Turns out being rich doesn’t always mean acting like it. Just ask Shonda Rhimes. She’s the woman who created an entire TV universe with Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Grey’s Anatomy. She flipped that genius into a $100 million-plus deal with Netflix. And yet, she still clips coupons like she’s shopping on a budget.
In a recent chat on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Rhimes said what a lot of people might not expect: “You know what happens when all your dreams come true? Absolutely nothing.” That’s not shade. That’s her saying success doesn’t rewrite your DNA. “I’m still the person clipping coupons,” she said.
Even with a personal net worth sitting around $240 million and her shows generating billions for TV networks, Rhimes still hunts for sales and questions every purchase. No luxury mansion takeover or designer shopping sprees here. She’s living proof that staying grounded isn’t just possible in Hollywood—it’s a whole mindset.
And she’s not the only one with that energy.
Warren Buffett, the king of billionaires with a net worth over $140 billion, is still out here driving beat-up cars and living in the same house he bought in 1958 for $31,500. He even hits up McDonald’s on the regular and once paid for a meal with Bill Gates using coupons. Yes, coupons. And you know what? He’s never been pressed about keeping up with the flashy elite.
“I don’t think standard of living equates to cost of living,” Buffett said once. He could own islands and fly private daily, but he’d rather eat his bacon, egg, and cheese in peace without the flex.
Then there’s Keke Palmer. She’s been in the game since childhood, with roles in hits like Nope and Hustlers, and became a millionaire at 12. Yet she says she lived without vacations for over a decade, and her rent still sits around $1,500. For her, living well means living beneath your means. “I don’t need a Bentayga,” she said. “I’ll ride in a Lexus.”
These three prove something real: financial success doesn’t have to come with spending sprees or six-figure closets. Whether you’re writing hit shows, leading billion-dollar companies, or acting on the big screen, staying smart with your money is always in style.
Moral of the story? Stack your wins, but don’t let the commas in your bank account change your vibe.
