Managing money is hard enough with a regular paycheque. But what happens when your income changes every month, you’re building businesses, and some acting gigs have to last you for months at a time?
Tash and Ana chat with actor and creative Gina Drew about budgeting on a low and irregular income, combining finances with a partner, building emergency buffers, investing small amounts, and finding support when money gets tight.
In this episode:
💸 How Gina manages money when her acting income can swing from a large one-off payment to very little for months
💸 Why she and her partner split shared expenses 60/40, and how they adjust things when their incomes change
💸 What it was like navigating a relationship where one person had debt and the other had always avoided credit cards
💸 Why talking openly about money helped Gina and her partner get on the same page with spending, debt and shared goals
💸 How Gina uses Self-Employment Assistance while building her own businesses, including acting, craft classes and a production company
💸 Why diversifying your income can matter just as much as diversifying your investments when you work in a creative field
💸 How Gina automates small amounts into super and investments, even when she can’t commit to the same dollar amount every month
💸 The backup plan she uses when money gets tight: find more work, grow business income, dip into her emergency fund, then look at government support if needed
The big takeaway? You don’t need a perfectly predictable income to start building better money habits. Systems, backup plans and honest conversations can make a huge difference, even when your income changes from month to month.
Disclaimer:
Any advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.
Pearler is an Authorised Representative 1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL 337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guide
If you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding.
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