17-07-2025
The cost of being: An international flight attendant who's studying part-time
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a long-haul flight attendant who spends half the year overseas shares their finances.
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Gender: Female.
Age: 21.
Ethnicity: NZ European.
Role: Full-time international flight attendant, part-time uni student and casual barista.
Salary/income/assets: $58,000 (full-time job), $3,000 (casual work). We deserve more, especially for our long hours and unique working conditions. Hopefully we hear some positive Union news soon.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: My partner and I live in a one-bedroom apartment in a new building complex (we're the first tenants in our apartment!) and pay $695 per week between the two of us – $347.50 each. The complex has access to a full gym, movie room, rooftop BBQ space and a WFH space. Our two carparks are covered and secured.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: No student loan! I have been paying off my university per paper and I think it has helped me to feel a bit more secure knowing there is no debt there. It is hard though, paying a lot of money upfront. I did have some debt that was recently all paid off: I was paying $35 a week to a collection agency who was collecting on behalf of someone's insurance agency for their car I hit, after being hit myself.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $75 per person if I spend a lot of nights at home in a week. It is hard, if I'm away for work, my partner and I pay for our own food. If i'm away many nights, we might just do a $40 'top up' shop. Also an extra $20 a week for our two cats :)
Eating out: Depends on where in the world I am! I'd say around $30 a week? Crew love to go out for dinner (especially if we've seen it on TikTok…). I prefer to hit the supermarket when I'm away, mainly for breakfast and lunches. Yoghurt is filling (and cheap!).
Takeaways: Honestly, about $40 a week at the moment. Not UberEats, I'll always walk from the hotel rather than pay for a delivery. I get sick of takeaways, but when you spend over 180 nights a year in a hotel, that's bound to happen.
Workday lunches: We get food on board! So it's all provided. There are plenty of options for crew – I usually opt for the salad/cold meal choice.
Cafe coffees/snacks: Airport coffee… I drink decaf and oat. Sometimes the flight crew shout us a coffee! Otherwise, I love a coffee and a walk. When I'm home, I try to make my own. $15.
Other food costs: A coffee subscription from Eightthirty. $16 a week, one bag per week.
Savings: About $200 per week – $75 in my emergency fund, $75 in my long-term savings and $50 to my university fees. I am trying to get my emergency fund to $5,000 this year, and it's currently at $2,675 – over halfway! I have lots of different accounts, so there is money incase anything goes wrong. With my casual job, all that money goes to my 'travel fund' so I can use my staff travel and go cool places – I'm very lucky in this regard.
I worry about money: Sometimes.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Cautious, mindful and positive.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: Bakery pastries. I LOVE a good croissant.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0!! Sober 2025 was my new year's resolution and so far, so good.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $50 petrol. I'm lucky that when I drive to work, my car is usually parked there for a few days… Less commuting. I don't use public transport. If the system was good – like Sydney's – I would!
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $680. I don't love clothes shopping and I wear things until they break. Including shoes!
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Doc Martens slides/sandals. I LOVE them. $380.
My last pair of shoes cost: As above!!
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: About $1000…. possibly more. I don't dye my hair, but I get it cut about three times a year. Most of my money here goes towards makeup. For work, and also I'm a sucker for a new launch.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: There is a gym at home, which I use. I also try to go to pilates using ClassPass which is $75 a month.
My last Friday night cost: $15! A Coke Zero and an ice cream in Queenstown.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: So much makeup that I don't actually enjoy.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don't regret) in the last 12 months was: My new phone. It's a new iPhone – my old one gave up and I decided to purchase a good one.
One area where I'm a bit of a tightwad is: Clothing. I only buy things I need.
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Careful. Optimistic. Thoughtful. Sometimes splurging.
I grew up in a house where money was: Talked about, but not in detail. We never struggled but nor were we going on yearly holidays or anything like that.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Last week, I forgot to transfer $$ from one account to another.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Hopefully with a mortgage… I would love to buy my own home.
I would love to have more money for: Travel!!
Describe your financial low: When I had just moved out of home, and was learning how much the world cost. I had to figure it out quickly – but was scraping by for a few weeks.
I give money away to: Doctors Without Borders, and the SPCA.
