CNBC business beauty Maria Bartiromo not only talks the talk, she walks the walk.

Bartiromo, one of the most-watched financial news anchors in the country, doesn’t use plastic. That’s right, she doesn’t have a credit card, she told Ellen DeGeneres on the "Ellen" show, which aired Wednesday. And she wants people to know that they shouldn’t use them either, unless they can pay off the bill every month.

"I have a debit card, but I don’t like credit cards," Bartiromo said. "I’m thinking actually of getting an American Express card just because … you have to pay it off in its entirety, and I’m a big believer of that. But if you’re gonna load up on debt on your credit card, I am just so not of that mindset. So I, if I don’t have it in my checking account, I don’t spend it."

That was news to Ellen’s ears, since she stars in American Express ads. "You should get an American Express card, for sure," Ellen said with a wink. "They’re great!"

On a serious note, Bartiromo said she thinks we’re still in for a tough 2009, particular in terms of unemployment. And for those people hoarding cash instead of investing, that’s not the best idea. Sure, keep a stash of, say, three months’ living expenses, just in case, but don’t make any "knee jerk" reactions, like getting out of the market completely.

Her advice? Do your homework on stocks before investing, make sure you have a diversified portfolio and don’t necessarily buy a home just because the prices are low — if you can’t afford it.

"In the long term, I think the stock market still represents the best place in terms of returns," Bartiromo said. But "it’s always a good time to reassess, ‘Am I comfortable where my money is?’"