The Ramsey Show Highlights — "I Didn't Know I Had More Student Loans"

Date: December 13, 2025
Host: Ramsey Network Team (Jade Warshaw and co-host)
Main Guest: Anonymous Caller (“B”)

Episode Overview

This episode centers around a young adult who recently discovered he’s responsible for significant student loan debt—much of it under his father’s name via Parent PLUS loans, which he didn’t know existed. The conversation explores the emotional and financial implications, surfaces family dynamics, and offers practical advice for debt repayment while reflecting the trademark Ramsey focus on debt-free living and family honesty.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Caller’s Debt Situation (00:06–02:13)

• Caller’s Loans:
  • Three Parent PLUS loans under the father's name, totalling $70,000 at 7% interest
  • Monthly payment: $450 (not reducing balance meaningfully due to high interest)
• Other Debts:
  • $4,500 credit card balance
  • $3,000 remaining on car loan
  • $9,000 left in his own student loans (paid down from $20,000)
• Personal Situation:
  • Manager at Jersey Mike’s, making $90,000 a year
  • Dropped out of college during COVID instead of paying full tuition for online classes
  • Wants to pursue franchising in the quick service industry (02:04)

2. How the Debt Was Discovered (02:51–04:42)

• Surprise Parent PLUS Loans:
  • Caller didn't know about the Parent PLUS loans until his uncle (the co-signer) emailed him asking why he wasn’t paying them
  • He believed his remaining loans were the only ones and the rest were covered by grants or assistance (“I did not know they existed” — B, 03:02)
  • Uncle revealed the past-due status; his father then admitted to taking out the loans

3. Family Dynamics and Emotional Impact (04:42–06:47)

• Similar Incident with Sibling:
  • A similar scenario occurred with the caller’s brother, who also unknowingly had loans taken out by their father
• Caller’s Feelings:
  • Mixed emotions: frustration over not being informed, but not wanting to damage the relationship with his father
  • “Half and half. I'm definitely not going to let it get in the...relationship with me and my father...I was definitely a little frustrated with him…” (B, 05:17)
• Missed Financial Opportunity:
  • Caller expresses regret over not knowing about the debt earlier, especially since he could have avoided interest during the COVID forbearance window

4. Hosts’ Advice & Ethical Assessment (06:47–07:46)

• Jade Warshaw’s Direct Take:

  • Deeply unsettled by the situation, she stresses the importance of honesty and communication in families:
    • “This is so messed up. It’s really messed up.” (C, 04:55)
    • “If it were me, I'd be having a serious conversation. At the very least, I'd say, ‘I'm paying half of this because I didn't know about it...You didn't do me the service of even telling me about it. So you're on the hook for half. And it's not in your name.’” (C, 07:36)

• Debt Repayment Strategy:

  • List all debts from smallest to largest, pay minimums on all but the smallest, then attack the smallest with all extra cash (Ramsey’s “debt snowball”)
  • Order:
    1. Pay off the car loan first
    2. Tackle the credit card
    3. Pay the personal student loan
    4. Aggressively pay down the $70,000 Parent PLUS loans

• Co-host’s Agreement:

  • Fully endorses Jade’s approach: “I agree. Well said. Amen. Pass the plates.” (A, 07:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Caller on discovering the loans:

  “I did not know they existed.” (B, 03:02)

• Host (Jade) expressing concern:

  “This is so messed up. It's really messed up.” (C, 04:55)

• Caller on balancing emotions:

  “I'm definitely not going to let it get in the...relationship with me and my father...I was definitely a little frustrated with him...” (B, 05:17)

• Host (Jade) on her advice:

  “If it were me, I'd be having a serious conversation. And at the very least, I'd say, ‘I'm paying half of this because I didn't know about it...’” (C, 07:36)

• Co-host's final word:

  “I agree. Well said. Amen. Pass the plates.” (A, 07:46)

Important Timestamps

• Caller lays out entire debt situation — 02:26
• Discovery of hidden loans — 03:02
• Family conversation about undisclosed debts — 05:17
• Jade’s strong ethical advice — 07:36
• Final agreement and closing comments — 07:46

Summary Takeaways

• The episode highlights the emotional and financial turmoil when parents don’t communicate transparently about debt.
• The hosts emphasize honesty, clear family boundaries, and a practical debt repayment plan.
• Even when facing unexpected financial burdens, maintaining family relationships while standing up for personal financial boundaries is possible and important.

Listeners are left with actionable steps typical of the Ramsey method: list your debts, start with the smallest, and pay them down with aggression, but don’t shy away from hard family conversations when money and trust are on the line.