When NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal walked into Walmart at 3 AM and dropped $70,000 in a single shopping spree, it wasn’t even close to his most extravagant purchase. The four-time NBA champion, whose net worth stands at $500 million, recently opened up about his regrets over accumulating an excessive collection of 40 cars and five houses, sending ripples through the sports and financial world with his candid admission.

During the recent episode of Robert Mtz’s ‘Creativo’ podcast, the host asked the seven-footer what advice he would give to himself in terms of a business perspective. The former Los Angeles Lakers veteran was quick to give an answer. “Yeah save. Cause I’m a tell you, even that now I have 40 cars and I don’t know why. I don’t know why. And I got 5 houses I don’t know why,” said O’Neal during the podcast. And when the host again asked how O’Neal plans to invest, the seven-footer stated, “Nah just save, like don’t even touch it.”

Known for his larger-than-life personality both on and off the court, Shaq’s spending habits have often matched his 7’1″ frame. Beyond his infamous Walmart expedition, O’Neal once spent $1 million in under an hour after signing his first NBA contract, splurging on a Mercedes Benz for himself and matching cars for his family. This spending spree set the tone for years of lavish purchases, including a custom Superman bed worth $75,000 and a fleet of luxury vehicles ranging from Ferraris to custom Lamborghinis. The list doesn’t end here. The ‘Big Aristotle’ made a big decision during his time with the Lakers when he spent $8 million in two days.

“I had a contract worth $100 million, but in real life, it was worth $50 million. So when I first got to LA, I got a check for $20 million. So I go to the Rolls Royce store in some sweatpants. And I asked a guy how much does this car cost, and he said 250 [thousand]. And in my mind, I didn’t want to spend 250 for a car, so this guy says to me, ‘Can you afford it, sunny?’, and I then I bought three cars right there which were a million dollars,” revealed O’Neal during a podcast.

Despite his spending mishaps, O’Neal has proven himself to be more than just a big spender. His investment portfolio showcases remarkable business acumen, including early stakes in Google and Ring. His earlier franchise ownership spans multiple industries, from 155 Five Guys restaurants to 17 Auntie Anne’s locations, showing his understanding of diversified investment strategies. Now the big guy has his own fast food restaurant chain ‘Big Chicken’ which is available across 18 locations in the US.

The NBA Hall of Famer’s journey from splurging on multiple residences and an extensive car collection to advocating for financial prudence serves as a powerful cautionary tale. While O’Neal acknowledged some regrets about his extravagant decisions during the podcast, he also expressed pride in one particular choice.

Shaquille O’Neal revealed about his good quality

Besides being a household name, Shaq has also been in the limelight for his off-court antics. From his stint in the rap industry in the 90s to his current DJ gigs at numerous festivals and clubs, it was quite common to speculate that the seven-footer always remained in a loop of parties. But what if I tell you that’s not the case? At least not now.

During the same podcast when asked by the host what Shaquille O’Neal does in his free time, he replied, “I just work and relax… Yeah, I work and when I get done working I come and watch Netflix… that’s it just watching TV, that’s it. I don’t go to parties, I don’t drink. I don’t do any of that stuff. I just go home and watch TV.” This simple and straightforward approach to leisure time is a stark contrast to the fast-paced and glamorous world of professional sports that Shaq was earlier involved in.

O’Neal’s revelation about his regret and exceptional quality has sparked a conversation about the importance of finding balance in life, even for those who have achieved extraordinary success. His decision to put the demands of his personal enjoyment and well-being ahead of the social meet-up pressure speaks volumes about him.