Billionaire Mark Cuban Said The First Step To Getting Rich Is Giving Things Up — Drink Water, Eat Mac and Cheese, And 'Save Every Penny'

Mark Cuban didn't become a billionaire by splurging on daily lattes or upgrading his phone every year. In fact, his first piece of advice for anyone trying to get rich is brutally simple: sacrifice.

‘Doesn't Suck Being Rich' — But Getting There Takes Sacrifices

In a 2011 Blog Maverick post titled "How to Get Rich," Cuban laid out his personal roadmap to wealth from the perspective of a self-made billionaire.

Before Cuban was a billionaire, he was living with five roommates, eating mustard and ketchup sandwiches, and sleeping on the floor of a cramped apartment. While he doesn't miss those days, he credits that level of discipline as the foundation of his success.

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"It doesn't suck to be rich," Cuban wrote in the post. But getting there? That's where most people struggle—because it requires giving things up before you see any reward.

Cuban's philosophy is clear: The more you can save, the more options you'll have when opportunity strikes. And that means trimming down expenses to the absolute essentials.

"Save your money. Save as much money as you possibly can. Every penny you can. Instead of coffee, drink water. Instead of going to McDonald's, eat Mac and Cheese. Cut up your credit cards. If you use a credit card, you don't want to be rich," he advised.

His point? Every unnecessary dollar spent is a dollar that could be working for you. If you're serious about building wealth, your priority should be saving as much money as possible.

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But where should that money go? Cuban warns against locking it away in long-term investments like stocks or retirement accounts—at least in the early stages. Instead, he recommends keeping it in six-month certificates of deposit or other easily accessible cash reserves.

"The first step to getting rich is having cash available. You aren't saving for retirement. You are saving for the moment you need cash," he explained.

‘Cash is King' for Wealth-Building

While many investors push for long-term strategies like buying and holding stocks, Cuban calls it "a sucker's game" for people still trying to build wealth. His reasoning? When the market crashes and prices drop, those who saved aggressively and have cash on hand can buy assets at a massive discount.

"Right at the very moment when cash creates unbelievable opportunity, those who followed the buy-and-hold strategy have no cash," he wrote.

Instead of seeing downturns as disasters, Cuban sees them as golden opportunities—but only for those who were disciplined enough to save when times were good.

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Invest in Yourself, Not Just the Market

Beyond just saving money, Cuban's second rule for getting rich is simple: become an expert in something. Whatever your passion, industry, or skill set is, learn everything there is to know about it.

"Find the one you love the best and GET A JOB in the business that supports it," he advised. "It may not be the perfect job, but there is no perfect path to getting rich."

Instead of racking up student loans or chasing get-rich-quick schemes, Cuban suggests working in an industry you love, learning from the inside, and becoming so knowledgeable that when the next big opportunity comes, you're ready.

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Rich People Are Ready—Are You?

According to Cuban, getting rich isn't about luck—it's about preparation. He believes that most people miss out on wealth because they aren't ready when opportunities arise. They're too deep in debt, tied to unnecessary expenses, or stuck in jobs they don't understand. Meanwhile, those who live cheaply, save aggressively, and master their industry are in the perfect position to seize their moment.

Of course, if the thought of slashing your budget down to water and instant noodles feels overwhelming, a financial advisor might be your best bet. While Cuban would tell you to figure it out yourself, a good advisor can help you create a plan, cut unnecessary spending, and make sure your money is actually working for you—instead of just vanishing into takeout orders and impulse buys. And hey, if paying someone to tell you to stop buying things is what it takes, maybe that's the kind of investment that actually pays off.

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