Dave Bautista says his house was foreclosed on and he ‘lost everything’ after leaving WWE

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Dave Bautista is among the few professional wrestlers who successfully transitioned to a career in Hollywood. Millions of fans followed his journey from the ring to the silver screen, yet they may be unaware of his struggles with money.

“I came out of wrestling – I literally lost everything. My house got foreclosed on,” he shared in an interview with YouTube’s School of Hard Knocks posted on Sept. 29.

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Bautista, who was known as “Batista” in the WWE, credits fellow wrestler Mark “The Undertaker” Calaway with helping him realize one of the secrets to financial success is living below your means.

“[It was] the best advice that I ever got,” Bautista said. “I learned the hard way.”

But you don’t need to be an ultra-high earner to see the wisdom in Calaway’s advice. Here’s how you can use this basic principle to boost your financial position.

Prioritize needs over wants

Differentiating between what’s necessary and what’s simply tempting is a key part of living within your means. Bautista agrees.

“I know I can live more lavishly, more luxuriously,” he said. “That money in the bank means more to me than something I don’t really need.”

By resisting indulgences, you could limit your chances of overspending and overborrowing, putting you on a clearer path to financial freedom. But it’s easier said than done. According to a survey conducted by Clever Real Estate, 74% of those surveyed reported having a spending problem, with 55% admitting that they often spend recklessly.

If you find it difficult to stop overindulging, you can start by building savings and investing habits into everyday spending. With Acorns, you can automatically invest spare change from your everyday purchases into a diversified portfolio of ETFs managed by experts at leading investment firms like Vanguard and BlackRock.

For instance, if you buy a donut for $3.25, Acorns will round up the purchase to $4 and invest the change in a smart investment portfolio. So a $3.25 purchase automatically becomes a 75-cent investment into your future.

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Add a margin of safety to your budget

Sticking to a budget may seem like common sense, but 51% of Americans confessed to overspending to impress someone else, according to a 2024 survey commissioned by LendingTree. Among those who overspent to show off, 56% admitted it drove them into debt.

Since it’s common to go over your budget, it makes sense to add a margin of safety. If you assume that all your expenses will be 10% to 15% higher, for example, you can limit the chances of overspending and relying on credit.

In cases where exceeding your budget is a necessity rather than a compulsion, it pays to have an emergency fund to fall back on. Stashing away three to six months’ worth of expenses can help you stay afloat if your life takes a sudden financial downturn.

If you’re looking for a way to grow your money steadily over time, a certificate of deposit (CD) could be a smart choice. CDs offer a fixed interest rate for specific terms, allowing your savings to grow more efficiently. Just keep in mind that if you need to withdraw your funds before the term is up, you’ll likely face a penalty fee.

If you’re looking to build an emergency savings fund, a high-yield savings account is another possible place to begin. While the national interest rate average is an APY of 0.4%, online banks can offer you much more competitive returns – in some cases up to 10x more.

Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching stocks — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Avoid or minimize credit

Any form of credit can allow you to spend beyond your means. American households collectively had $18.39 trillion in debt as of the second quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. That includes $1.21 trillion in credit card debt.

If you carry credit card debt from month to month, you’re not the only one. According to a November 2024 survey from Bankrate, nearly 53% of respondents were in credit card debt for at least one year. With rates averaging over 20%, it can pile on before you even realize it.

Paying down debt — especially if it comes with a high interest rate — could put you on solid footing. One way to achieve this is to consolidate your debt using a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

A HELOC is a secured line of credit that leverages your home as collateral. Depending on the value of your home and the remaining balance on your mortgage, you may be able to borrow funds at a lower interest rate from a lender as a form of revolving credit.

Rather than juggling multiple bills with varying due dates and interest rates, you can consolidate them into one easy-to-manage payment. The results? Less stress, generally reduced fees, and the potential for significant savings over time.

Speaking with a financial advisor can help you get your finances on track. With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help assess how you’re doing so far and make sure you’ve got the right portfolio to meet your goals on time.

Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisers and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.

All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals, and Vanguard’s advisers will help you set a tailored plan, and stick to it.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.