Dave Ramsey Sparks Outrage with Controversial Food Budget Advice

Financial guru Dave Ramsey recently ignited a social media firestorm with his advice on budgeting for groceries. In a post made 21 hours ago, Ramsey, whose profile features an older man with glasses and a verified blue checkmark, stated, "Food is one of the easiest budget categories to overspend on. If you can get that under control each month, your entire budget can change. For those of you that have cut down on your grocery budget, what's your favorite savings tip?"

The post, which has garnered 293 likes and 68 replies, received significant backlash almost immediately. One of the most pointed responses came from user "themegancurtis," who commented 14 hours ago, "Only in America do we see millionaires on social media telling people to eat less so they spend less." This sentiment seems to reflect the broader frustration with Ramsey's advice.

Oscar Wilde once said, "To recommend thrift to the poor is both grotesque and insulting. It is like advising a man who is starving to eat less." This quote from "The Soul of Man Under Socialism," published in 1891, resonates deeply with many critics of Ramsey's post. Users highlighted the absurdity of asking those already struggling to tighten their belts even further.

One particularly scathing comment read, "Savings tip, huh? In America we just go without food. Because you borderline have to be independently wealthy at this point to feed a family, pay rent, utilities, car payments, health insurance, car insurance, and the other odds and ends. It’s f***ed. F*** these rich a******s."

Another user pointed out the irony in Ramsey's background: "Born to real estate developers, Ramsey was worth $4M by the time he turned 25. He was bankrupt two years later, but sold self-help books and financial advice to be rich again. He's now worth at least $200M. 2021 quote: 'If $600 or $1,400 changes your life you were pretty much s****** already.'"

Critics argue that Ramsey's advice is out of touch with the reality faced by many Americans. One user suggested a more practical solution: "Subsidize groceries and restaurants to help them donate food. Do you understand how much perfectly edible food gets thrown out every day? But there's no incentive to spend labor cost or take any liability risk. If we had govt oversight on that, and establish already existing food banks, places of worship, etc as community kitchens, we could guarantee a meal a day for anybody, no questions asked."

The backlash against Ramsey highlights the ongoing struggle many face in balancing their budgets amid rising costs. While his advice may be well-intentioned, it underscores the need for more nuanced and empathetic approaches to financial guidance.