Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has been the highest-paid NBA player for the past eight years. Next season, he’s set to earn his biggest salary yet: $59.6 million, according to ESPN.
Curry also earns an estimated $100 million annually from endorsement deals with various companies, Forbes reports, including from his partnership with Under Armour, where he is president of the Curry Brand.
But when Curry was recently asked to confirm his current net worth during an episode of the 360 With Speedy podcast with host Speedy Morman, the 37-year-old point guard said he doesn’t actually know, and doesn’t care to find out.
“[Net worth] is not something I really worry about too much. I have somebody that takes care of that for me,” Curry said.
Instead, “the idea of what I have going on is about creating a portfolio of stuff that is aspirational in terms of wealth,” Curry said. “You want to have something you look back on and are proud of, knowing we’ve been blessed with so many opportunities and so many resources and so many relationships.”
Curry’s focus on financial goals beyond his net worth is a “breath of fresh air,” says Ben Smith, a certified financial planner and founder of Cove Financial Planning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Too many people feel pressured to fixate on building the highest net worth possible, Smith says, and it’s refreshing that Curry prioritizes “pursuing what he’s great at” and making investments he’s proud of along the way. That strategy will serve him better long-term because it will keep “the engine” of his financial health going for longer.
Curry’s position is undeniably unique. As a high-earning athlete, he can afford to delegate his money management to professionals without worrying about his financial foundation eroding anytime soon.
Still, you don’t need to earn millions to benefit from setting financial goals that don’t revolve around your net worth, Smith says. In fact, obsessing over that number may hold you back from achieving financial milestones that might feel more rewarding, like finally taking a long-awaited family vacation or paying off your car loan early, he adds.
Here’s what really deserves your attention if you want to feel in control of your money, and, better yet, learn how to manage it well, according to financial pros.
Understanding cash flow
While net worth can be “a useful barometer” for understanding your finances, cash flow is a much more powerful indicator of your overall financial health, Smith says.
Rather than constantly poring over your assets and liabilities, focus on what you can track day-to-day: how much you’re earning, how much you’re spending on fixed expenses and discretionary purchases and what’s left over. That basic awareness of what’s coming in and going out will enable you to form a financial plan that’s more action-oriented than just trying to accumulate wealth, Smith says.
Once you’ve got a handle on your cash flow, you can start targeting tangible personal goals, like building an emergency fund or paying off student loans, he says. Everyone should aim to make financial decisions that bring them pride, he says, and those measurable accomplishments are usually easier to celebrate than hitting a net worth goal.
Those who focus too much on their overall wealth often feel like they never have enough, Joy Slabaugh, a certified financial planner, licensed therapist and founder of Wealth Alignment Institute, previously told CNBC Make It.
No matter how large a client’s net worth actually is, the desired amount is nearly always the same, she says: “a little more than what they actually have.”
Instead of focusing on net worth alone, Slabaugh encourages her clients to reflect on how their financial decisions align with their personal values and long-term vision.
“[Net worth is] just one metric — and often a misleading one. I’ve seen clients fixated on their net worth while completely disconnected from their financial reality,” Slabaugh said. “Tracking net worth without tracking values or lifestyle intentions is like watching your pulse without knowing if your heart is healthy.”
Once you start using your money intentionally, covering essential expenses, savings, investments and even some joy, you’ve already won half the battle, she said. The rest is about making sure your money supports a life you actually want to live, and you aren’t merely striving toward a financial mark that you will only increase with time.
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