Millionaires Like Kristen Bell and First Lady Michelle Obama Are Surprisingly Frugal
Not all wealthy celebrities insist on living like decadent rock stars. In fact, quite a few stars and high profile public figures have some serious respect for the dollar, holding onto frugal habits they cultivated before they were rich and famous.
Many still won’t shop without coupons, for instance. Actor Hilary Swank and musician Carrie Underwood insist on using coupons, GoBankingRates reports. Peter Dinklage would rather landscape his upstate New York home himself. And Vincent Kartheiser from Mad Men prefers public transportation. Not only does he save money, but it also provides him with the perfect people-watching opportunity. Keanu Reeves is another fan of public transportation.
A slew of other celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and wife Mila Kunis are notoriously frugal. They’ve taught their children the value of a dollar and insist their parents keep Christmas low-key too. Although most celebrity weddings are usually extravagant, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard dropped only $142 for their nuptials at a local courthouse.
These celebrities shop retail
While most celebrities can afford expensive couture, several buy off the rack and even on sale. Sarah Jessica Parker played a character on Sex and the City who had a shoe and clothing obsession. But she dressed her son with hand-me-downs from her nephews. Anderson Cooper also scored big when he got all of Andy Cohen’s son’s hand-me-downs for his infant son.
Kate Middleton has a number of “go-to” outfits and prefers to wear the same frock for a number of occasions. Michelle Obama is also famously frugal and wore a memorable $35 dress on The Today Show from H&M.
Tiffany Haddish revealed she carries a “knock off” Michael Kors handbag and is an avid Groupon user. She shared with People in 2017 that she learned how to do some serious budgeting after being homeless.
Luxury homes and cars are not a priority
Decadent cars and homes are not a priority for all celebrities. Mega millionaires like musician Dave Grohl drive reliable and humble vehicles. Grohl insists on driving what he considers to be a “family car.” Billionaire Warren Buffett has infamously lived in the same home he purchased in 1958. He paid $31,500 and says gained, “52 years of terrific memories, with more to come,” GoBankingRates reports.
Jennifer Lawerence kept living with her parents after she was making bank. She briefly purchased a $9 million condominium but put it back on the market. Teri Hatcher insists on keeping her family cars until they have traveled at least 100,000 miles. Conan O’Brien still drives a 1992 Ford Taurus.
Keira Knightley has a reported net worth of $60 million but insists on living off of $50,000 a year. She told Glamour in 2014, “Some of my best, most hilarious times have been in the least luxurious places.”
Save money, save the planet
Other celebrities use their frugal habits to help the planet. Queen Elizabeth II insists palace lightbulbs be low-wattage. Plus she wants lights turned off when no one is in the room. She also is known to reuse wrapping paper and would prefer to mend tattered sheets.
T. Boone Pickens also insists that lights be turned off when not in use. He once shared that his grandmother told him if he didn’t turn off a light before he left a room, she’d insist he pay the electric bill.
Other celebrities who lean green include chef Jamie Oliver for tapping into wind power and musician Jack Johnson for preferring solar power, Goodnet reports.
