I've Been Living In My Car for Nearly 3 Years

Summary

Podcast Summary: "I've Been Living In My Car for Nearly 3 Years"

Episode Overview In this episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights, hosted by the Ramsey Network, Ryan shares his compelling story of immigrating from Russia to the United States, living in his car for nearly three years, and striving to balance his passion for boxing with financial responsibilities. Hosted by Dave Ramsey and featuring insights from Rachel Cruze, the episode delves into the challenges Ryan faces and offers practical advice to achieve financial stability while pursuing personal dreams.

Ryan's Journey: From Russia to Los Angeles

Ryan moved to the United States two years ago from Russia. Initially, he secured a stable W2 job assembling furniture, which provided him with the necessary income and support to settle into his new life. However, seeking more flexibility, Ryan transitioned to gig jobs, primarily delivery services, which directly led to him living out of his car.

Ryan (00:06): "I just moved to US like, two years ago from Russia. My first year, I had an official job W2... Just decided to go with the deliveries, with the gig jobs because I needed more flexibility. [...] I'm just living in my car. Yeah. Let's say for two years."

Financial Responsibilities and Challenges

Despite his unstable living situation, Ryan is committed to supporting his family back in Russia. He regularly sends between $1,000 to $1,500 each month to his family, a significant financial obligation that adds stress to his already precarious situation.

Ryan (01:06): "I would say one K, sometimes one and a half."

Rachel Cruze (01:20): "$1000 to 1500."

Ryan's gig work in Los Angeles, although flexible, doesn't provide the financial stability or housing security he needs. His income from these jobs fluctuates, making it challenging to maintain a consistent living situation or adequately save for his future.

Pursuing a Dream: Training to Become a Professional Boxer

Ryan's passion lies in boxing, and he is actively training with the goal of becoming a professional boxer. His commitment to this dream requires flexibility in his schedule, which is why he chose gig jobs over more stable employment. Ryan trains under a seasoned trainer with a background in martial arts and dual championship titles, aiming for his next fight.

Ryan (02:15): "Yes, sir. [...] I've just started a year ago on January. I have my next fight next month."

Dave Ramsey (03:12): "It's not about the gym. It's about the trainer. [...] Are you locked into somebody who really knows what they're doing?"

Expert Advice: Finding Financial Balance

Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze provide Ryan with actionable advice to navigate his financial and personal challenges. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing essential expenses—food, shelter, utilities, and transportation—and suggest practical steps to achieve stability.

1. Increase Income and Secure Housing

   • Dave Ramsey (03:45): "To get you out of the car, we gotta get more money in your bank account. To get more money in your bank account, you gotta get a better job."
   • Rachel Cruze (05:28): "Start prioritizing and asking around for a roommate. The cheapest place that you can go."

2. Budgeting and Expense Management

   • Rachel advises Ryan to create a detailed budget focusing on the four essential expenses, ensuring that his income is allocated effectively to avoid financial strain.

Rachel Cruze (07:08): "We call it your four walls—the four things you have to cover: food, shelter, utilities, cell phone, and transportation. These are the four things, the only things that you spend money on."

3. Balancing Personal Goals with Financial Duties
   • Rachel encourages Ryan to find a sustainable balance between supporting his family and pursuing his boxing career, even if it means temporarily reducing the financial support he provides to his family to stabilize his own situation.

Rachel Cruze (07:10): "It would take a lot of humility, Ryan. [...] You gotta get yourself in a sustainable situation that's good for you and then ultimately good for your family back in Russia."

Notable Quotes and Insights

• Rachel Cruze on Prioritization:

  "You have to prioritize where your income's going. [...] You have to start prioritizing and asking around for a roommate." (07:08)

• Dave Ramsey on Job Stability:

  "You gotta get a better job. This is common sense." (04:36)

• Ryan on Family Dependence:

  "My father, he's not working at the moment... They are really dependent." (04:45)

Key Takeaways

1. Financial Prioritization: Focus on essential expenses and create a budget to ensure financial stability.
2. Income Enhancement: Seek more stable and higher-paying job opportunities to increase income.
3. Sustainable Living: Transition from living in a car to securing affordable housing, possibly by finding a roommate.
4. Balancing Responsibilities: Strive to balance personal ambitions with financial responsibilities, potentially adjusting financial support temporarily to achieve long-term stability.
5. Community Support: Leverage community and professional networks (e.g., boxing trainers, roommates) to build a support system that facilitates personal and financial growth.

Conclusion

Ryan's story underscores the complexities of balancing financial obligations with personal aspirations, especially in the face of immigration challenges. Through practical advice from Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze, the episode highlights the importance of budgeting, prioritizing essential expenses, and seeking sustainable living arrangements. By implementing these strategies, Ryan can work towards stabilizing his financial situation, thereby enabling him to continue supporting his family and pursuing his dream of becoming a professional boxer.

Transcript

[Dave]

Brought to you by the EveryDollar app. Start budgeting for free today.

[Ryan]

I just moved to US like, two years ago from Russia. My first year, I had a official job W2. All that stuff. I was doing furniture assembly then. Yeah. Just decided to go with the deliveries, with the gift jobs because I needed more flexibility. You know, from that day, I'm just living in my car. Yeah. Let's say for two years. And, yeah. You know, I'm just speaking. Tired of saying that everything is okay to my family when. When I do a video call and they're asking if everything is okay, I'm like, yeah, everything is okay. Yeah. You know, literally, I'm sending them money.

[Rachel]

You're sending them money?

[Ryan]

Yeah, for sure.

[Dave]

How much?

[Ryan]

Because how much? I would say one K, sometimes one and a half.

[Dave]

So $500. So $500 to $1000 a month you're sending to Russia?

[Ryan]

I would say 1000.

[Rachel]

$1000 to 15 to 1500.

[Dave]

Oh, I missed that. I'm sorry. To 1500. Okay.

[Rachel]

Okay.

[Ryan]

Yes.

[Dave]

And what are you doing for work right now? I caught the story, but I'm curious, are you still doing delivery?

[Ryan]

Yeah. Still. So from the day I decided to go with the gig jobs. Yeah. I just moved out to my car because that job was providing me with the housing and all that stuff. Yeah. But from the day I decided go with the gigs. Yeah.

[Dave]

Okay. Let me ask another question. You mentioned you went to this gig, these gig jobs, because you needed flexibility. Why did you need or why do you need flexibility?

[Ryan]

Because I'm training. I'm boxing. Okay. Yeah.

[Dave]

So you're here.

[Ryan]

That's right.

[Dave]

Are you pursuing a professional career in boxing?

[Ryan]

Yes, sir.

[Dave]

Okay. All right, this is starting to add up. So. So in Los Angeles is where your trainer is. That's why you chose Los Angeles. That's the spot for you to be training.

[Ryan]

Exactly.

[Rachel]

Is there any other city in America, Ryan, that you can get this kind of training?

[Ryan]

Of course there is. But, you know, when you. When you get in the gym, it's. You get used to. It's like family, you know?

[Rachel]

It's like family.

[Ryan]

Yeah, you get.

[Rachel]

Yeah, you get to know people all, but.

[Dave]

Yeah, I get it. But I think she makes a great point. And I gotta say, as a boxing fan, I grew up watching boxing. Okay. So I. Boy, I could tell you I really love, like, this. This is interesting. And I got to tell you, it's all about your trainer. It's not about the gym. It's about the trainer. So are you locked into somebody who really knows what they're doing. And somebody that, that has been very successful, has trained champions before. At what level is your trainer?

[Ryan]

My trainer is. His background is in Marti. He's a two times champion. Okay. Yeah, but I, I just started a year ago on January. I have my next fight next month.

[Dave]

Are you a pro yet? Are you still an amateur?

[Ryan]

No, I'm not pro yet.

[Dave]

Okay, Ryan, here's the point, okay? Because we really got to get to the point of this deal. Los Angeles is where you're based and it's super expensive in Los Angeles.

[Rachel]

It's like then one of the most expensive cities in America.

[Dave]

And I understand you need flexibility, but I think there are other options for flexibility that, that you can, that you can do. And, but you got to choose here. In other words, you've got this responsibility of sending money back to your, your family in Russia. You've got this responsibility to train at a level to try to be a professional boxer. That's a lot, I get that. But we still got to live and something has got to give here. And you can't live in a car any longer. That was how you started the call, and that's what we're trying to address. So in order to get you out of the car, we gotta get more money in your bank account. To get more money in your bank account, you gotta get a better job. This is common sense. You're with me on this. Yes, exactly.

[Ryan]

Yes.

[Rachel]

Okay. Brian, your family in Russia, are they. How dependent are they on this? Thousand to $1,500 a month.

[Ryan]

I, I mean, my, my small brother also works. He also supports. He's in, at home, he's in family. Okay. My father, he's not working at the moment, you know.

[Rachel]

Okay.

[Ryan]

At the moment they are really dependent, you know, and actually I found a new gig if you know about the process server job.

[Dave]

Yeah, yeah, I get it.

[Ryan]

Yeah.

[Dave]

You're serving people subpoenas.

[Ryan]

Exactly, exactly. I just thinking about starting that stuff and see if it will bring me more money, which is more flexibility.

[Dave]

Yeah. What about a roommate? I mean, how much do you need right now? Let's. I want Rachel to walk through the.

[Rachel]

Numbers because, because rent in Los Angeles, Ryan. I mean, that's what I'm curious is how, I mean, how much for a crappy, crappy, crappy apartment?

[Dave]

You're a boxer, so let's go Rocky here. All right, so we got a few.

[Rachel]

Cockroaches, but I'm like, but it's going to cost you two, three grand.

[Dave]

Well, what is It, Ryan, what would it cost you? Even with a roommate? What's the least you could get into an apartment?

[Ryan]

Just. You mean shared room?

[Dave]

Yeah. What's the least you can get in?

[Ryan]

I would say thousand. Starting from thousand.

[Dave]

A thousand dollars. All right. So how much are you bringing home every month? In this current job?

[Ryan]

In this current job? It's not stable. I would say three to four.

[Dave]

You know, that's your net. Yeah, that's after taxes.

[Rachel]

So after. Is that after. Yeah. So after you send, what are you doing with the $3000 or 2500 that's left? Is that for food? What is that for boxing? What are you spending the rest of your money on?

[Ryan]

Yeah, I wouldn't be able say exact amount with drugs, but I would say for boxing, for food. I feel like when you live outside, for food goes a little more when you then versus when you prepare.

[Rachel]

Sure, yeah.

[Ryan]

Yeah.

[Rachel]

So what I would do. So, Ryan, what I would tell you is you have to prioritize where your income's going. And right now you don't know exactly what it is, and you're making good. I mean, four grand a month, you know, like, I mean, that's tight in Los Angeles, but for a single guy, like, I don't know, we weren't sending.

[Dave]

The money back home, so I'm just doable.

[Rachel]

So I'm wondering, because we call it your four walls, Ryan, of the four things you have to cover, first and foremost, that's food, shelter, which is getting you an apartment, utilities, water and electricity, cell phone and transportation, making sure you have gas for your car and that your car is running and everything. So these are the four things, the only things that we spend money on. And so I want you to start prioritizing and asking around for a roommate. The cheapest place that you can go. And. And this would take a lot of humility, Ryan. And again, I don't know your family situation back in Russia from what you were saying, but it would take a lot of humility. But, I mean, I. I just. To get you in a stable place so that you can send them, continue to help them, because I think that's a beautiful thing that you're doing, but it's not. You're not gonna be able to do this for long. What you are doing right now is not sustainable. So I say, hey, it's not going great. I'm gonna have to pause this for just four months. I gotta get a roommate. I gotta get some things in order, and then I'm gonna press play, send you guys money in four months or however long you think. But you gotta get yourself in a sustainable situation that's good for you and then ultimately good for your family back in Russia.

[Dave]

Ryan, thanks for the call. I hope you got a good chin. Keep those gloves up. You don't want to get punched right in the nugget in your first fight, you know what I mean? I've seen some brutal knockouts. Create your free every dollar budget today. The simplest way to budget for your life.