Dave Ramsey has had enough of the economic doomscrolling. The personal finance personality delivered a pointed takedown of what he describes as relentless "lies and bad advice" convincing people they're financially doomed in today's economy. His approach? Let the numbers do the talking.

"The lies and the bad advice are everywhere out there," Ramsey said. "You're death scrolling into oblivion and it's just not true."

The Historical Context Everyone Seems To Forget

Ramsey tackled the narrative that inflation and mortgage rates have hit unprecedented crisis levels. The reality, he argues, looks quite different when you zoom out.

"Inflation in 2024 was 3.4%. Inflation in 22 was 6.2%," he explained. "In 1982, it was 7.4%. In 1980, it was 12.4% and had been double digits for almost the previous 10 consecutive years." As for mortgage rates? "Interest rates in 1982 were 17.66% for a house. Today, we're bouncing down there next to the bottom of five. Not hardly 17."

It's a pretty stark comparison. People complaining about 5% mortgages might feel differently if they'd been house hunting when rates were pushing 18%.

On the claim that average Americans can't cover basic expenses anymore, Ramsey pulled out household income data. "Median household income is now $83,000. And the average household expenses are 78," he said. "The math says otherwise."

The Car Payment Problem Nobody Wants To Admit

Ramsey also went after the belief that buying a car without financing is somehow impossible in 2025. He pointed to current data showing the average new car costs $42,000, with monthly payments averaging $748.

"We have an affordability crisis on our housing because we have a car payment in the driveway. And you got screwed by Citibank and Ford Motor Company."

His point is pretty straightforward: that $748 monthly car payment is exactly what's squeezing household budgets and making housing feel unaffordable. It's not just the mortgage; it's the financial commitments sitting in your garage.

Millionaires Budget Too

"Only poor people do a budget? That's a lie," Ramsey said. His firm, Ramsey Solutions, surveyed over 10,000 millionaires and discovered that 93% of them maintain a monthly budget. "So there's your little statistical analysis. Cause and effect. Correlation. Causation," he added.

It's an interesting data point that flips the conventional wisdom. Budgeting isn't what broke people do because they have to; it's apparently what wealthy people do because it works.

Ramsey also dismantled trendy tax strategies making the rounds online. "Bad advice: set up an LLC and run all of your personal expenses through it. You can write them off," he said. "No, you can't. That's straight-up illegal. Your house electricity is not a business expense. Ever heard of an audit? They'll come take your stuff from you."

Credit Cards, Retirement And The TikTok Business Myth

He highlighted the disconnect between worrying about a 5% mortgage while carrying credit card debt at 22.8% interest. "It's a bit illogical, people."

For those convinced retirement is financially impossible, Ramsey did the math. "If you invest from age 22 to age 67, just $70 a month, you'd have a million dollars at prevailing market rates," he explained.

And about those promises of easy passive income through starting a business? "Easy and passive? Bull crap," he said. "Only on TikTok."

The Personal Bankruptcy That Changed Everything

Ramsey's credibility on this topic comes partly from experience. He once lost everything after building a $4 million real estate portfolio funded largely by debt. The collapse, he says, taught him what actually works.

"I had built a house of cards and I shouldn't be shocked that it fell," he said. "I gave them access to my life and let them screw me."

His recovery came from applying straightforward principles and consistent habits. "Live on less than you make. Get out of debt. Have a plan. Be generous," he said. "Grandma's common sense."

Opportunity Exists If You Tune Out The Noise

Ramsey wrapped up by emphasizing that today's generation has more financial opportunity than previous ones, as long as they ignore the constant negativity.

"You have so stinking much freedom if you'll turn off the stupid talking heads and the white noise and go be somebody," he said. "It's unbelievable what you can do."

His fundamental message is simple: the data doesn't support the panic. Inflation isn't at historic highs. Mortgage rates have been far worse. Household income generally covers expenses. Building wealth is still accessible through basic discipline and time.

"Stop listening to the Hope Stealers," Ramsey said. "They're wrong. The data says they're wrong."