There is a smarter way to approach budgets sexy, and it starts with knowing a few key details. This guide covers them, along with tips you can apply immediately.
Key Takeaways
- At the age of 25, I spent six months of my life and made a major career move playing this fun loving, fancy talking eight year old.
- Five actors, one stage manager, and a full set packed into a Dodge Sprinter, brought Fancy Nancy (and other storybooks) to thousands of kids throughout America.
- A Typical Day as Fancy Nancy On a typical day we’d be called to the hotel lobby near 6:30am to drive to the performance venue.
- In one hour we would bring to life six sought after storybooks, all in song….
A Closer Look at Budgets Sexy
I starred as Fancy Nancy (and about nine other characters) in a storybook musical review that toured the United States from major cities like Dallas, Texas to middle of nowhere towns like Spirit Lake, Iowa. Worth noting: upon arrival, the six of us would unload our full set from the back of the van and spend the next hour and half putting it together and setting everything from costumes to props to set pieces for the reveal.
- If we were lucky, we were in a theatre that had a loading dock we could back the van right up to and stage hands to assist us out.
- The less than ideal venues, typically school gyms and cafeterias, required us to haul our entire set through the winding hallways, stairs, and throngs of children before crafting a stage out of nothing but a dirty floor.
- More importantly, and the kids LOVED it.
What to Know About Budgets Sexy
I played a chicken, a campaigner, a reporter, a mom, Fancy Nancy, a different mom, a baby, a monster, and a bitchy teenage cat. I burned at least 500 calories as I sweat it out with potty jokes, time steps, and key life lessons like “there’s no fancier or better method to say, “I love you””.
- After each reveal, I would feel like a total wreck.
- Remember that i had props and costumes from quick changes flung all over the place, and I would be sweating through my entire base layer.
- We’d typically have half an hour to reset before doing it all over again for the next group of kids.
How Budgets Sexy Really Works
After reveal two, we’d break it all down and load it back in the van before driving anywhere from two to six hours to the next city. After arrival and check in, I’d force myself to go for a run while scavenging for semblances of healthy, vegetarian food for dinner.
- As a rule, it’d typically be dark out by that time, and consistently being in a new and unfamiliar place, I managed to put myself in compromising circumstances more than once.
- After surviving my run, several hundred miles of travel, and anywhere between 1-3 demonstrates in the day, I would plop down on the hotel bed and obsess over my new favorite activity, counting my money.
- How Much it Paid In addition to our salary, $464/weekly (before taxes, union dues, and agent fees), we were given $54/day per diem, meant to cover food and housing costs.
Getting the Most From Budgets Sexy
Even in bumblef**k, America, hotel rooms cost more than $50 a night - forget eating anything. In short, the worst part was, the company would book the hotel rooms, frequently at $80-$100 per night.
- I took it upon myself to research alternatives, occasionally finding a deal to save $10-20, but it had to be approved by everyone in the cast and by “changing the itinerary” (i.e. staying in the cheaper hotel next door), we forfeited any overtime.
- Yeah, it was bullsh*t.
- During the first four months of tour I roomed with the other woman on the road to split room costs.
Tips That Make a Difference
Worth noting: but after living, working, driving, eating, and breathing the same people in a tiny van for all those days, I couldn’t bear it any more. I started couchsurfing, contacting any and all distant family and friend contacts, even ridesharing, to avoid spending more money on hotels or more time in the van.
- As for eating, I got real creative.
- I would find a local grocery store and concoct healthy creations in my hotel room microwave since the only aspect available in most of the country is Waffle House and McDonalds - neither of which I’ll touch with a ten foot pole.
- More importantly, i also got real solid about finding affordable liquor, since there’s nothing like the roar of children, having to sit in the front seat between the driver and the passenger for six hours, and then loading set pieces that weigh twice what you do to make you begin drinking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some Perks in The Madness It wasn’t all terrible. I got to expose numerous children to their first ever musical theatre experience.
- As a “storybook celeb” I would get star struck little ones asking for my autograph.
- Remember that i frequently made press appearances at “Fancy Nancy” tea parties where I was revered.
- Not to mention, I got to see some beautiful parts of the country.
Is Budgets Sexy Worth It?
Sure, I wasn’t a fan of all of it, but certain locales caught me by surprise - Des Moines, Iowa; Newport, Oregon; Provo, Utah. As for that major career move I mentioned, playing Fancy Nancy allowed me to join Actor’s Equity Association, the professional theatre union.
- As a rule, a few months later, that move facilitated my NYC debut in the multi million dollar production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Madison Square Garden.
- So while I was living off of pennies, breaking my body with oversized set pieces and cramped car rides, and subsisting off of side dishes for six months; I was bringing theatre, art, and education to thousands of young’ins while learning some key aspects myself (and, by the method, birthing my blog).
- Do I regret it?
Where the Real Savings Hide
Not for a moment. , , - Stefanie O’Connell is a New York City based actress and freelance writer. In short, she chronicles her struggle to “live the dream” on a starving artists’ budget at TheBrokeAndBeautifulLife.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I save money on budgets sexy?
Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Worth noting: upon arrival, the six of us would unload our full set from the back of the van and spend the next hour and half putting it together and setting everything from costumes to props to set pieces for the reveal.
Is it worth shopping around for budgets sexy?
Usually yes. If we were lucky, we were in a theatre that had a loading dock we could back the van right up to and stage hands to assist us out.
What should I check before buying?
Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. The less than ideal venues, typically school gyms and cafeterias, required us to haul our entire set through the winding hallways, stairs, and throngs of children before crafting a stage out of nothing but a dirty floor.
Smart Ways to Save More on Budgets Sexy
- Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
- Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
- Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
- Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
- Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line on budgets sexy: a little research goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is a click away.
Originally published at budgetsaresexy.com.
