Costco Wholesale Corporation

NASDAQ Global Select
Bullish +75

Jet Li is the latest millionaire to admit he loves shopping at Costco — why the ultrawealthy can’t resist saving a buck

🎬 Martial arts star Jet Li, with a rumored net worth of $250 million, openly admits to shopping at Costco for his favorite red cotton T-shirts.

🛍️ Li has been wearing the same style of comfortable shirt he bought in bulk from Costco for five years straight.

🐰 During his daughter's zodiac year as a rabbit, Li had her purchase 30 red cotton T-shirts specifically for good luck.

🧻 The actor visited Costco since the 1990s to buy bulk items like toilet paper, instant coffee, and toothpaste for two-year supplies.

📉 A recent Consumer Reports comparison found that Costco products were 21.4% less expensive than those at Walmart.

🏢 Kirkland Signature brand items brought in $90 million for Costco during the 2025 fiscal year due to their quality and price.

🗣️ Many other celebrities including Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, John Mayer, Lana Del Rey, and the Kardashians also shop at Costco.

🚗 Research by Experian Automotive shows that 61% of wealthy individuals drive common cars like Hondas, Toyotas, and Fords rather than luxury brands.

⏳ The ultra-rich focus on preserving financial resources and avoiding decision fatigue by wearing the same clothes and eating the same meals daily.

🧘‍♂️ Jet Li follows a disciplined routine that includes meditating for an hour or two every morning before having his same breakfast for three years.

💸 Financial experts warn that high earners struggle when their lifestyle costs outpace their income, with some reports showing 40% of Americans over $300k are financially stressed.

📉 Dave Ramsey advises that if you retire broke, it is your responsibility, suggesting investing just $100 a month can grow to over $1 million by age 65.

✅ Frugality is not limited to everyday folks and is a strategy used by many wealthy people to save money on goods and services.

🛒 Close to one third of Americans regularly shop at Costco, which operates around 924 locations worldwide with the majority in North America.

🧠 Building extra savings into a budget can involve working toward a pay rise or taking a second job while identifying spending triggers.

Bullish Signals
  • Close to one third of Americans regularly shop at Costco, reflecting its strong popularity and market appeal.
  • There are around 924 Costco locations worldwide with the majority located in North America, demonstrating robust geographical expansion.
  • The Kirkland brand brought in $90 million for Costco in the 2025 fiscal year, highlighting successful private label growth.
  • A recent Consumer Reports comparison found Costco to be 21.4% less expensive than Walmart, reinforcing its value proposition.
  • Robert Kiyosaki highlights that investing just $100 a month from age 25 to age 65 in good growth stock mutual funds results in $1,176,000.
  • Celebrity adoption by figures like Jet Li and Mark Zuckerberg validates Costco's brand appeal across different income levels.
Risk Factors
  • There are reports suggesting that 40% of Americans earning over $300,000 are struggling to keep up with their lifestyle, indicating that high income does not guarantee financial stability.
  • Dave Ramsey's assertion that 'if you retire broke, it's your fault' overlooks external economic factors beyond an individual's control that could lead to retirement shortfalls.
  • The article cites Robert Kiyosaki's grim warnings about baby boomers potentially being 'wiped out' and homeless, highlighting significant wealth insecurity risks for retirees.
Full Analysis
Kung-fu movie star Jet Li has shared his continued loyalty to wholesale retailer Costco, citing his love for the store's deals and bulk purchasing options. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Li revealed that he buys 30 red cotton T-shirts annually during his daughter's zodiac year for good luck, a style he has worn consistently for five years alongside the same breakfast routine to avoid decision fatigue. He noted that he has been shopping at Costco since the 1990s to purchase toilet paper, instant coffee, and toothpaste in quantities that last for two years, emphasizing his focus on frugality and saving money despite his estimated $250 million net worth. This sentiment aligns with a broader observation that many wealthy individuals, including Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, and members of the Kardashian family, frequent Costco to save money rather than seeking flashy status symbols. Research by Experian Automotive supports this behavior, indicating that 61% of wealthy people drive mainstream brands like Honda, Toyota, and Ford rather than luxury cars. The article highlights that Costco's private label Kirkland Signature generated $90 million in revenue during the 2025 fiscal year and is found to be 21.4% less expensive than Walmart according to Consumer Reports comparisons, making it an attractive option for both celebrities and regular consumers focused on preserving financial resources.