Kate Kirtz
Age 29
Salary: $24,000 a year now; $14,00 last year;
estimated $0-15,000 freelance in 1998
Occupation: filmmaker, film distributor
Tripod: What is your financial philosophy?
Kate: This last year has been interesting because having a regular income, which, although low, is still higher than I have had, shows me how I fall into traps with spending money. For example, I eat every breakfast and lunch out during the week, and that's $10-15 a day. That's $4,000 (less vacation time) a year on overpriced breakfast and lunch.
| Every creative person I know faces the dilemma of having either time to make art and no money, or money and no time to make art. |
That is a stupid thing to do. I could get up 10 minutes earlier and eat at home; I could bring lunch, but I don't. I don't like working and this is my little way to reward myself, I enjoy the ritual of walking to get food, leaving the office. I see that's the way most people function — we buy things to have an experience rather than making the experience for ourselves. I recently quit my job and I'm going to work for myself again. I would rather be happy and thrifty than be (relatively) well-off and get to purchase experiences.
I think the best way to be happy without a lot of money is to be able to enjoy the experiences you do have, with or without money. One of the reasons I like running is that I don't have to pay to join a health club for it, and I'm out in the world doing an activity that isn't about an end goal.
I also believe in pooling resource and bartering skills. Instead of taking an expensive writing class you and friends can start a writing group, or you can cut your friend's hair while they give you computer advice, or you can make a meal for someone who fixes your bike. Part of the phenomenon of buying experiences rather than making them is that we become isolated; it becomes a relationship between you and these items that you buy, rather than the relationships you could be having with your circle of friends, and the larger world.
I actually love stuff, and having stuff, but my definition of cool stuff is pretty modest. I'll buy second-hand CDs and books and be all thrilled because it's still new music and books after all. I bought my computer second-hand over the Internet, and next I want to try to buy an apartment that's been foreclosed. I would never pay retail for things that I could buy reconditioned with a warranty. As far as I'm concerned retail is for
chumps. I even got my pets off the street!
Every creative person I know faces the dilemma of having either time to make art and no money, or money and no time to make art. This is a constant tension for everyone but the lucky few. The only way to live with that tension is to live a cheap life and figure out how to create your art in spite of everything, to hold onto your goals. Forget about making X amount of money a year or owning this or that toy. Instead, make and own your life!
On to Tips for Living on Less.
Living Large Home|
Ann Faison|
Christi Delarco|
Tips
|
|
|
