BA of the Week – Tamara Reynolds from Married with Dishes
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 met Tamara through our mutual friend Zora O’Neill. I know Zora from my Lonely Planet days and Tamara and Zora wrote the book Forking Fantastic together. We even reviewed it on this site. In fact, Tamara was even supposed to write for BAS.com come never finished her application..ahem, still waiting for that Tamara. Anyways, she’s gone on to do lots of other amazing things, which you can read about here, including her recent TV special Married with Dishes on the Cooking Channel. Click on the link to find out when it plays next.
Tamara is also a pro at being a broke-ass and has funny things to say about it below. My favorite is her hangover cure. Enjoy:
Name: Tamara Reynolds
Age: Older than I look, younger than I feel
Occupation: Cook, Writer, Television Commentator, Owner of teeny tiny catering company, fit model
What neighborhood do you live in?: ASSSS-toria, QUEENS, baby!
Best money saving tip?: If I knew how to save money, I would not be a broke ass! I believe in spending it and enjoying yourself. This is your only go around, after all.
What do you refuse to spend money on? Prepared food. My arms are not broken and I know how to cook. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing people walk out of grocery stores with frozen food, prepared food and those goddamned rotisserie chickens. For 2 dollars less and an hour of your time, you could have had an organic chicken that you yourself baked in YOUR oven, instead of one of those disgusting, factory farmed chickens that some dude in a shower cap/hair net threw into a (probably) dirty oven with no lube and no love.
Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?: Ummm I think my Butter Yellow Sofa? I wasn’t even looking for a sofa but I fell in love with it and then visited it every couple of days for a month at ABC Carpets and Home. It was 1500—on clearance. Then again, I do feel like it was definitely a smart buy as it was originally 5k. I still have it, and still love it, 8 years later.
How’d that feel?: It still feels great. Even though the last time we moved it couldn’t get through the door or windows so we had to pay cash money to get it taken apart, brought up, and put back together. Not exactly a broke ass hall of fame move.
Favorite cheap eat?: Tie: Souvlaki skewers from a cart in my hood, and tacos from the bodegas with illegal stoves in the back. Always available, always delicious.
Favorite dive bar?: Jimmy’s Corner in Times Square, of all places.
Best deal you’ve ever gotten?: For years the Chanel ladies at Macy’s in Manhattan traded me tons of free samples for homemade banana bread or cookies. We called it the “Poverty Stricken Actress Special”.
Favorite free thing to do?: Staten Island Ferry! Plus, you can bring your own booze and have a drink while you pass by Lady Liberty, with the wind in your hair. Particularly stunning at sunset.
If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: A big house in my neighborhood so I would have the peace of mind knowing that A) I would never get priced out and B) my friends and I will have a place to retire to. Our clubhouse/nursing home.
Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: Oh my God YES! Could I get more facials and shoes and better wine if I had more money? Sure. But does the lack of those things make me miserable? Abso fucking lutely NOT.
Do you own my book?: Indeed I DO! A signed copy, bitch!
Best hangover cure?: Greasy eggs and bacon, chocolate milk, and nasty sex.
Are you a hipster?: Uhhhh no.
