Earn it. Budget it. Survive real life.
You've got a job. Excellent. Unfortunately, the number on your employment agreement isn't the amount that lands in your bank account.
Choose a career, see what comes out of your pay, then try to build a life you can actually afford.
Finish the month without running out of money, while still putting something aside for the future and being able to handle an unexpected bill.
| Income tax | $0 |
| ACC earners' levy | $0 |
| KiwiSaver | $0 |
| Student loan | $0 |
| Approx. annual take-home | $0 |
This classroom simulation estimates annual deductions using NZ 2026/27 rates. Actual payroll deductions can differ because IRD payroll calculations use pay-period rules, tax codes and rounding.
Every choice below is a monthly cost. Pick one option in each category.
Add anything else your budget needs: sport, pets, medication, hobbies, debt repayments, gifts, childcare or whatever life throws at you.
KiwiSaver is already deducted from your pay. This is accessible cash savings for emergencies, goals and unexpected expenses.
A good budget doesn't only work when everything goes perfectly. Let's see what happens to yours when reality arrives.
Press the button and discover what happened this month.
| Money before event | $0 |
| Event impact | $0 |
| End of month | $0 |