Pauline Fowler and Phil Mitchell helped me set up a pension and buy my first home, says NATALIE CASSIDY
Actress and TV personality Natalie Cassidy is best known for her role as Sonia Fowler in EastEnders, which has earned her several awards.
Natalie has starred as the character on the BBC soap on and off since 1993 and has recently been on other TV shows, such as the Masked Singer and Cooking With The Stars, the latter of which she won last year.
She also hosts podcast Life With Nat and her memoir Happy Days was published last October. The mother-of-two, 42, lives in Hertfordshire with fiance Marc.
What did your parents teach you about money?
My parents were wonderful people and they were spenders. My dad Charles worked in a newspaper shop six-days-a-week and mum, Evelyn, was a housewife – dad spoilt mum and gave her everything he could.
Growing up in Islington, North London, we always had a lovely house, but there would be a new bathroom going in every few years or different wallpaper. It was all a bit extravagant.
Now I'm in my 40s, I look back and know they weren't savers – I get my spending side from them!
Driving force: Natalie has starred as Sonia Fowler on EastEnders on and off since 1993
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Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
I wouldn't say I've struggled; I've been very fortunate. I started working on EastEnders when I was 10 years old.
There was a year in which I was out of EastEnders, and was doing well - theatre tours and interesting projects, including Strictly Come Dancing. Then I was landed with a huge tax bill.
I then went on Big Brother [2012]. I've been open on the reason - I went in and it gave me what I needed to pay my tax.
So not a struggle, but a financial shock which made me do that programme.
Handy: Being in EastEnders Natalie's salary was set – it was all comfortable
Have you ever been paid silly money?
Big Brother was a lot of money and I had a great time. I walked through treacle on that show - I went in, cleaned, cooked and had a laugh.
As an aside, when I get into a taxi, the first thing the driver will usually say is: I know you. I don't watch EastEnders, but my wife does.
Then they'll go on to say 'you must be rolling in it' and always go on to: make sure you take care of that money, you've got to look after yourself and think about the future.
What was the best year of your financial life?
Being in EastEnders your salary is set – it's all comfortable. But in the past year, I've been choosing projects for a good work/life balance.
My podcast and television shows I've recently been on like the Masked Singer and Cooking With The Stars. Financially, things are going well.
I've done some interesting projects which I wouldn't have been able to say yes to before. EastEnders is long hours and you're contracted.
I also had a six-way bidding war for my memoir which was a bit bamboozling. Not many of us grew up on telly and I've never let the fame go to my head.
The most expensive thing you have bought for fun?
Holidays. It's so expensive to go away but I want to shut down, be with my family – life is a gerbil wheel, everyday we're going along and getting through it, but time goes so quickly.
We went to Crete last year and I found a lovely villa. We could walk to the village, go out and have dinner in local restaurants. It was one of those holidays where I thought: I've hit the jackpot.
No drama: Natalie in EastEnders with Wendy Richard, who played Pauline Fowler
What is your biggest money mistake?
As a creative person, I'm not someone who likes opening envelopes, I'm not good with bills, but I am getting better at it. I learnt a hard lesson with that tax bill.
When I was younger and in EastEnders, I had lovely matriarchal characters like Wendy Richard, June Brown and Barbara Windsor, and also Steve McFadden, Adam Woodyatt, who tried to help me.
Once I reached my mid-thirties, and there were younger actors coming in, I tried to impart that knowledge and be honest.
I say: look, I had a nightmare with a tax bill, put 40, 50 per cent of your earnings away, it's not yours.
Best money decision you have made?
Getting on the property ladder as soon as I could. When I was young, I bought a flat in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, through the advice of Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell in EastEnders). He's a very clever man.
It sounds simple, but at 17/18 years old, I'm not sure I would have done it without his advice. I was fortunate.
Will you pass your money down or spend it all?
Everything I do is for my kids. Marc and I work hard, and worry about how they're going to get on. I'd love to make sure they are comfortable.
We don't talk about money enough and children aren't being taught about it at school. It's the biggest life skill we need.
Do you have a pension?
Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler in EastEnders) sat me down in the green room one day with my parents and said: you need to start your pension, and I'm going to help.
I started it as soon as I could and I've carried that on. I'm lucky to have had both the advice from Steve and Wendy in my younger years.
Do you own any property?
Yes, my family home in Hertfordshire. I bought it seven years ago.
My dad was poorly and I didn't want him living on his own anymore, so I bought a place with an annexe so he could live out his days with us. It's the best thing I ever did.
If you were Chancellor, what would you do?
I'd look to help support children leaving school. We've got the student loan debate going on and it would be great to have a magic wand to get these kids off to a flying start somehow.
My eldest is 16 this year and it might be controversial, but I'd rather she didn't go to university because of debt. I'd like her to get out in the world.
Most of my family didn't go to university and have done very well for themselves. One of the first things you asked when you walk into an interview room is: do you have work experience?
I've also just finished a Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care – I have a BBC documentary coming out soon about carers and volunteers.
What is your number one financial priority?
My children – and as part of that, I've been learning more about Isas with Marc.
I'm also not really a 'celeb-y' person. I go to the local pub with my mates, and the cost of living is still a hot topic of conversation.
I'm grateful for the life I've got, but I've worked hard for it. When you're in the public eye, people think you're rolling around in money. It's not true.
Natalie is an ambassador for Skipton Building Society and is encouraging people to make the most of their tax-free savings and get ahead of the Isa changes. Skipton also offers free money guidance and expert finance advice.
