The Cost of Burlesque
Getting a 1099 from Vaudezilla was probably the best thing to happen to my tax return in years. Since I have to pay taxes on some of my income from 2010, I can now deduct all of the "business expenses" that went into this little hobby of mine! So, I pulled up my calendar and started trying to quantify my self-employed side job. And what I found was kind of astounding! So I'm posting it here to share, the expenses of a year in burlesque and modeling.
In 2010 I performed, hosted or produced a total of 62 shows. I estimated that I spent about $15 for drinks, meals, and local transportation (cab fare) for each show, for a total of $930. I am sure that my credit card receipts from Exit, Blue Bayou and Palace will reflect at least that much, haha.
Jan: 5 \ Feb: 9 \ Mar: 9 \ Apr: 7 \ May: 8 \ June: 1 \ Jul: 3 \ Aug: 1 \ Sep: 3 \ Oct: 10 \ Nov: 2 \ Dec: 4
Total Shows: 62, $930 Meals & Local Transport
I also participated in 4 overnight events that required travel, lodging, or other major expense (i.e. meals). For each I allowed myself $100 for meals.
Grand Rapids Jan 30: $150 transport & lodging
WCBF April 15: $100 misc
NYC Calendar shoot: $300 transportation
Chicago in October: $300 transportation (airfare)
Travel totals: $1250
I included the cost of the calendars I purchased along with cards and stickers to estimate a total of $240 Advertising expenses.
Calendar: $130 (advertising)
Cards & stickers: $70 (advertising)
Website domains: $40
I did 11 photo shoots this year. For each shoot I allowed myself $10 for Local Transportation, total: $110
I paid for 5 related workshops and 2 series of dance classes this year, each cost $20-70. Training Total: $270
I paid application fees for 7 burlesque festivals, and entered 2 contests. Fees varied from $10-30. Total Application Fees: $140
And the big one... Supplies! I spent only about half an hour going through the ordering history of about 7 of my favorite suppliers (Amazon, Paypal (etsy), Electrique Boutique, Tamis Place, Modcloth, Pinup Girl, iTunes). I guesstimated some basic amounts for fabric, trim & notions (but I'm sure it's a lot more)
Rhinestones - $100
Costume parts - Kitty Cat (full costume) $200; fur coat $100; misc etsy $165
Costume, contest & shoot clothing - Modcloth $260, Pinupgirl $200, Electrique $50
Fabric & trim - est. $200
Music for routines - $50
Props supplies (Amazon) - $20
misc pasties (individual sellers) - $60
Pinup-style Hairdos - Jan, Mar, Aug, Oct, Dec = $650
Specialized beauty i.e. makeup, lashes, etc - $120
Total Est. Supplies $2175
GRAND TOTAL: $5,115
WHEW! That's a lot of money that I've spent on this ridiculous hobby in just one year!
Some of these estimates are kind of generous, but I bet there is a lot that I didn't think, or under estimated. I wonder how much I've spent on bananas and hot dogs alone?!