Episode Overview

Podcast: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Episode: Did I Make A Mistake Financially Helping My Daughter?
Date: February 7, 2026
Hosts: Dave Ramsey & Ken Coleman
Caller: George

This episode centers on George, a father who is financially assisting his recently divorced daughter by co-signing on her mortgage and making payments she cannot afford. George seeks advice on whether this ongoing support was a financial mistake and what the best path forward is for his family. Dave and Ken guide him through the complexities of family support, financial boundaries, and how to prioritize both financial and emotional well-being.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background on the Dilemma

• George's situation: His daughter received the family house in her divorce but cannot afford the refinanced mortgage. She is going to school for teaching, works part-time as a paraprofessional, and has two children (ages 13 and 10). George and his wife have been covering the mortgage inconsistently, especially during tougher months like holidays.
  [00:06–01:27]

• Co-signing: George and his wife co-signed for the mortgage so their daughter could qualify. She’s struggling to pay; George is concerned about the sustainability of this arrangement.

2. Assessing Sustainability and Possible Solutions

• Is this sustainable?

  • Dave Ramsey: “I don’t think this is sustainable.” [01:48]
  • Ken Coleman: Reiterates it's not sustainable, recommends a hard conversation with the daughter about selling the house and renting instead. [01:49–02:02]

• Concerns about uprooting grandkids: George hesitates to sell because he doesn't want to disrupt his grandchildren’s lives.

  • Ken Coleman: Emphasizes that, post-divorce, “it’s not the house they need. They need her.” Also notes the emotional baggage tied to the house makes selling a potentially positive move. [03:30–04:21]

• Thinking of the house as an investment: George labels the property "beautiful" and a potential investment, while recognizing he doesn’t want to live there.

  • Ken & Dave: Challenge George’s mixed motives, suggesting his justifications are putting more money into a financial “pit.” [04:21–04:54]

3. Financial Review and Setting Boundaries

• George’s finances: He and his wife have a net worth around $500,000. Dave points out he isn’t in a position to float his daughter or buy the property outright. [05:17–05:19]

• Direct advice:

  • Dave: “We’ve been artificially propping this whole situation up. We love you, we want to help you, but we can’t take this mortgage on and you can’t either.” [05:39]
  • Ken Coleman: “Let's get out of this house... we're just spinning our tires.” [03:30]

4. Complicating Family Dynamics

• Daughter’s personal life: She is with a new partner and spends little time at the house—George sometimes uses the place for skiing. Questions arise around why to keep the house if it’s no longer central to the family.

  • Ken Coleman: “You keep giving us more reasons to list this house this afternoon.” [06:01]
  • Dave: “This is already messy. Who’s going to get all the equity when you sell?” [06:40]

• On reimbursement: George hopes his daughter will reimburse some of the money given if the house is sold, but there is no agreement on this. Dave warns that lack of clarity can breed conflict. [06:56]

5. Addressing Rationalizations & Emotional Attachments

• Ken identifies conflicting motives: Lightheartedly points out George enjoys skiing at the property, casting doubt on who’s truly benefiting.

  • Ken Coleman: “For a guy who co signed on it, who needs more net worth, I would be unloading this house.” [06:23]

• Grandchildren’s experience: George justifies keeping the house for the kids, but it becomes clear the family moves frequently and the house no longer holds the same significance.

  • Dave Ramsey: “It’s clear that this house means not a lot to these kids anymore. They’re already getting taken every which way to different houses, so what’s the difference?” [08:02]

6. Setting Healthy Financial Boundaries

• Principle for family support: Dave closes with guidelines:
  • “If you’re going to help, it should be: 1. Temporary, 2. Intentional, 3. Conditional.” [08:39]
  • Helping should have clear boundaries, expectations, and time limits. Support should not become an “open-ended pit” or “hammock.” [08:39–09:28]
  • “You want this to be a safety net, not a hammock. And it’s quickly turning into the latter.” [09:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On sustainability:

• Dave Ramsey [01:48]: “I don’t think this is sustainable.”
• Ken Coleman [01:49]: “No.”

Principles for helping family:

• Dave Ramsey [08:39]: “If you’re going to help, it should be 1 temporary, 2. Intentional, 3. Conditional. Not open ended, not, ‘Could be a good investment, and we’re going to co sign…’ There needs to be very clear boundaries.”

On the kids' real needs:

• Ken Coleman [03:30]: “…Their life, by the way, has already been wrecked. So it’s not the house they need. They need her.”

On emotional attachment and money pits:

• Ken Coleman [04:24]: “You keep trying to justify pouring money into this pit that she cannot get out of.”

On rationalizing ski trips:

• Ken Coleman [06:12]: “Oh, so now papa's getting some benefits here. Jeff enjoys this house. This isn't about her.”

On reality vs. hope:

• Dave Ramsey [05:39]: “We’ve been artificially propping this whole situation up. We love you, we want to help you, but we can’t take this mortgage on and you can’t either. And we need to face the reality here.”

Financial support boundaries:

• Dave Ramsey [09:28]: “You want this to be a safety net, not a hammock. And it's quickly turning into the latter.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:06–01:27: George explains the situation, co-signing, and ongoing support.
• 01:29–02:02: Discussion of whether keeping the house is feasible long-term.
• 03:30–04:21: Emotional considerations; kids’ needs and the house’s role.
• 04:21–04:54: Investment rationalization and Ken/Dave pushing back.
• 05:17–05:19: George’s financial picture; advice on boundaries.
• 06:01–06:40: More personal dynamics, property use, and call for selling.
• 07:12–07:19: Dave seeking clarity about potential reimbursement.
• 08:02–08:24: Real talk on the emotional reality for the kids.
• 08:39–09:28: Dave summarizes principles for healthy family financial help.

Summary

This episode delivers a candid exploration of the pitfalls in financially supporting adult children, especially when real estate, emotional baggage, and family dynamics are involved. Dave and Ken gently but firmly guide George to see that indefinite financial support and rationalizing property investments ultimately do more harm than good—emotionally, relationally, and financially. The solution: set clear boundaries, deal with reality, sell the property, and allow everyone to move forward with healthier expectations and independence.