A 42-year-old self-employed baker and her IT worker husband, earning $3,200 per week after tax, are spending approximately $480 weekly on groceries as they navigate New Zealand's cost-of-living pressures. The family of four has made significant dietary adjustments, switching almost exclusively to pork and chicken as red meat has become financially unjustifiable even on their reasonable combined income.

Their grocery strategy involves $370 weekly at the supermarket, supplemented by a $40 fortnightly Wonky Box vegetable delivery and bulk meat purchases of around $550 every six weeks to stock their deep freezer. Despite the financial pressures, the couple maintains some lifestyle choices, with alcohol remaining their primary luxury - including Garage Project beer boxes and supermarket wine purchases every few months.