How I keep track of money (in 30 minutes a month)
The week in Creative Money - 12 February, 2021
Creative Money aims to have an open conversation about finances in the creative industries.
It was founded in July, 2020 in an attempt to address a frustrating lack of relatable financial guidance for creative workers and is written by me, Matt Parker, a music journalist and lecturer.
Hello! This week I have been thinking about time. I was writing a piece for the site about how I keep track of my money over the course of about 30 mins a month and it occurred to me how our time, like our money, can be spent savvily or splurged.
You might spend half an hour at the start of every month checking over a few things, or six hours once a year. Even though they equate to the same total of your time invested, the first option will likely result in a much better return when it comes to your net worth, clarity over your financial situation and your overall stress level.
Those who know me well will agree that time management is perhaps not one of my strong points, but I do feel that I’ve made real progress when it comes to the amount of time I spend figuring out my finances. This system seems to work for me. Have a look at the piece, give it a go and see if you think it will work for you, too.
Until next time,
Matt
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What do you need to know this week?
Remi Harris MBE has updated her book 'Easy Money? The Definitive UK Guide to Funding Music Projects' (and is running a free launch event on 15 February, 2021)
What Covid really did to your money (The Independent)
I love Niamh Mulvey’s newsletter about money/lifestyles of those in different roles in the publishing industry (In The Read)
How a new campaign aims to fix a broken music industry (New Statesman)
Prospect union has published its report on the future of self-employment (Prospect)
Grants and funding opportunities for UK creative workers
CLOSING: Fair Earth Creative Entrepreneurs Fund
The entrepreneurs fund is a £10,000 grant awarded to one inspiring entrepreneur, along with a mentor, to help set up their own business. Deadline: 14 February, 2021
CLOSING: Maltings Theatre Our Towns Theatre Fund
Grants of £500-£5,000 open to artists living in South East towns who want to create artistic work where they live, with and for their town community. Deadline: 15 February, 2021
CLOSING: Arts Council Developing Your Creative Practice
The fund supports creative practitioners thinking of taking their practice to the next stage to research, have time to create new work, travel, training, develop ideas, network or find mentoring. Deadline: 18 February, 2021
Sheffield Culture Consortium Freelance Art + Cultural Workers Fund
Open to all freelancers working in the creative and arts sector who, live or work in Sheffield. Awards between £500 and £2,000 are available, with a total fund of £52k. Deadline: 21 February, 2021
NEW: Creative Scotland Events Industry Support Fund 2
Established to provide financial support to Scottish businesses operating across the events industry, particularly those in the industry’s supply chain, that are still facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Opens 18 February. Deadline: 28 February, 2021
Dance Professionals Fund
Grants of up to £2,000 for dancers, dance teachers and choreographers affected by Covid. Applicants must be able to show that they were recently in paid employment in the dance profession up to the start of COVID-19 restrictions. Deadline: March, 2021
NEW: PRS Foundation Power Up Programme
The Power Up Participant Programme is designed to elevate exciting Black music creators and industry professionals and address barriers for those at crucial career stages. Support includes grants of up to £15,000, mentoring and marketing support. Deadline: 10 March, 2021
Home/Manchester City Council Fund for Arts Freelancers
A discretionary fund to support freelancers working in the creative and cultural sectors who are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. The charity is making up to £500,000 available in grants of £1,500 to individual freelancers. Deadline: ongoing
Society of Authors Contingency Fund
Helps writers, illustrators, literary translators, scriptwriters, poets, journalists and others, whose author-related activities make up a substantial amount of their annual income. Grants range in value from £500 to £2,000. Deadline: ongoing
ArtCry grants
ArtCry is setup to provide a rapid turnaround of funding for art works responding to current events. Grants of up to £5,000 with a panel of artists, activists, creators and producers making decisions on applications within a week. Deadline: ongoing
Help Musicians Hardship Fund
The third phase of one of the major support funds for musicians is now open and will support successful applicants with a monthly top-up until March 2021. Deadline: ongoing
Actor's Children Trust hardship grants
ACT continues to pay Corona-crisis grants of £300 per family per month towards food and bills, as well as specific grants for children’s costs. Please use the contact form so we can check your eligibility as an actor under ACT’s criteria. Deadline: ongoing
Royal Variety Charity Financial Assistance grants
The Royal Variety Charity is uniquely positioned to provide financial assistance to anyone who serves any facet of the Entertainment Industry. Deadline: ongoing
The White Pube Writers Grant funded by Creative Debuts
£500 given out monthly to a working class writer based in the UK. This grant has been set up to support writers of all ages who are early in their careers and would benefit from this no-strings attached financial support to help them in whatever they like. Deadline: ongoing
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