Ben Affleck might be one of Hollywood’s highest-paid stars, but don’t expect his kids to be spoiled. In a recent interview, Affleck shared that he believes in old-school parenting when it comes to money—starting with minimum wage jobs.
Affleck, who’s worth an estimated $150 million and shares three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner—Violet (19), Fin (16), and Samuel (13)—says it’s important for his kids to learn the value of a dollar the hard way. That includes saying no, even when the family bank account could technically say yes.
A recent viral video captured one such parenting moment, where Affleck shut down 13-year-old Samuel’s request for a $6,000 pair of sneakers. His response? Brutal in the best way.
He then laid down a little real-world math: “If you want that, you can work 1,000 hours at minimum wage, and after all that, you might not want to spend it on a pair of shoes.”
Affleck said both of his older kids already have jobs, and his eldest is actively pursuing a summer internship. While he’s proud of their hustle, he’s clear that this is less about building a résumé and more about building character. “You love your kids, but you do them a disservice if you don’t teach them they have to work for what they want,” he said.
It’s a refreshing message coming from someone whose kids could easily coast on Hollywood privilege. Instead, Affleck is making a case for humility, hard work, and a bit of minimum wage reality—even if Dad’s red carpet is just a phone call away.
