Kiplinger

14 Frugal Habits of the Super Rich and Famous

Becoming wealthy and staying that way takes a certain level of discipline. Sure, an occasional splurge won't put you in the poor house, but frequent frivolous spending can quickly erode your net worth. The frugal habits necessary to achieve financial success and maintain it can be surprisingly simple. Read on to meet 14 business leaders and celebrities, including renowned investor Warren Buffett and retired race car driver Danica Patrick, whose penny-pinching choices -- from clipping coupons to clipping their own hair -- have helped them build and maintain their fortunes.

As Knight Kiplinger observed in The Invisible Rich, "the biggest barrier to becoming rich is living like you're rich before you are." Learn more about the cost-cutting moves that help make these successful millionaires and billionaires who they are.

Danica Patrick

Age: 37

Estimated net worth: $60 million

How she struck it rich: Race car driver

Frugal habit: Makes her own meals while traveling

The recently retired driver, who ended her 14-year career after crashing at the Indianapolis 500 in 2018, keeps costs in check even when she's on the road by cooking for herself and told us it's the most frugal thing she does. "I love to cook. While it can sometimes be hard to have all the right ingredients when I'm on the road, I love stopping by local farmers markets and cooking as often as I can. The food I make is much healthier than always eating out at restaurants, plus it's a great way to save money," Patrick says.

She's right. Preparing your own meals can help you build up your savings over time. For example, if you spend $8 buying

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Kiplinger

Kiplinger5 min read
As the Market Falls, New Retirees Need a Plan
Anyone newly retired or nearly so must feel like they have the worst timing in the world. A portfolio tends to be largest near retirement, just before those savings are about to be drawn down. These days, however, most portfolios have lost value; the
Kiplinger2 min read
Tax-Savvy Charitable Giving With QCDs Can Benefit Both Giver and Receiver
Plenty of retirees like to give back to their communities through charitable donations, but questions often arise over the best way to do that. What approach is efficient, provides the tax benefits you’re after, and also is advantageous for the chari
Kiplinger3 min read
I’ve Inherited a Lot of Money. Now What?
It’s no surprise that many people who inherit millions of dollars are uncertain about what to do with their newfound wealth. The possibilities of becoming a multimillionaire overnight can be overwhelming, especially during a period when most are grie

Related Books & Audiobooks