Do billionaires use debt?

Asked by: Beverly Hagenes  |  Last update: February 22, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (9 votes)

Wealthy family borrows against its assets' growing value and uses the newly available cash to live off or invest in other assets, like rental properties. The family does NOT owe taxes on its asset-leveraged loans because the government doesn't tax borrowed money.

Do rich people use debt?

You'll see many wealthy people use loans like this just to fund their lifestyle. They have bills that they have to pay day in and day out, so using debt for this is a huge advantage for them in a few ways.

Why do billionaires like debt?

Leverage for Investment: Wealthy individuals often use debt strategically to leverage their investments. By borrowing money at a lower interest rate than the return on their investments, they can amplify their potential gains.

Do millionaires pay off debt or invest?

They stay away from debt.

Car payments, student loans, same-as-cash financing plans—these just aren't part of their vocabulary. That's why they win with money. They don't owe anything to the bank, so every dollar they earn stays with them to spend, save and give! Debt is the biggest obstacle to building wealth.

What loopholes do the rich use?

Others will object to taxing the wealthy unless they actually use their gains, but many of the wealthiest actually do use their gains through the borrowing loophole: They get rich, borrow against those gains, consume the borrowing, and do not pay any tax.

Rich People Don't Want You to Know This! Ft. Abhishek Kar @AbhishekKar

21 related questions found

How do billionaires avoid paying taxes?

In some years, billionaires such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and George Soros paid no federal income taxes at all. Billionaires avoid these taxes by taking out special ultra-low-interest loans available only to them and using their assets as collateral.

How do most millionaires go broke?

If a millionaire doesn't budget properly and starts spending on personal chefs, expensive cars, and other luxury amenities, they may quickly run out of money. Sometimes millionaires, especially new millionaires, feel they have so much money that they lose perspective on what they can afford.

Do 90% of millionaires make over $100,000 a year?

Ninety-three percent of millionaires said they got their wealth because they worked hard, not because they had big salaries. Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career, and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.

Do billionaires hoard wealth?

This is what the memes get exactly wrong: billionaires don't become and stay rich by hoarding; that's the last thing they want to do with their money. There are related myths and assumptions, such as that the only way to accumulate a net worth of so much money is through evil, if not outright unethical, means.

Are you rich if you are debt free?

Debt is simply money that you bought, and the price of the money is the interest or whatever other fees you're paying to buy the money. That's all it is. And one of the things I say about debt is that paying off debt doesn't make you rich. Meaning that once you pay off the debt, you don't start making money from it.

Why do billionaires not keep cash in the bank?

Alternative long-term investments: Billionaires often hold stakes in other companies or industries as part of their investment strategy. Additionally, they may invest in tangible assets such as art or collectibles that might not be easily liquidated.

Do rich people pay cash for their homes?

Whilst they can often afford to, most wealthy people don't pay cash for properties because they can make a better investment with their money elsewhere.

What do billionaires focus on?

The billionaires of the world have become wealthy by using and developing resources, and by satisfying needs and wants of a population. Many of them have set up businesses or corporations which employ thousands of people and sell goods or services to millions of people.

Do billionaires actually have cash?

Cash and cash equivalents are common places where billionaires keep of some their money. Though not often thought of as an investment, cash is a liquid asset, meaning you can use it in a variety of ways as needs or desires arise. In a crisis, having cash on hand gives you the flexibility to respond.

Do billionaires live off loans?

Under current law, these gains in the value of stocks, bonds, businesses, real estate and other assets are not taxed unless the gain is “realized” through a sale. But the ultra-wealthy don't need to sell to benefit: they can live off low-cost loans secured against their growing fortunes.

What debt helps build wealth?

Good debt is money you borrow for something that has the potential to increase in value or expand your potential income. For example, a mortgage may help you buy a home that can appreciate in value. Student loans may increase your future income by helping you get the job you've wanted.

Did any billionaires grew up poor?

Billionaires who come from poor families today have some of the biggest companies in the world. One such billionaire is Sergey Brin, who migrated from Russia to the US at a young age with his parents, suffering from antisemitic discrimination back in the 1970s.

Is hoarding wealth a sin?

For example, the Bible defines “wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners” as a “grievous evil” (Ecclesiastes 5:13). In other words, we are blind to the destructive “evil” of our own hoarding which is why Jesus warns us to “be on guard against all kinds of greed” (Luke 12:15).

Why don't billionaires help the poor?

The report concluded the rich were less likely to donate in settings with high economic inequality because they were concerned about losing their “privileged position.” A separate study published in Nature Aging found people living in poorer countries are more willing to donate to a hypothetical charity than those in ...

Is 100k considered wealthy?

Middle class is defined as income that is two-thirds to double the national median income, or $47,189 and $141,568. By that definition, $100,000 is considered middle class. Keep in mind that those figures are for the nation. Each state has a different range of numbers to be considered middle class.

What jobs do most billionaires have?

What Jobs do Most Billionaires Have? There are a few industries that offer the opportunity to become very rich. Perhaps one of the biggest is finance. There is potentially lots of money to be made investing.

What is a millionaire's best friend?

Here's a little secret: Compound growth, also called compound interest, is a millionaire's best friend. It's the money your money makes. Seriously.

Do rich people keep millions in the bank?

Studies show that in recent years, millionaires are keeping a significant portion of their wealth in cash. According to CNBC's Millionaire Survey , that portion was about 24% in 2023.

What degree do most millionaires have?

The 6 college majors that make the most millionaires
  • #6: Law/Pre-Law. Photo: Maskot (Getty Images) ...
  • #5: Computer Science. Photo: Cravetiger (Getty Images) ...
  • #4: Mathematics. Photo: Hill Street Studios (Getty Images) ...
  • #3: Politics. Photo: Anna Moneymaker (Getty Images) ...
  • #2: Economics/Finance. Photo: Michael M. ...
  • #1: Engineering.

How long do rich families stay rich?

A groundbreaking 20-year study conducted by wealth consultancy, The Williams Group, involved over 3,200 families and found that seven in 10 families tend to lose their fortune by the second generation, while nine in 10 lose it by the third generation. However, there are ways to be at the odds.