‘You Don’t Want To Be Rich’ if Using Credit Cards — Expert Debates Mark Cuban’s Advice
Written by
Madeline Duley
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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In the famous words of Mark Cuban, the billionaire you probably know from “Shark Tank,” “If you’re using a credit card, you don’t want to be rich.” With a net worth of $5.7 billion of June, according to Forbes, he certainly knows a thing or two about building wealth. But are credit cards really the culprit holding you back?
To get to the bottom of it, we spoke with Ashley Morgan, attorney and owner of Ashley F. Morgan Law. Read on for her expert take on Cuban’s claim, and what you really need to know about building wealth, with or without credit cards.
Credit Cards Can be Risky — but That’s Not the Whole Story
Morgan agreed with Cuban to a degree. She acknowledged credit cards can be dangerous if used irresponsibly, and it’s perfectly fine if they’re not your thing.
“For many people, using credit cards is risky,” Morgan said. “It is too easy not to track your spending or carry a balance. Using credit cards properly takes discipline, and not everyone is a credit card person.”
But that doesn’t mean they’re always a bad idea.
The Real Problem? Carrying a Balance
Let’s say you buy a latte with a credit card. Even though the card is in your name, the bank is the one fronting the money, not you. Unlike a debit card that pulls funds directly from your personal account, a credit card borrows from the bank’s funds. So, if you don’t pay that money back in full, the remaining balance becomes debt.
“You need to avoid carrying a balance at all costs,” Morgan said. “Also, you want to be aware of your spending. If you are not budgeting and monitoring your purchases because you are just paying for them later, it means your cards are encouraging your spending.”
And if you’re not paying off your balance each month, the interest and debt can quickly cancel out any potential rewards.
How To Safely Use Credit Cards To Build Wealth
Used wisely, credit cards can be a helpful tool to build wealth. But it takes strategy and self-discipline.
“To properly use credit cards, you need to track your spending and pay off the balance in full each month,” Morgan said. “You almost have to think of your credit card as a debit card. The moment you start carrying balances, the benefits to those credit cards start to diminish rapidly.”
Sometimes, Not Having a Credit Card Can Hurt More Than Help
While Cuban warns that credit cards can stall your financial progress, Morgan says that, if used properly, they’re often key to financial growth.
“Credit cards are the easiest way to establish and maintain credit,” Morgan said. “There is no requirement that you carry a balance to have good credit. But without positive tradelines on your credit report, it is more difficult to have a good credit score. Without a good credit score, it is more costly to rent or buy a house.”
Want To Be Rich? Focus on Smart Money Habits
At the end of the day, building wealth isn’t about avoiding credit cards — it’s about knowing how to manage your money.
“Budgeting is the basis of any good financial situation,” Morgan said. “If you do not know where your money is going, it doesn’t matter if you have no debt; you won’t be growing wealth. You need to control your spending and know where your money is going.”
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