Celebrities make a lot of money and many of them spend it quite freely. While it may be common in Hollywood to live like a king or queen, not all celebrities are interested in that type of lifestyle. We have found a small bunch who have chosen to live quite frugally. They probably remember what life was like before their big break and are well aware that their continued success isn’t always a guarantee in a place as fickle as Hollywood. We’re quite impressed with these 9 celebrities. They know how to save and how to spend their money wisely, which is pretty uncommon among most celebrities!
9. Jennie Garth
As a single mom, Jennie Garth is always looking out for a good deal. She discussed spending frugally in a special column for a U.S. coupon website, RetailMeNot. “When you’re a single parent, finding a bargain becomes less of a nicety and more of a necessity. That’s why, whether I’m ordering books on Amazon, clothes for my girls at Forever 21 or just random stuff at CVS (drug store), I try to shop smart,” Garth penned.
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8. Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar looks for any opportunity to save money. “I take my reusable bag to Whole Foods, so I get a discount. I go to Bloomingdale’s on double-rewards days. I always print my dry cleaning coupons before I go,” she told Self magazine. The former “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star also gives back to the community. She has worked with Make-a-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the Young Survival Coalition and the CARE organization.
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7. Zooey Deschanel
Despite having millions of dollars, Zooey Deschanel doesn’t live like a millionaire. A couple of years ago, when she was divorcing Ben Gibbard, her net worth and spending were revealed. According to court documents, she had $1,578,000 in the bank, $1,645,000 in stocks and $693,300 in property, which brought her total net worth to $3,916,300. When it came to her spending, the “New Girl” star was quite frugal. Her monthly expenses totaled only $22,550!
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6. Jay Leno
Jay Leno is a pro at saving. In 2009, he told Parade Magazine that he’s always had two jobs and that he only spends the money he makes from one and then saves everything from the other. “When I was a kid, I had two jobs. I worked at a Ford dealership and at a McDonald’s. I’d spend the money from one job and save the money from the other. That’s still the way I am now. I live on the money I make as a comedian, and I put all the TV money in the bank. I’ve never spent a dime of TV money – ever,” Leno said.
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5. Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay may be one of the highest paid television actresses now, but it wasn’t always this way, which has turned her into one really frugal star. “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,” Hargitay said.
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4. Vincent Kartheiser
Vincent Kartheiser is famous for living frugally. Before he married Alexis Bledel, he lived in a one-bedroom house on some non-descript street in the Hollywood Hills, which was only 603 square feet in total. He sold the house for a mere $800,000. Even though Los Angeles isn’t exactly known for having an excellent public transit system, Kartheiser uses it to get around. He hasn’t had a car for a number of years, which has definitely affected the number of purchases that he makes.
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3. Sarah Jessica Parker
When Sarah Jessica Parker was growing up, her family really struggled with money. Now that she is a successful actress with millions and millions of dollars, she still lives quite frugally because she is scared of the day when she can no longer find work. “That is why I have such a weird relationship with money,” the “Sex and the City” star said. “And it is why I can be profligate and super-frugal. And I think it is rather warped since it comes from this desire to save, save, save.”
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2. Tyra Banks
In a 2008 interview with The New York Times, Tyra Banks claimed that she has always been a penny pincher. “I’m frugal,” she said. “I’ve always been this way. When I was young, my mom would give me my allowance, and I’d peel off a little each week and have some to spare.” The former supermodel believes that how people spend money reveals a lot about them so, when she hires someone to deal for the financials of her company, she makes sure to ask them about their spending habits.
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1. Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley recently told Glamour magazine that, in spite of commanding seven figure paychecks for film roles, she limits herself to a $50,000 annual allowance. According to her, leading an extravagant lifestyle can be alienating. “I think living an [expensive] lifestyle means you can’t hang out with people who don’t live that lifestyle,” she said.“It alienates you. Some of my best most hilarious times have been in the least luxurious places.”