $40.

My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Around $100 annually for deodorant, shampoo etc. I cut my own hair and use products minimally.

My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $19 per week gym membership.

My last Friday night cost: Concert tickets, $150, and two drinks at the venue, $28.

Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Multiple small purchases of booze on a night out. My most expensive night this year was $300 and it still hurts me to think about.

Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: Clothing and vinyl records. I’ve whittled the vinyl down to one a fortnight, and I buy a new item of clothing once or twice a month.

One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Food. I could afford to eat healthier.

Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Carefree in the streets, anxious in the sheets.

I grew up in a house where money was: Tight. My parents were poor and we were a very no frills household.

The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: My card is always topped up.

In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: I have OK savings, but unless my position changes or I get a raise, I don’t see myself very far ahead from where I am now.

I would love to have more money for: Books, records, travel.

Describe your financial low: My partner and I moved in together two months ago. With the bond, moving costs and new furniture (I was in a solo apartment prior to this), I needed to withdraw from my Sharesies account to get by, and when that didn’t come through quickly enough, my partner had to pay my share of the first weeks rent and groceries.

I give money away to: N/a.