The Best Investments I've Made as an Actor (That Are Actually Worth the Money)
Being an actor isn't cheap.
Between headshots, classes, union dues, self-tape equipment, dance shoes, audition outfits, and transportation, the costs can add up quickly. If you're pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, you've probably wondered at some point:
"Is this actually worth spending money on?"
Over the past year, I've become much more intentional with my finances. After navigating a major career transition and freelancing full-time, I found myself looking at every subscription, every recurring expense, and every impulse purchase asking one simple question:
Does this actually make my life or career better?
Some things were an easy "yes." Others weren't.
Today, I'm sharing the investments that have genuinely improved my life as a working actor—not because they're trendy, but because they help me perform better, stay healthier, and build a more sustainable creative career.
1. Dance Classes
If I had to recommend one investment to almost any performer, it would be dance training.
This year, I joined an unlimited membership at my local dance studio, The Studio at Hoboken, and it has become one of the best decisions I've made.
I've been taking:
Hip-Hop
Contemporary
Heels
Jazz Funk
While I originally signed up because I simply missed dancing, the benefits have gone far beyond technique.
Dance has improved my:
Confidence
Endurance
Flexibility
Musicality
Ability to pick up choreography quickly
Memory retention during dance calls
Perhaps most importantly, it forces me to stay present. During class, I'm not worrying about auditions, emails, or social media. For an hour, I'm completely focused on learning and performing.
That alone has been worth the investment.
2. Rehearsal Studio Rentals
This is one expense I rarely hear actors talk about.
I regularly rent rehearsal studios at places like Ripley-Grier Studios and Pearl Studios… not just before auditions, but afterward too.
Before auditions, I use the space to:
Warm up vocally
Stretch
Run lines
Practice choreography
Get into the right headspace
After dance calls, I often rent a room to record myself performing the choreography while it's still fresh in my mind.
Those videos become invaluable if I receive a callback later.
I also use rehearsal studios to film content for Actor Aesthetic, coach clients, and create educational videos.
These rooms are more than rehearsal spaces. They're offices, classrooms, content studios, and sometimes… creative workspaces.
3. Career Tools That Keep My Business Running
Some expenses aren't exciting.
Nobody posts on Instagram about renewing their website.
But they're essential.
Some of my recurring career investments include:
SAG-AFTRA membership
Website hosting
Self-tape equipment (check out my favorites here)
These aren't glamorous purchases.
They're the foundation of my business.
As actors, we are entrepreneurs whether we realize it or not. Having professional materials and the ability to submit yourself for work is worth every dollar.
4. Wellness Isn't a Luxury
For years I treated wellness as something I'd invest in "once I made it."
Now I think differently.
If I'm dancing several times a week, auditioning, creating content, and working, taking care of my body isn't optional.
Some wellness investments I prioritize include:
Monthly massages
Stretching and recovery
Spray tans before auditions or shoots
Regular nail maintenance
Do any of these directly book me jobs?
Probably not.
But they help me feel confident, physically healthy, and prepared—and confidence shows up in the audition room.
5. Buying Back Your Time
One thing I've learned is that not every purchase needs to save money.
Sometimes it saves energy.
My husband and I use HelloFresh every week.
Could we meal plan ourselves?
Absolutely.
Would we?
Probably not consistently.
Having meals delivered removes decision fatigue and makes weeknight dinners significantly easier.
That gives me more time to focus on auditions, coaching, content creation, and rest.
Time is valuable too.
6. Small Purchases That Save Money
Sometimes the smartest investments are surprisingly inexpensive.
For me, it's things like:
A reusable water bottle
A Brita filter
Amazon Prime for audition wardrobe returns
Organizational tools for self-tape gear
These little purchases have probably saved me hundreds of dollars over time.
7. The Expense I'm Trying to Cut Back On
Not every convenience is worth it.
For me, that's Uber Eats.
One delivery fee becomes two.
Then comes the service fee, tip, and inflated menu prices.
Suddenly, dinner costs twice what it would have if I'd picked it up myself.
I'm not eliminating it completely.
I'm just trying to be intentional.
That's really the theme of this entire article.
8. It's Okay to Spend Money on Joy
Here's something I wish more creatives believed:
Not every purchase has to improve your productivity.
Sometimes it's okay to buy something simply because it makes you happy.
For me, that's coffee.
I love visiting local coffee shops.
Could I make coffee at home?
Of course.
Do I still enjoy treating myself to a cold brew after an audition?
Absolutely.
Sometimes the twenty-minute walk to grab coffee does more for my mental health than the coffee itself.
Joy has value, too.
Being financially responsible doesn't always mean spending less.
Sometimes it means spending better.
The older I get, the more I realize that the best investments aren't necessarily the flashiest ones. They're the purchases that help me become healthier, happier, more creative, and more prepared for opportunities when they come.
As actors, we're constantly investing in ourselves.
And the ultimate goal is to spend intentionally.
What are you investing in?
I'd love to hear from you. What's one purchase, class, subscription, or experience that's genuinely made your life better as an actor?
Leave a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram. I always love hearing what other performers are finding valuable.
