It’s fun to dream about what it would be like to have millions, even billions of dollars. You could buy a mansion with an infinity pool and your own bowling alley, and fly off on a whim to the fanciest travel destinations imaginable. Goodbye, coupons and Costco; hello, Porsche and private jets.
But some people who already have millions or even billions of dollars don’t go overboard on all of their spending.
They have the trappings, sure — enormous homes, fancy cars, hired help and boats. But a few of the mega-wealthy practice thrifty habits.
Following is a look at some ways famous rich people keep money in their wallets.
Craig Newmark
Estimated net worth: $1 billion
Yes, there’s a real Craig behind Craigslist, the classified ad website that has a presence in more than 70 countries. Founder Craig Newmark has refused to go the yacht route, however, and he’s stayed frugal despite his big bucks.
His biggest indulgences are simple ones, the Observer reports — multiple streaming service subscriptions, a modest collection of “Simpsons” figurines, and hiring a plant sitter when he’s out of town.
Warren Buffett
Estimated net worth: $150 billion
Warren Buffett, former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, once had a license plate that read “THRIFTY,” and the plate wasn’t joking.
Buffett still lives in the Omaha home he bought in 1958 for $31,500. He also doesn’t spend money on gambling, alcohol or tobacco, famously used a flip phone for years, didn’t spoil his kids with excessive purchases and even uses coupons.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Estimated net worth: $30 million
Sarah Michelle Gellar gained worldwide fame for her acting roles, which include playing Buffy Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Her career allowed her to buy her first house at age 20.
But she believes in educating her kids about financial literacy and taught them to divide their birthday cash or other money into three jars — one for spending, one for saving and one for donating. In the past, Gellar has also admitted to clipping coupons and scouting out the cheapest gas. (She now drives an electric car.)
Jessica Alba
Estimated net worth: $60 million
You may know Jessica Alba best as an actress, but she’s also co-founder of The Honest Company, a consumer goods company that sells baby, personal and household products.
Her company has a focus on sustainability, and Alba strives to teach her kids to reuse and recycle. She also passes down clothes from one child to the next instead of buying new, though she could certainly afford that. And her kids are taught to save electricity by turning the lights off when they leave a room.
Paul McCartney
Estimated net worth: $1.2 billion
Former Beatle Paul McCartney is rich enough to live in an octopus’ garden eight days a week, if he wanted. But he occasionally thrills fans who spot him taking public transit, instead of riding in chauffeured luxury.
One report put McCartney on a London train without a bodyguard or entourage, and with an old-school Nokia phone, to boot. Hey, if it works, let it be.
Billie Eilish
Estimated net worth: $100 million
Billie Eilish may still be in her mid-20s, but she’s already won a slew of awards, including an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her poignant song “What Was I Made For?” which was featured in the “Barbie” movie.
Even at a young age, Eilish knows where to shop to save money on groceries, though she surely doesn’t need to pinch pennies. Eilish revealed on Instagram that the Kirkland Signature peanut butter at Costco is her favorite brand, so you can tell she knows a good deal when she sees one.