Some celebrities have the best of both worlds — they not only earn millions, but they also possess the finance know-how to help them hold onto their fortunes. As Mother’s Day quickly approaches, celebrate the celebrity mothers who teach financial lessons just by living their everyday lives. Here are a few money-saving tips you can learn from these famous, frugal moms.
Reese Witherspoon
Actress Reese Witherspoon is also a mother of three who takes pride in her frugal lifestyle. Known for her roles in popular movies like “Legally Blonde,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Walk the Line,” she is just as well-known for being thrifty. In a 2011 interview, she reportedly said, “I’m really thrifty. I grew up in a really thrifty family so I don’t spend a lot of money on things that are frivolous. I have a house, two cars — I have a regular life.”
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker, also a mom of three, was known for prancing down New York streets in Chanel, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Versace and Prada on her hit show “Sex and the City.” But her real-life tastes lie on the opposite extreme of the financial spectrum. Parker grew up on welfare and said in a 2010 Daily Mail interview, “I can be profligate and super-frugal. I have such a weird relationship with money.” And she told the New York Times in 2000, before she had children, ”The thing I want most for my children — I would like for them to not be aware of money, which means I have been very aware of my financial situation.” As a result, Parker steers clear of lavish items and sticks to a simple financial lifestyle with her husband, Matthew Broderick.
Angelina Jolie
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There aren’t too many decisions Angelina Jolie and husband Brad Pitt have made that the public hasn’t seen, including Jolie’s first adoption in 2002, the couple’s adoptions in 2005 and 2007, and the births of their biological children in 2006 and 2008. Along with her love of children and philanthropy, Jolie is big on saving money. In fact, she once told Access Hollywood that the black silk, velvet dress she wore at the premiere of her 2008 film “A Mighty Heart” was found at a vintage store on Melrose Avenue called Wasteland. How much did it set her back? A whopping $26.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah
Michelle Gellar is well known for showcasing her frugal lifestyle. Like others on the list, Gellar grew up with a family on a budget and she never forgot the financial lessons she learned from those experiences. Now that she’s a mom of two with husband Freddie Prinze, Jr., she sticks to being thrifty despite bringing in a sizable income. Not only does she take her reusable bag to Whole Foods to score a discount, but she only shops at Bloomingdale’s on double rewards days.
Mariska Hargitay
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Mariska Hargitay is the third mother of three on the list. “The Law & Order: SVU” star gave birth to a son in 2006, then made headlines for adopting two children in 2011. Along with her unique ability to speak five languages (English, Hungarian, Spanish, French and Italian), she is known for being frugal. In the June 2009 issue of More, she stated, “I constantly worry about money. 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…I’m saving money to live on, for the future.”
7 Tips for Saving Money on Mother’s Day
Most would suggest sparing no expense on Mother’s Day gifts. But in reality, you can give your mom, grandmother, wife, sister, friend or the “other mother” in your life the gift of a lifetime without compromising your savings account. Here is a quick list of ways to save money on Mother’s Day while sticking to a frugal budget like the celebrity moms listed above:
1. Make Her a Gift When it comes to moms, the best Mother’s Day gifts are homemade. There’s nothing more heartfelt than taking the time and effort to make a gift for your mom. You could make her a beautiful piece of jewelry or create a memory book that shows your appreciation.
2. Don’t Overlook Flowers Okay, giving your mom Mother’s Day flowers is kind of the equivalent to giving Dad a tie for Father’s Day. But if your mom absolutely loves flowers, why not get her a bouquet? Better yet, if she keeps a garden, buy her some exotic seeds so she can plant her own beauties.
3. Help Around the House If there’s some spring cleaning that needs to be done, take a day and help her out. Or if the house needs painting, take time and do it with your family. Of course, it’s best not to just show up and start working. Check with Mom and find out what she needs so that she will be truly happy with her gift.
4. Make a Great Meal If you’ve been thinking about taking your mother out for an expensive meal, consider cooking her breakfast, lunch or dinner instead. By shopping at the farmers’ market and wholesale stores, you could save on groceries and still give her a fantastic meal she’ll enjoy.
5. Consider Daily Deals Websites Daily deals websites like Groupon and Living Social offer numerous discounts, from spa massages and restaurants to jewelry and vacations. By signing up with these sites, you can have access to great deals in your area, some of which could ensure you don’t drain your savings account while finding Mom a gift.
6. Use Coupons and Promo Discounts If you’ve found a gift you simply must buy for your mother, check to see if there are any discounts available for that gift before making the purchase. This is particularly true when purchasing items online. Many websites offer promo or discount codes that could reduce your purchase by 5 percent to 20 percent, so check around before entering your credit card information.
7. Look for Mother’s Day Sales As Mother’s Day draws near, retailers are sure to offer fantastic Mother’s Day sales. Check around for deals from major businesses to see what’s out there. You might just be able to save big this year. Celebrity moms with thrifty hearts would agree that there are tons of money-saving tips out there to help give Mom a fantastic Mother’s Day. And if you don’t have the money to spend and still want to give a great gift, be sure to pay your mother a visit on her special day. To her, this small gesture will be deemed priceless.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Money-Saving Tips From Reese Witherspoon, Angelina Jolie and Other Frugal Celeb Moms
This article by Stacey Bumpus first appeared on GoBankingRates.com and was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.