Tips from thrifty Asian celebs to help you save money in the New Year

Some celebs have the best of both worlds – they not only make millions, but possess the financial know-how to hold onto their fortunes.

According to a report by Business Review EU, a recent study by OTP Bank Romania found that while women are more concerned with saving money than men, they manage to put aside in a smaller percentage than men. 66 per cent of men are able to save more systematically versus 54 per cent of women. Most men (28%) put savings aside for difficult periods, while the same percentage of women say they have no savings. 

Perhaps women have a thing or two to learn from the men when it comes to saving? 

Here ares some money saving tips we can learn from (mostly) male celebs to help you reach the end of Year of the Pig a little richer.

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While some may perpetuate the idea that outfit repeating is a fashion faux pas, some celebs have decide to rewrite the rule book, deeming that it is, in fact, chic to be an outfit repeater.

Leading the way in breaking this fashion rule is Chinese actress Zhou Xun who has a net worth of over $191 million. The leading lady in “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace” was spotted wearing the same evening gown to on two separate occasions – the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Hong Kong premiere of “All about Women.”

Zhou Xun revealed the true reason she champions the idea of re-wearing clothes in an interview with the Chinese press. For her, in addition to saving money, it’s also wasteful to unnecessarily discard clothing that has only been worn once because it takes a lot of time and effort for a designer to design and create a garment. Particularly in today’s climate, it seems willful and ridiculous that such garments are not cherished and re-worn.

Photo: Zhou Xun/Instagram

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Chinese actress and Asian Film winner Xu Fan could wear anything she wants on the red carpet. But the “Win the World” star who is married to film director with a net worth of over $4 million, Feng Xiaogang, is known for her frugal sartorial choices.

Speaking to the Chinese media she said: “I’ve never bought anything designer. When I shop, I look for pieces that are neat and minimalistic. If I spent more than $500 in a day, I’ll feel very upset and guilty. If a clothing item costs more than $500, I wouldn’t even look at it.”

Photo: Xu Fan/Baidu

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South Korean singer-actress IU may be known for her fashion sense and outfits but she definitely knows a good bargain when she sees one. The K-pop star who has a net worth of over $20 million often shops at mid-range fashion stores and was recently spotted wearing a shirt that sold for about S$17 and sandals that had a retail value of S$48.

Photo: IU/Instagram         

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The Hong Kong singer, film star and chef may be the proud owner of a S$146 million upscale apartment in Repulse Bay  (which he bought as a gift for his father Patrick Tse), but he realises that it doesn’t pay to spend lavishly on fashion.

In an interview with the Chinese media, he revealed that he recycles outfits by wearing second-hand clothes and accessories handed down by other celebrities like fellow entertainer William So.

He has also been said to wear the same jacket for over seven years and shoes for over 5 years.

Photo: Nicholas Tse/Instagram

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Why pay big money for something you can do yourself? The SHINee member decided to freshen up his hair colour without breaking the bank.

Instead of hiring a professional, Key penny-pinched with a box dye and revived his hair colour at home to save money. On an episode of the South Korean reality show “One Fine Day,” the 28-year-old showed off his hair colouring skills. When asked why he is so good at colouring hair, Key replied: “It’s expensive to dye hair at the hair salon. I have often dyed my own hair at home due to the (lack of) flexibility of prices at certain hair salons.”

Photo: Key/Instagram

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The Hong Kong actor grew up with a family on a budget, and he never forgot the financial lessons he learnt from those experiences. In an interview with the Chinese media, he shared that: “my parents taught me that we must be thrifty. We must not waste food, and we always eat our refrigerated leftovers. We must not spend carelessly. This mindset has been ingrained in me.”

Photo: Louis Koo/Instagram

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The Chinese-American Mandopop singer may be the second highest-earning Taiwan singer of 2018, earning S$35 million, but he definitely knows the value of saving some of his paychecks. On an episode of the popular Chinese talk show Roast, the fastidious saver was teased for his thrifty ways. Singer David Tao, who is good friends with Lee Hom, poked fun at Lee Hom, saying that one would find many pairs of holey socks in his wardrobe.

Although the latter tried to deny it, the 42-year-old was indeed wearing socks with worn-out heels when a fellow guest took off one of his shoes on camera. When he was asked by the Chinese media why he is so thrifty even when he is making a lot of money, the ballad singer revealed he doesn’t have much material needs and doesn’t like to waste. Splurging on different outfits is something that Lee Hom doesn’t agree with. He said: “Why does a person need so many clothes? It’s costly to wear one outfit for a press conference and one for an awards show. It’s best to borrow outfits and return them once we’re done.”
Photo: Wang Lee Hom/Instagram

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Taiwanese singer-actor Jerry Yan may have catapulted to fame playing the wealthy Dao Ming Si in the hit show “Meteor Garden” but his real-life tastes lie on the opposite extreme of the financial spectrum.

In an interview with the Chinese media, he explained that: “Before I stepped into the entertainment industry, my family was rather poor and my mother taught us to save and be thrifty.” As a result, Jerry steers clear of lavish items and sticks to a simple financial lifestyle. It seems he drove the same secondhand car for years until it fell apart on the road.

Photo: Jerry Yan/Instagram

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Even as regular Singaporeans, we spend a lot on our utilities bill. Take advice from 58-year-old Taiwanese singer Harlem Yu who installed a water-saving flushing system that is not only kind to the environment but also your wallet.

Photo: Harlem Yu

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Despite being a millionaire, Hong Kong action superstar Chow Yun Fat has led an extremely frugal lifestyle over the years. According to an American film industry and review website, he spends only about US$102 (S$141) a month.

In that same interview with the movie site, Yun Fat explained his plans to donate his amassed fortune and said: “My dream is to be a happy and normal person…the hardest thing in life is not about how much money you earn but how to keep a peaceful mindset and live the rest of your life in a simple and carefree manner.”

According to the article, he stays frugal by doing charity work instead of spending it on himself. Way to go, Yun Fat!

Photo: Chow Yun Fat/Instagram

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