10 Celebrities Who Choose To Live On A Budget Despite Their Millions
Hollywood is seen as the world capital of glitz and glamour. Over the years, we see dozens of celebs if not hundreds of ones crash and burn due to their excessive lifestyles. However, there are plenty of celebs who choose to live on a budget despite having bank accounts that would make any capitalist blush.
While it may seem surprising, these stars have made a conscious decision to live modestly and save money. Celebrities like Warren Buffett, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Jay Leno are known for their frugal ways, with Buffett still living in the same home he bought in 1958. It's refreshing to see these famous faces prioritize financial responsibility and demonstrate that living within one's means is essential, no matter how rich and famous you are.
Here are 10 famous people who prefer to live on a budget.
#1. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has a successful career but she rarely spends any money on herself.
She admitted, “I didn’t get into this business for the money so I don’t spend a thing, but I am so happy. It’s really funny because my manager often calls me and is like: ’Did you lose your credit card? Did you cut it up? Did you lose it?’ He is like: ’Why don’t you spend any money?’ It’s because I don’t. I have not gone crazy,”
#2. Sarah Michelle Gellar
The Cruel Intentions star opens up about how she and her husband save money on food, even when her net worth could allow her to buy everything.
In an interview, she admitted, “Freddie and I go to the supermarket probably every day, because we like to eat fresh, organic, and local. People think it’s so expensive to eat like that, but there are ways to do it so it’s not as pricey. We shop at Whole Foods, but we ask which fish is on sale. On sale doesn’t mean it’s bad! It probably just means it’s overcaught. And I clip coupons all the time. Why should you pay more for something that someone else is paying less for?”
#3. Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley prefers to live a humble life because it allows her to keep friends. In an interview, she shared, “I think living an expensive lifestyle means you can’t hang out with people who don’t live that lifestyle. It alienates you. Some of my best most hilarious times have been in the least luxurious places,”
#4. Mariska Hargitay
With her impressive income, Mariska Hargitay easily has an expensive lifestyle. However, the actress chooses to be prudent about her expenses because of her tough upbringing.
She confessed, “I make a lot now, but I don’t feel that way, because I was poor and had no money for a lot longer than I’ve had it. As an actor, if this show ends next year, then what? As an aging woman, then what? I’m saving money to live on, for the future. There are not that many roles for women, and I’ve been blessed with one of the great ones,”
#5. Kristen Bell
The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star revealed that she leads a humble life and makes use of coupons whenever she can. In an interview, she shared, “I almost exclusively shop with coupons, ... It’s the best one because they’ve got 20 percent off, and if you go and buy a duvet or an air conditioner or whatever, you could be saving upward of $80,”
#6. Dave Grohl
The Foo Fighters’ lead singer reveals that he has leaned toward saving rather than spending. In an interview, when asked about his expenses, he responded, “It goes straight into my bank account, where it turns all moldy and smelly.”
He acclaimed that he doesn’t pursue more wealth, “I don’t waste my time thinking about how I could make more when I already got enough. I’m not a banker, I’m a musician.” He knows how to purchase more wisely, “I drive a family car — not a monster SUV, but a family car that fits 5 people. I’ve got a house that is just big enough too,”
#7. Tiffany Haddish
Many might not know that Tiffany Haddish experienced homelessness in her teenage years. That’s why she thinks over her expenses and manages her money wisely. The actress intends to maintain her frugal lifestyle because she doesn’t know what could happen in the future.
“I’m probably going to be cheap with my money for a long time. You know I’ve been homeless, so it’s like, ‘Yeah it’s here now but will it be here in 5 years?’ I don’t know,” she said.
#8. Jay Leno
Despite having million dollars, the comedian handles his money wisely. For him, it is a good way to keep himself out of debt, even when allowing to have a car collection. He said, “I never spent money before I had it. I never bought anything before I could afford it. I never bought anything on time,”
The star doesn’t spend much money on clothing, “I’m just not interested in clothes. To me, it seems like a complete waste of money. I just want to have enough clothes to cover legally what parts I have to cover,”
#9. Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran, who was named in the list of the highest-earning musicians in the world by Forbes, has kept his feet on the ground regarding his expenses. In an interview, he admitted that he doesn’t want to be wasteful. It may surprising that he keeps the same account he had as he was a student.
“[I use] my Barclays student account. I’ve not upgraded because I don’t spend much money. If I had all my money in one account, I would spend all of it, so I get an allowance.”
He confessed that he just spends around $1,000 each month and most of it is on taxis.
#10. Tyra Banks
Despite being one of the richest models and owning about $90 million, Tyra Banks leads a simple life. She admitted, “I was always more interested in experiences over things. Things didn’t make me happy. I saved, saved, saved. But I saved to a fault. About 15 years ago, my accountants pulled me aside, and they were like, ’Tyra. You’re not spending money. Nothing. You’re just giving it away to the government. You need to spend some money!’”
In addition, Banks has revealed how investing can be much better than spending by her own example. “While a lot of models were partying it up and going shopping and buying a closet full of designer clothes or staying at the top hotels during fashion week, I was at the DoubleTree or Embassy Suites, saving my money, and bought a house at 20 years old,” she confessed.
Do you know anyone else? Tell us in the comments.