We all want to make money but what lengths would you go to save it? Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson has become known for his advice about saving money. Whether on social media or in interviews, the former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver has never shied away from sharing what many would consider extreme measures to save his money. From living in the former Paul Brown Stadium for two years when he first joined the Benegals instead of spending money on a house to admitting that he wears fake jewelry, Ochocinco has no problem telling on himself when it comes to how he spends his money.
And his interview with Shannon Sharpe was no different. On Shannon’s podcast Club Shay Shay, Ochocinco dropped more gems about saving money that you can apply to your life.
Know Your Value
“I wish people, athletes more so, if you can get to the point in your career where your name becomes bigger than anything you can purchase, there’s your value.”
He later continued, “There’s nothing I can buy that’s bigger than my name alone, so it made no sense. But everybody is caught up in image and looking a certain way and being rich. It’s me, it’s pointless.”
Passing Down a Money-Saving Mindset to His Kids
“The kids, I allow them to do the designer and the nice stuff because I done saved 83% of my salary so it’s okay. And I have stuff coming in already–so life is good because I was able to sustain and keep most of my wealth I made when I was playing and life is still gonna go. So, I allow the kids to enjoy but I need them to understand there’s gonna come a time, you gon have to get off that payroll. But for right now, I will always be there for them no matter what they want. Long as you don’t try to live a lifestyle that you know you can’t afford.”
Not Needing Validation from Society
“The people on the outside that might be new to who I am now that I’m a little older don’t understand that I [have] been this way for the past 25 years.”
Chad then explained he never needed validation from society. “I [have] never been that way because I don’t need validation from nobody on the outside, never have.”
He also said that his kids sometimes make fun of him for his money-saving hacks but calls it “another downfall” in today’s society. “In society, we always need validation and acceptance from others.”
It’s All About Discipline
“The funny part about it is people [on] social media. Well, if I spend this bag, Imma just go make it back. It ain’t like you think. People, they think the cure and the fix for the problem is, ‘well give me more money. Imma be alright.’ Well, the more you make, the more you spend if you have no discipline and no structure. Every time. ‘Well, just give me more and more.’ No, the more you get, the more you’re gonna spend. And people ain’t gonna listen because we’re caught up in looking a certain way, living a certain way, trying to appease others who don’t really care nothing about you just to say, ‘oh, I got it.’ Well, shit, I got it too, and had it for almost 30 years.”
Chad Johnson saved 83% of his salary by flying Spirit Airlines and wearing fake jewelry | EP. 71
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
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Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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