Broke-Ass of the Week – Kate Kotler
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.
I first became aware of Kate right around the time the SF book came out. She wrote a yelp review about the book in which she not only praised it, but said I was “kinda hot”. This of course appealed to my unquenchable vanity, and I immediately thought she was cool. I’ve since met Kate at a few yelp events and realized that she was cool for other reasons too, among them that she: writes for a shit ton of blogs, is working on book of humor essays, and used to be a professional fire eater! Plus she’s funny and has good broke-ass tips. Just read below.
Name: Kate Kotler, aka Adorkable Grrl
Age: 35
Occupation: Currently – I am a “Victim of the Economy.” When I’m not collecting unemployment, eating bon bons and watching soap operas I write. I am a contributor to BitchBuzz and Fray: A Quarterly of True Stories (I also write a few other snarky blogs that get me in trouble on the innerwebs.). Oh yeah – and, I look for a job to replace the one I was laid off from.
What neighborhood do you live in?: I recently relocated to Berkeley after five years of living in the Cit-tay. Prior to that I lived in (reverse order) the Mission, the Outer Richmond, Chinatown, Lower Pacific Heights and some neighborhood out by John McLaren Park that doesn’t have a name… Or, at least it didn’t while I was living there.
Best money saving tip: I have three:
*Instead of going out to poshy restaurants and taking a cash dump for a minimalistic meal, get your friends together for a potluck dinner party where you all try your hands at cooking something gourmet. I just had a party like this a month ago where I made tomato bisque with brie on crostini… YUM!
*Don’t drop cash when you can trade. This works for clothes, books, CDs and DVDs.
*Dollar Stores and other discount retailers can provide you a more affordable way to purchase things you need that you’d drop hefty bank on in a normal store… Greeting cards, household cleaners, soap, shampoo/conditioner, food… You’d be surprised what you can find with a little patience.
What do you refuse to spend money on?:
*Wine – a really good wine shouldn’t cost you more than $10 per bottle. Especially in California!
*Netflix or renting movies at a video store – for god’s sake, just check some DVDs out of the library or stream it online.
*And, I flatly refuse to purchase a t-shirt that costs more than $10… what the fuck is up with all these $50 designer t-shirts? Especially the ironic ones. T-shirts are supposed to be cheap! You’re supposed to be able to get them at Target or a thrift store for less than a buck.
Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: My Macbook.
How’d that feel?: Like I’d just joined the Cult of Jobs. And, broke. It made me feel like a broke cult member.
Favorite cheap eat: Oh my god – without question – BACON DOGS!
Favorite dive bar: This one is a hard call… I’d have to say it’s a three way tie between Pop’s, The Ace Cafe and The 540 Club.
Best deal you’ve ever gotten: I talked my vet into treating my dog for a trade – I babysat her daughter.
Favorite free thing to do: I like taking walks around San Francisco/Berkeley or going to the beach with my dog.
If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: A really nice apartment in the city.
Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: Oh yeah – money isn’t necessary to have a great time.
Do you own my book?: Hells to the yes! (A friend gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago.)
Best hangover cure: Besides Xanex, water and sleep? A Bloody Mary at the Zeitgeist and perhaps a tamale to follow.
Are you a hipster?: Oh Stuart, my ass is way too big to fit into skinny jeans… (That would be a no.)
