BA of the Week – Cartoonist and Screenwriter AP Quach

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.

AP Quach is a screenwriter with big blue eyes and a bit of a drawl. She regularly posts ridiculous drawings at www.sassquach.com. The sneak peek party for her first film, Appleseeds, is in Berkeley on October 14th. Get your tickets now at appleseeds.brownpapertickets.com!

Name: AP Quach

Age: 27

Occupation: Screenwriter and cartoonist.

What neighborhood do you live in?: East Bay…the dusty windswept hills of Fremont.

Best money saving tip: Get a (cheap) hobby that eats up all your time. I started putting out my Sassquach cartoons about a year ago and, after a few months, I realized that money was piling up in my checking account. All that time spent hunched over my drawing table was time I wasn’t spending in the mall or at restaurants or the movies, but I hadn’t really noticed.

What do you refuse to spend money on?: I can’t bring myself to pay full price for clothes. I was raised going to outlet and discount stores…if it’s not half-off, it’s a sale for chumps. Then I figured out how to stalk my prey on eBay and it was all over.

Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: A plane ticket to Switzerland.

How’d that feel? It was impulsive and I felt pretty panicky… I always have my doubts about plane tickets. It’s overwhelming to have a piece of paper that costs that much money.

Favorite cheap eat: When I was super poor, I used to take canned chicken and fry it in olive oil with red pepper until it was crispy on the edges. Not bad.

Favorite dive bar: I don’t go to many bars…out where I live, they rise up out of the strip malls at night like dusky mirages. There’s too much empty space around. It feels like walking into a trap. I prefer to get drunk at home and wander around the neighborhood singing what I see on the ground to the tune of “Meet the Flintstones”.

Best deal you’ve ever gotten: I’m pretty proud of my wedding ring. If you’re looking to get hitched and you can’t afford much in the way of jewelry, hitting the estate sale circuit can turn up some really great finds. My diamond and platinum band rang up for a third of the cost of the plain old gold bands we’d looked at in a proper jewelry store.

Favorite free thing to do: Trotting around and bellowing along with the radio in shiny underpants is a fun way to pass a slow morning.

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: An ascot and a white sweater. I don’t want to stick out.

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: Of course. I’m extraordinarily fortunate and it would be ridiculous to think otherwise. I’m a healthy young woman with dreams and an internet connection. Sounds pretty damn rich to me.

Do you own my book?: It’s possible.

Best hangover cure: Water and pancakes.

Are you a hipster?: Is that still a thing that people identify with?