Mark Cuban's Grocery Store Hack Will Help You Score Cheaper Produce The billionaire talked about his early days in Dallas when he was strapped for cash.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Getty Images

Mark Cuban may be a billionaire entrepreneur now, but his humble beginnings taught him how to make ends meet when times got tough on his wallet.

Cuban recently appeared on the "Club Random with Bill Maher" podcast when the two men began discussing wealth and how their lives have changed since making it big in their respective industries.

The duo talked about how having money has offered them the opportunity to do what they want, when they want, something Cuban points to as a gift.

Related: 'If You Have Gold, You're Dumb': Mark Cuban Sounds Off on Gold Investments, Praises Bitcoin

When speaking about what the "best part" of being wealthy is, Cuban said that the answer is "time."

"I get to control my time," he said.

Still, he wasn't always rich. When Cuban was in his 20s and first moved to Dallas from Indiana, he told Maher he didn't have much to his name, so he came up with a money-saving grocery hack.

By eating at off-hours, he could score lower prices on easily perishable items. Since most grocery stores can't put items like cooked poultry or expiring produce back on shelves, some vendors will slash prices during later hours.

"I used to go to the grocery store at midnight because they lowered the price of chicken and these big French fries to $1.29," Cuban explained to Maher of his late-night shopping. "And I would buy a bunch of them."

Related: 'Are the Chickens On Strike?': Consumers Furious As Egg Prices Skyrocket Over 64% In One Month In Some U.S. States

The billionaire also talked about his love of canned cheese, and the unsanitary way he'd consume it —and then leave it for unsuspecting customers.

"I'd take the Cheez Whiz, open the top, [eat it], and put it back," Cuban said.

Cuban's current net worth is an estimated $4.6 billion, which tells us he probably isn't going for any more midnight cheese runs anymore.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

This Local Bakery Has Lines Out the Door. Here Are the Secrets to Its Success.

Known for its viral flat croissants and innovative desserts, Alexander's Patisserie also excels in hands-on leadership and team culture.

Business News

Microsoft Is Laying Off Over 6,000 Employees, About 3% of Its Workforce. Here's Why.

The company said the cuts will affect all divisions and locations, with a focus on managers.

Business News

Nissan Is Doubling Its Initial Layoff Announcement, Cutting 20,000 Jobs: 'A Wake-Up Call'

The automaker is dealing with slowing sales and a recent failed merger with Honda.