Bankrate: How do you save your money for a rainy day?
Taraji P. Henson: Living in Los Angeles, I think everyone is aware that we have to cut down on our water use. So I've done some water conservation that also cuts down on costs. I wash my dishes by hand -- no dishwasher. And even though I kid that my alter ego is Miss Diva, I still like to bargain shop for shoes, clothing, furniture ... everything. I still go to the 99 (Cent) Only Stores, Target ... I'll tell people when I got a real bargain if they ask, but otherwise I won't. And I do a lot of photo shoots with beautiful clothes and accessories. If I really love something, I'll ask -- or my publicist will -- if I can keep it and take it home. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. Work and money is steady right now, and I just hope it stays that way. I've saved for my son's education, which is very important to me.
Bankrate: What's your music pleasure?
Taraji P. Henson: I'm a huge jazz fan because I think everything in life stems from jazz. I have over 6,000 songs on my iPod, but that's not even my entire collection. I started collecting music in college, so I've spent a lot of money on my music collection. I'm also into hip-hop music, some classic soul, R&B and even punk rock. It really depends on my mood to what I listen to, but overall it's jazz. Jazz can relax me, make me reflective, energize me and put me in a good mood.
Bankrate: Some people say the best thing about being famous is getting good seats in top-rated restaurants. What would you say is the best part of being famous?
Taraji P. Henson: It's not really about the money, though it's nice to know I can pay my bills because I can remember when I couldn't. It's really all about the power of art and the people I inspire. When I went to the Image Awards, I could feel the room championing for me. When they said the nominees and said Taraji P. Henson, the crowd went crazy. I made up my mind right then and there, I said, "You know what, whether I go home with a trophy or not, right there is a win," because my work touched those people to the point where they used extra energy to clap and scream for me.
Bankrate: What's on the top of your life to-do list?
Taraji P. Henson: The first thing is to get my son off to college. I want him to get an excellent college education and if that means I have to sacrifice things for the cost of that, so be it. I'm hoping that I work continually so that I have the means to support that education. I am getting more great film offers and have always worked, so I hope this continues. And someday, I'd like to run my own production company to green-light films, some with me in them and some without. That would mean I have more control over my career.
Bankrate: What's been your biggest splurge lately, not a garage sale splurge?
Taraji P. Henson: (laughs) Earlier this year, it was Christian Louboutin boots that were not ultra-trendy, so I can wear them 10 years from now.
Bankrate: In these economic times, do you have any personal cost-effective beauty secrets?
Taraji P. Henson: Do I? (laughs). One is sleep. Sleep keeps you young looking and it doesn't cost a penny. I sleep so deeply that I'm told I snore. Another thing is water. I drink a lot of water or tea everyday. And if I get puffy eyes, I use cold spoons on them. They work like nobody's business. Just put two teaspoons in the freezer for a few minutes, take them out and put on your eyes. No more puffiness.
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