Dom Joly, a prominent TV producer and comedian, is widely recognized as the creator and star of the hit series Trigger Happy TV, which featured hidden-camera pranks and was broadcast in over 80 nations. His extensive travel shows include Dom Joly’s Happy Hour and Dom Joly’s Excellent Adventure, while his travel literature comprises titles like The Dark Tourist and Scary Monsters and Super Creeps. In his most recent book, The Conspiracy Tourist, Joly explores the world alongside conspiracy theorists. At 56 years old, he resides in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, with his wife, Stacey, and their two children.

Joly shares that he no longer carries a traditional wallet. Currently, he has £33 after exchanging some dollars at a currency exchange. He uses cash occasionally, as he finds that paying with physical money feels more significant than electronic transactions. Being an avid traveler, he has accumulated small denomination notes from various countries, which he keeps in a drawer.

Which Credit Cards Do You Utilize?

Joly primarily uses an American Express card, along with a debit card that offers no foreign transaction fees. He possesses a Platinum Amex, which, despite its high cost, offers many benefits, including air miles, complimentary meals at preferred restaurants, and travel insurance.

What Was Your First Job?

At 17, Joly’s first job was at a small newspaper stand near Holland Park Tube station, where he sold the Evening Standard. The stall’s owner had a telephone, and Joly would take calls while selling newspapers, embellishing his situation to create a more impressive image.

Are You More of a Saver or a Spender?

Describing himself as a dedicated spender, Joly admits to making impulsive purchases. In 2016, he bought a hot-air balloon on a whim from a seller who was selling it due to health issues. Not long after, he tweeted, “I just bought a hot air balloon. What now?” This led to lessons in hot-air ballooning with a local champion. In 2003, he infamously purchased a biplane on impulse; however, he never flew it and later sold it.

Do You Consider Yourself Better Off Than Your Parents?

Joly feels richer than his parents and reflects on their differing attitudes toward money. His father managed a family shipping business and dabbled in investments, yet did not offer him much financial advice, a fact Joly regrets. The only counsel he received was to avoid borrowing or lending money—an adage he admits to having broken.

When Did You First Realize You Were Financially Secure?

His financial breakthrough came in 2003 when he received earnings from Trigger Happy TV, allowing him to purchase a brand new BMW, moments he cherishes with close friends. Other milestones include buying his first flat in Notting Hill for £110,000 in 1992, then combining it with an adjacent flat purchased for £220,000 in 2001, which he later sold for £1.3 million to author Salman Rushdie.

Have You Ever Faced Financial Hardships?

Indeed, Joly has experienced difficulties managing finances, expressing concerns about his financial future. He recalls an incident in 2007 when he had his card confiscated by an ATM due to insufficient funds.

What Has Been Your Most Profitable Work?

Trigger Happy TV ranks as his most lucrative endeavor, with significant DVD sales and substantial payments per episode amounting to over £1 million. The show remains a cornerstone of his career. Currently, Joly balances touring, merchandise sales, and writing travel books, often sharing experiences during his talks. He diversifies his income through corporate appearances, public speaking engagements, and radio work.

Notably, his highest-paid advertisement was for a telecommunications firm, where a post-golf meeting led to an unexpectedly lucrative deal. The ads were never aired due to the company’s acquisition, but Joly retained the payment, which contributed to his children’s education.

Do You Own Property?

Joly is a property owner, with his home in Cheltenham and an additional flat in Notting Hill that he purchased after selling to Rushdie. His real estate investments have generally been successful, having made astute decisions about location. For instance, when he moved to All Saints Road in Notting Hill, it was considered a challenging area, transforming dramatically after the notable film Notting Hill increased its appeal.

Do You Invest in Stocks?

No, Joly admits he lacks knowledge in that area.

What Are Your Financial Weaknesses?

He has a penchant for acquiring furniture and art, often resulting in over-accumulation, much to his wife’s chagrin.

If You Won the Lottery, What Would You Do?

Unlike many, Joly believes in adapting positively to sudden wealth. His lottery plan includes living in multiple homes across different locations and providing discreet assistance to friends facing hardships. He prefers to avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.

Have You Tried Gambling?

In a memorable adventure in 2005 while filming in Las Vegas, Joly transformed $2,000 into $22,000 through blackjack and roulette, ultimately purchasing a diamond necklace for his wife, which sparked curiosity about his Vegas escapades.

What Was Your Annual Earnings Last Year?

That’s a private matter between myself and the tax authorities.

What Is the Better Retirement Strategy: Property or Pension?

Joly favors property as his retirement plan, expressing skepticism about pensions, financial markets, and institutions. He believes physical assets provide a tangible sense of security.

What Has Been Your Most Outrageous Purchase?

His acquisition of the hot-air balloon stands out as among the most extravagant.

What Financial Lessons Have You Learned?

While producing Trigger Happy TV, he developed a negotiation strategy while securing consent forms, offering various cash amounts to participants, a method he found to yield interesting results.

What Was Your Worst Business Decision?

Joly regards discontinuing Trigger Happy TV after its initial run as a significant misstep. He advises against making major career changes immediately after completing a project to avoid rushed, uninformed decisions.

And Your Best Business Decision?

Although he considers himself a poor businessman, he recounts persuading the BBC to send him on a global journey for his show World Shut Your Mouth, a hilarious project that offered him incredible experiences.