anyway, pas is totally on the money, as it were. he's right about those very conservative figures. the question is a bit ridiculous because it's based on bizarre definitions of what it means "to make ends meet." Modage is mistaken to think that fincher and jonze do commercials or additional work because they are destitute -- but pas already covered this, i mean really, to summarize (i know i've been doing this a lot lately):
-pta probably makes millions every few years just from salary/cut of the profits.
-investments, this means property, stock, whatever. this is so commonplace that some rappers (mos def, the heiroglyphics crew) rap about making money from savings and wise investments. i mean this is just common sense if you ever get a million bucks, you don't just fucking spend it all! just watch the end of The Jerk.
-there's no reason to believe pta has a crazy nicolas cage-style castle-buying habit. he has FRIENDS like that, but that doesn't mean he needs to flaunt that much money just to hang out with them. modage must be thinking he's living the Diddy lifestyle. and besides, the reason any stupid moneybags would want to hang with him is cos they want to be part of his amazing work, not because they make lots of money: see kubrick.
in conclusion there is just no reasonable basis for belief that he is somehow running out of money. this question is more appropriate for ppl like Troy Duffy, or better yet Tony Kaye--- HE makes commercials and things to make ends meet, he has filed for bankrupcy twice, his movies make no money, he is erratic and a nutcase -- but even then he was best friends with brando. so what does money hav to do with it? after a few million if you're smart you can ride that shit out your whole life.