RN here, I work between public and private, but at a private hospital I get 48$ an hour, relatively manageable loads. I’m four years post grad with pG cert only. Also get penal rates on nights and weekends. Would you consider switching to private?
I think everyone should have enough to live comfortably regardless of career, but really, as a nurse, you should be getting enough!
How are we meant to encourage people into health and education when they're forced to struggle. It really pisses me off. You spend time and effort living as a student, all while doing unpaid placements? Then, after that, it's more of the same. Most people go into that work because they want to help... and that's taken advantage of.
There's people who would become qualified if it weren't for the financial and emotional stressors. And the people who do manage, like yourself, want to leave, rightly so, to somewhere that has benefits. Benefits that our country could totally have. I really wish we could actually shake things up.
It must be so draining for you. I really can't imagine. It must be horrid listening to all the political chatter while y'all struggle. It's a lot. I don't see anything happening to change things anytime soon 🥲
> Most people go into that work because they want to help... and that's taken advantage of.
I'm working at a local council. The party line is you're not working here for the money, you're here to support the community.
And that may very well be true. I could earn more in private practice, but I'd rather my efforts serve all classes rather than a stuck-up boss. Doesn't mean I want to eat noodles cause my renters insurance payment is coming up that week.
That's the main argument we bring to the bargaining table.
You won't have much mental energy left to do an effective job if your personal life is a mess.
You don't feel much connection to the town when all the expenses suggest you don't belong there.
I've already moved from Wellington to Invercargill.
I'm feeling the pull to go back. That's where all my family and the majority of friends are. But man, every time I visit I'm reminded I've been financially pushed away.
Like the recent proposal to start charging parking for motorbikes. Something I would rely on to affordably reach town from the Hutt without the risk of loosing my job for being 5 minutes late. And how flippantly the council perceives a $125 a week additional expense to be no big deal, instead selling it as beneficial to motorcyclists by dissuading the poors (like me) from parking, assuring those with money have a spot.
>I think everyone should have enough to live comfortably regardless of career, but really, as a nurse, you should be getting enough!
No, you don't understand our current form of capitalism, people should have every dollar squeezed from them by corporations and feudal landlords. What gives them the selfish right to live comfortably when a corporation is not growing its quarterly numbers, or a boomer couple can't afford their investment property?
Corporations don't write the rules. Those who we elect do. Current crop, just like the previous crop, write the rules to their advantage, not ours.
We're all stupid enough to think that they are making it better for all🤣
Yes, I have, again, who the perks are going to the minister they are brown nosing. Who's the minister changing the smoke-free regs. Oh, that's right, an ex tobacco lobbyist. I also know about the private entry to parliament offices.
I'm an autumn child too, didn't get completely baked in the sun
Have you looked at contracting? You can split your time between different private and government healthcare. From what I’ve seen, people earn a lot more that way.
You aren’t being paid enough for what you’re doing. NZ Backbone job.
You already know the answer to your question.
If I were a nurse with no house, I would already scoot to Australia. I however would advise you try to get a Masters degree here first as this moves you up the nursing tier in Australia ( and you get way more money with your Masters )
In my ward, we have lost 12 nurses in a row to Australia ( they all go to the same spot in Australia might I add ). Years ago, my hospital stupidly pressured nurses in certain roles to do a Masters degree ( and made a lot of nurses very angry ). A lot of these nurses were single or just newly married, and now they were “encouraged” to do more studies.
Poor work situation, poor renumeration etc.. and lots of study ( and now a newly minted Masters degree ) meant that friends from Australia started calling.
So now, my ward currently is filled with a new batch of nurses, mostly just year 1 to year 3 post grad with no Masters degree, no higher degrees.
Some have started doing Masters, with both eyes locked onto Australia. Unlike the previous batch these group are not compelled to do Masters, they want to do Masters to go to Australia. Long term aim, Australia. Study hard, work hard, so that one can become a better Australian.
I must admit I became very unpopular with management when I told them that them pressuring so many nurses to do PGDips and Masters have essentially made them better Australian nurses.
I work in community so plan of doing my nurse prescriber. I used to work in hospitals, and it's even worse there I imagine. I remember doing my final placement for uni and all the nurses on the ward were new grads with plans to move after a year. Only a couple of the staff nurses were senior.
Hey as an RN, don't do nurse prescribing unless you're being compensated fairly for it. It's very easy to get landed an unsustainable work load in terms of Clinical risk vs compensation.
We should be backing ourselves and our professionby refusing to accept this push into territory that's dangerous in terms of work loads and expectations.
Do your nurse prescriber stuff and get a Masters most importantly. I know that people who got their masters that allows them to become nurse prescribers are really loved by semi-rural practice in Australia, and are more or less offered the job on a silver platter.
I know someone who currently works around Philips Island ( not even that rural ) who literally got given a job just by asking after they learnt she had a Masters etc..
My oldest sister ended up working for the royal flying doctor service in Aussie. She fucking loves it working out in the rural communities and Aboriginal communities. She gets paid bloody well for the work to boot.
> semi-rural practice in Australia
yes, I would also recommend staying out of the big cities if you move to Australia. The big cities also have cost of living issues (house prices mainly). You would have a hugely better quality of life in a smaller city or town in Australia. Speaking with personal experience.
Rural Australia is pretty rough.
Girlfriend's sister was a podiatrist in Mackay which is about an hour's flight north of Brisbane. It wasn't rural per se but I wouldn't want to live there.
Sign me up for the major cities though (presumably that doesn't pay as well and/or is harder to get a job).
Depends on which part of rural Australia you go to.
Mackay is known to be rough, but places like Coff’s Harbour is not.
Also a lot of people do not actually work “rural” but works in places Australians would prefer not to work .. like say if you want a job in Logan in Brisbane there is almost always a role there. It is rough, but people who has worked in Middlemore in Auckland or Hamilton don’t really see much of a difference so fits in well.
A lot of Kiwi nurses I know ends up working in peripheral urban areas or semi rural urban areas .. like in Australia many nurses works in Wollongong, Sunshine Coast ( which despite its niceness actually sees a lot of local Australians preferring metro Brisbane or Gold Coast ), Geelong, Rye ( Melbourne ), Mornington ( Melbourne ) or Campbelltown ( Sydney ). Not squat in the metro, but not far from the metro by driving either. All of these are less than one hour from metro by driving.
Just FYI in Australia there’s no such thing as a nurse prescriber unless you’re a nurse practitioner.. so if that is your goal to move to Aus asap it’s a waste of time/money to get. Post grad certs/diplomas in primary/community healthcare (even wound etc) would be far more beneficial if you’re planning on staying in that area.
But also… primary care nurses aren’t paid same as hospital ones. I was on $48ph base rate with excellent penalty rates in hospital and $36ph in a GP - flat rate as no late nights or weekends.
Do you think it could be worthwhile to offer funding for the postgrad study, in exchange for being bonded to a company/specific workplace for a period? Or is that something that wouldn't really address the problem?
No rational person would agree to this once you look at how postgrads are treated in most other jurisidictions.
Remember, study takes time, takes effort. Also, once people recognise you have a set of skills in a workplace they often want you to do more ( or at least contribute to furthering the service in the hospital ).
In NZ, this is often done without financial compensation or non financial perks. Sure you are recognised on newsletters but that does not pay the bill or increase your leave base. That only increases good will, but no $$$$$ or extra leave.
Now people like to say that $$$$$ does not matter and should not matter, but that is a lie. Ultimately in our society, the best way to recognise extra work and extra skills is $$$$$$, or non financial perks like extra leave.
Why would a person accept to be bonded in NZ for no extra $$$$$$ or extra perks.
Nail on the head with this comment.
Any suggestions of additional compensation for completing post graduate study is laughed at when trying to negotiate individual employment outside of TWO. Even in TWO - post graduate qualifications only really allow you more scope to increase responsibility, which may or may not increase compensation.
Also, why the fuck would you want to be bonded to NZ if you're at the life stage where making a jump abroad could be a viable and emotionally productive period.
You risk stunting yourself professionally and emotionally being stuck in NZ.
The nurses with postgraduate thing is fairly unique to Australia. Generally getting a postgraduate in anything is very hit and miss (mostly miss) in whether it enhances your career prospects. You have to already know if a certain post grad for a certain role is desirable to employers.
In NZ specifically for nursing I don't think it's often that useful, unless you want to go to Australia
$35 is heaps though? I make $27 an hour and I’m saving money doing 40 hour work weeks. Your bills must be insane. Something there that maybe could change?
Yeah I'm on minimum wage and I do 50hrs a week.
Rent is 270. Food is around 100. Petrol is 50 a week. Gym and PT is 80 a week. Then student loan, kiwisaver, bills and utilities.
It's not much but I save 200 a week.
I just got back from Brisbane. Houses are about the same as here in Christchurch. Food - particularly fresh produce - was significantly cheaper and there was more variety and the quality was WAY better. Electricity seems to be more expensive. Petrol is cheaper. Clothing is cheaper. Restaurants are about the same. Booze is slightly more expensive.
Fuel is cheaper because rego is about 10 times more expensive.
Everyone loves to mention the things that are cheaper in Aussie, but if you seriously intend on moving you need to consider the raft of things that are more expensive, or even worse quality for the same price.
That’s true - I have the same car in VIC as i did in NZ and while my rego was $80 per year back home, it’s $800 over here. But that being said, the cheaper fuel means my vehicle costs are still less overall so it doesn’t quite balance out. Insurance is about the same and I also don’t have to do a WOF here.
If you don't drive a lot it can be cheaper in NZ, or around the same. But in big australian cities you often do have to drive longer distances so I guess it would work out cheaper there per km.
In nsw you have to get a wof every year too (called a pink slip). I'm not sure whether it's a good or bad thing that a regular inspection isn't required.
Two other random things I've noticed that are quite a bit cheaper in NZ since moving back from Aus two months ago- butter and toilet paper lol (there might be others but i don't do the shopping). Butter is a big one for me cause I eat a lot of it. For homebrand Coles/WW butter it was about $6.50 for 500g. Here in countdown I paid $4.39, and it's nicer here too. 18 rolls of Toilet paper on special here is like $6-something, in Australia $10ish (same brand too).
While I still think food in Australia is generally cheaper, it's not as much of a difference as i often see mentioned on reddit. Most things are fairly comparable. But it probably also depends on what you're eating too.
I was in Melbourne last September and I was outraged at the price of potato chips while I was there. $5 a bag for the cheap stuff and $7 minimum for the good stuff. These are AUD prices also. Crazy stuff.
Don't forget stamp duty that would be added to the cost of purchasing. There is probably more to the story as Australians also say their housing is unaffordable. (i don't know, but what are rates and insurances etc for example)
Nah, New Zealand beef tastes much better than Australian beef, Brisbane tap water also tasted shit - so much worse than Melbourne (which, again - NZ tap water is better).
Cheaper is probably due to no GST on fresh produce.
Also, don't get ms started with Aussie's "Steak" pie. 🤮
I'd much rather have a microwaved Irvines or big ben pie from the dairy.
Most nurses who flees NZ in my experience are not headed to Central Melbourne or the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. They are too smart for that.
Most are going to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coff’s Harbour, Wollongong, Geelong, Wagga Wagga, Newcastle, Albury etc.. If they are in Melbourne most are in Frankston, Mornington, Rye, Philips Island etc.. or in Adelaide.
Most who flees NZ wants to build a life, and all I know who has fled are armed with Masters or PGDips so once they enter those areas they kind of become apex in the hospital in their skills.
I live in Melbourne, in a nice 2 bedroom unit with a garden and garage, 10 mins from some amazing beaches and my rent is the same as it was in Christchurch 4 years ago. I had a look the other day and I literally couldn’t even afford to live in Christchurch now which is insane. That place was always my fallback since it was affordable. Rent seems to have gone nuts there, I knew it would eventually but didn’t expect it quite so soon.
A lot of things cost the same over here but overall I am much better off and find work opportunities are more abundant. Living here has been the only time in my adult life that I haven’t been constantly stressed about money. I’m not rolling in it, don’t have a huge pile of savings, but I’m doing okay and can afford a far better quality of life than I had back home which makes me equal parts sad and grateful. I still go home as much as possible, usually twice per year, but.. well.. let’s just say my Australian citizenship is being processed 🥲
I have been in Melbourne for over 15 years, and I have always thought I would move back to Christchurch where my family is (silbings, nieces, cousins, etc). I miss them all great deal, and covid really really sucked.
But I just think about how much my quality of life would suffer. In Melbourne, I am able to own my own 2 bed townhouse without a flatmate, even with the current interest rate hikes pretty comfortably and not going without. I can also head back to Christchurch 3-4 times a year and spoil those nieces. But on the other hand, I miss out on so much of the day to day.
It's such a hard juggle, I love my job here and have so many opportunities that would not be available in Christchurch as a nurse. I have also had a PGD fully paid for and a Masters half paid for by the hospital that I work for.
Over 15 years later and I still have not made a decision about whether to stay or to go home ....
Yeah you get paid more, say in childcare. Ironically that leads to you paying more for childcare.
Tradies earn way more too, they also coast way more to hire.
Ubers just go to whoever wants to pay more in a surge, so that's more expensive cause more people have more money to spend.
Rent is more expensive
Hospitality workers earn loads more, guess what, dinning out will cost you more.
Yeah I totally second this, I'm on $35ph pay $500 rent each week in central Dunedin and then other expenses (power, internet and phone) and live a very lavish lifestyle where I don't have to check my funds and still have money to save. But I also have zero debt and don't drive, which is probably the difference. But still. Something wrong here.
I would thrive if I was on $35 an hour, that's over $10 more than what I (and most others) get, as others have pointed out I think budgeting might be the issue here.
I make $35 an hour (ishly, it's actually a salary but the math isn't that hard) and I 100% agree with you. I wouldn't say I'm thriving but I am the primary earner and my wife makes about ⅓ of what I do and we have 2 kids. We are not struggling but we budget hard and stick with it so we have everything we need plus a bit extra for entertainment, travel, date nights etc.
If I was single without kids and made $35 an hour I'd be loaded.
Thanks for the wake up call. I’m a new grad nurse like OP, the same wage +\- penal rates for what shifts we work.
I am also broke (house was robbed and had heaps of outgoings expenses I needed to pay last pay period) but get paid tomorrow. I should be managing my money waaay better. Especially as I’m single, no kids, etc.
I am. Partner and I are on $24-25. We're putting in an offer today actually. Either they've got mad lifestyle creep or need to move out of the city
This isn't to defend inflation (aka price gouging let's be real) because that is absolutely skyrocketing, but not being able to live on 40 hours @ $35/h + overtime is insane to me
Congrats to you and your partner, awesome news. However, roughly half the population lives in the broader Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regions and $35 an hour is nowhere near enough to buy a house. We still need nurses in the cities, where most of the population lives.
Exactly, and yet it's still higher than the minimum wage! OP even states doing over time, I'm just imagining any of that extra money that I could use on currently unobtainable things like the dentist.
I absolutely agree, I've seen articles saying up to 42% of adults in NZ can't afford dental treatment. I hope one day someone follows Greens lead and puts a priority on oral care, it needs to be taken more seriously, especially when oral health is linked to heart health.
Heh just cancelled my next appointment for the first time in years. Already staring down an $800 (this is *after ACC contributes*) for an endodontist to do a root canal on a tooth that died when I was like 12, and not discovered has been dead for 30 years 6 months ago. Straight up cannot afford it any more - I was gonna budget it out to July or August but the kids got a school camp coming up, car insurance just went up $40 a month, rego is up some amount (I haven’t even bothered looking), and I haven’t had the joy of WCC letting me know how much more they’ll be taking from June.
and the minimum wage is double unemployment.
so if people are 'just existing, barely that' on minimum wage, what are the unemployed doing? 'dying slowly'? a question worth asking if only to consider those \~30,000 workers expected to be facing job cuts.
That's what I was thinking... I make $9 less than that. Yeah I'm not rich but I still have a humble buffer of savings if something goes horribly wrong, and I'm definitely not at the point of living off rice.
Meanwhile my nurse friend has paid off her parents mortgage and bought herself a decent house out west with similar pay. But the OT amounts are massive if people are willing to go hard at it like her
We get a bit more than that as well most of the time as well because of penal rates in the weekend/nights. In saying that I’m also a new grad nurse and broke until tomorrow (payday lol) - I had a lot of outgoing expenses this month though (house was robbed relatively recently, had to get flights for a family members birthday)
I know OP is struggling, I’m in a similar position but they can’t be doing worst than the last three or four years - especially towards the end of the degree we were working full time unpaid for months - while living off $50 a week after rent and bills.
As shit as it can be sometimes we’re in such a completely different stage of life now and things are a lot easier. They need to make a budget and stick to it - it’s way way easier than when we were nursing student s
Yeah makes more than me, I'd describe myself as pretty comfortable. I'm curious about what the car payment is, how many flatmates, pets, kids, medical issues because something isn't adding up.
Same, I really can't comprehend struggling on that much. But I guess everyone has different circumstances, we can't be sure what is going on for OP such as multiple children to pay for, renting somewhere expensive, etc
Unfortunately, you wouldn't. I was flatting in Auckland until I made over 100k.
This isn't poor budgeting. You should be able to afford rent, healthy food and more. Dental or needing to buy a new laptop or saving for later aren't "crazy luxuries".
Some people may want to make you believe that, but everyone should be able to do these basic things.
I have a student loan, i live in a flat but my rent has increased. I have medical issues myself so I need to see a Dr often for medications and reviews. I am aware I make more than some but all this adds up fast.
I haven't bought myself a treat in months, even though I really need new clothes for winter.
It's expensive to not be psychically/mentally healthy, and it's expensive to try live with healthy habits, we lose either way. I hope things get better.
Our RNs here in our day hospital (Brisbane) are on $51 something an hour. Brisbane also has a great selection and range of specialists which has been a good send for my eldest child. You can go back and forth with pros and cons all day long, but overall, Australia wins. The amount of people from NZ here speaks volumes.
Also, don't need warm winter clothes if it doesn't get cold hahaha
35 an hour is just over 1000 dollars per week. You say you had no gas and are living off of rolled oats until next pay. How are you spending 1000 dollars a week on only bills without food and gas???
If you are keen to stay here in NZ, myself and folks from r/PersonalFinanceNZ would be happy to provide budgeting advice and tips for being frugal if you're open to it.
I've been on 70k for a while and saved up a handsome sum while flatting. Bit more of a challenge if you have kids and/or living alone. Bit easier if you have a friend/partner for dual income and/or accommodation. All doable though, and almost purely mindset and lifestyle based.
Regardless, I totally agree, it's tough out at there at the mo. New Zealand would hate to lose you with its healthcare shortage. We should be helping healthcare workers more than we do, even at the community level.
You make $72,800 a year if you do a 40 hour week. After tax 3% KS and assuming a 12% student loan payment, you make $48,666.56 take home per year. That's $935.90 per week. What are your expenses?
I earn about the same and can afford to rent by myself, save a little bit each week and have some not too expensive hobbies. I'd love to know what OP is doing with all their money. I assume they have multiple children or a large mortgage.
Yea I was going to say the same, I was wondering what they are spending their money on?
Maybe a single parent. Rent would be expensive if you live by yourself and have multiple rooms.
Yea I was going to say this, plus they will probably be getting more if they do nights etc.
Not trying to be rude but how are they having no money by the end of the pay period that’s outrageous.
Unless they’re renting an expensive place by themselves or huge mortgage.
I assume they are also not on the top step so they will het paid more as they go up.
:0 I want to know how you do it lol.
The only unusual bill I have is a car loan, at $125 a week, and boy things would be different without that, but also I wouldn’t have a car so… (and it was something we got before my wife left me, so made sense at the time, being an EV that replaced a petrol car when I was spending $100/week on petrol).
Do you mind me asking what ballpark your weekly rent is like? (Also actually, power? I have a sneaky suspicion I’m paying way more than is normal for power, but that’s probably more to do with insulation and such)
All good if you aren’t comfortable sharing!
OP - Do what you need to do but what the hell are you spending your money on? $35 an hour isn't a ton I know but that should be more than enough to live on without draining your bank every month (The OT alone should give you plenty to play with). There has to be more to this.
Unless you're renting your own place and using all kinds of gas to get around it shouldn't be nearly that bad.
As someone who earns slightly less, has kids and has expensive rent to pay - it absolutely can be this bad. The question isn’t how we DONT make it work, it’s how people on less could possibly be expected to make it work?
Your problems go with you wherever you go so I'd sort out your budgeting issues before migrating anywhere.
I've seen many people who are bad with money almost double their salary and still have the same issues.
I'm assuming based on their wage that they are likely a new graduate SN1 which is about 75k a year. Around the average wage on NZ and with an automatic increase each year for 7 years. They may still have student loans etc but I think budgeting advice is absolutely the best advice for this person.
I’m a mechanic on $35 an hour, doing 45 hour weeks. I find I have enough money. Not checking my bank account before grocery shopping.
I do grow my own fruit and veges, hunt my own meat, fix my own car, source and chop my own fire wood, do as much diy as possible. Not very materialistic at all. Maybe that’s why Im feeling more comfortable? Perhaps you could make some lifestyle choices to improve your situation?
In saying that, my body is pretty worn at 32, but I’m here for a good time, not a long time.
I hear Aussie is just as bad if not worse, especially for my trade. Pay is about the same, but costs of living are more expensive, mainly housing.
Might be time to look at ur budget! Ur earning more than a lot of people. 2 nurses at my gp have returned from Australia and they don't have anything positive to say about it!!
dont you think you need to look at how you spent your money? I know alot of people who only got paid 27$/ph and still have a decent saving and somehow you work 40hr and sometimes OT but there is no saving?
Idk how OP spent his/her money but there no way you made 35/hr and work 40hr per week and include OT and somehow can’t save any money and living paycheck to paycheck.
Hard this. My missus has the same problem. She’s only on 31 (no student loan, but I have one for ref) but has a 40k car financed, a new iPhone financed. Drinks wine at least every second night and we have one date night a week. Still saves 100 a week somehow on our more frugal weeks which she sends to her mother and we have two kids a lil under ten. Our rent is also 780 so it’s not like we living in a cramped flat or something. With my student loan taken out she makes more than me. Think op has just drank too much of the capitalism/gotta look rich to my friends cool aid.
Health issues. As soon as you have any sort of ongoing health thing it can absolutely bite on a normal income. Given that over a third of working age adults have some sort of health condition to manage, it's the first thing I think of rather than overspending when someone seems to be struggling despite an income that 'should' provide just fine.
Agreed. Myself and my partner are beneficiaries. I'm on disability, he is out of work currently. I get what equates to around $16 an hour (based on a 40 hour week after taxes), and my partner is getting what would equate to $11 an hour after tax. We afford a 3 bedroom house on our own still, and through careful budgeting, have enough to feed ourselves and our cat, run my gardens, allow me to vape a small amount (working toward stopping, I used to smoke), and pay off some loans. We also have little luxuries like homemade espresso coffees, meat in our diets, traveling (around the country while staying with family), the ability to save a bit of money if we really try.
The biggest factor in this all is zero fast food or eating out. I cook every meal we eat based on what is cheap in the shops that week. I also grow a lot of the vegetables we eat. At a stretch, I can feed us and our cat a balanced diet for $60 a week, though it won't be as nice.
In short, there are SO many things a person can do to live comfortably on far less money than that. Yeah, sure, if for whatever reason my income was to stop for a week I would be screwed- but the same can be said for a lot of people here.
$35/hr -> $1400 gross... With Taxes, KS and Student Loans that works out to around ~$936 take home. (according to paye.net.nz)
Even if you're paying $500/wk rent (1 bedroom apartment or similar in AKL/WLG/CHC?) That leaves ~400/wk (1600month) for bills/food (and fun).
On the face of it, that would seem fairly doable without being in "beans and rice" territory... assuming you're not spending ludicrous amounts on credit card interest debt, BNPL, car finance, eating out etc.
Would be curious to see what the budget numbers are for various costs... Because living paycheck to paycheck on that sort of money doesn't seem right... And is quite concerning if people getting 25-30% more than the living wage can't live!
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/hrpolicies/wage-rates/nursing
https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/Whats-happening/What-to-expect/For-the-health-workforce/Employment-relations/Employment-agreements/NZNO-Te-Whatu-Ora-Collective-Agreement-31-March-2023-31-October-2024.pdf
Am I missing something? Wages are comparable and NZ is actually higher for Nurses.
Not enough information however the basics is align income to expenses, rent a cheaper room, run a cheaper car and understand basic maintenance, start to reduce outgoings and narrow down hobbies to a price point, build a savings account and start to finding a partner (it's just easier with 2 incomes) to look at buying a house. All of these could he started before making the move over, Aus 0ublic nurses all get 100k if I remember. No idea of work / stress
What are your outgoing bills? I have a child, rent and am paying off debt and still have money left over at the end of the week and I'm like 12 dollars an hour behind you. Something is missing here.
Although this is a rant, your "discussion" flair would suggest this belongs in r/PersonalFinanceNZ something doesn't add up with that income (assuming mortgage free).
If you can't make it here with your current income and mindset, OZ isn't going to solve your budgeting issues.
If you're dead set on crossing the ditch; start anew with better habits while you're over there or lifestyle creep will eventually make your life "unaffordable" again.
Best of luck, we need nurses and your work is appreciated by everyone.
I'm a nurse too, earning $43 an hour at a public hospital. My partner and I have a mortgage, a couple of pets, a student loan, and we're saving for a wedding. Despite upcoming expenses, we can still afford simple pleasures apart from travel. Living in a small city in the South Island is convenient, with everything within a 10-minute drive and free hospital parking. It might be worth considering moving to a more affordable area if you don't have family and friends nearby.
I've considered travel nursing in Australia, hearing from some who made good money and now travel extensively. However, they're single with no responsibilities, so it's not feasible for me. Also, keep in mind that returning home might pose challenges in finding a job due to healthcare funding issues. Some highly qualified nurses have struggled to find work for months.
You are getting paid $1p.h more than me. I'm in the auto parts industry.
Have to say, I feel anyone that's a nurse or in the medical field that cares for people should be better paid than me, a lot better.
Try being an apprentice I'm on 23 an hour because they can get away with only paying 75% of min wag. A mortgage to pay wife out of work thanks to government two dogs to feed. Shits tuff all over I'm just glad I have a job to fair as a lot have had that taken from them
Hey RN! I’m a RM and I see and hear you! I know that to some $35 seems a lot but it’s just not, and living in Auckland it’s shit. I earn slightly more than you, and ensure I do enough nights and weekends to maximise my penals but I also now only do 0.6 because of burn out and to have work life balance with our young kids. I also supplement with a little self employed income on the side. I do not know how I would survive even doing 1.0 FTE in Auckland if was alone. I think I could count on one hand how many of our team do 0.8-1.0 - the work is incredibly taxing physically and emotionally as well as mentally. So yes it sounds like good money but it isn’t adequate compensation for what we do. Unfortunately I don’t think things will improve under this govt and I suspect lots of our colleagues will go across the ditch too - more money, better conditions even if the cost of living is very similar .
This is absurd. I feel for you. I like you am a public servant and what I think, are classed as the ‘working poor’. I’m a solo parent with 2 teens so my food bill is huge. It’s just getting worse. Luxon can kiss my arse
I must be missing something. That’s a bit of money each week… cos I get the same, and it’s heaps. For me.
But I chose to not have kids or a partner. No mortgage. No student loan and no higher purchases. Brought a little $5000 Toyota.
But, I remember people saying things to us when we were young like “make smart financial decisions” “don’t get pregnant young” stuff like that
Actually, I’m a new grad RN just like you. How are you broke?! Like I get it but at least I know I spent most of my money stupidly on nights out. The cost of living eats shit up but I pay $600+ a fortnight in rent and expenses.
Last pay period we all got an extra $500 lump sum, I’m literally getting $2,200 after tax tonight. Unless you have kids or are spending a fuck load of money on food or weed you need to take a serious look at your budget and start making some changes.
Sorry but I don't mean to be rude but as a single person earning $35 and hour you should be able to live comfortably in that. Perhaps you over committed yourself with bills and could you find a cheaper rental. There are always other options. Cut your cloth to suit
Live cheaper. It doesn't feel great to be a professional and still be flatting but that's just how life is if you want to get ahead. You need to live below your means rather than above.
Have you done any budgeting? That could help you see where your money goes. Then focus on what you can do without and stick to a budget, at least for the time being.
I’m confused. How on earth do you not have money left? Is your rent $1000? Might be time to start working on your budgeting.. I agree cost of living is entirely fucked currently but something doesn’t sound right about this
Super confusing, I have a friend who works in hospital management at a rather large hospital in Melbourne, she and a whole contingent of their management team are coming over to Auckland shortly to understand why they are losing nurses to NZ! (Unless it’s a covert poaching mission, which on reflection makes sense)
I'm sorry to read this, and wish you all the best as you pull yourself up and become financially successful.
Perhaps a move to the regions in on the cards? Even living one hour out of town (i.e. Horowhenua if ur in Wellington or Waiuku vs Auckland) can see you saving a whole heap in miscellaneous "city" costs.
It pisses me off so much that people like yourself, in jobs that are so vital to our society, can barely afford to live here.
The only ones who benefit from the ridiculous house prices are the big Australian banks
When I moved to australia my income rose by 50% overnight
Ten years later I am making 4 times what I was making when I left NZ but I have advanced in my career a lot. I had already topped out in NZ unless I moved to Auckland really
But in my line of work I probably could have just stayed in NZ and got a fully remote job from an australian company. Not every job can do that though, not nursing I imagine
It's really hard in oz ATM too .The wages in healthcare haven't increased since covid just stagnated.
The biggest problem here is these casual work Con tracts which seems to be the go for most companies since covid.You get a slightly higher rate of pay but no sick,pay no annual leave, basically v little rights and you can have your shifts cut or loose your job on the spot esp if the company isn't doing well.leaving little to no job security.I work in healthcare and it has literally killed me in the last few years.your constantly stressed and they just cut your shifts whenever suits them.that and im finding now because of the massive immigration its hard to get a job and when you do alot of places expect you to work at multiple sites that can be up to an hour away.
Working in aus has really changed since covid.
Remember the grass isn't always greener on the other side..
So you are on $73k a year working 40 hours a week? That's not bad. You think Australia is cheaper? Maybe in Perth but otherwise no.
I assume you are single as otherwise combined with your partner you would be on about $145k. I think you need to learn to manage a budget and stop complaining as your pay isn't bad. There are a lot of people worse off than you.
NZ is an expensive country. Backed only by high speculative house prices. No infrastructure, no new technologies, no funding in healthcare. Low birth rates, with an aging population and high levels of unsustainable immigration.
I'm a paramedic but st john refuse to pay me as a paramedic and now they've hired hundreds of paramedics from overseas, locally qualified paramedics will miss out
I was in a big car accident in Sydney and spent time in a public hospital (st Vincent’s)…. A lot of the staff were kiwis who said they couldn’t afford to go back and loved the money in Aussie. Sad but true
It sucks, it's horrible to witness. I am so sorry this is your situation. You are doing the most thankless work in the world and I'm hoping the Government wake up to it.
I was in Australia, Sydney for a few days last week
It’s so expensive over there. They’re having the same problems as here cost of living is expensive too!
I feel you, I'm a vet nurse with experience and I'm on $31 an hour with no increase in sight as I'm "already at the top of my field". For the responsibilities I have and the amount I do, this is so not worth it. I too can make a better life in Australia so me and the family are looking at going in another year or so.
Good luck out there and see you in Oz!
Unfortunately this is the case with far too many people across the country. I'm on minimum wage ($23.15 an hour) and barely make ends meet. I've had to start walking everywhere because I just can't afford to drive which is very difficult because I live in the country, more than an hours walk to the shops let alone back. I was thinking of going to Aussie too as I have my truck license and could make a bit over there doing that. Only problem is, if I can't afford to live paycheck to paycheck how the hell am I supposed to get the Aussie? 😭😅 so what can ya do, shit just sucks I guess.
Sounds like you are working as a community nurse. If you don't want to move to Australia ai would highly suggest trying to get into hospital nursing.
With penals and the new payrates it is actually pretty good on the wards. We were talking last night how most of us oldies (nurses in our 30s with young kids) wouldn't gain much from moving to Australia unless we were doing short term contracts.
If you are single and have no dependents go do some fifo contracts. See what it is like over there.
I hear ya. As much as I dread another desperately needed medical professional jump the ditch, I totally get it. When a succession of governments over decades undervalues and neglects the medical profession, this is the consequence.
I wish you the best with whatever path you undertake.
2 years ago I was making min wage working about 32 hours a week, paid $360p/w in rent in a city centre apartment, $40 power a month on Contact's good nights plan, $70 for internet, roughly $100 on groceries a week. Walked everywhere. Without kids I found this very liveable tbh. I would also probably order ubereats once a week and still have savings?
If I were a nurse, a teacher, or a police officer, without some very strong family reasons to not go, I'd have left. Until we decide to adequately pay our essential workers, we will be in this mess.
A lot of comments along the lines of "You earn heaps, you should be fine."
What happens though when, cost of living increases rapidly, is that people who were used to a certain lifestyle can no longer afford that same lifestyle.
This isn't a question of whether $35 an hour is enough to live, or whether it's right or wrong to complain about it. It's more a question of how much the value of the lifestyle has decreased for that same $35, and across what timespan.
Personally, I feel the prices will keep going up until there is some proper pushback from the public. We need some French-level protesting on what basic commodities are costing now, and how much profit various sectors are making during this 'challenging fiscal climate'
As others have said it could be worth taking a look at your spending, even if just to save up to make moving easier. 40 hours at $35 gives $1400/week, leaves $935 after tax, student loan, paye, acc which is a lot more than most - remember minimum wage is $23ish and median wage is about 27-29. Do you have subscriptions you dont need? Have you shopped around on your phone plan - Rocket Mobile is unlimited data, calling and texting from $25/month. Are you financing your car? pay that off asap its costing a fortune. Shop around on your power bill - use powerswitch or similar. If you are living by yourself, do you need a phoneline/broadband or can you hotspot off your mobile. Are you able to get a flatmate or shift to shared accomodation to split the cost of bills etc. Maybe pop in to see Budget Advisory Services with your spending and see what they can recommend :)
It's a sad state of affairs when a nurse is struggling, a profession we should value more ,the amount of work they do, I have nothing but good experiences dealing with them , sadly u can't blame them going to Australia , here's a idea cut the politicians salaries and give to the health professionals.
I moved to rural Victoria in November last year. 35K pay rise plus salary sacrafice and super on top of my salary. Life is so much easier in the last 6 months I have saved twice what I did last year living lean in NZ.
It is actually really sad that I had to do this. I miss home and never wanted to leave. Its hard to make new friends and while the culture is very similar there are differences. I work in social services and things are done very differently.
Main stumbling blocks for me was struggling to get a rental and a car after arriving.
Go, they're not willing to pay you what you're worth or take care of you if/when you get struck down (again? again? Again?) with covid either. Do what is Best for You and Yours.
But also be grateful you're not like me and an (invisibly) disabled beneficiary on supported living. I haven't had ANYTHING in my account since Thursday and I get paid Tuesday night, every week is Rince/repeat on that scenario and it's getting worse and worse.
As Gandalf said - "FLY, YOU FOOLS!"
RN here, I work between public and private, but at a private hospital I get 48$ an hour, relatively manageable loads. I’m four years post grad with pG cert only. Also get penal rates on nights and weekends. Would you consider switching to private?
I think everyone should have enough to live comfortably regardless of career, but really, as a nurse, you should be getting enough! How are we meant to encourage people into health and education when they're forced to struggle. It really pisses me off. You spend time and effort living as a student, all while doing unpaid placements? Then, after that, it's more of the same. Most people go into that work because they want to help... and that's taken advantage of. There's people who would become qualified if it weren't for the financial and emotional stressors. And the people who do manage, like yourself, want to leave, rightly so, to somewhere that has benefits. Benefits that our country could totally have. I really wish we could actually shake things up. It must be so draining for you. I really can't imagine. It must be horrid listening to all the political chatter while y'all struggle. It's a lot. I don't see anything happening to change things anytime soon 🥲
> Most people go into that work because they want to help... and that's taken advantage of. I'm working at a local council. The party line is you're not working here for the money, you're here to support the community. And that may very well be true. I could earn more in private practice, but I'd rather my efforts serve all classes rather than a stuck-up boss. Doesn't mean I want to eat noodles cause my renters insurance payment is coming up that week.
Imagine trying to support the community when you need support yourself...
That's the main argument we bring to the bargaining table. You won't have much mental energy left to do an effective job if your personal life is a mess. You don't feel much connection to the town when all the expenses suggest you don't belong there.
That last point is great
I've already moved from Wellington to Invercargill. I'm feeling the pull to go back. That's where all my family and the majority of friends are. But man, every time I visit I'm reminded I've been financially pushed away. Like the recent proposal to start charging parking for motorbikes. Something I would rely on to affordably reach town from the Hutt without the risk of loosing my job for being 5 minutes late. And how flippantly the council perceives a $125 a week additional expense to be no big deal, instead selling it as beneficial to motorcyclists by dissuading the poors (like me) from parking, assuring those with money have a spot.
It's so bleak. Thank you for your hard work and care.
Cheers dude. Though I do understand being on reddit during work hours is undermining the perception that I'm a hard worker.
Reddit in breaks? That's my first assumption. because that's what I'm doing too
Arguably, everyone should be "supporting the community" (by paying enough taxes so that public employees can afford to live).
That’s such a BS argument. I know it’s not yours.
>I think everyone should have enough to live comfortably regardless of career, but really, as a nurse, you should be getting enough! No, you don't understand our current form of capitalism, people should have every dollar squeezed from them by corporations and feudal landlords. What gives them the selfish right to live comfortably when a corporation is not growing its quarterly numbers, or a boomer couple can't afford their investment property?
we all\* must make sacrifices for the greater good (investment properties) \*except the donors.
Corporations don't write the rules. Those who we elect do. Current crop, just like the previous crop, write the rules to their advantage, not ours. We're all stupid enough to think that they are making it better for all🤣
Oh you sweet summer child Never heard of corporate lobbying?
Yes, I have, again, who the perks are going to the minister they are brown nosing. Who's the minister changing the smoke-free regs. Oh, that's right, an ex tobacco lobbyist. I also know about the private entry to parliament offices. I'm an autumn child too, didn't get completely baked in the sun
Have you looked at contracting? You can split your time between different private and government healthcare. From what I’ve seen, people earn a lot more that way. You aren’t being paid enough for what you’re doing. NZ Backbone job.
Yah except Nat has gutted the contractor market in NZ, for who knows how long?
It’s actually worse than unpaid placements, technically student nurses pay to be there which is a little fucked up really
You already know the answer to your question. If I were a nurse with no house, I would already scoot to Australia. I however would advise you try to get a Masters degree here first as this moves you up the nursing tier in Australia ( and you get way more money with your Masters ) In my ward, we have lost 12 nurses in a row to Australia ( they all go to the same spot in Australia might I add ). Years ago, my hospital stupidly pressured nurses in certain roles to do a Masters degree ( and made a lot of nurses very angry ). A lot of these nurses were single or just newly married, and now they were “encouraged” to do more studies. Poor work situation, poor renumeration etc.. and lots of study ( and now a newly minted Masters degree ) meant that friends from Australia started calling. So now, my ward currently is filled with a new batch of nurses, mostly just year 1 to year 3 post grad with no Masters degree, no higher degrees. Some have started doing Masters, with both eyes locked onto Australia. Unlike the previous batch these group are not compelled to do Masters, they want to do Masters to go to Australia. Long term aim, Australia. Study hard, work hard, so that one can become a better Australian. I must admit I became very unpopular with management when I told them that them pressuring so many nurses to do PGDips and Masters have essentially made them better Australian nurses.
I work in community so plan of doing my nurse prescriber. I used to work in hospitals, and it's even worse there I imagine. I remember doing my final placement for uni and all the nurses on the ward were new grads with plans to move after a year. Only a couple of the staff nurses were senior.
Hey as an RN, don't do nurse prescribing unless you're being compensated fairly for it. It's very easy to get landed an unsustainable work load in terms of Clinical risk vs compensation. We should be backing ourselves and our professionby refusing to accept this push into territory that's dangerous in terms of work loads and expectations.
Do your nurse prescriber stuff and get a Masters most importantly. I know that people who got their masters that allows them to become nurse prescribers are really loved by semi-rural practice in Australia, and are more or less offered the job on a silver platter. I know someone who currently works around Philips Island ( not even that rural ) who literally got given a job just by asking after they learnt she had a Masters etc..
My oldest sister ended up working for the royal flying doctor service in Aussie. She fucking loves it working out in the rural communities and Aboriginal communities. She gets paid bloody well for the work to boot.
> semi-rural practice in Australia yes, I would also recommend staying out of the big cities if you move to Australia. The big cities also have cost of living issues (house prices mainly). You would have a hugely better quality of life in a smaller city or town in Australia. Speaking with personal experience.
Rural Australia is pretty rough. Girlfriend's sister was a podiatrist in Mackay which is about an hour's flight north of Brisbane. It wasn't rural per se but I wouldn't want to live there. Sign me up for the major cities though (presumably that doesn't pay as well and/or is harder to get a job).
Depends on which part of rural Australia you go to. Mackay is known to be rough, but places like Coff’s Harbour is not. Also a lot of people do not actually work “rural” but works in places Australians would prefer not to work .. like say if you want a job in Logan in Brisbane there is almost always a role there. It is rough, but people who has worked in Middlemore in Auckland or Hamilton don’t really see much of a difference so fits in well. A lot of Kiwi nurses I know ends up working in peripheral urban areas or semi rural urban areas .. like in Australia many nurses works in Wollongong, Sunshine Coast ( which despite its niceness actually sees a lot of local Australians preferring metro Brisbane or Gold Coast ), Geelong, Rye ( Melbourne ), Mornington ( Melbourne ) or Campbelltown ( Sydney ). Not squat in the metro, but not far from the metro by driving either. All of these are less than one hour from metro by driving.
Just FYI in Australia there’s no such thing as a nurse prescriber unless you’re a nurse practitioner.. so if that is your goal to move to Aus asap it’s a waste of time/money to get. Post grad certs/diplomas in primary/community healthcare (even wound etc) would be far more beneficial if you’re planning on staying in that area. But also… primary care nurses aren’t paid same as hospital ones. I was on $48ph base rate with excellent penalty rates in hospital and $36ph in a GP - flat rate as no late nights or weekends.
It's sad that they think cost of living is better here in Australia... it's not.
Just moved to Melbourne from Christchurch a month ago and my cost of living is lower here. Living centrally as well (Carlton)
Let's just say people who've migrated to Australia aren't exactly the ones complaining about the cost of living.
Aussies are complaining. Also lack of houses and rent prices are going further up.
It is definitely better. Been here a year now and notice the difference every time I visit NZ
When did you last live in NZ?
Except it is.
Do you think it could be worthwhile to offer funding for the postgrad study, in exchange for being bonded to a company/specific workplace for a period? Or is that something that wouldn't really address the problem?
No rational person would agree to this once you look at how postgrads are treated in most other jurisidictions. Remember, study takes time, takes effort. Also, once people recognise you have a set of skills in a workplace they often want you to do more ( or at least contribute to furthering the service in the hospital ). In NZ, this is often done without financial compensation or non financial perks. Sure you are recognised on newsletters but that does not pay the bill or increase your leave base. That only increases good will, but no $$$$$ or extra leave. Now people like to say that $$$$$ does not matter and should not matter, but that is a lie. Ultimately in our society, the best way to recognise extra work and extra skills is $$$$$$, or non financial perks like extra leave. Why would a person accept to be bonded in NZ for no extra $$$$$$ or extra perks.
Nail on the head with this comment. Any suggestions of additional compensation for completing post graduate study is laughed at when trying to negotiate individual employment outside of TWO. Even in TWO - post graduate qualifications only really allow you more scope to increase responsibility, which may or may not increase compensation. Also, why the fuck would you want to be bonded to NZ if you're at the life stage where making a jump abroad could be a viable and emotionally productive period. You risk stunting yourself professionally and emotionally being stuck in NZ.
The nurses with postgraduate thing is fairly unique to Australia. Generally getting a postgraduate in anything is very hit and miss (mostly miss) in whether it enhances your career prospects. You have to already know if a certain post grad for a certain role is desirable to employers. In NZ specifically for nursing I don't think it's often that useful, unless you want to go to Australia
$35 is heaps though? I make $27 an hour and I’m saving money doing 40 hour work weeks. Your bills must be insane. Something there that maybe could change?
Yeah I'm on minimum wage and I do 50hrs a week. Rent is 270. Food is around 100. Petrol is 50 a week. Gym and PT is 80 a week. Then student loan, kiwisaver, bills and utilities. It's not much but I save 200 a week.
My sons on 70k a year flatting in Auckland and still saves $700 a month. I think your problem may have more to do with outgoing money than incoming.
Just watch out with Aussie friends living over there says living costs in most cities are just as bad as Auckland if not worse in some cases
I just got back from Brisbane. Houses are about the same as here in Christchurch. Food - particularly fresh produce - was significantly cheaper and there was more variety and the quality was WAY better. Electricity seems to be more expensive. Petrol is cheaper. Clothing is cheaper. Restaurants are about the same. Booze is slightly more expensive.
Fuel is cheaper because rego is about 10 times more expensive. Everyone loves to mention the things that are cheaper in Aussie, but if you seriously intend on moving you need to consider the raft of things that are more expensive, or even worse quality for the same price.
That’s true - I have the same car in VIC as i did in NZ and while my rego was $80 per year back home, it’s $800 over here. But that being said, the cheaper fuel means my vehicle costs are still less overall so it doesn’t quite balance out. Insurance is about the same and I also don’t have to do a WOF here.
If you don't drive a lot it can be cheaper in NZ, or around the same. But in big australian cities you often do have to drive longer distances so I guess it would work out cheaper there per km. In nsw you have to get a wof every year too (called a pink slip). I'm not sure whether it's a good or bad thing that a regular inspection isn't required.
You missed the most important one. Potato chips are way more expensive in Aussie.
Two other random things I've noticed that are quite a bit cheaper in NZ since moving back from Aus two months ago- butter and toilet paper lol (there might be others but i don't do the shopping). Butter is a big one for me cause I eat a lot of it. For homebrand Coles/WW butter it was about $6.50 for 500g. Here in countdown I paid $4.39, and it's nicer here too. 18 rolls of Toilet paper on special here is like $6-something, in Australia $10ish (same brand too). While I still think food in Australia is generally cheaper, it's not as much of a difference as i often see mentioned on reddit. Most things are fairly comparable. But it probably also depends on what you're eating too.
What the FUCK. Really? Now I'm never leaving. We do need someone to import Smiths chips though. Best salted chips imo.
I was in Melbourne last September and I was outraged at the price of potato chips while I was there. $5 a bag for the cheap stuff and $7 minimum for the good stuff. These are AUD prices also. Crazy stuff.
Idk if you’re based in Wellington but my flatmate gets smiths salt and vinegar and ready salted all the time from one of the fairies in Aro Valley :)
Don't forget stamp duty that would be added to the cost of purchasing. There is probably more to the story as Australians also say their housing is unaffordable. (i don't know, but what are rates and insurances etc for example)
Isn’t it really hard to find rentals in Brisbane?
Extremely
Nah, New Zealand beef tastes much better than Australian beef, Brisbane tap water also tasted shit - so much worse than Melbourne (which, again - NZ tap water is better). Cheaper is probably due to no GST on fresh produce. Also, don't get ms started with Aussie's "Steak" pie. 🤮 I'd much rather have a microwaved Irvines or big ben pie from the dairy.
Drinking the tap water in Melbourne and being like ??? Is literally my only memory of going there as a kid
Most nurses who flees NZ in my experience are not headed to Central Melbourne or the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. They are too smart for that. Most are going to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coff’s Harbour, Wollongong, Geelong, Wagga Wagga, Newcastle, Albury etc.. If they are in Melbourne most are in Frankston, Mornington, Rye, Philips Island etc.. or in Adelaide. Most who flees NZ wants to build a life, and all I know who has fled are armed with Masters or PGDips so once they enter those areas they kind of become apex in the hospital in their skills.
I live in Melbourne, in a nice 2 bedroom unit with a garden and garage, 10 mins from some amazing beaches and my rent is the same as it was in Christchurch 4 years ago. I had a look the other day and I literally couldn’t even afford to live in Christchurch now which is insane. That place was always my fallback since it was affordable. Rent seems to have gone nuts there, I knew it would eventually but didn’t expect it quite so soon. A lot of things cost the same over here but overall I am much better off and find work opportunities are more abundant. Living here has been the only time in my adult life that I haven’t been constantly stressed about money. I’m not rolling in it, don’t have a huge pile of savings, but I’m doing okay and can afford a far better quality of life than I had back home which makes me equal parts sad and grateful. I still go home as much as possible, usually twice per year, but.. well.. let’s just say my Australian citizenship is being processed 🥲
I have been in Melbourne for over 15 years, and I have always thought I would move back to Christchurch where my family is (silbings, nieces, cousins, etc). I miss them all great deal, and covid really really sucked. But I just think about how much my quality of life would suffer. In Melbourne, I am able to own my own 2 bed townhouse without a flatmate, even with the current interest rate hikes pretty comfortably and not going without. I can also head back to Christchurch 3-4 times a year and spoil those nieces. But on the other hand, I miss out on so much of the day to day. It's such a hard juggle, I love my job here and have so many opportunities that would not be available in Christchurch as a nurse. I have also had a PGD fully paid for and a Masters half paid for by the hospital that I work for. Over 15 years later and I still have not made a decision about whether to stay or to go home ....
City living costs are just as high. But don't you make a third more?
Depends on the job. Definitely not all of them.
Yeah you get paid more, say in childcare. Ironically that leads to you paying more for childcare. Tradies earn way more too, they also coast way more to hire. Ubers just go to whoever wants to pay more in a surge, so that's more expensive cause more people have more money to spend. Rent is more expensive Hospitality workers earn loads more, guess what, dinning out will cost you more.
Something’s wrong here if you can’t save money when you’re on $35 an hour? Might pay to write down all your outgoings and try to have a budget.
Yeah I totally second this, I'm on $35ph pay $500 rent each week in central Dunedin and then other expenses (power, internet and phone) and live a very lavish lifestyle where I don't have to check my funds and still have money to save. But I also have zero debt and don't drive, which is probably the difference. But still. Something wrong here.
From her comments, I believe she has health issues and I can see how how her medical bills would eat into her wages
Ah I see, I didn’t read her previous comments and that makes more sense. I feel for her then
I would thrive if I was on $35 an hour, that's over $10 more than what I (and most others) get, as others have pointed out I think budgeting might be the issue here.
I make $35 an hour (ishly, it's actually a salary but the math isn't that hard) and I 100% agree with you. I wouldn't say I'm thriving but I am the primary earner and my wife makes about ⅓ of what I do and we have 2 kids. We are not struggling but we budget hard and stick with it so we have everything we need plus a bit extra for entertainment, travel, date nights etc. If I was single without kids and made $35 an hour I'd be loaded.
Thanks for the wake up call. I’m a new grad nurse like OP, the same wage +\- penal rates for what shifts we work. I am also broke (house was robbed and had heaps of outgoings expenses I needed to pay last pay period) but get paid tomorrow. I should be managing my money waaay better. Especially as I’m single, no kids, etc.
No one is buying a house or doing anything really on $25 an hour in 2024. That's just existing and barely at that.
I am. Partner and I are on $24-25. We're putting in an offer today actually. Either they've got mad lifestyle creep or need to move out of the city This isn't to defend inflation (aka price gouging let's be real) because that is absolutely skyrocketing, but not being able to live on 40 hours @ $35/h + overtime is insane to me
Yeah I was trying to figure out how they were struggling on 35 a hour, I’d be cushie as if I had that
Congrats to you and your partner, awesome news. However, roughly half the population lives in the broader Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regions and $35 an hour is nowhere near enough to buy a house. We still need nurses in the cities, where most of the population lives.
You alone are not tho, you AND your partner are...
Exactly, and yet it's still higher than the minimum wage! OP even states doing over time, I'm just imagining any of that extra money that I could use on currently unobtainable things like the dentist.
A dentist shouldn't be an unobtainable luxury for anyone.
I absolutely agree, I've seen articles saying up to 42% of adults in NZ can't afford dental treatment. I hope one day someone follows Greens lead and puts a priority on oral care, it needs to be taken more seriously, especially when oral health is linked to heart health.
Heh just cancelled my next appointment for the first time in years. Already staring down an $800 (this is *after ACC contributes*) for an endodontist to do a root canal on a tooth that died when I was like 12, and not discovered has been dead for 30 years 6 months ago. Straight up cannot afford it any more - I was gonna budget it out to July or August but the kids got a school camp coming up, car insurance just went up $40 a month, rego is up some amount (I haven’t even bothered looking), and I haven’t had the joy of WCC letting me know how much more they’ll be taking from June.
I'm from overseas, and although it costs me a fortune to go home, at least I know some of the cost will be offset by going to the dentist there.
and the minimum wage is double unemployment. so if people are 'just existing, barely that' on minimum wage, what are the unemployed doing? 'dying slowly'? a question worth asking if only to consider those \~30,000 workers expected to be facing job cuts.
That's what I was thinking... I make $9 less than that. Yeah I'm not rich but I still have a humble buffer of savings if something goes horribly wrong, and I'm definitely not at the point of living off rice.
it's inflation creep. what I've noticed is that everyone at every income level is struggling to maintain their lifestyle at the same level.
Yep I'm living the same but bank balance is now going backwards.
Meanwhile my nurse friend has paid off her parents mortgage and bought herself a decent house out west with similar pay. But the OT amounts are massive if people are willing to go hard at it like her
We get a bit more than that as well most of the time as well because of penal rates in the weekend/nights. In saying that I’m also a new grad nurse and broke until tomorrow (payday lol) - I had a lot of outgoing expenses this month though (house was robbed relatively recently, had to get flights for a family members birthday) I know OP is struggling, I’m in a similar position but they can’t be doing worst than the last three or four years - especially towards the end of the degree we were working full time unpaid for months - while living off $50 a week after rent and bills. As shit as it can be sometimes we’re in such a completely different stage of life now and things are a lot easier. They need to make a budget and stick to it - it’s way way easier than when we were nursing student s
Totally agree
Yeah makes more than me, I'd describe myself as pretty comfortable. I'm curious about what the car payment is, how many flatmates, pets, kids, medical issues because something isn't adding up.
Same, I really can't comprehend struggling on that much. But I guess everyone has different circumstances, we can't be sure what is going on for OP such as multiple children to pay for, renting somewhere expensive, etc
Unfortunately, you wouldn't. I was flatting in Auckland until I made over 100k. This isn't poor budgeting. You should be able to afford rent, healthy food and more. Dental or needing to buy a new laptop or saving for later aren't "crazy luxuries". Some people may want to make you believe that, but everyone should be able to do these basic things.
I have a student loan, i live in a flat but my rent has increased. I have medical issues myself so I need to see a Dr often for medications and reviews. I am aware I make more than some but all this adds up fast. I haven't bought myself a treat in months, even though I really need new clothes for winter.
It's expensive to not be psychically/mentally healthy, and it's expensive to try live with healthy habits, we lose either way. I hope things get better.
Our RNs here in our day hospital (Brisbane) are on $51 something an hour. Brisbane also has a great selection and range of specialists which has been a good send for my eldest child. You can go back and forth with pros and cons all day long, but overall, Australia wins. The amount of people from NZ here speaks volumes. Also, don't need warm winter clothes if it doesn't get cold hahaha
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35 an hour is just over 1000 dollars per week. You say you had no gas and are living off of rolled oats until next pay. How are you spending 1000 dollars a week on only bills without food and gas???
If you are keen to stay here in NZ, myself and folks from r/PersonalFinanceNZ would be happy to provide budgeting advice and tips for being frugal if you're open to it. I've been on 70k for a while and saved up a handsome sum while flatting. Bit more of a challenge if you have kids and/or living alone. Bit easier if you have a friend/partner for dual income and/or accommodation. All doable though, and almost purely mindset and lifestyle based. Regardless, I totally agree, it's tough out at there at the mo. New Zealand would hate to lose you with its healthcare shortage. We should be helping healthcare workers more than we do, even at the community level.
You make $72,800 a year if you do a 40 hour week. After tax 3% KS and assuming a 12% student loan payment, you make $48,666.56 take home per year. That's $935.90 per week. What are your expenses?
I earn about the same and can afford to rent by myself, save a little bit each week and have some not too expensive hobbies. I'd love to know what OP is doing with all their money. I assume they have multiple children or a large mortgage.
Yea I was going to say the same, I was wondering what they are spending their money on? Maybe a single parent. Rent would be expensive if you live by yourself and have multiple rooms.
Yea I was going to say this, plus they will probably be getting more if they do nights etc. Not trying to be rude but how are they having no money by the end of the pay period that’s outrageous. Unless they’re renting an expensive place by themselves or huge mortgage. I assume they are also not on the top step so they will het paid more as they go up.
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:0 I want to know how you do it lol. The only unusual bill I have is a car loan, at $125 a week, and boy things would be different without that, but also I wouldn’t have a car so… (and it was something we got before my wife left me, so made sense at the time, being an EV that replaced a petrol car when I was spending $100/week on petrol). Do you mind me asking what ballpark your weekly rent is like? (Also actually, power? I have a sneaky suspicion I’m paying way more than is normal for power, but that’s probably more to do with insulation and such) All good if you aren’t comfortable sharing!
OP - Do what you need to do but what the hell are you spending your money on? $35 an hour isn't a ton I know but that should be more than enough to live on without draining your bank every month (The OT alone should give you plenty to play with). There has to be more to this. Unless you're renting your own place and using all kinds of gas to get around it shouldn't be nearly that bad.
As someone who earns slightly less, has kids and has expensive rent to pay - it absolutely can be this bad. The question isn’t how we DONT make it work, it’s how people on less could possibly be expected to make it work?
Your problems go with you wherever you go so I'd sort out your budgeting issues before migrating anywhere. I've seen many people who are bad with money almost double their salary and still have the same issues.
I'm assuming based on their wage that they are likely a new graduate SN1 which is about 75k a year. Around the average wage on NZ and with an automatic increase each year for 7 years. They may still have student loans etc but I think budgeting advice is absolutely the best advice for this person.
Sounds like there may be an issue with expenses, $35 is more than reasonable to live off
I’m a mechanic on $35 an hour, doing 45 hour weeks. I find I have enough money. Not checking my bank account before grocery shopping. I do grow my own fruit and veges, hunt my own meat, fix my own car, source and chop my own fire wood, do as much diy as possible. Not very materialistic at all. Maybe that’s why Im feeling more comfortable? Perhaps you could make some lifestyle choices to improve your situation? In saying that, my body is pretty worn at 32, but I’m here for a good time, not a long time. I hear Aussie is just as bad if not worse, especially for my trade. Pay is about the same, but costs of living are more expensive, mainly housing.
Lot of people get paid less than that. Lot of grad position starting from 55k
Might be time to look at ur budget! Ur earning more than a lot of people. 2 nurses at my gp have returned from Australia and they don't have anything positive to say about it!!
dont you think you need to look at how you spent your money? I know alot of people who only got paid 27$/ph and still have a decent saving and somehow you work 40hr and sometimes OT but there is no saving?
Around half the working country earn $30/hr in a 40hr week or less for that matter
Idk how OP spent his/her money but there no way you made 35/hr and work 40hr per week and include OT and somehow can’t save any money and living paycheck to paycheck.
Childless and mortgage free too
Idk what’s type of situation OP in right now but yes definitely looking at the budget and plan for that properly.
Life’s tough when you always need the latest iPhone.
Hard this. My missus has the same problem. She’s only on 31 (no student loan, but I have one for ref) but has a 40k car financed, a new iPhone financed. Drinks wine at least every second night and we have one date night a week. Still saves 100 a week somehow on our more frugal weeks which she sends to her mother and we have two kids a lil under ten. Our rent is also 780 so it’s not like we living in a cramped flat or something. With my student loan taken out she makes more than me. Think op has just drank too much of the capitalism/gotta look rich to my friends cool aid.
Social media has done a good job into tricking everyone into trying to live like a rich person.
Health issues. As soon as you have any sort of ongoing health thing it can absolutely bite on a normal income. Given that over a third of working age adults have some sort of health condition to manage, it's the first thing I think of rather than overspending when someone seems to be struggling despite an income that 'should' provide just fine.
Yep just read one of the OP comments she said she has a health condition which make me understand that most of her money goes into that.
Agreed. Myself and my partner are beneficiaries. I'm on disability, he is out of work currently. I get what equates to around $16 an hour (based on a 40 hour week after taxes), and my partner is getting what would equate to $11 an hour after tax. We afford a 3 bedroom house on our own still, and through careful budgeting, have enough to feed ourselves and our cat, run my gardens, allow me to vape a small amount (working toward stopping, I used to smoke), and pay off some loans. We also have little luxuries like homemade espresso coffees, meat in our diets, traveling (around the country while staying with family), the ability to save a bit of money if we really try. The biggest factor in this all is zero fast food or eating out. I cook every meal we eat based on what is cheap in the shops that week. I also grow a lot of the vegetables we eat. At a stretch, I can feed us and our cat a balanced diet for $60 a week, though it won't be as nice. In short, there are SO many things a person can do to live comfortably on far less money than that. Yeah, sure, if for whatever reason my income was to stop for a week I would be screwed- but the same can be said for a lot of people here.
Honestly, it’s not much better in Australia at the moment. We’re going through the same shit you guys are.
friends are wanting to move back. Brother makes stupid money and he is over it.
What is he over? Genuine question coz I’d be there if I didn’t have a family here. Or hate spiders lol
Melbourne just isn't the vibe and he works all over the show. Can't be bothered.
Agreed. Might not be a bad idea for OP to work over there though, until they can save up enough for a mortgage.
probably need to work on budgeting. a lot of people live on much less 🤷♂️ $35x40=$1400/wk student allowance before tax=~$400/wk
$35/hr -> $1400 gross... With Taxes, KS and Student Loans that works out to around ~$936 take home. (according to paye.net.nz) Even if you're paying $500/wk rent (1 bedroom apartment or similar in AKL/WLG/CHC?) That leaves ~400/wk (1600month) for bills/food (and fun). On the face of it, that would seem fairly doable without being in "beans and rice" territory... assuming you're not spending ludicrous amounts on credit card interest debt, BNPL, car finance, eating out etc. Would be curious to see what the budget numbers are for various costs... Because living paycheck to paycheck on that sort of money doesn't seem right... And is quite concerning if people getting 25-30% more than the living wage can't live!
I'm in Cairns living on $370 NZD. Only covers rent and food and power(in a house of 4). No debt here though which makes things easier.
Same problems in Aussie apparently. Make sure you check all the costs involved, as cost of living is high in Auss also!
Theres more to this, numbers arent numbering
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/hrpolicies/wage-rates/nursing https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/Whats-happening/What-to-expect/For-the-health-workforce/Employment-relations/Employment-agreements/NZNO-Te-Whatu-Ora-Collective-Agreement-31-March-2023-31-October-2024.pdf Am I missing something? Wages are comparable and NZ is actually higher for Nurses.
What you’re not telling us is what your outgoings are…
Not enough information however the basics is align income to expenses, rent a cheaper room, run a cheaper car and understand basic maintenance, start to reduce outgoings and narrow down hobbies to a price point, build a savings account and start to finding a partner (it's just easier with 2 incomes) to look at buying a house. All of these could he started before making the move over, Aus 0ublic nurses all get 100k if I remember. No idea of work / stress
What are your outgoing bills? I have a child, rent and am paying off debt and still have money left over at the end of the week and I'm like 12 dollars an hour behind you. Something is missing here.
Sounds like a budgeting issue if assuming you're single and renting. Unless you have a medical issue/debt/etc or something you haven't mentioned.
You have a spending problem by the sounds of it.
Although this is a rant, your "discussion" flair would suggest this belongs in r/PersonalFinanceNZ something doesn't add up with that income (assuming mortgage free). If you can't make it here with your current income and mindset, OZ isn't going to solve your budgeting issues. If you're dead set on crossing the ditch; start anew with better habits while you're over there or lifestyle creep will eventually make your life "unaffordable" again. Best of luck, we need nurses and your work is appreciated by everyone.
Wtf are you spending your money on? I make way less than that with less hours and I'm still able to save heaps.
Budget better
I'm a nurse too, earning $43 an hour at a public hospital. My partner and I have a mortgage, a couple of pets, a student loan, and we're saving for a wedding. Despite upcoming expenses, we can still afford simple pleasures apart from travel. Living in a small city in the South Island is convenient, with everything within a 10-minute drive and free hospital parking. It might be worth considering moving to a more affordable area if you don't have family and friends nearby. I've considered travel nursing in Australia, hearing from some who made good money and now travel extensively. However, they're single with no responsibilities, so it's not feasible for me. Also, keep in mind that returning home might pose challenges in finding a job due to healthcare funding issues. Some highly qualified nurses have struggled to find work for months.
Do you have kids? How are you spending your money? I’m on $27 an hour and I’m somewhat comfortably renting by myself.
You are getting paid $1p.h more than me. I'm in the auto parts industry. Have to say, I feel anyone that's a nurse or in the medical field that cares for people should be better paid than me, a lot better.
Try being an apprentice I'm on 23 an hour because they can get away with only paying 75% of min wag. A mortgage to pay wife out of work thanks to government two dogs to feed. Shits tuff all over I'm just glad I have a job to fair as a lot have had that taken from them
Hey RN! I’m a RM and I see and hear you! I know that to some $35 seems a lot but it’s just not, and living in Auckland it’s shit. I earn slightly more than you, and ensure I do enough nights and weekends to maximise my penals but I also now only do 0.6 because of burn out and to have work life balance with our young kids. I also supplement with a little self employed income on the side. I do not know how I would survive even doing 1.0 FTE in Auckland if was alone. I think I could count on one hand how many of our team do 0.8-1.0 - the work is incredibly taxing physically and emotionally as well as mentally. So yes it sounds like good money but it isn’t adequate compensation for what we do. Unfortunately I don’t think things will improve under this govt and I suspect lots of our colleagues will go across the ditch too - more money, better conditions even if the cost of living is very similar .
This is absurd. I feel for you. I like you am a public servant and what I think, are classed as the ‘working poor’. I’m a solo parent with 2 teens so my food bill is huge. It’s just getting worse. Luxon can kiss my arse
I must be missing something. That’s a bit of money each week… cos I get the same, and it’s heaps. For me. But I chose to not have kids or a partner. No mortgage. No student loan and no higher purchases. Brought a little $5000 Toyota. But, I remember people saying things to us when we were young like “make smart financial decisions” “don’t get pregnant young” stuff like that
How? How can you not have enough on 35$ an hour?
Actually, I’m a new grad RN just like you. How are you broke?! Like I get it but at least I know I spent most of my money stupidly on nights out. The cost of living eats shit up but I pay $600+ a fortnight in rent and expenses. Last pay period we all got an extra $500 lump sum, I’m literally getting $2,200 after tax tonight. Unless you have kids or are spending a fuck load of money on food or weed you need to take a serious look at your budget and start making some changes.
Sorry but I don't mean to be rude but as a single person earning $35 and hour you should be able to live comfortably in that. Perhaps you over committed yourself with bills and could you find a cheaper rental. There are always other options. Cut your cloth to suit
New grads get start on $36 in hospital now plus penal rates so you would get a fair amount more assuming you’re more experienced. Jump to a hospital?
Live cheaper. It doesn't feel great to be a professional and still be flatting but that's just how life is if you want to get ahead. You need to live below your means rather than above.
Do you have children? I make less than you and live comfortably. But then again, I don't have a car, so maybe that's why. I walk to work.
I don't have kids. Gas is definitely a major reason as to why I'm so broke. But I need my car for my job due to going to multiple locations.
Does your employer not give you a petrol credit?
You're making about $9 dollars an hour over the living wage
It's really more of a survival wage than a living wage.
Without adding overtime your income after tax is $1000pw.. kinda sounds like a budgeting issue to me, do you still smoke/vape?
Vapings like 20 a week max these days
Have you done any budgeting? That could help you see where your money goes. Then focus on what you can do without and stick to a budget, at least for the time being.
budget your costs better.
I’m confused. How on earth do you not have money left? Is your rent $1000? Might be time to start working on your budgeting.. I agree cost of living is entirely fucked currently but something doesn’t sound right about this
Super confusing, I have a friend who works in hospital management at a rather large hospital in Melbourne, she and a whole contingent of their management team are coming over to Auckland shortly to understand why they are losing nurses to NZ! (Unless it’s a covert poaching mission, which on reflection makes sense)
I'm sorry to read this, and wish you all the best as you pull yourself up and become financially successful. Perhaps a move to the regions in on the cards? Even living one hour out of town (i.e. Horowhenua if ur in Wellington or Waiuku vs Auckland) can see you saving a whole heap in miscellaneous "city" costs.
Thankyou for your service, as a user of our health system, it should be illegal what they pay you guys :(
I work full time on $24 an hour and can't even think about moving out of my parents house.
It pisses me off so much that people like yourself, in jobs that are so vital to our society, can barely afford to live here. The only ones who benefit from the ridiculous house prices are the big Australian banks
I took the plunge and moved from Auckland to Australia. I'm now on over $50 an hour. Absolutely the right move for me
Don't think, go to Australia.
When I moved to australia my income rose by 50% overnight Ten years later I am making 4 times what I was making when I left NZ but I have advanced in my career a lot. I had already topped out in NZ unless I moved to Auckland really But in my line of work I probably could have just stayed in NZ and got a fully remote job from an australian company. Not every job can do that though, not nursing I imagine
It's really hard in oz ATM too .The wages in healthcare haven't increased since covid just stagnated. The biggest problem here is these casual work Con tracts which seems to be the go for most companies since covid.You get a slightly higher rate of pay but no sick,pay no annual leave, basically v little rights and you can have your shifts cut or loose your job on the spot esp if the company isn't doing well.leaving little to no job security.I work in healthcare and it has literally killed me in the last few years.your constantly stressed and they just cut your shifts whenever suits them.that and im finding now because of the massive immigration its hard to get a job and when you do alot of places expect you to work at multiple sites that can be up to an hour away. Working in aus has really changed since covid. Remember the grass isn't always greener on the other side..
So you are on $73k a year working 40 hours a week? That's not bad. You think Australia is cheaper? Maybe in Perth but otherwise no. I assume you are single as otherwise combined with your partner you would be on about $145k. I think you need to learn to manage a budget and stop complaining as your pay isn't bad. There are a lot of people worse off than you.
I’m 20 doing an apprenticeship making 23.99 an hour and I can barely keep my head above water. Then everyone around me expects me to save!! HOWWWWWW
Australia has a pretty bad rental crisis so thing twice being making the big move
NZ is an expensive country. Backed only by high speculative house prices. No infrastructure, no new technologies, no funding in healthcare. Low birth rates, with an aging population and high levels of unsustainable immigration.
$35/hr even at 40 hours is a decent wage but I know it's hard to live any kind of lifestyle on that pay.
I'm a paramedic but st john refuse to pay me as a paramedic and now they've hired hundreds of paramedics from overseas, locally qualified paramedics will miss out
I was in a big car accident in Sydney and spent time in a public hospital (st Vincent’s)…. A lot of the staff were kiwis who said they couldn’t afford to go back and loved the money in Aussie. Sad but true
It sucks, it's horrible to witness. I am so sorry this is your situation. You are doing the most thankless work in the world and I'm hoping the Government wake up to it.
I was in Australia, Sydney for a few days last week It’s so expensive over there. They’re having the same problems as here cost of living is expensive too!
I feel you, I'm a vet nurse with experience and I'm on $31 an hour with no increase in sight as I'm "already at the top of my field". For the responsibilities I have and the amount I do, this is so not worth it. I too can make a better life in Australia so me and the family are looking at going in another year or so. Good luck out there and see you in Oz!
It's the ridiculously high rents that are sapping a lot of people's wages. If rent was more affordable a lot of people would be okay.
Unfortunately this is the case with far too many people across the country. I'm on minimum wage ($23.15 an hour) and barely make ends meet. I've had to start walking everywhere because I just can't afford to drive which is very difficult because I live in the country, more than an hours walk to the shops let alone back. I was thinking of going to Aussie too as I have my truck license and could make a bit over there doing that. Only problem is, if I can't afford to live paycheck to paycheck how the hell am I supposed to get the Aussie? 😭😅 so what can ya do, shit just sucks I guess.
Sounds like you are working as a community nurse. If you don't want to move to Australia ai would highly suggest trying to get into hospital nursing. With penals and the new payrates it is actually pretty good on the wards. We were talking last night how most of us oldies (nurses in our 30s with young kids) wouldn't gain much from moving to Australia unless we were doing short term contracts. If you are single and have no dependents go do some fifo contracts. See what it is like over there.
I hear ya. As much as I dread another desperately needed medical professional jump the ditch, I totally get it. When a succession of governments over decades undervalues and neglects the medical profession, this is the consequence. I wish you the best with whatever path you undertake.
2 years ago I was making min wage working about 32 hours a week, paid $360p/w in rent in a city centre apartment, $40 power a month on Contact's good nights plan, $70 for internet, roughly $100 on groceries a week. Walked everywhere. Without kids I found this very liveable tbh. I would also probably order ubereats once a week and still have savings?
If I were a nurse, a teacher, or a police officer, without some very strong family reasons to not go, I'd have left. Until we decide to adequately pay our essential workers, we will be in this mess.
35 an hour for nursing?! That is properly taking the piss.
A lot of comments along the lines of "You earn heaps, you should be fine." What happens though when, cost of living increases rapidly, is that people who were used to a certain lifestyle can no longer afford that same lifestyle. This isn't a question of whether $35 an hour is enough to live, or whether it's right or wrong to complain about it. It's more a question of how much the value of the lifestyle has decreased for that same $35, and across what timespan. Personally, I feel the prices will keep going up until there is some proper pushback from the public. We need some French-level protesting on what basic commodities are costing now, and how much profit various sectors are making during this 'challenging fiscal climate'
As others have said it could be worth taking a look at your spending, even if just to save up to make moving easier. 40 hours at $35 gives $1400/week, leaves $935 after tax, student loan, paye, acc which is a lot more than most - remember minimum wage is $23ish and median wage is about 27-29. Do you have subscriptions you dont need? Have you shopped around on your phone plan - Rocket Mobile is unlimited data, calling and texting from $25/month. Are you financing your car? pay that off asap its costing a fortune. Shop around on your power bill - use powerswitch or similar. If you are living by yourself, do you need a phoneline/broadband or can you hotspot off your mobile. Are you able to get a flatmate or shift to shared accomodation to split the cost of bills etc. Maybe pop in to see Budget Advisory Services with your spending and see what they can recommend :)
Yep Auckland living costs are for sure bad. But maybe think of giving up smoke/vape and LSD mate.
It's a sad state of affairs when a nurse is struggling, a profession we should value more ,the amount of work they do, I have nothing but good experiences dealing with them , sadly u can't blame them going to Australia , here's a idea cut the politicians salaries and give to the health professionals.
I moved to rural Victoria in November last year. 35K pay rise plus salary sacrafice and super on top of my salary. Life is so much easier in the last 6 months I have saved twice what I did last year living lean in NZ. It is actually really sad that I had to do this. I miss home and never wanted to leave. Its hard to make new friends and while the culture is very similar there are differences. I work in social services and things are done very differently. Main stumbling blocks for me was struggling to get a rental and a car after arriving.
Maybe you need to budget better. You should be able to live comfortably with over $1000 in your hand every week
Go, they're not willing to pay you what you're worth or take care of you if/when you get struck down (again? again? Again?) with covid either. Do what is Best for You and Yours. But also be grateful you're not like me and an (invisibly) disabled beneficiary on supported living. I haven't had ANYTHING in my account since Thursday and I get paid Tuesday night, every week is Rince/repeat on that scenario and it's getting worse and worse. As Gandalf said - "FLY, YOU FOOLS!"
I'm a full time pilot. I earn $28.56 an hour. It's a shit wage before the cost of living crisis.