Celebrities That Could Live Without Their Millions (and What We Can Learn from Them)
The press tends to cover celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi who sold their home for a cool $49 million or Mission: Impossible’s Tom Cruise lavish purchase for Katie Holmes — a $20 million jet in case you missed it.
What the outlets tend to miss when they report on these lavish lifestyles is the bankruptcy and financial ruin that’s come out of some of these otherworldly spends. For example, 50 Cent filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy despite his $20 million net worth. Nick Cage dropped $300 thousand on a dino skull, only to foreclose on multiple properties that were left without a mortgagee who could pay its monthly dues. The pressure that comes with being a multimillionaire is keeping up the appearances of being one.
So which celebrities could live without their millions and which might have a fall from grace? Let’s take a look at the most budget-savvy celebs and the ones who wouldn’t be able to survive a day in most of our shoes.
Just Like Us: Keanu Reeves
Keanu has made headlines constantly for his frugal lifestyle. He was notorious for being “homeless” while creating the films of his early career. Sure, that may not mean sleeping on the street, but he was staying in his trailers on-set instead of a lavish mansion. The actor gives just as much as he gets. Maybe that’s how he doesn’t let all that money go to his head.
The most important lesson we can learn from Reeves? Sometimes, more assets make things more complicated and aren’t worth the investment.
Couldn’t Cut It: Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner has made a name for herself for her flashy Instagram posts sporting her everchanging designer outfits, over $50 thousand in puppies, and multiple Ferraris — all at the old age of…23. While she did take a tumble off of Forbes’ billionaire list, she’s still made millions on her cosmetic company. Tax exaggerations or not, she spends a lot of loot and it’s safe to say Jenner wouldn’t be able to cut it as a middle-class citizen.
Just Like Us: Kristen Bell
Coupon-loving Kristen Bell is no stranger to saving cash and teaching her kids the same lessons. She famously married her sweetheart during a modest wedding that cost a whopping $142. Bell is not afraid to sport a dress from Target on the red carpet and she’ll do it with grace. Her crowning “just like us” moment? When she was caught digging for Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons out of her neighbor’s trash can.
Couldn’t Cut It: Paris Hilton
Paris created the influencer culture, so it makes sense she couldn’t return to “normal life” very easily. “The Simple Life” star came from a family worth billions of dollars, and she continued its legacy by making her own millions. Our favorite splurge of the Hilton heiress? This two-story dog mansion that’s probably fancier than you or I will ever buy in our lifetime.
Just Like Us: A.J. Francis
This former NFL star made headlines with his side hustle as an Uber driver during the offseason. He humbly responded to claims telling the media that you never know what life will throw at you, and you need to be ready for those curveballs.
We can all take a page from Francis’ book — it’s important to figure out an emergency fund in case something unprecedented happens, like a worldwide pandemic that lays off millions of people.
Couldn’t Cut It: Beyonce
We’ll admit, we’re part of the Bey Hive, but that doesn’t mean she could live like us if she was challenged to. Her monthly expenses are reportedly in the millions, and she’s not afraid to flaunt one-of-a-kind designer fashions at every turn. Not to mention, her entire family is outfitted in the same type of luxurious wardrobe. We still love you, Bey.
Curious to see who else could make it as an average Joe? Take a look at 8 budget-savvy celebrities in this curated list by Possible Finance:
