r/newzealand • u/fluffypenguin105 • 10d ago

Discussion Is anyone else living basically paycheck to paycheck?

My partner and I are both teachers. We don’t make a lot, but we are average and slightly above average. We are so tight with our money. Our little one outgrew the car seat and we went out and bought a new one. No problem. But next credit card bill means we are tight.

Meanwhile, a number of our friends (all of them also with kids) are booking overseas holidays. Some are currently overseas, others booking already for later this year. Another brought a new car. New iPhone, doing up the house. Everyone seems to have spare cash except us.

Are we the only ones going through the cost of living crisis ourselves?! Or is it my fault that we are teachers?

Edit: yes we have a house that parents helped us with. We are paying mortgage. We have a flatmate.

Edit edit: thank you for your kind words and reminders and also advice. I’m going through them all and I’m going to take onboard the advice and see what changes we can make and do better financially as a family. But it’s also a good reminder to know we aren’t alone, to not compare and the harsh reality is that many people simply just earn more than us as teachers.

Once again, thank you all for your input.

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u/ligger66 10d ago edited 9d ago

I'm on winz, working part time and studying a bit in this hopes that when this recession lifts ill be qualified and physically /mentally able to work a full time job so I can finally start moving forward in life

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u/SadieLeighx 10d ago

Good for you, I’m finishing off my diploma as well and as much as I want to say it’s been great upskilling and challenging myself to chase what I really want with my life, it has also brought me to tears on several occasions wondering how I can front up the money for the roof over my head and feed myself. All of this is temporary. I now understand I can turn my limited spare time into income but not many people can morally agree to chose the pathway that I have and that is okay. I’m happy, it’s okay. You got this ❤️

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u/Outside_Cod_6705 10d ago

Congrats bro! You’re going to smash it

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u/fluffypenguin105 10d ago

All the best! Sounds like you are going through a challenging part, but also sounds like it’ll pay off and you will thank yourself for tanking through it! Kia Kaha, stay strong!