I Owe More On My Car Than I Make In A Year

Summary

The Ramsey Show Highlights – Episode Summary

Episode Title: I Owe More On My Car Than I Make In A Year
Podcast: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Date: March 8, 2026
Hosts: Dave Ramsey, Ken Coleman
Guest: Skyler (Caller)

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Ramsey and Ken Coleman field a call from Skyler, a 27-year-old delivery driver from Arkansas who finds himself deeply underwater on car and ATV payments that together exceed his annual income. The show revolves around practical steps to resolve Skyler’s debt woes, a candid discussion of lifestyle and work habits, and motivational guidance to inspire financial stability and purposeful living.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Skyler’s Debt Predicament

• Financial Snapshot
  • Annual income: $31,700
  • Current car: Owes $28,000, payment $529/month (00:06)
  • ATV: Owes $10,000, payment $252/month (00:29)
  • Both loans dwarf Skyler’s income and leave him financially “on the edge.”
• Skyler’s realization: He is in over his head – “I'm just gonna have to get rid of this car.” (00:47)

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2. The Path Forward: Selling Assets

• Car:

  • Skyler’s negative equity: Owes $10,000 more than car is worth (01:23)
  • Dave & Ken advise selling the car for $18,000, covering the $10,000 gap with a small loan or credit union assistance (01:34, 01:47)
  • Positive note: Skyler has a backup 2009 Honda Civic, almost ready to drive (00:53–01:13)

• ATV:

  • Ken suggests selling the ATV; it may be worth around $7,000. Skyler needs to bridge an estimated $3,000 deficit (02:08)
  • Emphasis on hustling to save up the difference and escape more debt (02:14–02:21)

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3. Work, Side Hustles, and Vulnerability

• Job details:

  • Main gig: Delivery driver for “Indie X Screens,” delivers dentures – “teeth delivery” (02:52–02:57)
  • Part-time “Spark” job: grocery delivery for Walmart (03:44–03:52)

• Income breakdown:

  • Teeth delivery: $15–$20/hour (04:06)
  • Spark gig: About $800/month extra if hustling (04:14)
  • Skyler works just three days a week at his main job, prefers free time (04:43)

• Financial vulnerability:

  • Dave emphasizes how Skyler is “very, very economically vulnerable” and “can't afford a flat tire” (04:26, 04:34)
  • Tires recently charged to credit card—evidence of lack of cushion (04:39–04:44)

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4. Motivation for Change: Work Ethic & Vision

• Challenge to increase work hours:
  • Ken and Dave urge Skyler to work more than three days a week—“You have to get in the game of life.” (05:22)
  • Emphasis on “sacrificing now to achieve what you want to achieve” (05:03, 05:10)
  • “Meaningful work does bring happiness.” – Dave Ramsey (05:30)
• Creating a vision:
  • Dave instructs Skyler to write a letter to his 37-year-old self about the life he wants to create by making better choices today (06:22–06:37)

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5. Tools, Resources, and Encouragement

• Budgeting:
  • Skyler uses the EveryDollar app but struggles to budget due to overwhelming debt (05:53)
• Ken Coleman's Book:
  • Dave offers to send Skyler a copy of Ken’s “Find the Work You’re Wired to Do” and suggests doing the included career assessment that evening (06:13, 06:15)
• Anecdotes:
  • Skyler discovered the show through a friend from Heber and relates strongly to Ramsey listeners’ situations (07:12)
  • Skyler’s vibrant personality shines: “I deliver teeth... This is becoming my favorite call of all time.” – Dave Ramsey (02:57)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Holy smokes.” – Dave Ramsey, reacting to Skyler’s car payment vs. income (00:27)
• “You can't afford a flat tire.” – Dave Ramsey on Skyler’s tight finances (04:34)
• “Meaningful work does bring happiness.” – Dave Ramsey (05:30)
• “I'm going to send you Ken Coleman’s book. Find the work you’re wired to do. And it has a career assessment in there.” – Dave Ramsey (06:12)
• “I want you to write a letter to 37-year-old you...about the life he’s going to have because you chose to get off your butt and stop coasting.” – Dave Ramsey (06:22)
• Funny moment:
  • “I deliver teeth. Amazing. To north Arkansas. Amazing. Amazing.” – Dave Ramsey (02:57)
  • Spark gig confusion: “You spark all the time? Is that like a weed reference?” – Dave Ramsey (03:49)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:06 – Skyler introduces his income and car/ATV loan situation
• 00:53 – Backup car (Honda Civic) discussion
• 01:23–02:14 – Negative equity, sale options, and ATV value estimates
• 02:52 – Skyler’s unique job: delivering dentures (“teeth delivery”)
• 03:44 – Side hustle clarification: Walmart Spark groceries
• 04:26–04:44 – Economic vulnerability and debt trap
• 05:03–05:10 – Discussion of work hours and sacrifice
• 05:30 – Importance of meaningful work
• 06:12–06:37 – Letter to future self and personal responsibility challenge
• 07:12 – Skyler’s discovery of the show and connection to the Ramsey community

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Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is friendly, direct, and sometimes playful—balancing tough love and encouragement:

• Dave and Ken commend Skyler for seeking solutions but firmly push him beyond comfort zones.
• The playful banter (especially regarding “teeth delivery” and side-hustle lingo) lightens otherwise sobering life advice.
• The hosts focus on empowerment—emphasizing actionable steps, vision, and the dignity of meaningful work.

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Conclusion

This episode offers a vivid case study in how lifestyle choices and vehicle debt can pin someone financially, but also how simple, tough steps and building a work ethic can turn things around. Skyler’s story is both a cautionary tale and an example of hope—with practical, boots-on-the-ground steps, and plenty of good-natured encouragement from the Ramsey team.

Transcript

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[Skyler (Caller)]

I make annual income of 31,700 a year, and I'm kind of in the bind with a car payment and ATV payment situation, too. The car is worth, like, 28. It's $28,000 when I got done financing it. And the payments, like 529amonth.

[Dave Ramsey]

Holy smokes.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

And then you went and bought an ATV.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah, for $10,000, and that's 252amonth.

[Dave Ramsey]

So I don't want to kick you while you're down, but that's a very Arkansas thing to do, right? Yeah, yeah, It's a Texas thing to do, too. So there we go.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

So pot talking to the kettle here. Wow.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah, it's terrible. So I'm thinking I'm just gonna have to get rid of this car.

[Dave Ramsey]

Correct.

[Ken Coleman]

And, yes.

[Skyler (Caller)]

I got a cash car sent over. It's a Honda Civic 2009. So I'm fixing it. I'm fixing it up, so.

[Ken Coleman]

Good for you. How much money will we have to put into that?

[Skyler (Caller)]

Not very much. I got a new water pump installed, and all it needs now is a oil well.

[Ken Coleman]

That's great.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Oil gasket and be good to go.

[Dave Ramsey]

So why are you calling us? You already know what to do.

[Ken Coleman]

Well, so you got 28, 000. Is that what you owe on the car? How much could you sell it for? Oh, no, Say it again. Say it again.

[Skyler (Caller)]

The negative equity is $10,000. So I'd be negative 10,000 upside on the car.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay, so you can sell it for 18, is what you're saying.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay. So you just have to take a small loan out, if you can, for ten grand. And. How about the only way.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Is there any way I can go through fair winds, or is any possible way I could do it that way?

[Dave Ramsey]

You'll have to call them and. Yeah, they'll sit down and check out your. Your history.

[Ken Coleman]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, a credit union or a local credit union would be a great option. They're usually more willing to work with people and looking at their specific situation. How about the atv? What could you sell it for?

[Skyler (Caller)]

Oh, I'm not really sure. I haven't looked in the value on the ATV yet.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay.

[Skyler (Caller)]

It might be. Maybe the value is like 7,000, possibly. It's new.

[Ken Coleman]

Yep. Well, I would encourage you on that one to probably just try to save up the three grand, if you can, for the difference.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah.

[Ken Coleman]

And. And be done with it. And thank God you have this other Car. I mean, honestly, that's a. That's a lifesaver in this situation.

[Skyler (Caller)]

I used to be debt free. Yeah, I used to be debt free a long time ago. Y' all was managing money really good, and I just had a. I messed up.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, we've all been there, dude.

[Ken Coleman]

It happens. How old are you, skyler?

[Skyler (Caller)]

I am 27.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay, good for you. What do you do for a living?

[Skyler (Caller)]

I work at Indie X Screens. I'm a delivery driver working three days a week. I deliver teeth.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay.

[Skyler (Caller)]

The Norfolk, Arkansas region.

[Ken Coleman]

What do you deliver?

[Dave Ramsey]

Teeth.

[Skyler (Caller)]

I deliver dentures. I'm a delivery driver for green.

[Dave Ramsey]

This is becoming my favorite call of all time. Ever. I deliver teeth. Amazing. To north Arkansas. Amazing. Amazing.

[Ken Coleman]

What are you doing the other two days a week?

[Dave Ramsey]

The other. The other four days a week?

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[Ken Coleman]

What are you doing the other two days a week?

[Dave Ramsey]

The other four days a week?

[Skyler (Caller)]

Well, I spark all the time and I just work.

[Dave Ramsey]

You spark all the time? Is that like a weed reference?

[Skyler (Caller)]

No, it is a. It's a grocery delivery platform through Walmart, you know.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay, gotcha, gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay, okay. Okay.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Ken Coleman]

How much is your. How much is your teeth delivery job? How much does that pay?

[Skyler (Caller)]

15, 20 an hour.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay. Do you get more doing that or the spark? Grocery delivery.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Grocery delivery I could pick up like, maybe on like four weeks, like 800. So that's a little extra money in my pocket. It's just if I can get these car payments situated, I'll be so much better off.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, but you're still very, very economically vulnerable, brother.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ken Coleman]

Because I want to get you up to my job. 50 or something.

[Dave Ramsey]

Well, right.

[Ken Coleman]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

You can't. You can't afford. You can't afford a flat tire.

[Skyler (Caller)]

No. Okay, so I barely afford tires on this car. And I had to put it on a credit card, which.

[Dave Ramsey]

No, you didn't. You chose to. But here's the deal. Here's the deal. Why don't you pursue more stable work?

[Skyler (Caller)]

Well, I could possibly find a different position. It's just.

[Dave Ramsey]

You could 1000 million, billion percent. Find a different position.

[Skyler (Caller)]

It's just. I love three days a week though. But sometimes we have to sacrifice order to achieve what we want to achieve.

[Ken Coleman]

I think we do, Skyler. I think we do. I think 40 hours a week working,

[Dave Ramsey]

dude.

[Ken Coleman]

Yeah, we gotta, we gotta, we gotta, we gotta up the, we gotta up the ante.

[Dave Ramsey]

You have to get in the game of life.

[Ken Coleman]

Because Skyler, not that money brings happiness. We're not saying that. But there is something about having stability.

[Dave Ramsey]

Meaningful work does bring happiness.

[Ken Coleman]

Okay, Fair. Thank you. Ken Coleman. Yes, thank you.

[Dave Ramsey]

It does. If you ever call me Ken again.

[Skyler (Caller)]

More stable. If I could be more stable and have no payments. I mean, that's just the way to go.

[Dave Ramsey]

Well, exactly. But I want, I'm going to send

[Ken Coleman]

you and an emergency fund and a retirement account. Like there's some. Yeah, there's.

[Dave Ramsey]

Are you dating?

[Skyler (Caller)]

I do have the Every Dollar app. Huh.

[Dave Ramsey]

Oh, good. Yeah. But you don't have any money to, to, to budget with.

[Ken Coleman]

Yes, he does. He's got like three grand a month.

[Dave Ramsey]

And, and, and 80% of it goes to car payments, which is what we're getting rid of. Right. He's got three budget categories. Food, not dying, atv. Okay. AK Brother, I'm gonna send you Ken Coleman's book. Find the work you're wired to do. And it has a career assessment in there.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

I want you to get serious. I want you to do this exercise tonight. I'm being totally serious and I appreciate you having fun with us on this call. Listen.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yes, sir.

[Dave Ramsey]

I want you to write a letter to 37 year old you tonight.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

And I want you to write him a letter about the life he's going to have because you chose to get off your butt and stop coasting literally through life.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

And the work you put in today and you're entering into your late 20s and into your early 30s will be the platform from. From strength, from integrity, from work ethic, from skills and, and contribution to the world. Purpose. People that you meet and shake hands with and they learn to trust you. Those things will be the anchor points of your life at 37. And so I want you to write yourself a letter and say, here's who I chose that we were going to become. You're welcome.

[Skyler (Caller)]

And how I discovered the Ramsey show is I know this guy that lives in Heber. He told me about the Ramsey show and I got involved and I started listening to the podcast. I was like, wow, this is the same situation I'm in.

[Dave Ramsey]

Well, game on then.

[Ken Coleman]

A mirrored, Mirrored Situation.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yes.

[Skyler (Caller)]

I listen to the AUS podcast every day, going down the road, delivering dentures and working.

[Dave Ramsey]

Not every day, only three days a week.

[Skyler (Caller)]

Yeah, three days. Well, if I can find old ones, I'll review the old ones.

[Ken Coleman]

Oh, Skylar, you know what? You're great. I. I would. I'm with. I'm with John.

[Dave Ramsey]

You're awesome.

[Ken Coleman]

Yeah. Finding some purpose, you know what I mean? Like finding.

[Dave Ramsey]

By the way, delivery dentures is such a great gift.

[Ken Coleman]

Yeah, yeah. I'm not saying that, but it's the. It's the coasting, sleepwalking vibe that we're getting that it's like, hey, just let's add a little bit more.

[Dave Ramsey]

A whole bunch more. A whole bunch more of excitement and spark. Ask yourself that scary, terrifying question. You only get one. One. Roll the dice. In this life, one life. Are you going to. Are you just going to cash it out, barely getting by driving three days a week? Or are you going to say, hey, I was put on this planet to contribute, and here's what that's going to look like in part of contribution means I'm going to have peace. I'm going to be anchored. I'm going to have some security so that I can offer that for other people. And, man, that means not working, just kind of coasting three days a week. That means getting after it.

[Ken Coleman]

Yeah, hold on the line. Scholar Christian will pick up. We'll get you Ken's book. But you have some great foundational things that you're doing already. You know, with habits, with money. We're going to have to make just some big changes to really leapfrog and jump forward in some progress, which I believe you could do.

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