The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode: "I Have A Spending Addiction I Can't Get Over"

Date: November 28, 2025
Host(s): Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruze
Guest: Jade

Episode Overview

This episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights spotlights a candid conversation with Jade, a caller struggling with a self-described spending addiction. Jade seeks advice from Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze about how to overcome her compulsive spending, which is derailing her attempts to follow the "baby steps" toward financial health. The hosts offer practical and emotional guidance, diving into the roots of her behavior, accountability systems, and actionable steps—creating a highly relatable and solution-focused segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding the Spending Addiction

• Jade’s Struggles:
  Jade admits openly that she battles a spending addiction, particularly on fast food (due to lack of meal planning), gifts for her daughter, generosity to others, and occasionally personal splurges.
  • "I have a spending addiction that I just can't seem to get over. I've been trying to follow the baby steps, but it's really hard for me." — Jade [00:06]
• Tracking Expenses:
  She shares she spends $1,000–$1,200/month on these categories out of a total monthly income of approximately $4,800.

2. Financial Picture & Debt Overview

• Debt Breakdown:
  Jade discloses she owes roughly $90,000, comprising:
  • Medical debt: ~$4,000
  • Credit cards: $9,100
  • Personal loans (including debt consolidation and house repairs): $51,600
  • Student loans: $20,000
  • "Whoa. Okay...Give us the list, smallest to largest." — Dave Ramsey [01:27]

3. Emotional Roots: Trauma and Recovery

• Identifying the Cause:
  Jade attributes her compulsive spending in part to trauma, which she is actively working through with professional help and support groups.
  • "Trauma? Definitely trauma. And I'm trying to work through that, but I'm trying to figure out how to stop this overspending while I'm working on my trauma history." — Jade [02:14]
• Therapy Tools:
  Jade is in EMDR therapy and recently began a process where she mentally “plays through” her temptation scenarios to reshape outcomes.
  • "I'm in EMDR therapy...you kind of go and play from the beginning of the scenario...then reshaping it in your head what it would look like if you were to just drive home and use the food." — Jade [04:55]
• Community & Support:
  Jade has initiated groups with others who share similar experiences, seeking mutual support.

4. Accountability and Practical Steps

• External Accountability:
  Rachel Cruze emphasizes the importance of community and accountability. For people with spending problems, she suggests handing over more control to a trusted person—similar to a household where a spouse “takes the reins.”
  • "Is there someone that you can trust and to kind of walk with you...having that accountability with you?" — Rachel Cruze [03:11]
  • Jade has a friend willing to fill this role but admits “releasing that control is hard.” [03:25]
• Facing Consequences & Motivation:
  Dave Ramsey encourages Jade to dig into the negative consequences of her actions for motivation.
  • "If I buy something for my daughter that I cannot afford...I am further penalizing her and me and putting me further in a hole. And that's what I mean by going to the negative consequence of the addictive spending." — Dave Ramsey [06:14]

5. Tools for Change & Immediate Action

• Financial Safeguards:
  Rachel suggests automation of bills, enlisting accountability partners, and creating friction for spending (e.g., cutting up cards, requiring more effort to access cash).
  • "If I were in your shoes...I would set up everything on automation...and I would cut up my cards for a while." — Rachel Cruze [07:27]
• Increase Friction:
  Putting barriers (“friction”)—such as not having cards easily accessible—can help interrupt impulsive behavior.
• On-the-Spot Challenge:
  Dave and Rachel challenge Jade live to cut up her debit or credit cards to take immediate action, fostering a “do it now” attitude.
  • "If we were to give you an opportunity, say, to walk across the room and get those cards and bring them back on camera, would you cut them up right now?...You want freedom?" — Dave Ramsey [08:43]
  • Jade confirms she's already cut up credit cards; only debits remain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Confronting Reality & Seeking Change:
  • "You're amazingly brave to call in...You're way tougher than a lot of people, so I want you to harness that." — Dave Ramsey [03:55]
• On Letting Go of Control:
  • "It's just releasing that control of it. That's hard." — Jade [03:25]
• Facing the Impact of Addiction:
  • "Right now, if you continue down this path, you're going to be worse off. So something has to shake." — Rachel Cruze [03:54]
• Tools Over Willpower:
  • "That's why I mentioned what I mentioned earlier. If I were in your shoes...I would go tonight and I would set up everything on automation...I would cut up my cards." — Rachel Cruze [07:27]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:06] — Jade first describes her spending addiction.
• [01:01]–[01:27] — Revealing total income and detailed debt breakdown.
• [02:05]–[02:24] — Delving into the trauma driving overspending.
• [03:25]–[03:41] — Resisting accountability and fear of change.
• [04:55]–[05:32] — Discussing therapy tools: EMDR and scenario planning.
• [06:14]–[07:25] — Shifting focus to pain/pleasure motivators and emotional consequences.
• [07:27]–[08:43] — Practical tips: automation, cutting up cards, friction for spending.
• [08:43]–[09:20] — The live challenge to cut up cards—the climax action moment.

Summary

In this short but impactful episode, Jade bravely unpacks her spending addiction and the trauma fueling it. Ramsey and Cruze respond with a blend of compassion and tough love, walking her (and listeners) through the necessity of accountability, tangible tools, and a shift in mindset. Listeners gain insight into how deeply emotional health intersects with financial habits and leave with actionable strategies for breaking the cycle of compulsive spending.

Key Takeaway:
Accountability, therapy, and practical financial safeguards can together help combat compulsive spending tied to emotional trauma. Starting with even one action step today—such as cutting up a card or automating bills—can be a powerful catalyst for change.