Helen Lederer, aged 70, is known for her roles in sitcoms such as Absolutely Fabulous, Bottom, and The Young Ones. She has also made a mark as a stand-up comedian and authored five books, with her first novel, Losing It, released in 2015. Her memoir, Not That I’m Bitter, is now available in paperback, and she is featured in the BBC Two series Pilgrimage, which tracks celebrities of various faiths on a journey together. In 2018, she established the Comedy Women in Print Prize, a literary award dedicated to comedic novels written by women. Currently residing in London with her second husband, Chris Browne, she shares a daughter, Hannah, with her first husband, journalist Roger Alton.

Currently, I have no cash on hand, just a few receipts and one credit card—actually, there’s only 5p. I sometimes carry a £5 note for taxis since the card machine where I live often fails. That can be quite inconvenient.

What credit cards do you use?

I only use one, I believe it’s a Mastercard. I charge everything to that card. My husband and I share an account; he uses the debit card. Honestly, I’m not great with online banking; I struggle with how to send money. I genuinely think I need someone to help me manage my finances online.

Are you a saver or a spender?

I would say I’m more of a sporadic spender. Much of my spending goes towards gifts for others’ birthdays. I keep a birthday book that lists everyone’s special dates. Unless I can genuinely repurpose an old gift, I prefer buying something new. I also host people regularly through the Comedy Women in Print Prize, and I often treat them to drinks, which can get quite pricey in London. Typically, I cover the costs.

What was your first job?

During school, my first Saturday job was as a waitress in a restaurant in Eltham, southeast London, where I earned about £5 for a shift. However, it turned out to be a poor fit for me due to my difficulties with calculations, and I only lasted a day. My next job was in a pub in Bromley during a summer as a student, but I can’t recall my earnings—maybe around £20 a week.

Do you own a property?

My partner and I co-own a house in southeast London that we purchased about 23 years ago, likely for around £500,000 to £600,000—I can’t remember the exact figure. At one point, we took out equity from it. We need to relocate now, which requires sifting through extensive paperwork and belongings. The reason for moving? When you have equity release, it may offer short-term relief but can lead to increasing interest payments later on. On one side, it’s whatever as we’re older and perhaps not as cautious. Ideally, we would avoid accumulating more debt, but when we had to repay the mortgage, we weren’t in a position to do so.

Are you better off than your parents?

Probably not, due to my freelance status. My income has fluctuated significantly; at times it has been substantial, and at others, it has been minimal, making things tough to gauge. My partner is semi-retired, and we don’t have excess funds. However, opportunities can arise unexpectedly, like when I participated in Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, which was lucrative, but it’s easy to forget about taxes when money comes in. I try not to let finances dictate my life. While I might be relatively well-known, I wouldn’t consider myself an elite figure.

How much did you earn last year?

I genuinely can’t recall my earnings, but I know a tax bill is due, so I need to sort through my receipts with my bookkeeper to determine what I can claim. I’d categorize last year’s earnings as mid-range. Most of my focus went into my memoir and traveling for promotional events. However, investing time in creativity doesn’t always equate to a paycheck.

Have you ever worried about making ends meet?

I do have concerns about my income levels. Deep down, I believe I can earn more, but the industry is incredibly crowded. While I’m good at voice work, many others are as well. I aspire to produce a film I’m writing, but again, that’s a common goal for many others. I just want to engage in widespread, successful projects, which is often challenging.

When did you first feel wealthy?

I wouldn’t classify myself as wealthy and find that money doesn’t drive me. My daughter advises me to take a more entrepreneurial approach, but that’s not my style. I’ve had times when I earned well, and during those periods in the 1990s, I tended to spend freely. Nowadays, I would likely choose to save.

What’s best for retirement, property or pension?

Most likely, a pension is the better option. While both are essential, having a place to live is critical, as is having financial means for day-to-day purchases like Ryvitas, so I see both as necessary.

What was your best investment?

My first property—a one-bedroom flat in Finsbury Park—was a significant investment. I purchased it with funds my father left me after his passing. Although one always wishes their parent could be there, it provided me with my initial foundation.

And your worst investment?

Wasting money on similarly styled clothing when I was earning well. I used to buy high-end items like a Donna Karan coat or a Max Mara coat, which could cost around £300 each. While a few are fine, having so many was excessive. Looking back, I realize I might have had a type of addiction. Now, I tend to wear the same jacket repeatedly, regardless of its cleanliness, which is a stark contrast to my former shopping habits. I often prefer thrift stores; it’s a regretful spending trend.

What is your money weakness?

My once-a-week blow-dry is where I splurge. Thanks to my VIP program, it costs about £30, and it lasts all week. I don’t touch my hair at all during that time. In lockdown, I attempted to do my own hair, which resulted in quite the odd look. I do appreciate visiting the salon to get my hair done while flipping through a magazine.

Do you invest in shares?

No, I wouldn’t even know how to start. I know people who do their share trading, but I’ve heard stories of individuals getting scammed. I prefer to keep my finances simple: earn money, save it, and avoid debt.

What is your financial priority?

Staying debt-free is paramount. Just having enough to get by is my goal.

What’s been your most lucrative piece of work?

Celebrity Big Brother was a significant payday for me, providing a six-figure sum. An advertisement I did for Finish dishwasher tablets in the 1980s also yielded substantial earnings of £70,000 for just a day and a half of shooting. While similar opportunities pop up, they often don’t come my way; I’m sure they’re more common for the elite. It’s perplexing how wage disparities exist for similar roles. I am thankful to work and love what I do, but the pay gaps are stark, and it’s a reality I shouldn’t allow to make me bitter.

What’s been your most extravagant purchase?

With the earnings from Celebrity Big Brother, I splurged on an impressive garden furniture set from The Chelsea Gardener. It was quite the purchase, featuring a table, chairs, and everything that went along with it. Occasionally, when you get a lump sum, it feels reasonable to treat yourself, and I still have it, giving my outdoor space a cozy vibe.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I would save some for myself and use the rest to support the Comedy Women in Print Prize, enabling me to employ exceptional talent to help run it.

Do you support any charities?

Yes, I actively support various charities. After appearing on The Chase, I managed to garner a few points that helped raise £30,000 for The King’s Trust, where I serve as an ambassador. Additionally, I back The Eve Appeal, a charity focused on gynaecological health, Asthma UK, and WaterAid. There are countless organizations in need of support, and I enjoy contributing to them.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt about money?

That I should have a greater appreciation for it. Just because someone is wealthy doesn’t mean I will hold them in higher esteem, but I ought to regard money with more respect since I’m the one left without it. I’ve come to realize that my attitude towards wealth hasn’t been healthy. I should aspire to earn more and keep it. At my age, though, I find that I value my time more. I’m not inclined to cut corners on my gin and tonics when I’m out.