Billionaire's Extraordinary Monthly Grocery Bill Exceeds €3,000
Renewable energy magnate José Elías has built a vast fortune over his career, but his spending habits are equally remarkable, particularly when it comes to his monthly supermarket shop. The billionaire recently revealed that he spends between €2,500 and €3,000 (approximately £2,600) on groceries each month, a figure he describes as "not normal" compared to the average household.
Why the Sky-High Food Costs?
Elías, 49, attributes his massive grocery outlay to the constant stream of visitors to his home. "Everyone comes to my house to eat. People come around like bees to honey," he explained. "People come and stay for lunch, my children bring people too…" This influx of guests means his household consumes far more food than typical, leading to a bill that is roughly six times what he estimates a couple would spend monthly, which he puts at around €500 (£440).
He shared these insights on his Spanish-language podcast, where he regularly discusses business and personal finance topics. The billionaire emphasised that while his spending might seem excessive, it stems from a lifestyle of hospitality and social gatherings rather than mere extravagance.
Lavish Holiday Expenditures Also Detailed
Beyond groceries, Elías disclosed significant spending on vacations, with similar justifications. His most recent summer holiday involved a two-week break in Ibiza and Formentera, costing approximately €35,000 (just under £31,000). Half of this amount went toward renting an €8,000-per-week villa that accommodated eight people. He defended the expense as "very normal for Ibiza" and considered it "reasonable" at about €1,000 per person per week.
Other holiday costs included roughly €15,000 for a trip to the Seychelles and an additional €10,000 for various getaways throughout the year, bringing his annual holiday outlay to as much as €60,000. However, not all experiences lived up to expectations. "It rained every afternoon, man. A little bit of sun in the mornings," he lamented about the Seychelles, adding that the destination felt repetitive and lacked activities.
Perspectives on Parenting and Work-Life Balance
Despite his frequent travels, Elías often spends holidays with his children, though he acknowledges time apart due to work commitments. He offered a nuanced view on parenting, challenging the notion that constant presence equates to good parenting. "We parents are too hard on ourselves," he said. "We think that if we're not with our children 24/7, we're bad parents. There's no direct relationship between the hours you spend sitting on the couch and the love you give them."
He stressed the importance of instilling values over mere quantity of time. "What matters is what's ingrained in them: loyalty, honesty, the value of hard work," Elías remarked. Reflecting on his own father, he noted, "I remember my father as a hardworking and loyal man. I don't remember how many hours he was home. But I do remember who he was and what he taught me by example."
Elías concluded with advice for parents: "Enjoy your children, especially the first seven years, which are paradise. But don't torture yourself. You won't be remembered for the hours, but for the kind of person you were while they were watching you." This philosophy underscores his approach to balancing a high-powered career with family life, even amid extraordinary spending habits.
