Hey, fam! Today’s blog is a little different. This one’s personal, raw, and it’s a story that’s fueled every meme, every blog, every reel I’ve posted. I created Rugged Ricky not just to make you laugh, but to hustle my way out of some dark times. People might see what I do as some kind of “begging,” but this isn’t your typical handout. Think of me like one of those buskers on the street — not just holding a sign, but playing my heart out, putting something real out there for anyone willing to stop and listen.
This blog’s for anyone who’s been through struggle after struggle but still refuses to give up. If you’re here, you’re getting a peek into what’s behind the memes, behind the hustle, and yeah, even behind the ask for support. So, let’s dive in.
Let’s get one thing clear: I didn’t just create Rugged Ricky to throw random content out there. This is my brand, my voice, and yeah, my way of hustling for a little support. I know begging online sounds weird — “why not just get a job?” Trust me, I’ve got one, plus a side eBay business, and I still find myself $20,000 in debt. This isn’t some easy way out. This is me grinding to get back to square one.
I’m putting out memes, blogs, videos, and reels every day, not just copying and pasting, but creating every bit of it myself. Every joke, every insight, every clip — it’s all me, 100%. And I’m putting proof out there, too — just check my socials and you’ll see that every single post, meme, and blog has my stamp on it. This isn’t about a handout; this is about earning every like, every view, every bit of support.
I grew up in Lithuania, but I’m currently based in Austria. Life wasn’t easy back home, and if you’re still reading, here’s where things get a little heavy. When I was 21, I lost my girlfriend to suicide. She always had a smile, always seemed happy. But sometimes, we don’t see what’s happening beneath the surface. Losing her was a heartbreak I didn’t see coming, and it hit me like a ton of bricks.
Just two months later, I was called in by the police to identify a body — my mother’s. She’d left our family when I was two, so I barely knew her, but that didn’t make it any easier. My dad had to go to war during Soviet times, where he lost an arm and came back with scars — both the kind you see and the kind you don’t. He raised me on his own, facing his own struggles and mental health battles, with a lot stacked against us.
After those losses, I knew I needed a fresh start. So I moved to Austria, trying to find my way. And for a while, it seemed like I’d struck gold — crypto trading. I was making anywhere from €200 to €1,000 a day. I felt invincible. Some people even trusted me enough to invest their money, and before long, I had around €60,000 of my own, plus another €40,000 that belonged to others. But one morning, I woke up to see my account wiped — everything gone. I’d been hacked, cleaned out, left with nothing, and about €40,000 in debt that wasn’t even mine.
I didn’t let that loss destroy me, though. I’ve tried everything — Shopify dropshipping, Etsy stores, creating NFTs, starting websites, launching YouTube channels, the list goes on. Each project has been part of this never-ending hustle, a mission to make it back to even. But despite all the effort, I’m still here, still carrying that €20,000 debt, and still fighting to keep my head above water.
So yeah, I figured why not try asking for support online? This isn’t a charity plea; this is me asking people to get on board with the journey. In just nine days, I’ve created:
It’s all part of my challenge to create every day, build every day, and grow every day. And while my follower count isn’t huge — 22 on Instagram, 57 on YouTube, 114 on X — I’m still pushing forward. Planting the seed, watering it, and hoping that one day, it’ll bear fruit.
Maybe it sounds silly, trying to make a brand out of memes and reels. But to me, it’s survival. If you’re reading this, maybe you know what it’s like to fight every day just to get back on your feet. I don’t have a fancy office or a big budget. I’ve got a laptop, an internet connection, and the grit to keep going.
I’m not here to just copy and paste someone else’s work. Every post, every meme, every video is my creation. If you’ve seen my socials, you know. This is proof that I’m not just asking for money; I’m creating value, building something real from scratch.
One quick tip for anyone new to crypto: secure your wallets. My story should be a cautionary tale. Keep your assets safe — never leave your entire stack on an exchange, and invest in a hardware wallet for long-term holdings. Security in crypto isn’t just a smart move; it’s a necessity. Don’t let the same thing that happened to me happen to you.
I know not everyone will get it. But if you’re here, if you’ve made it this far, maybe you understand. This isn’t about begging; it’s about creating something from nothing, building a brand, and sharing that journey with anyone willing to join me. Every follower, every share, every bit of support counts, and I’m grateful for it all.
So if you’re feeling it, check out my socials:
Thank you for being here and letting me share a piece of this wild journey with you. Let’s keep pushing, keep grinding, and one day, we’ll all be able to look back and say we made it — one meme at a time.