Q My partner and I are both in KiwiSaver, but she hasn't been contributing as she's on maternity leave with our first child. We are in our late 20s. I have a good job in construction. We are house sitting for a family friend over the winter which is saving us money. My KiwiSaver is now on $45,000 (I am contributing 4 per cent) and hers is on $32,000. We would like to buy a house when we can afford the mortgage repayments. Our friends all seem to be getting ahead and we feel we are being left behind and this is causing me a bit of stress. What can we do to improve our financial situation?
A There is no reason to stress. You are fortunate to have a place to live that suits you and is saving you a lot of money in rent, particularly while your partner is at home taking care of your baby.
House sitting is a great way to save, if you can tolerate the impermanence of it. Now that New Zealand's borders are opening up, there may be more house sitting opportunities if you wish to continue with it.
Your 20s can be a stressful time, as everyone is at a different stage in their lives and careers and it is all too easy to compare yourself with people that you went to school with, or work with. Some seem to rocket ahead financially and — if you believe what they post online — also manage to have an exciting social life.
Be aware that, under the surface, the situation may be quite different.