Mark Cuban's 6 Best Money Tips For Middle-Class Retirees

Mark Cuban is worth billions, but his advice for building wealth revolves around discipline and simplicity — not insider trade secrets. And while many of his rules were shared with audiences of young entrepreneurs, they are surprisingly relevant to retirees as well.

Cuban's documented principles may sometimes sound sensational, but they are grounded in protecting what you have so you don't end up in financial ruin. Whether you're at the start of creating a retirement plan or have been retired for some time, these strategies can help strengthen your financial position.

Live below your means, no matter your net worth

Cuban has repeatedly said, "live like a student" and has shared examples of sleeping on a floor or couch, while driving beat-up cars. You don't have to take this advice literally, but the spirit of his words rings true.

Even if you have millions in the bank, you shouldn't spend more than you bring in from all sources of income, including Social Security, investment withdrawals, and pension plans.

Since it may be harder to significantly increase your earnings in retirement, it's essential to keep discretionary spending, like travel and dining out, to what your budget can realistically sustain.

That way, in a bad market year, you can meet your minimum bill requirements until your portfolio recovers.

Kill credit card debt first

Cuban says paying down credit card debt is "the best investment" with a guaranteed return. That's because credit card interest rates can easily exceed 20%, leaving you to pay out more than you may realistically earn on your market investments.

Instead of going negative with your net worth, Cuban wants everyone (especially retirees) to knock that high-interest-rate debt out. Do this before buying an annuity, investing more, or upgrading a car. This puts you back on track with growing wealth and acts as a form of insurance; it lowers monthly obligations that can make you run short later in retirement.

Build a no-touch cushion

Cuban touts a six-month income safety net when possible, so people have something to fall back on in an emergency. While retirees are past the part of life where job loss is a concern, they do have to worry about failing health, rising property taxes, and expensive home repairs.

This cushion helps people act rationally and avoid desperate decisions made when money gets too tight. For seniors, this is even more important, since they don't have as many years to correct financial mistakes before they become permanent. Putting cash into accounts like savings, money-market funds, or short-term CDs, separate from investment accounts, helps ensure it's there when you need it.

Favor simple, low-cost index funds

Cuban has endorsed uncomplicated S&P 500 index funds in previous interviews as a smart default for investors. People won't beat the market with active stock picking, and this set-and-forget option still lets people benefit from market growth.

Overcomplicated investing through annuities, whole life products, or actively managed funds is a commitment some retirees can't manage, and often comes with expensive fees. A mutual fund or ETF that simply tracks a broad market index charges very small annual fees and comes with no complicated, added layers.

(For more advice on whether this is a fit, consider a discussion with your fiduciary advisors.)

Only invest in what you understand

While we're on the topic of keeping things simple, Cuban's a fan of businesses and industries he understands well and says not to be a follower. This same philosophy translates well to retirement, where it's common to be bombarded with ads for get-rich-quick or trendy investment schemes.

The risk with complicated investments is that they can be driven by motivated salespeople who get paid on commission — if they are a real investment at all. If you can't explain an opportunity to someone in a few sentences, it's probably more complicated than you think. It's certainly not something to put your lifelong retirement savings into.

Know why you're making a move and not just who recommended it.

Spend smart so you don't have to chase big returns

Finally, Cuban has shared what he would do with a large windfall, and it's not to invest in the latest high-tech stock. He actually recommended investing in pantry staples like soup, in bulk, to lock in guaranteed savings that can be higher than what the stock market offers.

Swapping status purchases with these smarter ones may not seem like they'll bring big returns, but every dollar you don't spend is a dollar you don't have to earn. You can make it go further by negotiating on your phone bill, comparison shopping for Medicare plans, and maximizing tax savings when possible.

Because when you're retired, with less opportunity to bring in an income, these swaps can be a very big deal.

Bottom line

Despite his billions, Cuban's advice is applicable to everyday people, including those who want to save money in retirement. It's about living below your means, avoiding high-interest debt, and not getting into investments or financial schemes that could be predatory or needlessly expensive.

But his advice should be a starting point for framing what you've learned and what you value for your own "money mantra." Consider the things that bring you joy, such as helping family, traveling, or learning. If they can fit within your budget, they deserve top billing in the retirement years you have left. Financial security is about protecting what you love and not chasing more.