Rachel Cruze / YouTube
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.
Dave Ramsey has never been shy about what really grinds his gears when it comes to the financial habits of young Americans.
In an interview with Fox News, Ramsey — a boomer — shared his true feelings about millennials and Gen-Z’s financial habits: ”They are awful. They live in their mother’s basement. They can’t figure out why they can’t buy a house because they don’t work.”
While this sentiment may ring true for people of any generation, younger Americans certainly have some odds stacked against them amidst high home prices and interest rates.
A Consumer Affairs report found that Gen Z’s money had 86% less purchasing power than baby boomers did when they were in their twenties.
Despite these daunting economic circumstances, it is still possible for millennials and Gen Z to invest in the real estate market even if they are priced out of buying a home right now.
Ramsey is a big proponent of the importance of investing for the long term. In a February blog post, he wrote: “A solid investment strategy gives you focus, clarity and direction — and you need all three to become a successful investor.”
But having this clarity and direction is easier said than done, whether you’re just starting to build your portfolio or looking to expand it.
Luckily, there are investing platforms out there that come equipped with expert guidance so you can start building your wealth without having to become an investing savant.
Today, there are more resources than ever to help investors make informed decisions. For instance, platforms like Moby, founded by former hedge fund analysts, offer stock research and insights tailored for everyday investors.
Moby’s stock picks have outperformed the S&P 500 by an average of 11.95% over the past four years, helping over five million users identify promising investments before they take off.
Read more: Warren Buffett says you can’t buy time — but real estate investors have found this 1 loophole. See how they’re buying back hundreds of hours a year (for absolutely free)
Research published by The National Association of Realtors found that home prices are on the rise in 85% of U.S. cities. As of August 2025, the median price of a new home sitting at $413,500 according to The U.S. Census Bureau.
Story Continues
With mortgage rates also still hovering near 7%, it shouldn’t come as a shock that many Gen Zers and millennials aren’t yet able to purchase their first home.
That being said, even if you’re not able to purchase a home, you can still invest in the real estate market in a number of ways.
Ramsey himself is passionate about earning passive income through real estate, and in a blog post suggested investing in residential and vacation rentals, with the caveat that “renting out a house isn’t for the faint of heart — even if you hire a property manager.”
Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit rental properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income.
Arrived’s easy-to-use platform offers SEC-qualified property investments without all the hassles of property and tenant management.
You can easily browse a curated selection of homes and vacation units. Once you find a property you like, you can choose the number of shares you want to buy and start investing in real estate right away.
Another option is Homeshares. Homeshares is changing the game by allowing accredited investors to gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning, or managing property.
The fund focuses on homes with substantial equity, utilizing Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) to help homeowners access liquidity without incurring debt or additional interest payments.
This approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in high-quality residential properties, plus the added benefit of diversification across various regional markets – with a minimum investment of $25,000.
With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, the U.S. Home Equity Fund could unlock lucrative real estate opportunities, offering accredited investors a low-maintenance alternative to traditional property ownership.
Recently, the hashtag #daveramseywouldntapprove on TikTok has appeared across thousands of posts and millions of views. In these videos, millennials and Gen Z are exposing their money habits that the financial guru in question definitely wouldn’t approve of — like a Disney World shopping spree on credit or a $16 cocktail.
Creating a budget and overall financial plan can be the exact spark you need to ignite to improve your financial situation. In a video with his daughter Rachel Cruze on her YouTube channel, Ramsey shared that getting on a budget is one of the best things you can do with your money.
He quipped that “no one accidentally wins the Super Bowl, The World Series or the World Cup.”
In other words, you can’t expect wealth to fall in your lap without effort, and we can’t all call in to the Ramsey Show when we need advice. But, hiring a professional near you could help ensure your financial plan is comprehensive.
FinancialAdvisor.net is a free online service that helps you find a financial advisor who can help you create a plan to reach your financial goals. Just answer a few questions and their extensive online database will match you with a few vetted advisors based on your answers.
You can view advisor profiles, read past client reviews, and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire.
Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.