Ben Affleck's Teen Son Wanted $6,000 Jordan 1s, Dad Said: 'You're Broke, That's a Lot of Lawns to Mow' —Suddenly, He Didn't Want Them Anymore

Ben Affleck may be an A-list actor with a $150 million net worth, but when it comes to parenting, he's not handing out luxury sneakers like party favors. His son, Samuel, recently learned this firsthand after eyeing a pair of Dior Air Jordan 1s—which sell for anywhere between $6,000 and $25,000—only to be met with a dose of financial reality.

‘That's a Lot of Lawns to Mow'—Affleck's Hilarious Lesson in Earning Money

According to Business Insider, Affleck and his 13-year-old son were attending the Got Sole sneaker convention earlier this month, browsing high-end sneakers when Samuel set his sights on the pricey Dior Jordans.

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Affleck, who clearly wasn't about to drop thousands on sneakers for a teenager, called him out on his taste:

"You like those because they're expensive," he quipped.

Samuel protested, but Affleck wasn't buying it—literally or figuratively. His comeback?

"That's a lot of lawns you gotta mow there."

Translation: If Samuel wanted those sneakers, he'd better start hustling for them.

Affleck Doubles Down on the Lesson With Access Hollywood

The moment quickly went viral, and Access Hollywood caught up with Affleck on March 8 at the South by Southwest premiere of his new movie, "The Accountant 2." They asked the million-dollar question:

"So, did your son ever mow the yard for those sneakers?"

Affleck's response was classic:

"That's what happens when you tell a motherf—er they have to mow a lawn. All of a sudden, they don't want those shoes."

He went on to break down the conversation further:

"He's like, ‘We have the money.' I'm like, ‘I have the money. You're broke!'"

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Shaq Takes a Similar Approach—‘We Ain't Rich. I'm Rich.'

Affleck's parenting philosophy aligns with NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, who has made it clear that his massive wealth isn't automatically his kids' money. Shaq famously tells them: "We ain't rich. I'm rich."

O'Neal has a strict rule—his kids need to earn their way, just like he did. They're required to get at least two degrees before they receive any major financial support, and if they want to start a business, they have to pitch it like an investor meeting.

It's a no-handouts mentality that celebrities like Affleck and Shaq are pushing—teaching their kids the value of money, hard work, and not assuming they can just spend their parents' fortune.

No Dior Jordans, No Problem

Samuel may not have walked away with those $6,000 sneakers, but he did leave the sneaker convention with something arguably more valuable—a reality check on money and privilege.

And while Affleck may be one of Hollywood's biggest stars, at home, he's just a dad making sure his kid doesn't confuse "dad's money" with "his money."

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