Ah, millennials. The generation that wears debt like a badge of honor—but with an average debt load of $42,000, it’s more of an unfortunate accessory. And before you ask, no, most of it isn’t from student loans. Nope, the real villain is credit card spending, the financial equivalent of a bad haircut that just won’t grow out.
As if that weren’t delightful enough, American credit card debt officially surpassed the $1 trillion mark in 2017, according to the Federal Reserve. With basic living costs continuing their relentless climb, that debt just keeps getting cozier.
How often do you find yourself joking—okay, maybe not joking—about being broke? If you’re young and reading this, probably a thousand times a day. Yet statistics reveal that millennials are still splurging on extravagant items experts say could easily be cut from their budgets. Shark Tank’s own Kevin O’Leary refers to these expenses as “utterly, totally stupid.”
So, grab your wallet and prepare for some eye-rolling advice from O’Leary on the top spending habits you should kick to the curb, immediately.
1. $4 Coffee
Let’s start with the most sacred of habits: coffee. O’Leary, with all the charm of a drill sergeant, declares, “$4 coffee? Incredibly stupid.” He even went on CNBC, probably against his better judgment, to scorn this caffeine crime. “Making your own costs 18 cents! Until you’re debt-free, I forbid you from buying those overpriced lattes.” Who knew saving money was this harsh?
According to Acorns, the average American spills about $1,100 a year on coffee—yes, that’s about $92 a month, which is shockingly more than many spend on investments. Because, clearly, that mocha frappuccino is a solid retirement plan.
2. Shoes
Next on O’Leary’s hit list? Shoes. Spoiler alert: You only need four pairs. We’re talking flip-flops, workout shoes, and two pairs of dress shoes. Anything else? “You’re an idiot,” he says. And true to form, women are apparently the worst offenders. A survey found that 75% of women own more than 20 pairs of shoes. Who needs a raincoat when you can drown in footwear?
Meanwhile, the average guy owns just 12 pairs. Gentlemen, you’re still in the running, but let’s not celebrate just yet. CreditDonkey reports that the average person buys nearly 8 pairs of shoes a year. Are we collecting shoes or clawing our way to financial freedom? Tough call.
3. Jeans
On the denim front, O’Leary has spoken: “Own no more than three pairs of jeans: one black, one white, and one classic blue. Anything beyond that? Congratulations, you’re an idiot again.” Jeans can average around 60 bucks each—add that up: we’re talking about $14 billion annually on denim in America. What happened to wearing your pants until they disintegrate?
Also, ladies, your jeans are costlier—about 10% more than men’s. It’s like they charge a premium for sorrowful shopping trips.
Potentially Massive Savings
Now here’s the real kicker: cutting out just these simple luxuries could lead to massive savings. Picture it—a new car, a vacation, or, heaven forbid, a savings account! If millennials are serious about saying goodbye to that $42,000 debt, maybe it’s time to put down the lattes, forgo those unnecessary shoes, and embrace the “less is more” mantra. Who knew saving money could be this enlightening—and utterly painful?
So, before you indulge in your next impulse purchase, remember: you’re only one bad decision away from a life of financial chaos. Or—and hear me out—a life of freedom and less debt. Sounds riveting, right?
