Broke-Ass of the Week – Nish Nadaraja

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.

After leaving a position as brand director at Yelp, Nish has not exactly been a broke-ass, but he does aspire to that aesthetic (check out his best money saving tip!). As a side project, he started the clothing line Rich Kid Cool with the former creative director from Yelp. He plans on going broke paying for his son Dashiell’s preschool education.  Totally worth it!

Name: Nish “Nish” Nadaraja

Age: Classified

Occupation: Hype Marketer

What neighborhood do you live in?: South of Market

What are you listening to these days?: I’m still sucking in The Rolling Stones, Derek & The Dominoes and The Band. I think Wilco and The Strokes are modern rock.

Best money saving tip: A lot of hotels have wine happy hours for their guests. If you act somewhat clueless and clean, just blend in and imbibe. The Hotel Triton is just one hint of this.

What do you refuse to spend money on?: Vegans, if at all possible.

Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: Local and original art, and I haven’t regretted a purchase yet.

Favorite cheap eat: A slice from Pizza Avellino, which is a riff on Arinell in the Mission, in a good way.

Favorite dive bar: I have an amorous relationship with the Hi-Tide Lounge on Geary, both with their jukebox and the velvety portrait of a lady above the bar.

Best deal you’ve ever gotten: I once bought 2,500 music cds on Craigslist, for about $300. The couple who sold them to me was moving and just wanted to get rid of them, nice people really. I ended up cataloging and then selling them to Amoeba, Streetlight and Rasputin, netting about $3,500.

Favorite free thing to do: I have a three year old son named Dash, so we like to cruise Yerba Buena Gardens, sometimes the Panhandle. Parks and recreation is where it’s at.

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: A human chess board.

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: My business partner and I created Rich Kid Cool to prove that you don’t have to be any of those things to lust for life. You just need a good t-shirt and the truth.

Do you own my book?: I’ve been a loyal BAS fan for years, and yes I’m avoiding the question.

Best hangover cure: Walking along 6th Street between Market and Mission and envisioning the downward spiral of life.

Are you a hipster?: I have a bad hip from just getting old, does that count?