Getting ready for his close-up
SA’s Craig Greer is taking on Hollywood, having landed a film role. Brendan Peacock asked him about his fresh start and its impact on his financial affairs
Do you manage your own financial affairs, and would you say you’re good at handling money?
Yes, I do manage my own money. I never used to be good with money — I was a lot more generous than I could afford to be, but about two years ago I hit rock bottom and I was flat broke.
Since then, I have been really cautious with money coming in and out. It’s something I never want to go through again. How difficult is it to manage your finances if you don't work a regular nine-to-five job or you get paid irregularly?
I can be somewhat of a control freak. Being unable to predict my next pay cheque scares the daylights out of me, but the upside is I get to do something I love and get paid for it. Well, sort of. How do you get through the rough times — do you have to borrow?
Yes, sometimes the bank, sometimes family — depends who can offer me the best rate. What did your childhood experience teach you about handling money?
I didn’t have any money growing up so I didn’t have much practical experience, but any money I did get burnt a whole in my pocket. I was very bad at saving. What was the best money advice you were ever given?
I remember a quote saying “The best way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket”.
It’s a bit of advice I learnt to follow later on in life.
Do you save or invest?
I was lucky enough to find a well-paying job when I was younger.
I returned home after two years working in the Middle East and put all my savings into a piece of property that I now lease to tenants in order to cover the bond. This is my investment. I have no other way of saving money.
What’s the best thing you've ever bought or spent money on? And the worst?
I could probably win an award for spending money on rubbish.
The latest item I wasted money on was a pack of shaving razors for $1 [R10]. I lost a lot of blood.
If I had to narrow it down to the best thing I have ever bought, it would have to be my laptop.
I owe so much to this machine. I use it to manage my life, speak to my family, generate an income and so much more. Have you taken on any jobs and then thought never again?
Copier salesman would have to be the worst. I walked up and down office blocks around Johannesburg trying to sell these machines for six months, and in the end I managed to sell noth- ing. I guess I’m not cut out to be a salesman. In Hollywood, is there a lot of intimidation and temptation with the big-money cheques and big names floating around? Has it been difficult to fit in?
Hollywood is really intimidating, especially the film industry. There are so many rules and regulations. I have not even begun to scrape the surface. William Goldman once said: “In Hollywood, no one knows anything.” That pretty much sums it all up for me. As for the big Hollywood cheques, I’ll keep you posted. Is the cost of living radically different in Hollywood? How have you adjusted?
I have found the price of food and fuel has been on par with South Africa, but the conversion fees and transfer fees you get charged when using your South African Visa card can turn a $5 burger into an $8 burger. I have learnt to be extremely careful out here, especially when using my card.
Renting an apartment in Hollywood is expensive regardless of the currency. What advice could you give to someone considering a similar career back in South Africa?
Network. I can’t stress this enough: do research on classes and workshops in your area, make sure you know what you’re paying for, read books — there are so many great books on the performing arts.
Just keep crafting your skill. Keep moving, don’t stop.