In a recent viral video titled "I'm Homeless, and I Make $87,000 A Year," Dave Ramsey shared the story of a woman named Marie, who found herself living out of a hotel despite earning a decent salary.
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Marie, an occupational therapist, moved to Philadelphia for a relationship that ultimately didn't work out, leaving her without stable housing. In her call to “The Ramsey Show,” she explained, "I'm currently living in hotels. I can't seem to find an apartment. What should I do?"
Ramsey, known for his straightforward financial advice, repeated her question to ensure he understood her situation. When he asked why she was struggling to find a place, Marie revealed that her credit score was abysmal, which complicated her search for an apartment. She laid out her expenses: $2,200 a month for hotel stays, $340 for a car lease, and $1,000 in student loan debt that she wasn't paying.
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"Where's all your money going, kiddo?" Ramsey asked, genuinely curious. Marie admitted that since she only had access to a microwave, she ate out a lot, which drained her finances. Ramsey's tone shifted to empathy as he said, "Numbers generally talk to me because I've been doing this a long time. What I think I'm hearing is a highly educated, very intelligent lady whose heart got broken. Oh, let me take that further – got crushed. And you've been in a spiral emotionally since, and everything's out of control."
Marie sounded as if she was holding back tears while shakily responding, "Yeah." Ramsey continued, "You're too smart to be in this situation if you were functioning at a normal level. Right now, you're functioning with a broken heart. You're not a bad person, you're not a weak person. You've just been stomped on, and you're hurting, and it causes your math to get screwed up. Does that make sense?" Marie nodded, clearly feeling understood.
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Ramsey reassured her that she had enough money to rent an apartment and pointed out that many landlords would consider someone with bad credit if they could provide a substantial deposit. To help her further, he offered to connect her with a Ramsey Preferred Coach at no cost, saying, "I'm going to pay for free as my gift because you're hurting, and you need someone to put their arms around you." He emphasized the importance of having supportive people around her, especially since she was navigating these challenges alone in Philadelphia.
Marie's story resonates with many, highlighting how financial stress can deeply affect mental health. Studies show that financial worries are strongly linked to psychological distress, particularly for those facing high debt and unstable living situations. A report from the TIAA Institute found that 42% of U.S. adults say money negatively impacts their mental health. This connection sheds light on Marie's emotional struggles; as Ramsey pointed out, she's not weak – she's simply been overwhelmed by her circumstances. Addressing financial and emotional well-being is crucial for anyone looking to regain stability and move forward.
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This article 'I'm Homeless And Make $87,000 A Year' – Dave Ramsey Caller Says She's Living In A Hotel Blaming It On Bad Credit And Broken Heart originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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