Kevin O’Leary’s $400M Walmart habit, like Buffett’s

By Sohail Khan 1 September 2026, 3:28 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty23,980.55-99.86

Precious Metal
Gold (MCX) (Rs/10g.)152,490.00-1970.0

Enter search text:

Business News›News›International›Global Trends›Kevin O’Leary is worth $400 million, yet he still shops at Walmart for $29 jeans; here’s what the Shark Tank star has in common with $144 billion Warren Buffett

Read Today's Paper

Kevin O’Leary is worth $400 million, yet he still shops at Walmart for $29 jeans; here’s what the Shark Tank star has in common with $144 billion Warren Buffett
Synopsis

Kevin O’Leary, with an estimated $400 million net worth, still shops at Walmart for everyday essentials and proudly buys $29 jeans. The Shark Tank investor’s bargain-hunting habits have something in common with Warren Buffett, worth an estimated $144 billion. Here’s why both billionaires and millionaires continue to embrace frugality despite their enormous fortunes.

Canadian Billionaire Kevin O’Leary — Kevin O’Leary has an estimated net worth of $400 million, multimillion-dollar homes and more money than he could realistically spend in a lifetime

Kevin O’Leary has an estimated net worth of $400 million, multimillion-dollar homes and more money than he could realistically spend in a lifetime. Yet the Shark Tank investor still heads to Walmart for everyday essentials—and proudly hunts for bargains while he is there. His approach has something in common with another famously wealthy businessman: Warren Buffett, whose fortune is estimated at around $144 billion.

O’Leary recently shared a Walmart shopping trip on Instagram, revealing that he was there to pick up basics such as batteries, butter, paper towels and OxiClean laundry spray. But even with hundreds of millions of dollars to his name, he said he was still focused on getting the best value.

ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Brigitte Bardot: "I gave my beauty and my youth to men. I am going to give my wisdom and experience…"

“I'm always looking for a great deal, that's why I'm in Walmart,” O'Leary said. “You know those fantastic black jeans I'm always wearing? That's right—Walmart special, 29 smackaroos. That's how you save dough.”

Kevin O’Leary's similarities with Warren Buffett

The comparison with Buffett is particularly interesting. While O’Leary is happy to show off his $29 Walmart jeans, Buffett has spent decades demonstrating that extraordinary wealth does not necessarily translate into extravagant everyday spending. The former Berkshire Hathaway chairman still lives in the Omaha home he bought in 1958 for $31,500 and has long been known for his modest habits.

ETMarkets.com

Kevin O’Leary's comparison with Buffett is particularly interesting

Kevin O’Leary recently shared a Walmart shopping trip on Instagram

Kevin O’Leary went to Walmart for household essentials

O’Leary said his wife had sent him to Walmart to pick up several household necessities, including batteries, butter, paper towels and OxiClean laundry spray.

ALSO READ: Two Canadian brothers turned 612,000 plastic bottles into a house in Nova Scotia

But once inside the store, his attention quickly turned to finding value. “I want to save dough when it comes to paper towels. Check it out. Bounty—12+ rolls is like 18 small rolls—I'm going plus,” he said with a smirk.

For O’Leary, the point isn't necessarily that he cannot afford the more expensive option. It is that spending more simply because you can doesn't make financial sense.

Why does a $400 million man still care about saving money?

O’Leary owns multimillion-dollar properties in Florida, Massachusetts and Toronto, but he has repeatedly talked about his preference for getting value for his money. His attitude comes down to one simple idea: don't waste money just because you have it.

“I hate wasting money,” O'Leary told CNBC in 2021 after another Walmart shopping trip attracted attention. “I just don't get why you would do that. It's so hard to make it in the first place.”

ALSO READ: 12-year-old wins $2,120 for a smartphone grip that becomes a breathing mask and she plans to donate prize to developing countries

That mindset has become part of O’Leary's public persona. Whether he is discussing investing, business or shopping, he frequently emphasizes the importance of understanding where money goes.

Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad also embraced bargains

The late Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad was another famous example of extreme frugality. Despite accumulating a fortune estimated at tens of billions of dollars, Kamprad was known for buying secondhand clothing and driving an old Volvo.

“I don't think I'm wearing anything that wasn't bought at a flea market,” Kamprad said in a 2016 documentary on Sweden's TV4. “I want to set a good example.”

Kamprad continued working at Ikea until he was 87. He died in 2018 at the age of 91.

Scale AI cofounder Lucy Guo takes frugality even further

A younger member of the ultrawealthy business world, Scale AI cofounder Lucy Guo, has also spoken openly about keeping her spending low despite her growing fortune.

Guo has described herself as part of the FIRE—financial independence, retire early—movement. Her approach has included buying heavily discounted clothing, skateboarding to work and seeking ways to maximize perks.

“Everything I wear is free or from Shein…Some of them aren't going to be that great quality, but there's always like two pieces or so that really work out, and I just wear them every day,” Guo previously told Fortune.

She has also said: “I still literally buy buy-one, get-one-free on Uber Eats.”

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
Kevin O’LearyKevin O’Leary net worthKevin O’Leary WalmartKevin O’Leary $29 jeansWarren BuffettWarren Buffett net worthWarren Buffett frugal lifestyleShark Tank investormillionaire money habitswealthy people saving money

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year