The tough economic times are even affecting the Lotto draw, with The Lotteries Commission saying it's noticed a drop in ticket demand, despite an eye-watering $38 million up for grabs tonight.
It's the biggest jackpot since October 2021, and there could be one lucky winner with the right number combination.
But with such a windfall, comes the conundrum of how to spend it.
Shoppers in Auckland's Newmarket on Saturday had a range of ideas from holidays and new homes to cruises and toys like boats and cars, but the Lotteries Commission's Lucy Fullarton said most winners are much more philanthropic.
"Usually the first thing they're thinking about is that person in their family or in their friend group, that community group that they can help."
Punters have also been at the mercy of the current political and economic climate.
"In the last couple of weeks we've probably seen less of a demand than we'd normally see at this level, and we probably put that down to a range of factors but maybe the cost of living is one of those things."
Fullarton said it's only once the prize gets to $20 million that interest builds.
And speaking of interest, money experts recommend investing the $38 million in an index fund, which spreads your investment across the markets, generating around $1.5 million a year, every year, for the rest of your life.
"People are pretty low-key, they generally put it in the bank for the first few months at least."
If struck by a single winner tonight, it will be the third-largest prize in Lotto history.
