15 Brilliant Things Mark Cuban Says To Do With Your Money

Valencia HigueraTue, March 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC

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You have likely heard this billionaire’s name, but who is Mark Cuban and how did he make his money? It’s possible you know him as one of the sharks on the hit show “Shark Tank,” but Cuban is more than just a TV personality — he’s also the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a successful investor.

In fact, Cuban’s companies are so successful that he made his first million in 1990 after selling his business to CompuServe and then earned a $5.9 billion paycheck after he sold his online streaming audio service to Yahoo in 1999.

Cuban knows how to be rich and successful, and he isn’t afraid to share his insight. Check out Mark Cuban’s advice, so you can learn how to budget money and think like a billionaire.

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Be a Little Bit of a Risk Taker

Talk to any self-made millionaires or billionaires and they might preach the importance of taking calculated risks. Sometimes, risks and rewards go hand in hand, as Cuban pointed out in a 2017 interview with Money magazine while discussing the value of investing your savings.

He explained that it’s possible to save a million dollars, but only if you’re disciplined and take risks. Many who achieve higher levels of financial success aren’t afraid to invest for the betterment of their future — whether they’re investing in the market, a business or their education.

But Invest Only up to 10% in Risky Investments

If you do take risks in the investment realm, limit the amount you contribute.

“If you’re a true adventurer and you really want to throw the Hail Mary, you might take 10% and put it in bitcoin or Ethereum; but, if you do that, you’ve got to pretend you’ve already lost your money,” Cuban told Vanity Fair. “It’s like collecting art, it’s like collecting baseball cards, it’s like collecting shoes — something’s worth what somebody else would pay for it. I’d limit (risky investments) to 10%.”

Put It in the Bank

In an exclusive interview with Young Money, a personal finance education and media company, Cuban offered this general investing advice and then followed the statement by saying, “The idiots that tell you to put your money in the market because eventually it will go up need to tell you that because they are trying to sell you something. The stock market is probably the worst investment vehicle out there.”

Although some investors believe the stock market is the ticket to wealth, others believe the market is too risky and volatile. Your stock can be profitable one day, yet it only takes one downturn to lose it all. Rather than put all your eggs in the stock market, Cuban encourages keeping some money in a savings account for a rainy day so you’re protected if something goes wrong.

In his own words, “Buy-and-hold is a sucker’s game … Those who put their money in CDs sleep well at night and definitely have more money today than they did yesterday.”

Save 6 Months of Income

Aim to have six months worth of income saved in that bank account, Cuban told Vanity Fair.

“If you don’t like your job at some point or you get fired or you have to move or something goes wrong, you’re going to need at least six months income,” he said.

Find a Way To Invest Inexpensively in the Market

If you want to dabble in the market, Cuban advises doing so safely to minimize your risk. In his conversation with Money, he suggested investing in a low-cost mutual fund. These are investments that let you pool your assets with the assets of other investors, which provides a cheaper way to diversify your portfolio.

As Cuban puts it: “If you can find a way to invest inexpensively in the market, you can start to build your net worth.”

If You Don’t Understand the Risks of an Investment, It’s OK To Do Nothing

Cuban gave this advice in a blog on his site titled “The Best Investment Advice You Will Ever Get.” Although investing can build your net worth and put you on the path toward financial freedom, there’s no guarantee that an investment strategy will pay off.

Before investing, make sure you know the risks and prepare for the possibility of losing money. If you have doubts — or if there’s too much uncertainty surrounding an investment — there’s nothing wrong with holding onto your cash until the right opportunity comes along.

Be a Smart Shopper

There’s a definite connection between being a smart shopper and a savvy investor. In one of Cuban’s blog posts on the best investment advice, he explained how cash creates transitional returns. He encouraged analyzing how much you spend over the course of a year and then suggested taking advantage of cash, quantity and discounts to get a better return on your money. In other words: It’s best to buy in bulk.“

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Saving 15% on $1,000 worth of items you know you will absolutely spend money on is a better return on your money than making 15% in a year on a $1,000 investment because you don’t pay taxes on it,” Cuban said.

Have Disciplined Spending

Cuban knows a thing or two about being disciplined and living frugally — after college, he moved into a house with five roommates, lived off macaroni and cheese, and drove an older vehicle. Rather than invest in expensive belongings, he invested in himself and his future goals. Likewise, a frugal mindset can propel you toward your goals. If you make money and build a nest egg, you’ll have the resources needed to make smart investments.

Live beneath your means and reduce spending to help build your savings. Consider driving an older car, buying secondhand goods, living with your parents a little longer or getting a roommate to lower housing expenses.

Pay Off Credit Cards in 30 Days — or Don’t Use Them at All

Credit cards serve a useful purpose, but they can also lead to debt if you don’t manage them responsibly, which is why Cuban gave this advice to consumers. He doesn’t discourage using a credit card, but he does encourage paying off balances in full every month to avoid wasting money on interest.

“Using a credit card is OK if you pay it off at the end of the month,” Cuban said in an interview with Money. “Just recognize that the 18% or 20% or 30% you’re paying in credit card debt is going to cost you a lot more than you ever could earn anywhere else.”

Pay Debt Off Before Making Other Investments

“The best investment you can make is paying off your credit cards, paying off whatever debt you have,” Cuban told MarketWatch. “If you have a student loan with a 7% interest rate, if you pay off that loan, you’re making 7%, that’s your immediate return, which is a lot safer than picking a stock, or trying to pick real estate, or whatever it may be.”

Negotiate Using Cash

Cuban has long preached that cash is king, and he told Vanity Fair that having cash available can ultimately save you money.

“I tell people all the time, if you’re out, you’re going to take a yoga class, and they want to charge you $30, say, ‘Look, I got $20.’ You know what? They’re going to take it,” he told Vanity Fair. “Negotiating with cash is a far better way to get a return on your investment.”

Books Are Always Good Investments

Although Cuban is an advocate of living cheaply and saving as much as possible, he believes that a good book is the one thing that’s always worth the money.

“I used to love to walk through bookstores when there were bookstores everywhere, and if there was something that caught my eye, and I thought it could give me one idea, to spend $30 to get one idea that could help propel me, make my businesses better — it was a bargain,” he told Vanity Fair.

One book that got Cuban “all fired up” is “The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need” by Andrew Tobias, he said. “I’ll read hours every day because all it takes is one little thing to propel you to the next level.”

Keep Your Money to Yourself

Cuban doesn’t seem to believe the old adage, “Sharing is caring.” In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, he advised potential lottery winners to think twice before lending money to anyone. His advice is applicable to anyone who comes across a financial windfall.

“Tell all your friends and relatives no,” Cuban said. “They will ask. Tell them no. If you are close to them, you already know who needs help and what they need. Feel free to help some, but talk to your accountant before you do anything. And remember this: No one needs $1 million for anything. No one needs $100,000 for anything. Anyone who asks is not your friend.”

Use Your Money To Buy Time

“I value my time a lot more than my next dollar,” Cuban told Barbara Corcoran on her podcast, “888-Barbara.”That’s why he doesn’t mind spending his money on “things that buy time” — which for him meant buying a private jet. For the average person, this can mean paying extra for little conveniences such as pre-chopped vegetables or hiring a cleaning service so you have more time to spend with family.

“I can make things happen more quickly by paying a little bit more,” he said. “And that’s important, because time is the one asset you can’t own, buy or get back.”

Refinance Debt When Interest Rates Are Low

Although there are numerous downsides to a recession, one of the silver linings is low interest rates. In a Twitter Q&A, Cuban said one of the best things to do during a recession is to take advantage of these low rates.“Refinance your student loan and any other debt you have,” he said.

For financial advice on money and investing, seek out those with a successful track record. Your chances of a one-on-one session with Cuban are probably slim to none, but this doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from his wisdom. Between his blogs, interviews and Q&A sessions, he has proven that he’s more than willing to share his money tips with others.

Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Source: “AOL Money”