What Keke Palmer Can Teach Us About Money: 5 Financial Lessons from a Star Who Knows Her Worth
- Metro Money
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
What Keke Palmer can teach us about money, investments, and playing the long game
Keke Palmer isn't just a powerhouse in entertainment — she's a financial role model, too. From child stardom on "Akeelah and the Bee" to becoming a producer, entrepreneur, and one of the most relatable voices on money management, Keke has shared valuable insights into navigating finances with confidence, resilience, and long-term thinking.
Here are five key money lessons we can learn from Keke Palmer:
1. Know Your Worth — and Then Add Tax
Keke has been refreshingly open about advocating for fair pay, especially in an industry that often undervalues young Black women. She's spoken out about asking for what she deserves — a reminder that negotiating isn't rude, it's necessary.
Lesson: Whether you're negotiating a new salary, a freelance contract, or a side hustle rate, don't shy away from advocating for your value. Research the market, know your numbers, and ask boldly.
2. Save Like You Might Not Get Another Check Tomorrow
Growing up in the entertainment industry taught Keke early on that income can be unpredictable. She’s credited her parents with encouraging her to save and live below her means, despite her success.
“I live under my means. I think it’s incredibly important,” Palmer told CNBC Make It. “If I have $1 million in my pocket, my rent is going to be $1,500 — that’s how underneath my means I’m talking. My car note is going to be $340. I don’t need a [Bentley] Bentayga, I’ll ride in a Lexus.”
Lesson: Even when the checks are flowing, it’s smart to build an emergency fund, invest conservatively, and avoid lifestyle inflation. Financial stability comes from consistency, not sporadic big paydays.
3. Multiple Streams of Income Are Key
Keke Palmer doesn’t just act. She sings, writes, produces, hosts, runs her own digital network, and creates brand partnerships — all while maintaining her creative authenticity.
Lesson: In today’s economy, diversifying your income isn’t just ambitious, it’s practical. Think: side hustles, passive income, investments, and building personal brands that open doors to new opportunities.
4. Invest in Yourself
From taking on a variety of roles to launching her own projects, Keke understands that self-investment is crucial. She’s invested time, money, and energy into learning new skills, trying new platforms, and creating opportunities for herself.
But she doesn't stop there--she's also a learner of personal finance.
“Be curious about [personal finance], because you don’t want to do things based off of survival,” says Palmer. “You want to do them out of choice. That’s something that my mom and my dad taught me very early on.”
Lesson: Spend wisely on things that expand your skills, network, and personal growth. Professional development, certifications, or even creative pursuits can pay off in unexpected ways.
5. Stay Authentic — Even with Your Money
Keke’s approach to her career — and her finances — is rooted in staying true to who she is. She’s unafraid to be candid about wins and setbacks alike. For example, at age 18, she filed for bankruptcy, a decision that she has spoken about openly and shared the lessons she learned from it.
She stated that filing for bankruptcy was a "wake-up call" and taught her the importance of living under her means. She now chooses to live frugally, invests in her businesses, and prioritizes long-term financial goals over acquiring material possessions.
Lesson: You don’t have to follow every financial trend or hustle for the sake of appearances, or try to hide your setbacks. Tailor your financial goals to fit your real values, not someone else’s expectations.
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