Broke-Ass of the Week: Miss Alexandra Liss
Our Broke-Ass of the Week this time around is SF Native, Alexandra Liss. She is the co-creator of “The Kinda Late Show: with Broke-Ass Stuart (meee)” , videographer extraordinaire, published author, and sharing economy hustler who has pioneered ways to live rent free, make money off her car, travel to 6 continents on a backpackers budget etc. So how is it she lives like a millionaire even though she grew up a total Broke-ass in North Beach. She claims that richness is all a state of mind.
She is currently fighting the good fight by co-authoring “Its a Shareable Life” a how-to practical guide on sharing and through “BrandBarSF”, her full-service Video Production & branding company where you can hire her & crew throughout the bay area! You can get 10% off your first shoot by calling 415 866 6555 or contacting her team directly here.
Name: Miss Alexandra Liss aka “Vagenius”
Age: Dirty thirty …ish
Occupation: Videographer, author, token San Francisco native from North Beach
What neighborhood do you live in?: An alley in Hayes Valley near the Biergarten
Best money saving tip: You can have a much richer life by owning less stuff and sharing more!
What do you refuse to spend money on?:
I would rather punch myself in the face then drop a dime for cable cars. Cable cars should not be $6 one way for locals. I refuse to pay for that tourist trap. Here is a little tip: while the Cable Car is going down the hill, the Conductor (who collects the money) has to man the brakes, so as long as you hang on towards the front near the Operator (driver), the Conductor is too busy to leave the brakes to ask you for your dough….aaand I didn’t tell you that.
Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: My Canon 5D. Well worth it. It made me many times its value.
How’d that feel?: Empowering that people actually pay me for doing something I would do for free.
Favorite cheap eat: Without a doubt, my cheap-weakness is the holy grail of focaccia at Liguria Bakery , which I lovingly refer to as “the focaccia nazis.” It’s family run by these 2 stern faced Italian lady-relatives who have been behind that counter since I could say “shit, that focaccia is tasty’ (aka 6 years old). Bet your sweet ass, they will bust your metaphoric balls if you don’t order with some god damned conviction, exact change, and will close shop 30 seconds after selling out despite how long you were waiting in line…
Favorite dive bar: My ‘local’ is more a dive cafe, where you will find me after a long day of editing, hanging out at 901 Columbus @ Lombard drinking local $2 draft 5-10pm in North beach.
Favorite free thing to do: Lifting some palettes from the Safeway parking lot in the sunset, and then getting friends to take turns breaking up the wood with a mallet, then huddling together to light it all up at sunset, for an impromptu bonfire at Ocean beach.
If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: Because I believe your “network is your net worth”, I already live like a millionaire. Being a millionaire is inconsequential to me as long as my ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ are met. Remaining “time rich” is key, because when our basic needs are met, we can start following our enthusiasm, living a life of self-discovery, purpose, and giving back!
BUT, if I were personally a loaded millionaire, I would buy up as much real estate in SF as I could and make it a BMR artist residence and public space so all the creatives don’t get pushed out anymore than we are.
Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: If my aunt had balls, would she be my uncle? Exactly. Life is complicated, but I truly think that an epic life stems from the fact that money does not have to control us like the misleading compass that it can be. I’ve made life a game of finding all the fun ways to bypass money. I believe in living a life where enthusiasm is the main currency and I follow passion like Scrooge McDuck chases coins. Doing so has brought me incredible happiness. I have built a life that no amount of money could sway me to choose a different one.
Do you own my book?: I own your Zine! But I don’t own much, don’t take it personally. Digital is the new paperback, haven’t ya heard? But if I were surprised with a personalized signed copy with some witty banter or dirty limerick or haiku, I’d make that one of my few non digital possessions I would hold onto and treasure.
Best hangover cure: Fresh green juice in the morning, and a ton of water BEFORE going to sleep. If ever our drunk asses could only remember to drink the green juice before hitting the pillow!?
Are you a hipster? Well, I do own a “Young, Broke, and beautiful t-shirt”… 😉 Oh snap.
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