Poll: What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?
Butter, power bills, and those sneaky surcharges on your card ... it feels like everything’s creeping up in price lately. We’ve seen the headlines, but we want to hear it from you.
Overall, Most Kiwis say they’re ‘not prospering’. But, according to Retirement Commission data, some members of our community (women, Māori, and Pacific people) are experiencing worsening financial positions at elevated rates.
Stats NZ tells us that food prices have jumped 4.6% since this time last year, with meat and dairy doing most of the damage. This jump is hitting us all, but groceries are just one part of the picture.
When basic costs keep climbing, the old cost-saving tricks — like bulk-buying or stockpiling on sale — don’t always work. Who can afford to spend more upfront when every dollar already has a job?
We want to know: What costs have caught you off guard the most? What are the expenses that feel impossible to juggle right now?
Share your thoughts below!
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43.5% Grocery bills
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33% Utilities
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1% Your treats (the ones that keep you human day to day, and are ESSENTIAL!)
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0.1% Education
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7.6% Healthcare
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1.3% Travel (public transport/petrol)
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7.9% Rent or mortgage
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1.5% Social costs: birthday gifts and occasions
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4.1% Other - share below!
Poll: How important is the ability to book a doctor’s appointment online?
Hi Neighbours
Here at The Doctors we would love to hear how you prefer to book your doctor’s appointments. With busy schedules, different people find different methods easier.
For some, online booking is very convenient, you can make an appointment anytime without needing to wait on the phone. Others still prefer calling the clinic and speaking to a real person, especially if they have specific questions about their visit.
Your feedback helps us understand what works best for our patients and how we can improve access to care.
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40.4% I prefer booking online whenever possible
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21.7% Online booking is helpful but not essential
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34.7% I prefer calling the clinic
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3.1% I didn’t know online booking was available
What is the meaning of this?!
Cast your eyes at this picture below and see if you know this common idiom.
Simply 'Like' this post if you think you know the answer, and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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What's your best cost-saving tip?
Just when we thought the cost of living couldn't climb any higher...it does. While things like fuel prices are out of our control, many of us are looking for small, practical ways to stretch our dollars a bit further. So let’s put our heads together!
Over the next little while, we’ll be sharing tips to help you save money — and we’d love to hear yours too. What’s working for you right now?
Here are a few ideas to get started:
🎉 Plan ahead for the year (birthdays, events, travel) to avoid surprise costs
🪙 Check out $2 shops for everyday items like stationery, baking paper, foil, and cling wrap - often much cheaper than the supermarket
🐖 Bring back the piggy bank and save your loose change
🔨 DIY where you can - like mowing the lawn instead of paying someone
💵 Set a daily budget before heading out and stick to it (cash can help!)
🧴 Stretch household products by diluting things like shampoo or dishwashing liquid
Got a tip that’s helping you save? Share it below, the tip might make a huge difference to someone else.
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