Broke-Ass of the Week – Author Stephen Elliott

Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude.  Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit'probably not.

Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week?  Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.

Not wearing a white t-shirt.

The first time I heard of Stephen Elliott was when he won “Best Local Author” in the SF Bay Guardian last year.  Considering that I’d won it the year before, was hoping to win it again, and that I’m a raging egotist, I was like, “Who the fuck is this guy?”.  Then I googled him and was like, “Oh he’s a real writer, not the kind that just writes poop jokes about cheap places!”.  I mean, to tell you the truth, I don’t even know if I’m supposed to put that period after the quotation marks in that last sentence.

Besides being one who writes books, Stephen also started The Rumpus, a literary website that doesn’t take it self too seriously and has the best selection of rotating quotes on the internet.  And, the Guardian wasn’t lying, the man is damn good at typing out sentences.  A month or two ago I read Stephen’s most recent book, The Adderall Diaries, and it was fantastic.  I couldn’t put it down.  I highly recommend picking it up.

Anyways, let’s see what our man has to say about being a broke-ass:

Name: Stephen Elliott

Age: 38

Occupation: Writer

What neighborhood do you live in?: Mission

What are you listening to these days?: Sharon Jones, David Bowie, Britney Spears

Best money saving tip: Roommates.

What do you refuse to spend money on?: Things. I don’t buy things, like furniture. I rarely buy clothes and then I keep it simple, jeans and white t-shirts. If you stay away from buying things like furniture and cars you can worry a lot less about spending an extra dollar or two to eat somewhere.

Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: My laptop. But my real luxury item is Bose noise canceling headphones. I can’t justify them. But I love them.

How’d that feel?: I felt very guilty buying the headphones. The laptop is really a business expense.

Favorite cheap eat: Metate

Favorite dive bar: I love the Latin American, though it’s not really a dive bar. On the other hand, I don’t drink.

Best deal you’ve ever gotten: Hmm'.

Favorite free thing to do: Lay in the park and read.

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: I might get my own apartment, but I really like my roommates.

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: Not always, but sometimes. I have the life I think I’d really want if I didn’t have it and was looking around for something to aspire too.

Do you own my book?: I don’t think so. I might.

Best hangover cure: Not drinking.

Are you a hipster?: Yeah, I think I’m a hipster, except I’m too old. Aging hipster is a nice term. But then maybe it depends on your definition. My definition of hipster is someone who likes The Pixies.