Profile

I am 33 years old and the Performance Director at Big Apple Circus. I make $70,000 a year and live in a show provided RV. They also feed me.

Saving & Spending

This was an odd month.

The odd month started last month when a choreographer I worked with last year posted that she needed a stage manager for the circus and I thought, “I kind of miss the circus.”

But she was posting for a five week gig, and I couldn’t leave my good and steady job for five weeks of freelancing. However, that sparked in me an urge to look at the job boards and it turned out they were also looking for a full time Performance Director and now, after a whirlwind two weeks, here I am.

My biggest financial challenges this month were getting my last paycheck from Sleep No More at the first week of the month, for only 2 shows, and not getting paid until the end of the month at the new job.

While I love my little RV they’ve provided me, it was not in the greatest shape when I moved in, so I’ve definitely spent some money on cleaning supplies and other items to make it a little more like a home.

Additionally, while I do get fed in the cookhouse here, I am not a morning person and the second I step out of my RV, I’m “on” – people start asking me questions and wanting information. Groceries so I can just eat breakfast in there and start the day alone have been high on priority list too.

But life could be a lot worse, and as long as this show doesn’t suddenly close or anything, I will actually make all my financial goals for the year.

This month’s spending:

• Food – $361.01
• Healthcare – $211.00
• Entertainment – $82.88
• Lifelock – $9.99
• Home Décor/RV Supplies – $414.80
• brokeGIRLrich – $2.99
• Gifts – $57.17

Total Spending in September: $1,139.84

Hustling

My income this month was from stage managing at Sleep No More and Big Apple, dividends, and brokeGIRLrich.

• Stage Managing – $2,407.85
• brokeGIRLrich – $592.72
• Dividends – $24.00

Income This Month: $3,024.57

Most Popular Post of the Month: 114 Side Hustles: Ways to Make More Money

My Favorite Post to Write This Month: How to Win at Failure

Goals

• Max out my IRA. – Done
• Buy $1,000 in stock. – Done. More mutual funds.
• Contribute $2,000 to my New Car Fund – Done
• Contribute $5,000 to my Down Payment Fund – Still at $2,498 to go.
• Contribute $200 to my cousin’s wedding fund. Done
• Develop 2 new resume skills – One to go.
• Do something really fun with my brother. –Not quite what I intended, but we went to see It together, which is, oddly enough, kind of our movie since childhood.
• Write a journal or magazine article.
• Hike something.
• Master making macaroons.