Wait a Second! The Woman Who Created ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Still Clips Coupons?
You’d think building a TV empire would change a person’s shopping list. However, according to Shonda Rhimes, even a billion-dollar success can’t separate her from a good coupon. On a recent podcast, the creative force behind Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton confessed she still hunts for discounts and thinks twice before buying full price. She explained that life feels the same, no matter how much money you make. It’s an unexpectedly down-to-earth attitude in a world where fame often comes with designer wardrobes and private jets.
Rhimes has built one of the most successful production portfolios in Hollywood. Her hits have made networks billions, and her reported Netflix deal of $100–$300 million made her TV royalty. Still, she told listeners she’s “the person clipping coupons and thinking maybe I should get that on sale.” Her outlook on money reveals a mindset more common among old-school investors than Hollywood stars.
A Billionaire Who Would Approve
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Aaron Friedman
Her habit might sound unusual, but she’s in good company. Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest people alive, still drives himself to McDonald’s and once used coupons to buy lunch with Bill Gates. His approach to spending hasn’t changed much since he bought his Omaha home in 1958 for $31,500.
Buffett has long said that happiness doesn’t come from spending more. Rhimes’s coupon-clipping confession fits right into that philosophy.
Why Frugality Is Having a Comeback
Image via Wikimedia Commons/UKinUSA
Financial experts say habits like Rhimes’ shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s paying attention. The modern idea of wealth has been shifting. More people now see financial security as the ultimate status symbol, not luxury goods. According to personal finance analysts, the behaviors once mocked—couponing, driving older cars, or sticking to store brands—are often what help people build wealth.
A Hollywood Powerhouse With a Saver’s Mindset
Shonda’s perspective highlights how early money habits tend to last a lifetime. She celebrates smart purchases over lavish spending. Even with the wealth to buy anything she wants, she values the stability and freedom that come from financial discipline.