February 11, 2019

Financial Tips From a Working Actress

Every few months, Carla Wadell receives a check in the mail. They come unannounced and almost always are, as she puts it, a wonderful surprise.

Carla is like most HR reps around the country. She spends her days screening and interviewing candidates, taking care of payroll and so on. But what you may not know about Carla is that she moonlights as a television and movie extra. And, those surprise checks she receives are pay for acting gigs. It all started a couple of years ago after her sister nominated her to go on a cooking show. That was her first big break on TV. And what started out as a hobby quickly morphed into a big dream Carla was determined to pursue.

“It changed my life,” she explains. “Since I did that show, my life has taken a 180-degree turn.”

The lights, the camera and action, however, all come with a price for any aspiring actor. So, how does she make it work financially?

Well, she hustles. And she kept her full-time job, for now.

Carla Wadell — Cooking Show

Acting Jobs Don’t Pay for Gas

When Carla decided to pursue her dream, she knew she needed a gameplan.

“I wanted to follow my heart and my dreams but I also needed to be realistic. My mother raised me to make the most of my decisions without ever becoming a burden to others,” she says. So how does she balance her passion and her chequebook?

  1. Plan Ahead Because most acting gigs pay weeks or sometimes even months later, Carla learned to pay her bills early and often. So whether she’s hit with an unexpected cost or travelling on short notice, Carla no longer worries about missing bill payments.
  1. Don’t Quit Your Day Job Having a full-time job to fall back on has its perks. “Whenever I need to go on an audition or out of town for work, I can take my vacation days and I drive for Lyft whenever I can,” she adds. For Carla, being prepared can mean the difference between good and bad credit.
  1. Save. Save. Save. By maintaining different savings accounts, Carla can keep her emergency savings funds separate from surprise expenses and daily purchases.

Carla cautions others in similar situations and asks them to be conscious of what they have. “You have to be super aware of what you have and what you don’t. Always be aware of how much you can actually afford to spend.”

Armed with her plans, Carla is taking another piece of advice her mom gave her — this is your life and you have to make the most of it. Don’t ever let anyone you hold back.

And she isn’t.


Through stories of our shared struggles and triumphs, we see that we’re all connected. Want to share your story? Email us at stories@earnin.com.

You may enjoy

Rising Gas Prices Hurting Your Budget? Here Are Some Tips
Rising Gas Prices Hurting Your Budget? Here Are Some Tips
Don't let rising gas prices get you off track from your budget. This article provides tips and strategies to help you save money at the pump.
People of Earnin: Connie Jordan
People of Earnin: Connie Jordan
Meet Connie Jordan and learn how EarnIn helped her get to a better financial place. Know more about EarnIn's values and approach on our blog.
People of Earnin: Eloisa Ayala
People of Earnin: Eloisa Ayala
Meet Eloisa Ayala and learn how EarnIn helped her get to a better financial place. Know more about EarnIn's values and approach on our blog.
People of Earnin: Sandra Clark
People of Earnin: Sandra Clark
Meet Sandra Clark and learn how EarnIn helped her get to a better financial place. Know more about EarnIn's values and approach on our blog.
Break Out of Your Bad Financial Habits
Break Out of Your Bad Financial Habits
Ready to break free from bad financial habits? You've come to the right place! Here are tips and strategies to help you identify and overcome them.
There’s a Money Problem in America
There’s a Money Problem in America
America faces significant financial challenges. EarnIn's blog explores the issues and potential solutions to this important problem.
Going Broke for Love
Going Broke for Love
I never had to learn how to be an adult until after I left the army. Suddenly, I went from making good money to nothing.
Earnin Joins Forces with Cupertino on Rent Assistance
Earnin Joins Forces with Cupertino on Rent Assistance
EarnIn has partnered with Cupertino to provide rent assistance to those in need. Learn more about EarnIn's values and approach on our blog.
Don't Sell Your Soul For a Paycheck
Don't Sell Your Soul For a Paycheck
Don't sacrifice your well-being for a paycheck. Take a breath, and learn these tips on how to maintain your mental and physical health while working.
What is a Cash Advance and How Does It Work?
What is a Cash Advance and How Does It Work?
What is a cash advance? Learn about how cash advances work and the fees and charges involved. Explore convenient, lower-cost alternatives to cash advances.
Hidden Talents of the Earnin Team: Carole Yang
Hidden Talents of the Earnin Team: Carole Yang
Earnin Community Members Report Fewer Overdrafts
Earnin Community Members Report Fewer Overdrafts
Activehours, Inc. NMLS #2535570
EarnIn US1 LLC NMLS #2567882

EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Bank products are issued by Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC. The EarnIn Card is issued pursuant to a license from Visa USA Inc.

Download on the App Store
4.7 +189K ratings
Download on Google Play
4.6 +200K ratings