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!

What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?

43.5% Grocery bills

43.5% Complete
33% Utilities

33% Complete
1% Your treats (the ones that keep you human day to day, and are ESSENTIAL!)

1% Complete
0.1% Education

0.1% Complete
7.6% Healthcare

7.6% Complete
1.3% Travel (public transport/petrol)

1.3% Complete
7.9% Rent or mortgage

7.9% Complete
1.5% Social costs: birthday gifts and occasions

1.5% Complete
4.1% Other - share below!

4.1% Complete

2582 votes

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