Booked & Broke

Why Getting Paid Isn’t the Same as Getting Paid Well

So, you finally booked the job. You landed the role, delivered the performance, and cashed the check. But why does it still feel like your bank account isn’t reflecting the win?

Let’s be real: getting booked is a moment worth celebrating, but if you’re not managing your money right, you can still end up broke.

And that’s not your fault—most actors were never taught the business side of the business. But here at TWAA, we believe that financial literacy is just as essential as learning your lines.

The Income Illusion

Actors often celebrate a $5,000 paycheck without realizing how much of that money is already spoken for:

• Taxes (30% or more)
• Agent/Manager fees (10-20%)
• Union dues
• Self-employment expenses (like coaching, headshots, self-tape gear)

Suddenly, that $5,000 becomes more like $2,000—and that’s before you’ve even paid rent.

Multiple Streams, One Mindset

Being a working actor means treating yourself like a working business. That means:

• Diversifying income: teaching, coaching, voiceover, influencer content
• Building a cushion: saving for off-seasons or unexpected lulls
• Planning ahead: using tools like the TWAA Actor Financial Toolkit to stay ready

When you treat acting like a business, you make decisions based on the long game—not just the next paycheck.

Protecting the Bag

Here’s how you shift from "booked and broke" to "booked and building":

• Track every dollar that comes in and goes out
• Open a business bank account to separate personal and acting income
• Set aside a percentage for taxes with every check
• Know what you can write off to keep more of your money
• Set rates for non-union gigs that reflect your worth

The Bottom Line

Getting booked is the goal. But getting paid well—and keeping that money working for you—is the game.

That’s why we created the TWAA Actor Financial Toolkit. It gives you the tools to:

• Track your income and expenses
• Prep for tax season with confidence
• Learn what you can write off
• Shift your mindset from "starving artist" to profitable creative

This is your reminder: you don’t just deserve to work. You deserve to win.

Download the toolkit now for just $9.97 and start managing your money like a pro.
 

[Purchase TWAA Actor Financial Toolkit]