Budgeting did not come easily to 37-year-old Dunedin mother of one, Joan*, about six years ago.
For the first six months when she was getting her finances under control with the help of Dunedin Budget Advisory Service, she "lived" at the foodbanks.
It was degrading and embarrassing and sometimes she felt too ashamed to go, she says.
She was directed to budget advice by Work and Income almost six years ago when she was $3000 in debt as she adjusted from earning around $500 a week to living on a benefit.
But once the budget was worked out, she found it hard to stick to.
Eventually, she got sick of running out of basic foods and looking in the cupboard thinking "what the hell can I do with nothing?" Friends also told her she could not carry on like she was and to get her act together.
She is proud to say now that she has not been to a foodbank for about four years and has been debt-free since October 2006.
She works 25 hours in a job which pays the minimum wage, lives in a Housing New Zealand house, with all of her own furniture and appliances, runs a 1991 car and has a dog.
She also owns two computers, a cellphone, a digital camera and a stereo she has had for 20 years.
Joan estimates she spends half of her $200 housekeeping on food.
She has stopped buying butter, only buys eggs occasionally and has not had cheese in the fridge for a while. She has also cut back on milk.
For fruit, she buys bananas and apples (and oranges if they are on special). Often, she buys frozen vegetables.
She does not drink alcohol but spends about $35 a week on tobacco.
She is aware some people might be critical of that - "everybody has got to have a release. Other people might have a glass of sherry every night."
Another $50 goes on petrol.
Any money left over at the end of the week goes on treating her 4-year-old daughter.
Increases in the cost of food and petrol have the most impact on her finances, she says.
She has a heat pump in her house which is reasonably economical.
Her advice to people who may be struggling with their finances is not to be ashamed to ask for help.
Budgeting help has been her "safety net", she says.
*Not her real name.
Joan's tips
- Cut up your credit card.
- Shop for price, not brands.
- Go op-shopping for clothes - it's more fun than buying new.
- Save up for large items.
- Buy good second-hand appliances.
- Look for garage sale bargains.
- Cook large casseroles and freeze the extra for later use.
- Look for specials on meat, fruit and vegetables.
Joan's weekly budget
- $200 tax credit.
- $230.
- Net total: $430.
- Rent: $107.
- Day care: $50.
- Power: $30.
- Telephone: $22.50.
- Sky television: $12.
- Housekeeping: $200.
* Insurances are paid monthly.
