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Selena Gomez Helped Pay The Rent With First 'Wizards Of Waverly Place' Paycheck (VIDEO)

First Posted: 12/29/11 01:03 PM ET Updated: 12/29/11 02:05 PM ET

Just because she's dating the world's most sought-after teen heartthrob, is finishing a five year run on a hit Disney Channel show and has a successful music career, don't think for a second that Selena Gomez is a diva.

With "Wizards of Waverly Place" -- the show that made Gomez a household name -- set to air its final episode on Jan. 6th, the 19-year-old singer and actress opened up to "Access Hollywood" along with her cast mates David Henrie and Jake T. Austin, about how life has changed since starting the hit show.

We learned that money hasn't changed Selena and she clearly leaves the flashy spending to boyfriend Justin Bieber.

Despite commanding $100,000 per concert according to her 2010 tour rider, the star says she has yet to make any really big purchases. When asked what was the first thing she splurged on was, she told "Access Hollywood":

"Shoes .... I didn't really buy anything. I got my Ford Escape," she offered, but seemed unsure if that qualified as a big splurge. Selena was referring to the 2009 black Hybrid she received for her 16th birthday.

For one of the world's most famous teenagers, a $34,000 car seems pretty sensible, especially comparing it to say the $90,000 Range Rover reality star Kendall Jenner just received for her 16th birthday.

Even more surprising, Gomez admitted that her first paycheck from 'Wizards' went to helping out her family.

"I think [my first paycheck] went into living [in Los Angeles] because we had to move from Texas, so I think we just had to pay for it," she said.

Her castmate 17-year-old Jake T. Austin, who plays her younger brother, also said his first paycheck from Disney went to helping out with the rent and to "[helping] my family out a bit, it just goes into living and typical everyday expenses."

It's not surprising that Gomez hasn't gone crazy with her Disney cash -- she's actually known for being pretty low key and has been spotted on the red carpet wearing a $23 dress from teen clothier Forever 21 and has even been spotted stocking up on trendy items at the budget-friendly store.

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Just because she's dating the world's most sought-after teen heartthrob, is finishing a five year run on a hit Disney Channel show and has a ...
Just because she's dating the world's most sought-after teen heartthrob, is finishing a five year run on a hit Disney Channel show and has a ...
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11:50 PM on 01/23/2012
Such a great person and role model! I guess it shows not all celebs go all out in their lives, it's possible to stay humble.

God Bless!
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Montana 123
Mama to Three Little Monkeys
02:15 PM on 12/30/2011
that's very nice.
10:24 AM on 12/30/2011
She's such a sweetheart.
05:13 AM on 12/30/2011
So Rocking Selena.
http://bestantiagingreviews.com/
11:18 PM on 12/29/2011
Go to a barrio. Dime a dozen like her.
04:44 PM on 12/29/2011
Well, I think its sweet and responsible of Selena to help her family. She is definitaly one of the best role models for teens and young girls. The only thing I question is why she dates 'Bieber'? He's a kid practically and "Americas Teen Heart Throb", I mean not every girl wants him. He's ridicoulous. Selena isn't using him, for his money at least, she has as much as he does. (Or more)
06:38 PM on 12/29/2011
and maybe just maybe he's a really nice guy, with a great heart,. seems the ridiculous thing is why are you worried she's dating him..
12:27 AM on 12/31/2011
He is a kid practically? Not really, he'll be turning eighteen in a few months.
03:58 PM on 12/29/2011
Selena has her head on straight and is a good role model for teens. The only mystery about her is why she keeps The Beeb around. Her talent ( and looks ) all but obliterates him. He's basically atrocious in the singing department. Plays a decent game of hoops, though.
05:04 PM on 12/29/2011
umm, have you heard Selena sing live? Lets just say i heard alot of her fans say that she sucks singing live!! That she should stick to acting, cause thats what she is actually good at!! and why she keeps the Beebs around? Would she be as famous as she is right now if she wasnt? thats the BIG question of the day!!
08:09 PM on 01/01/2012
I don't think its her voice is the problem. She lacks stage presence and looks a bit awkward but its not something a good choreographer can't fix.
03:48 PM on 12/29/2011
i really like Selena and hope she doesn't turn out like all those other "disney" starletts.
06:45 PM on 12/29/2011
funny I never hear anything bad about Hilary Duff, Tia and Tamara Moury, only a few bad apples in the bunch doesn't mean a thing,,
08:10 PM on 01/01/2012
More like you NEVER hear anything AT ALL about Hilary Duff, Tia and Tamara Moury. Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty to get noticed.
03:00 PM on 12/29/2011
We learned that money hasn't changed Selena and she clearly leaves the flashy spending to boyfriend Justin Bieber.
So that's why she dating the young guy. she using him, smart girl.
02:39 PM on 12/29/2011
I hope she stays the sweet girl she seems to be. She seems to have her head on straight, and she dresses her age. :)
02:00 PM on 12/29/2011
Nice to hear.
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Montana 123
Mama to Three Little Monkeys
02:15 PM on 12/30/2011
It definitely is!