Kevin O'Leary has a theory about why you're broke, and it's not complicated. The Shark Tank investor posted a video on Friday explaining that most people are stuck in a cycle of buying sneakers, shirts, and gadgets they don't actually need. Society, he argues, is designed to push you toward purchases that feel good in the moment but quietly destroy your long-term financial security.
Why Everyone Keeps Spending Money They Don't Have
According to O'Leary, about two-thirds of people end up broke because they can't resist everyday spending temptations. He acknowledges this is "extremely hard" because choosing not to buy something feels like you're just letting money sit there doing nothing—almost like "killing" it.
But that discipline, he insists, is exactly what separates people who build wealth from those who stay financially stuck. The constant drip of small purchases—another pair of shoes, the latest tech gadget, one more shirt you'll wear twice—adds up to a lifetime of financial insecurity.
The 15% Rule That Could Change Everything
O'Leary's prescription is straightforward: save 15% of your income. He believes everyone can do this, even if most people choose not to because it's boring and unsexy. That money should go toward one of two places: paying down debt or investing in long-term assets like broad market index funds.
Debt, he warns, is the single biggest obstacle to building wealth. Paying off credit card balances or chipping away at your mortgage is just as valuable as investing—both moves push you toward financial independence. The key is consistency, not glamour.
The Retirement Reality Check
O'Leary paints a grim picture of what happens when people ignore these principles. Many reach 65 still owing money to banks and credit card companies because they never developed disciplined spending habits or consistent saving routines.
"The outcome is very bad," he cautioned, urging people to choose short-term discipline to avoid long-term financial disaster.
Americans Are Still Spending—Even as the Gap Widens
O'Leary's warning comes as new data shows U.S. consumers are ramping up spending despite persistent inflation and growing income inequality. According to the Bank of America Institute, Americans increased their credit and debit card use in October at the fastest yearly pace since early 2024.
Average card spending per household climbed 2.4% year-over-year and 0.3% from September—the fifth straight monthly increase. Services led the growth, and holiday-related purchases jumped 5.7% compared to last year. But here's the catch: the number of retail transactions has actually declined slightly since January, meaning people are paying more for fewer items.
The spending increase wasn't evenly distributed. Higher-income households boosted their October spending by 2.7%, while lower-income families managed just 0.7% growth. A separate Bank of America analysis found after-tax wages rose 3.7% for top earners but only 1.0% for those at the bottom.
Despite the disparities, checking and savings balances remain above 2019 levels across income groups. Still, only 38% of respondents in the bank's 2025 holiday survey said they feel financially secure—which suggests that even with more money sitting in accounts, people don't feel any safer.
O'Leary's message might sound harsh, but the data backs up his concern: Americans are spending more while feeling less secure, and the gap between those who can afford it and those who can't keeps widening.