Billy Porter Selling New York Home 

Moral of the story: "Stop living ABOVE your means." I agree 100% with ALL that Funky D. said.

7 years ago I was approved for a 280K loan. I found a renovated foreclosure for 160K. Home is currently worth $290K.

I got approved for $330K for a house, and bought my home for $267K because even $300K wasn't comfortably within my means. It's just me, just like it's Billy. Rich or not... you don't need a $2M house if you can't comfortably afford it.

Rich people problem. He'll survive.

20 yrs ago as a single parent I bought a 107k house in a middle class neighborhood when I could have easily afforded a nicer area. Now I’m divorced, an empty nester and living comfortably because of that one decision and that 107k house is now worth 300K! Always live BELOW your means!

Jackie Clark (The Clark Sisters) has always maintained her job as a nurse.

I 200% AGREE! He is not saying anything wrong!

The issue is money mismanagement, at any pay scale, if you can't manage your funds, you will be struggling.... you can't be on IG twirling in designer clothes and then cry about you can't pay your bills. Are you living for approval or living in reality. As a "regular" working American, as I moved up the ladder and started making more money, I always kept the principles and money management skills I had when I had limited funds. I live within my means period!!!!

I still have sympathy and empathy for ANYONE struggling in todays economy.

Yall please don’t take what I’m about to say offensively bcuz that’s not the place my heart has ever been in…but see Billy thought that bcuz he caught that “the gays are hott right now trend” that he was smooth sailing but what he forgot is baby you’re BLACK first AND gay!! They have no problem with snatching that bag and red carpet right up from under you!! Same for Taraji, sometimes we forget that they love our rhythm but hate our blues and could care less about it and expect us to just be glad to have a seat at the table so I agree with Funky 1000%!! We as Black folks know how to survive off of much less so they should’ve known better especially at their big grown ages!! 😢

Vivica said her home cost her 4 mill only house she's ever had small and cozy i stand with her work ethics because she's been smart all these years and still going.

I said the same thing, downsize. That’s what us “regular” people have to do. I also understand the pride of not wanting to be a celebrity living amongst commoners. You wanna be with your peers, but the peers ain’t paying your bills. Do what you gotta do. Even when they downsize, they’re still in GREAT communities that most of us can’t afford 🤷🏽‍♀️

I have no empathy for these people. I was able to go to work full time parent full time school full time no help no government assistance. I was able to buy a home after saving for 15 yrs. Graduated now living comfortably and paid that same house off in 2019. I made sure to set my daughter up to have no financial struggles and she is able to just be a kid. I remember not having it as a kid and I said my child will never feel less than through me making bad choices or not budgeting right. This is before she was even a thought. She’s 7 and I even have her college fund setup and it’s hefty.

You just made it make sense. Thank you

You betta preach Funky!

The writers strike messed a lot of niche stars financially. Porter is a niche actor, similar to what you’re calling gig worker not to say that you’re wrong about what you said but I think that divorce coupled with the strike really did him in

I remember Clarence William III being asked was he going to move to get a fancy house and buy a new car since he was on the 1960s TV show, Mod Squad. He said no. You’ve got to save your money in this business. He continued to drive the same car. Smart man!

👏🏽👏🏽thank you Q! Miss us with the “woe as me” when you are in the top 1% Earning more than 98% of Americans. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Billy Porter is getting his Karma back as far as I'm concerned, I had the dishonor of meeting him and spending a little time with him, he's not right...Months after his mistreatment of me his husband filed for divorce and his finances flopped. Hopefully this humbles him. Also, He needs to downsize on his fancy dresses as well.

I love you and we've talked about this. As a friend to you both, I'll say that most people in America would lose their living situation if their work was unexpectedly taken away from them for over 4 months. The industry doesn't also start back up the day the strike is over, mix that with the fact that we just came out of a pandemic and he is currently going through a messy public divorce, not to mention his mom just died 5 days ago. I think it would knock anyone off their feet financially. He's also not asking for anyone to feel sorry for him, more so just voicing something that a lot of celebrities are dealing with. Most people aren't prepared to withstand all three of those things back to back. If we unexpectedly took 3/4 months of pay from everyone in this comment section they too might have to move and downsize, which by the way is what he's already doing by selling his house. I took his interview as a statement to say "I'm not afraid to say what a lot of celebrities are going through because there is an unspoken pressure for people to pretend that they're financially ok when they're not." I personally think it was brave of him to say what was really going on in his life and to share the struggle with us because some people don't believe that celebrities struggle. I understand all the comments, and I used to have the EXACT same outlook BUT like most things...you will never truly know how you would react or what you'd do in a situation unless you've walked a mile in that persons shoes. Love you tons, just wanted to offer you my perspective! Also, I'm in Florida this week and we need to meet up! K bye

Billy Porter is a man of many talents. Teach workshops and master classes. Podcast, RU-vid, real estate, heck vending machine business. He knows how to hustle… just need to be reminded.

True facts!! I still do side hustles and keep extra in the bank! Not so in love with property that I would go broke trying to keep it!

SPEAK, @MissFunkyDineva! Billy is living ABOVE his means like most of us. Currently working to pay ALL of my debt off as we speak. Financial literacy, Independence, and freedom are my goals in 2024 AND 2025.

Hey Funky!!!! Congrats on all ur success!!! Love U

You betta preach Funky!! Plus, Billy Porter husband used to own an Optical lens store that sold glasses and sunglasses and were high as hell. I truly, believe the business never did well and Billy probably paid his commercial rent up to keep it opened! You’re right, I’m not feeling sorry for You.

Exactly Funky❤ that’s why I fuck with you. You’re so real❤ because I live “paycheck to paycheck “

When you're grateful for having what you have and not trying to keep up with the Jones as the older folks says....the peace and thankfulness to God to let you have the mindset of just loving and taking care of the finer things in life is you waking up each day! 🙏❤️🥰 I love you Funky D!🥰🥰

Funky, you dropping wisdom/commonsense, sir!! I agree 300% with you!!!!

No lies told!!!!

I hate to be a celebrity. The same people who criticize you for not having it will also criticize for having it and can’t afford to maintain it.

To be fair, these people are not saying their inability pay their bills is identical to the struggles the average person has. I think it's awesome that they are showing the public that all that glitters is not gold. Kudos to Billy for realizing he has to downsize. Some people are too proud to make that step.

Sir, this was one of your best commentaries. Stars and regulars 9-5 people ( like me) need to listen to your financial savvy message. I work hard ( two jobs corporate and retail ) But I’m a saver and investor… ( parents too). I have friends who cruised every single year for last 10 years, now worried 😟 what to live on after they retire in 3-5 years… I suggested why not expensive vacation every other or two years, go cheap places on the off years, save up for expensive trips, pay off debt in the “off” years and save & invest your money( pay off your house/ pay off student loans/max out 401k/IRA 0:36 …etc ) Now folks are really scared. 😱

Thank you for speaking the truth.

I heard Normani been driving Uber and stuff. She probably doesn't have to, but it keeps you honest to keep busy while you are working. Hell, I work a 9-5 and got other stuff going on all are creative outlets running in the background or when I clock out. Even after I can quit, I will always maintain my licenses so in the even I get in a tight, I can go to work. That's to beauty of it for common folks. Billy could had took that house money and got a Popeye's somewhere popping and had money coming in from somewhere when the strike was on, cause that happens from time to time.

As a banker, I generally advised clients to save three to six months worth of expenses in an emergency fund. It looks like Billy did that, but it wasn’t enough. Luckily, Billy is in a position to downsize his lifestyle. Us everyday people don’t have that same advantage. If we downsize, we’re going to be homeless 😩

I remember hearing something about that during the writers strike. The strike knocked a lot of “newly famous” actors off their block. They haven’t been working long enough to not be able to work for long stints and still live the “lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to” totally agree with you Q!

100% agree

Live within your means. I agree with Q. He has been in the game that long and don’t know how to build wealth or maintain his income stream when he knows how it is in Hollywood. Whether there is a strike or not there is still always a new and upcoming person, there was no guarantee he would still get bookings.

Why did he not save some money. Looks how he dresses money. Funky you are so smart. Some people make excuses for the wild spending. I am with you Funky.

This rant should not have included Taraji. Inequality in pay is absolutely separate from living above one’s means…..

1000% Agree, couldn't say it better myself. Love you Dineva!

I agree with you Funky. Alfre Woodard has owned the same house since the early 80s, she said as actors your work is unpredictable so live modest.

I totally agree with you!!!! This is how we feel period!! Live with in your means!

As a realtor in California, I even told them in email too his publicist stating that I could get him into a community here in California for under $400,000 in a gated community here in Palm Springs no response of course

Some ppl are prideful & lack financial creativity. A house like that can easily be a corporate event and/or luxury vacation rental.

No matter how much you earn, you must have a lifestyle well within those means. Especially if the way you make your money carries high risk. These interest rates will flush out a lot of people. A 3 million dollar home at 6/7% interest is not a joke when money starts getting funny and the property is worth less than you bought it. There's much to be said for a simple life. Food and shelter is all we really need, everything else is extra.

Preach preach I'm with you when your right.

You are completely right about everything you said. You have to live within your means, no matter your socioeconomic status. I have a heart, but there is only so much empathy I can have for a very privileged group of people.

Billy oughta know better, he knows about having "F.U. money," and also KNOWS the lifestyle of Broadway. The coins ain't always gonna be there. Until your money is making money?...Buying a 2.5 million dollar home in Westport aint it!

Speak on it Q!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Loving above his means

YOU BETTA PREACH Q

Truth! I'm an Actor and I have a 9-5. I refuse to be stressed and broke. I audition and go to work like everyone else. I left NY because I'd rather be home with my family in an affordable area where i can get a good job and still act. Than be struggling to find work and live while being a struggling actor as well. Too much stress.

I was approached for 280k for a house. I bought a townhome for 130k with 3 rooms and 2.5 bathrooms in the pandemic and now the value is almost the price of my approval loan. These people trying to live above their means to prove things to people who don’t matter. It will hurt you in the long run.

They got too comfortable 🤷🏾‍♀️‼️ And you’re definitely right Funky 👏🏾

Hey, you are speaking 🗣️ THE REAL TRUTH! 😉

Right on!

Preach Funky, Preach and let the church say amen!!

I agree about the gig work. If the millions are irregular, long term savings is a must.

Here again, Funky, I love you, and your channel and I am glad to have you back on your channel regularly. I do have a love/hate relationship with some of your opinions, but this right here, Amen to everything you said. I agree with you 100%.

I love you Funky!!!! I feel like you are a kin to me in my head!!!!!

Elvin from the Cosby show went to work @ Trader Joes. Young Joc drove for Uber. Hell before I became a nurse i held a sign up in front of a pawn shop advertising free jewelry...Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to survive!

What I do not understand about Billy is he is a classically trained, highly educated creative. Why can't he teach at a university or take other avenues to generate income? Everyone from Phylicia Rashad (who was even in admin) to Philip Michael Thomas have taught at reputable universities. Esperanza Spalding teaches, famous background vocalist Oren Waters, Christian Vincent from Noah's Arc ... it goes on and on. These people use their extensive backgrounds as another source of income. I like Billy but he gives me Andre Leon Talley vibes - I think he was living above his means cause as Funky said, one strike is not gonna cause you to lose a house. There is more to it than that.

Agreed 💯 Funky D People have to learn not to hang their baskets higher than necessary.... Single ppl living priced out lifestyle... $2.5M could be trimmed to $1M and save $1.5...😮😢 No sympathy 😮

“It ain’t nothing like paying all your bills and looking in your bank account and still seeing money” i have been resonating on that….. SO Tr ue!!! 6:41

I totally agree!!!! When this story first broke last yr, I was like, "Now Billy!!!" Ain't no way you should be broke with all the years you've put in and after few months of not working. Cause what were you doing prior to the strike 🤔

It is interesting how folks were mocking Vivica A. Fox's hustle and "I'm good," thinking that she was implicitly criticizing Taraji P. Henson. But Vivica discerned the shift in her life and career and started producing with Lifetime and Tubi. Lastly, you also don't see Vivica crying on the internet about pay. Great video.

I have to agree with you!!! Thanks for sharing the information with us, didn’t know that’s what was going on with Billy Potter and Miss Henson. They need to get their minds together!

You went TF off on the thang! 😂

I was a publicist and I always had more money than my celebrity clients

I agree with your view. Place I worked screwed us out of retirement making us work extra 5 years to collect pension.

You said it Funky!!! Totally agree with you

💯 funky right. I'm a 911 dispatcher... my job is to literally save lives and alllll of us live check to check. We can't keep up with inflation or this economy. When our city feels like we are shit and are worthless the fight to even get more money is a hassle. The solution to this is us regular folks work two jobs.. we live at home and we make it work. Billy and all these other celebs really do need to stop living above your means. I wish I took home what they take home in a yr.. I don't come close to it. If you can't make it work with a million a year despite what expenditures you might have then something is wrong. So billy my heart goes out to you but right now all I hear is the small violin cause MY folks are out here struggling with far less and making it work.

Girrrrrl that part. Working for that long that brownstone/house should have been paid in full

Praise God I love it peace and blessing be upon you 🙏🙏❤️

Amen always giving praise to the man upstairs

I Agree 💯

Marla Gibbs was on a national TV show and still clocked in to work at the airport

I am with you funky 100% I work 12 hours a day still can’t make it❤❤

THAAASNK YOU!!! Exactly what I told some people and they looked at me sideways and talked about I have no COMPASSION!!! Girl, miss me with all that Ms. Porter!! You still fierce though.

Im in CA. We bought the house below what we were approved. EVERY time I get a bonus at work, I make a PRINCIPLE ONLY extra mortgage payment. Its been YEARS since i paid only the minimal on the few credit cards i do have. (that usually stay at ZERO 80% of the time anyway- except for Home Depot of course LOL!)

I think Billy was so use to having his husband pay the bills when he wasn’t working.

You said it all right Funky! Even celebs should live in their means! Sometimes the acting gigs slow down! Good job!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Live within your means 🙏🏾🙏🏾 A nice townhouse may be perfect

Now, they tried to clown Alvin from the Cosby show working at a grocery store. That man was not ashamed to get out there and do what he had to do. It was an honest living.

I don’t care what your income is, most of us are 3 months (90 days) from losing it all. When Nene gets a job to pay her bills then you berate her. Now it’s get a job, make up your mind.

you know when these people sign these contracts, they know what they sign up for. Now when you go buy all this stuff, then get it paid up front. No mortgages, no leasing cars, no renting. Then that way when the cash dries up, you have no worries and do not have to blame every one and their mother for not being able to eat, pay bills, paying a mortgage. I just do not understand why some celebrities mess up their money.

Thank you for saying EXACTLY how I feel! I totally agree with pay equity! HOWEVER! I DON'T feel sorry for people who can downsize! PREACH BRO! I SO APPRECIATE YOU!!!

I think we need to be careful about how much lack of empathy and criticism we extend to people with more money who run into hard times. We often resort to telling people to downsize or to plan ahead for rainy days and have cushions, but that still only goes but so far. Where is the line between having a financial cushion for risks and also enjoying the fruits of your labor? Don’t get me wrong, there are some rich folks that need a change in perception of realities, but at the same time, we need to be cautious with how we don’t extend empathy just because we don’t have it as good as someone else. Those of us that live regular lives in moderate homes can also lose our jobs and homes. Would we want someone poor saying “I don’t feel sorry for you, I don’t have a home. You’re better off than me, so I don’t feel bad for you?” Also, do we want people with money criticizing people who are not as well as saying “I don’t feel bad that you don’t have a home or a job, you shoulda did (so and so and so)?” And also keeping it real, how many regular folk would NOT complain also if they had to adjust their lifestyle DOWNWARD if circumstances changed? No one is just going to roll over and not have any complaints or grievances. It’s not totally fair to expect people who are a little more well off to not complain when they have a downturn, especially if they legitimately earned those fruits of their labor.

That’s your accountant brain working Q. I’ve come to realize over time that financial management REALLY is a skill that many ppl lack. There are people that have mastered MAKING money, there are people that have mastered managing it, and there are people that can do both. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Preach my dude so we’ll said! God bless your humility it is key not only for mental happiness but to secure financial stability

Funky, you're commentary be spot on, honest, fair and eye opening!

That’s why Vivica Fox said what she said

What's amazing to me is "NO ONE" says this about other ethnicities. But when it comes to BP, especially BW, it's STFU and work and be proud of what you have! I GAURANTEE if it was Idris Alba, Denzel, or Meryl Streep, or Anne Hathaway, it would be a WHOLE different song. Living above your means and INEQUALITY are 2 different things! STOP!

Some of y'all missed the entire point of what he was saying. He included Taraji because no one feels bad for you if you can't pay for your expensive bills. He talked about Helen because she WORKED. she didn't wait for the next gig so all her bills were taken care of by common jobs. Yes pay inequalities exist but what are you going to do in the meantime in between time?

100% I agree. It was Taraji looking down on Embassy Suites for me, like uh uh!

Live within your means, especially in the entertainment industry. The entertainment industry is fickle and not consistent enough to not live within your means...

That’s how I feel about spending my coins on overpriced handbags. The same shit you carry in a Birkin is the same as what goes in a coach bag🤷🏾‍♀️

Thank you!

Facts, my biggest flex is my 2br apartment rent is $950 (20min from nyc) and I work in corporate America.