Thespinoff iconThespinoffSep 7, 2026 ~1 min source read

The cost of being: An ‘abundantly-minded but not abundantly pocketed’ receptionist

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a receptionist reveals where they spend and how they save. Receptionist Salary/income/assets: $56,000 per year ($29.00 per hour, 37.5 hours work per week).

The cost of being: An ‘abundantly-minded but not abundantly pocketed’ receptionist

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As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a receptionist reveals where they spend and how they save.

Receptionist Salary/income/assets: $56,000 per year ($29.00 per hour, 37.5 hours work per week).

Urban Rent/mortgage per week: $265.00 per week living with my boyfriend and two other flatmates.

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The useful part

As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a receptionist reveals where they spend and how they save. Receptionist Salary/income/assets: $56,000 per year ($29.00 per hour, 37.5 hours work per week). Urban Rent/mortgage per week: $265.00 per week living with my boyfriend and two other flatmates.

How it works

  • So $7.50 for a vege green curry pie most weeks to cap off the work week.
  • I park my car in the apartment's garage so weekly fee for that is included in my rent.
  • Student loan that will be fully paid off by April 2027 (I studied 2019 – 2021).

Details worth keeping

So $750.00 weekly as take-home pay after tax and student loan deductions. Water is thankfully free as it is an apartment. Cafe coffees/snacks: I don't drink coffee but love other drinks so $10.

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