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Brighter / / Comedian Anisa Nandaula reflects on money matters

Anisa Nandaula discusses money failures, learnings and dance-worthy wins

Comedian Anisa Nandaula opens up on The Brighter Side about finance lessons, her spending style and managing money in the entertainment industry.

  • Anisa’s frugal spending style stems from her upbringing, where financial independence was a necessity, not a choice.
  • She’s candid about past money mistakes and stresses the importance of artists managing their own finances to avoid being taken advantage of.
  • While she’s still learning about investing, Anisa’s definition of success is joy-driven—measured by passion, creativity and the freedom to dance through life.

Comedian, poet and gen Z captain on Talkin’ ’Bout Your Gen Anisa Nandaula chats lessons in finance, the spending style she’s carried with her since she immigrated to Australia from Uganda as a child and the importance of looking after yourself—and your money—in the entertainment industry. 

How would you describe your spending style?

Incredibly frugal and calculated! I came to this country as an immigrant without a support system. All I had was my mum and my brother. If anything had happened to me financially, I would have been destitute. I really only spend money now on things related to my stand-up and that can help further my career.

What’s the best money lesson you’ve ever learnt?

I’ve learnt you must be in control of your money. Don’t just hand it over to someone else to take care of. You need to know what’s coming in, you need to know what your expenses are and you need to be able to see all of that because it’s your money. So many artists get scammed and at the end of their careers, they’re like, “I’ve been working and I have nothing.” 

What do you wish you’d known when you first started earning money?

I wish I would have kept my money in my bank account and that I would have controlled it better when I first started earning. I’ve made so many money blunders. I’ve made money and I’ve lost money but every lesson comes from failure and never making that mistake again.

What’s something you’re still figuring out when it comes to financial fitness?

I don’t know much about investing. I feel like if I’m going to invest in something, I have to fully understand it. So that’s something that I’m still learning about.

What does success look like to you?

Success to me is doing the things that make me want to dance—like when I tell a new joke and it works. I dance when I know that I’m about to do comedy. I dance because I’m living my life and my passion every day. My spirit can’t help but to be joyful and that is success. Whether I’m getting paid or not, I want to dance.

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Published: 24 October 2025

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