Food, Home and Style

Budget Living Tips from Celebrities

We want to look like them, dress like them, travel like them, but there are plenty of celebrity habits you don’t want to follow–especially in a recession. Jennifer Lopez reportedly doesn’t let her children wear an outfit twice, and some of the getups cost more than $1,000. Celine Dion used 6.5 million gallons of water at her Florida home a couple of years ago. And Lindsay Lohan—well, we advise you not to emulate her in any economy.

But some celebs have budget-friendly advice to share. After all, many of them were broke once too. (And a few were Madoff clients.) It’s hard for mere mortals to follow the most common penny-pinching practice–get stuff given to you for free–but these are some savvy tips.

Brad Pitt: Luxury Bedding for Less
You always knew Brad would be good in—oops, I meant on—bed. “Don’t spend a lot of money on a big, giant mattress with double padding on both sides and all that,” Pitt told Esquire. Buy a normal mattress, then spring for a three-inch Tempur-Pedic pad and slap it on top. “I take full credit for the discovery.” Fortunately, my boyfriend read the article.  Trust me, it works.

Jessica Alba: Cheap Enchiladas
Alba has been cooking for herself since she was 12 years old–and the enchilada recipe she shared with Self fits even an allowance budget. We estimate the meal costs less than $20 to prepare.

Shayne Lamas: DIY Exfoliant
The actress and Bachelor winner keeps her hands soft by adding sand to body cream and massaging it in. You might be just as well off with a drugstore brand, but hey–saving is saving.

Hilary Duff: Consignment Clothing
Plenty of starlets proudly flaunt their vintage finds, but Duff also frequents Rodeo Drive Resale, a designer consignment shop I discovered online a few years ago. My best find: Ferragamo flats for just $90. I wear them all the time.

Tags: beauty, celebrities, eating, new frugal, spending, style