Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary blasts ‘stupid’ Gen Z habit that could cost them $800K

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SEE FULL BIOInvestor Kevin O'Leary suggests putting your lunch money into an index fund for retirement

Roy Rochlin—Getty ImagesInvestor Kevin O’Leary says Gen Z’s expensive lunch habit today could be costing them a sizeable chunk of their retirement funds in the future

Kevin O’Leary, the outspoken investor and star of ABC’s Shark Tank, is calling out Gen Z’s financial missteps

I mean, that’s just stupid

O’Leary breaks down the math to drive his point

The implication is : small, habitual expenses add up to massive missed opportunities for wealth accumulation

The cost of small indulgences O’Leary’s warning isn’t new, but it’s particularly relevant as inflation and the high cost of living squeeze younger generations

Millennials and Gen Z, often living in cities with easy access to expensive coffee shops and dery services, are especially ne to these “death by a thousand cuts” spending patterns

O’Leary argues that these choices aren’t just frugality—they’re prioritizing long-term financial security over fleeting indulgences

The rules of wealth-building O’Leary’s personal apach to money is rooted in discipline. “One of my rules is never outspend yourself in a 30- or 60-day cycle, ever

I don’t have any debt,” he tells the podcast host

He urges young people to track their income and expenses over a three-month period—a “90-Day Number”—to get a picture of their financial health

He’s also adamant the dangers of emotional spending. “We buy stuff with money, and, more often than not, this stuff becomes a vessel for more spending,” O’Leary writes in his book Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women, and Money

He warns that mixing money with emotions leads to poor decisions, and recommends tricks literally freezing credit cards in a block of ice to curb impulse buys

Succeeding in O’Leary’s financial advice extends beyond personal spending

For aspiring entrepreneurs, he says, jecting confidence is essential. “Can you ject who you are with your eyes and the way you’re standing, can you ject your confidence. “You have to learn how to ject yourself in front of your peers… If you don’t have it, you’re going to fail… it’s before a word is spoken. ” He also stresses the importance of communication and financial literacy: “You need to articulate your idea in 90 seconds or less; the ones that had that aura get there in 30 seconds or less

This is the killer—you got to know your numbers

You don’t know your numbers, you deserve to burn in hell. ” Is O’Leary’s advice realistic

While O’Leary’s message is —ditch unnecessary expenses and invest early—critics point out that saving at the rate he recommends is a tall order for many young Americans facing high rents, student debt, and stagnant wages

Still, O’Leary insists that building wealth is less income and more habits. “Getting into the habit of saving from an early age is essential given that younger Americans can’t rely too heavily on Social Security for retirement,” he says

His bottom line: “Be smart with spending

A person should not let emotional impulse lock them into long-term financial baggage”

Disclaimer: For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft

An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing

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