Should I Upgrade My Car To Impress The Ladies?

Summary

Ramsey Everyday Millionaires - Episode Summary

Title: Should I Upgrade My Car To Impress The Ladies?
Release Date: April 28, 2025
Host/Author: Ramsey Network

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Introduction

In this episode of Ramsey Everyday Millionaires, the Ramsey Network hosts delve into a thought-provoking question from a listener named Jim. Jim, a 40-year-old widower, seeks advice on whether upgrading his 25-year-old truck is a worthwhile investment to enhance his dating prospects and ultimately find a future spouse. The discussion is led by Chris Hogan and Rachel Cruze, with insights from Dave Ramsey.

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Caller’s Dilemma

Jim's Situation: Jim reaches out with a pressing concern. As a widower ready to re-enter the dating scene, he feels that his aging truck may be creating a negative first impression on the women he wishes to date. Despite having no debt, no mortgage, and a net worth of $1.3 million with an annual income of $132,000, Jim grapples with whether spending $5,000 to $10,000 on a new vehicle is necessary to improve his chances of finding a life partner.

Jim shares:

"[00:27] I am a 40 year old widower and ready to date again. However, my truck is 25 years old and I perceive the ladies I want to date will judge me based on the vehicle I drive."

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Hosts' Responses

Initial Reactions

Chris Hogan and Rachel Cruze immediately recognize the complexity of Jim's situation. They empathize with his desire to make a positive impression while also valuing his financial stability.

Chris Hogan remarks:

"[00:56] Wow, there's a lot going on here, Jim."

Rachel Cruze responds excitedly:

"[01:01] Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to talk about this. It's a great question."

Financial Assessment

The hosts begin by confirming Jim's solid financial standing—no debts, no mortgage, a substantial net worth, and a handsome income. This foundation allows Jim the flexibility to consider investing in a new vehicle without jeopardizing his financial health.

Rachel Cruze asks:

"[01:14] What's Your net worth?"

Jim replies:

"[01:15] 1.3."

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Debating the Importance of the Car

Chris Hogan advocates for upgrading the vehicle, emphasizing that a better car aligns with Jim's financial status and can enhance his self-confidence. However, he cautions against using a car as a primary means to attract a partner, suggesting that doing so might attract the wrong type of relationship.

Chris Hogan advises:

"[01:19] Regardless of women, you should get a better car."

He further elaborates that relying on material possessions to attract a partner is not a sustainable or genuine foundation for a relationship.

Chris Hogan states:

"[02:11] If you impress them with a car, it's the wrong woman."

Insights on Dating and Materialism

Rachel Cruze provides a deeper perspective, highlighting that initial judgments based on a car may reflect underlying concerns about financial responsibility and the ability to provide. She emphasizes the importance of attracting a partner who values character and financial stability over material possessions.

Rachel Cruze explains:

"[02:58] ...you would wonder out of curiosity, like, oh, my gosh, am I gonna have to be the one that keeps this household afloat if it goes in the future?"

The discussion touches on the idea that dismissing someone based on their vehicle might indicate a lack of willingness to understand their true character and financial capabilities.

Concluding Advice

Ultimately, the hosts agree that while upgrading the truck could positively impact Jim's dating experiences, it's more crucial to seek a partner who values him beyond his possessions. They encourage Jim to consider his own worth and financial prudence, suggesting that a better vehicle could be a reflection of his success and responsibility.

Chris Hogan concludes:

"[05:27] But I wouldn't do it. I would never do that. To attract the kind of woman you get... is not marriage material."

Rachel Cruze adds supportively:

"[07:22] Jim, I'm rooting for you. And I hope this call... Maybe some ladies like."

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Notable Quotes

• Chris Hogan [01:19]: "Regardless of women, you should get a better car."

• Jim [00:27]: "I am a 40 year old widower and ready to date again... should I spend five to $10,000 to buy a car for the sole purpose of dating to find my future wife?"

• Rachel Cruze [02:58]: "... am I gonna have to be the one that keeps this household afloat if it goes in the future?"

• Chris Hogan [05:27]: "You do not have to drive a piece of crap anymore."

• Rachel Cruze [07:22]: "Jim, I'm rooting for you. And I hope this call... Maybe some ladies like."

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Conclusion

In this episode, Jim's query serves as a catalyst for a broader conversation about the role of material possessions in dating and relationships. While upgrading his truck might offer immediate social benefits, the Ramsey Network hosts emphasize the importance of building relationships based on genuine character and financial responsibility. They encourage listeners to reflect on their motivations for making such investments and to seek partnerships grounded in mutual respect and understanding rather than superficial attributes.

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Connect with Ramsey Everyday Millionaires:
For more insights on building wealth and fostering meaningful relationships, visit RamseySolutions.com.

Transcript

[Rachel Cruze]

Foreign.

[Dave Ramsey]

This episode is brought to you by SmartVestor. Connect with an investing pro near you at RamseySolutions.com SmartVestor Jim is with us in Houston, Texas.

[Chris Hogan]

Hi, Jim. Welcome to the Ramsey Show.

[Jim]

Hello. I'm honored you're taking the time to help me and millions of others with our money questions.

[Chris Hogan]

Well, thank you. Thank you. How can we help?

[Jim]

I am a 40 year old widower and ready to date again. However, my truck is 25 years old and I perceive the ladies I want to date will judge me based on the vehicle I drive. It shouldn't matter, but as a guy of average height and average appearance, I don't have the charisma to overcome a poor first impression. The question is, should I spend five to $10,000 to buy a car for the sole purpose of dating to find my future wife?

[Chris Hogan]

Wow, there's a lot going on here, Jim.

[Rachel Cruze]

Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to talk about this. It's a great question. It's a great question. Okay, Jim, where are you at financially?

[Jim]

No debt, no mortgage, no kids?

[Rachel Cruze]

No debt, no mortgage.

[Chris Hogan]

What's Your net worth?

[Jim]

1.3.

[Chris Hogan]

What do you make?

[Jim]

132,000.

[Chris Hogan]

Regardless of women, you should get a better car. Oh, okay, Your car sucks. You're a multimillionaire. Go get you a dadgum car, son. Oh, okay. And then the women is a different issue. But yeah, I mean, really, you got a million dollars. You don't drive a 25 year old pickup truck. I mean, you can, but there's no point in it. And so I would go get a better car and. But I would, I would not ever purchase a car to attract a lady because you're trying to attract the wrong kind of woman at that point. You don't want a woman who comes to you for the car.

[Jim]

Correct.

[Chris Hogan]

Not, not a good, not a good, not a good connection. So, no, I mean, we want her to love the gym that Rachel and I already love. Dude, you're a great guy.

[Jim]

Press one person. I just don't know who that is yet.

[Chris Hogan]

No, it's okay. You don't have to. If you impress them with a car, it's the wrong woman.

[Rachel Cruze]

Have you had dates, Jim?

[Chris Hogan]

It's called shallow woman.

[Rachel Cruze]

And you've gotten feedback about it? I'm just curious what's causing you to think it's the truck?

[Jim]

I have been on a second date that was going, I thought very well. The conversation was good. And when we walked out to the parking lot, she said, oh, you're driving that? And I never Heard from her again, but she doesn't. Now I try, and I hide the truck on the other side of the parking lot. I'll walk her to her car, leave.

[Chris Hogan]

But, hey, listen, that. That's a good thing that you ran that one off.

[Rachel Cruze]

Okay, can I say this? I'm sorry.

[Chris Hogan]

I mean, seriously, are you gonna marry. Do you want to marry somebody who judges you by your.

[Rachel Cruze]

No, no. I'm not saying she's a shallow chick. Can I. Excuse me. Let the woman talk for a second.

[Chris Hogan]

How about it, woman?

[Rachel Cruze]

Here's what I would say, though, Jim. Not that it's shallow, but you do. You would wonder out of curiosity, like, oh, my gosh, am I gonna have to be the one that keeps this household afloat if it goes in the future? Like, if she doesn't know your financial state? Again, it's not a judgment on just, like, the car itself, because there needs to be more conversation. But as a. I would think as a woman, though, I'm like, I don't know. Am I. Am. Am I gonna have to be the breadwinner for. You know what I mean? Like, a level of.

[Chris Hogan]

Are we gonna be on food stamps? Cause he drives this truck. That's the question. Well, just.

[Rachel Cruze]

I don't know. Yeah, I mean, like, so the first impression thing, again, it's not for a shallow purposes, but for her to know, like, no, you from it. You're responsible, and you. You know, all of these line up. Oh, then I don't care what kind of car you drive. I just know the man that I'm marrying, I'm entering into a relationship with that. I'm not having to be the one to, like, hold us up financially.

[Chris Hogan]

Right. If you go to Branson, Missouri, and you were to visit the Walmart museum on the square in Branson, Missouri, one of the things that's in there is Sam Walton's ancient pickup truck that the billionaire drove to work every week.

[Rachel Cruze]

Yes. Which is.

[Chris Hogan]

And if you walk off from him because he drives that pickup truck, you would be known as a financial moron. I mean, seriously.

[Rachel Cruze]

I know. Honestly, I'm not saying not to date someone that has a crappy car. It's not that. It's just to know that, like, oh, yeah, you. You are a guy that can, you know, hold. You know, hold life on his own. Like, that's. And you really do, Jim, because of your. Because of where you are financially. I'm not saying to go buy a new truck for those purposes. I'm just giving another perspective to think, oh, my gosh, Is like, like, is he, is he doing anything with his life? Right? I'm not saying that you're not Jim. Does that make sense? Anyone? Am I making sense or am I sounding shallow?

[Jim]

I'd rather have the opportunity to evaluate her character directly than she dismissed me based on a full.

[Chris Hogan]

And if she's willing to dismiss you without learning more about your character based on the truck, this is not marriage material.

[Rachel Cruze]

I agree.

[Chris Hogan]

Send her back to the digital thing that she came from. That's all good, you know, go away chick. And that, that. Honestly, you dodged a bullet.

[Rachel Cruze]

The digital thing. She came. Dodged a dating app.

[Chris Hogan]

You dodged a bullet. Okay, so. But all that. Anyway, all that aside, I think you ought to go get a better car for you.

[Jim]

Okay.

[Chris Hogan]

For you. And you could drive the pickup all you want to drive it, but I think you ought to have a better car in the driveway for you. You've earned it. You do not have to drive a piece of crap anymore. You live like no one else. And now you can live like no one else.

[Jim]

Right. With the status symbol of choice, a BMW.

[Chris Hogan]

No, that, no, that's not the status symbol of choice. The status symbol of choice was a.

[Rachel Cruze]

Paid off mortgage, which, Jim, you've done.

[Chris Hogan]

Taking the place of the BMW, but go get a better car. I'm not saying you have to go spend a hundred thousand dollars on a car, but I mean, you're driving, you're driving a fifteen hundred dollar truck.

[Rachel Cruze]

He can be very content. He may be fine.

[Chris Hogan]

He ought to get a better car.

[Rachel Cruze]

He's Sam Walton.

[Chris Hogan]

I tell these people all the time, go get a better car. But I wouldn't do it. I would never do that. To attract the kind of woman you get. The kind of person, woman or man, if you're in a dating relationship that you attract based on your possessions is not marriage material.

[Rachel Cruze]

Agreed. He looked at me again. I agree.

[Chris Hogan]

Well, I was arguing. I don't know what this whole other thing you did a while ago was.

[Rachel Cruze]

But yeah, it was just to know, like, okay, I'm not having to be the breadwinner. Right? I'm like, I don't know.

[Chris Hogan]

I don't want to be on food stamps.

[Rachel Cruze]

I don't want someone that's like, yeah, that's like not working, but at least.

[Chris Hogan]

Not making an end. At least ask a question instead of.

[Rachel Cruze]

Saying, See ya 100. Agree. I know.

[Chris Hogan]

So you're driving this truck because you're a billionaire or you're driving this truck because you're poor and don't work much.

[Rachel Cruze]

Exactly. Well, it's just the idea of, like, I don't know. I don't have to. Like, you could ask a man.

[Chris Hogan]

Yeah, I don't know. He's 40 years old.

[Rachel Cruze]

Jim, I'm rooting for you. And I hope this call. I'm gonna just pray this over the, over the Internet that this call. Maybe some ladies like. Jim, I'm interested.

[Chris Hogan]

There you go.

[Rachel Cruze]

If you are.

[Chris Hogan]

Houston's a little town. Shouldn't be hard to find. You look for the. Look for the old truck.

[Rachel Cruze]

Look for the old truck in Houston.

[Chris Hogan]

Texas, Jim, like, there's no old trucks in Houston, Texas. There's not a chance.

[Rachel Cruze]

I just appreciate. I appreciate him and I really do. And I'm sorry you're a widower, too. Whatever that story was, I. I'm. I hope nothing but the best. Jim, I'm cheering you on.

[Chris Hogan]

Yeah, me too.

[Rachel Cruze]

I hope you find a great. A great lady out there.

[Chris Hogan]

Me too.

[Rachel Cruze]

We should do a Ramsey dating app.

[Chris Hogan]

No, no. It would end up like this call.

[Dave Ramsey]

What do you mean?

[Rachel Cruze]

Terrible advice.

[Chris Hogan]

This is bad advice from both of us.

[Rachel Cruze]

I think. So we flunked that out. That wasn't our best call. America.

[Chris Hogan]

Hey, it's worth what you pay for it, baby.

[Dave Ramsey]

Thanks for tuning in to Ramsey. Everyday millionaires. Need help with your investments? Connect with a smartvestor pro at ramseysolutions. Com Smartvestor or click the link in the show notes. Ramsey Solutions is a paid non client promoter of participating pros. Learn more at ramseysolutions. Com Smartvestor.