Name: Lauren Oliver
Age: 26
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Why we care: Part Mean Girls, part Groundhog Day,Lauren Oliver's debut novel, Before I Fall, spent nine weeks on the New York Times best seller list this spring. Her second book is due out next year, and she's under contract for more.

What was the first book you bought?

I don't remember. Roald Dahl books made a huge impression on me. I was in love with The Wind in the Willows. I do remember my first purchase though. I saved for weeks until I had $10 and then I bought tons of Gummi bears.

Did your parents teach you anything about money?

My parents are really different about money. My mom said we should always pick up change on the street if we see it. My dad has what he calls "the divine theory of economics": even when you're flat broke, you'll find a way to get more money.

So are you like your mom or your dad?

Both. I have a really specific way of saving and spending. When I make money, I put a portion of it in a savings account that I never, ever touch. Not even if I'm desperate. That money's there for my retirement or buying a house. Everything else, I spend, spend, spend.

Did your parents worry that you'd be a starving writer?

My parents are professors and writers themselves so they understand. They joked that my sister and I wouldn't go into anything practical, so we'd have to marry rich.

After you graduated from college, did you look for a regular job?

I had no idea what I wanted to do. I majored in literature and philosophy at the University of Chicago and I ended up spending two years working in a nightclub. I was a VIP hostess and I made $300 to $500 a night talking to rich people and seating them.

Wow. That's a lot of money.

It was a high-end club. They hired me because I looked good in a short skirt.

Eventually, you went to NYU to get an MFA. Did your cocktailing money pay for grad school?

I did have money in savings, but I don't ever touch that money ever. So I did a paid internship for Refinery29, and then I got a job working full time at Penguin in the young adult program there as an editorial assistant. I wasn't making a lot of money, so I didn't get to go out as much as I would have wanted. For a foodie, that's just horrible.

Did you find any creative ways to go out without having to spend a lot?

This is going to sound really awful, but I went out with guys I had no interest in because I knew they'd pay for dinner. That's the downside of having no money — you become dependent on other people.

So how did you finally get your first book deal?

I was the world's worst editorial assistant, but I got promoted because I was a good editor. My boss was just happy he could finally ask me to do something without me rolling my eyes. So while I was working in the young adult section, I came up with an idea and outline for a novel and ran it past a young agent I knew from college. He pitched it around and Harper picked it up just three days after he submitted a proposal.

Did you buy anything to celebrate?

A really good friend was in town the day I found out. We were at Freeman's Restaurant and I bought a $700 bottle of champagne to celebrate. I was a little anxious, but decided it was okay because this was such a big thing for me.

You must have gotten a really great advance!

It was enough for me to live on for a year-and-a-half. I used to share an awful three-bedroom apartment but now I live by myself in a beautiful two-bedroom in Brooklyn near the park.

And then you got a second book deal?

My first deal was for two books. Then I got a second for another two books, and I recently got another book deal. I celebrated by buying a sparkly black pair of Christian Louboutins for $750. I have a financial planner and most of my money goes into savings and investments. But I also give myself a monthly budget where the vast portion of the money goes to food, wine and shoes. I probably own about 60 pairs of shoes. This sounds terrible. I also give money to charity!

But you do like to splurge.

I do! But I also believe in being really generous. I like to pay for drinks or for dinner when I'm out with friends and family. What's the point of having money if you can't do nice things with it?

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