Billionaire entrepreneur and influential investor Grant Cardone recently issued a provocative warning to the middle class. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Cardone gave some advice that seemingly goes against every facet of traditional financial advice for building wealth. “Quit saving money, Quit buying homes, Quit saving for retirement, Quit borrowing for college,” Cardone said. His stark advice challenges conventional financial wisdom and targets what he labels "the mythology of the middle class." Rather, Cardone says the middle-class needs to do “what wealthy people do” and invest how wealthy people invest. 

Cardone, known for his assertive style, bold declarations, and an expansive real estate portfolio, argues that the traditional middle-class path — saving, homeownership, retirement accounts — is failing. "250 million people consider themselves middle class, but they're really suffering with inflation, deflation of the dollar, cost of mortgages, housing, food, and no one to blame except time," Cardone elaborated.

His critique emerges against a backdrop of ongoing economic turbulence. Currently, inflation remains a persistent concern, with recent data indicating hot inflation and a continued annual rise in consumer prices. Concurrently, the Federal Reserve has grappled with interest rates, oscillating between aggressive hikes and cautious pauses, leaving many Americans anxious about mortgages and credit card debt.

Moreover, the persistent student loan crisis amplifies Cardone's criticism. With outstanding student loan debt surpassing $1.8 trillion, federal initiatives, such as recent debt-relief attempts by the previous Biden administration, have faced fierce opposition and legal battles. Trump recently reinstated federal student loan payments, including threats to garnish the wages of those currently in default of their federal student loans. Cardone's stance against borrowing for college directly taps into widespread frustration about escalating tuition costs and the dubious return on investment many graduates face in today’s job market.

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Cardone's core thesis underscores a broader issue: financial literacy — or the lack thereof. He emphasizes that financial struggles aren't merely individual failings but systemic issues driven by outdated education and societal norms. “If that many people suffer from the same thing, it's because they've all been taught the same thing,” Cardone said, emphasizing a need for a radical reorientation toward strategies employed by the wealthy, including leveraging tax advantages, making strategic investments, and actively deploying capital.

His message resonates particularly amidst political debates around wealth inequality. Recent legislative proposals aimed at lowering taxes on the ultra-wealthy individuals and corporations have underscored stark contrasts between middle-class stagnation and soaring upper-class wealth. The wealthiest Americans continue to benefit from tax loopholes and financial maneuvers inaccessible or unknown to the average citizen — a gap Cardone suggests must be bridged through targeted education and mindset shifts.

If individuals go through the traditional middle-class venue, they’re going through a life perpetually saddled with large amounts of debt. Rather, Cardone advocates living a lean lifestyle and constantly reinvesting capital to quickly get ahead and start building real wealth. 

Cardone himself embodies the philosophy he preaches. Having built an extensive real estate empire, authored best-selling books like "The 10X Rule," and launched Cardone Capital — a vehicle allowing everyday investors to pool funds into large-scale property deals — he exemplifies aggressive investing and leveraging debt as a growth strategy.

Regardless of varied opinions, Cardone's message provokes vital questions about how Americans approach financial planning, education, and wealth-building in the 21st century. His radical call to action highlights a potential shift from traditional conservatism towards proactive, wealth-oriented strategies.