The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode Title: I Was Evicted And Now Owe My Apartment $12,000
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Dave Ramsey (with Financial Coach)
Caller: Anonymous (Dog Groomer, single mom)
Duration: ~7 minutes (excluding ads and promos)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Ramsey and a Ramsey Network Financial Coach advise a caller overwhelmed by debt, including $12,000 owed to an apartment after eviction, a total debt load over $53,000, and recent life crises. The hosts offer tough love and practical steps, focusing on the debt snowball method, accountability, and increasing work hustle.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caller’s Situation:

• The caller was recently evicted and now owes $14,000 to her former apartment (later clarified as ~$12,000).

• Total debt is about $53,000, including:

  • Credit card debt ($16,000)
  • Car loan on a wrecked, uninsured vehicle ($14,000)
  • Apartment balance ($12,000)
  • Other small debts

• Reason for debt accumulation: Lost job due to a medical complication, which triggered a downward financial spiral.

• The ex-boyfriend, a co-signer on the apartment, may be affected by the apartment debt’s credit impact.

2. Debt Repayment Strategy

• Should she prioritize the apartment debt because of the co-signer?

  • Dave Ramsey ([01:10]): "He's already screwed because he's got a judgment against him."
    • The impact to the co-signer's credit is done; repayment won't erase the judgment but will show eventual payoff.
    • Recommendation: Stick to the debt snowball—attack smallest debts first, regardless of the apartment's impact on the co-signer.

• Debt breakdown confirmation:

  • Credit cards ($16,000)
  • Car loan ($14,000)
  • Apartment debt ($12,000)
  • Other miscellaneous past due bills

3. Causation and Accountability

• Poor decisions pointed out:

  • Lack of car insurance led to outstanding car loan on a now-wrecked vehicle.
  • Other debts arose from "not taking care of business."
  • Some debts labeled as pure irresponsibility by the caller herself.

• Dave Ramsey ([03:06]):
  “You are paying double and triple for a lot of things because you’re paying it poorly. There's a lot of things on this list...out of control things.”

4. Current Income & Work Situation

• She now makes roughly $800 a week as a mobile dog groomer (about $42,000/year, depending on tips).

• Only works three days a week; picked up a third day at a new branch.

• Side hustles with Doordash, and cares for her 3-year-old at home.

• Dave’s tough love on work ethic:
  Dave Ramsey ([05:28]): "Didn't sound like it to me. It sound like you're doing nothing?"
  Caller: "Pretty much, yeah."
  Dave Ramsey ([05:35]): "Listen, you're broke. You gotta be working, girl. All the time."

5. Family & Support System

• Fiancé takes care of the child but is currently not working due to a motorcycle accident.

• No current marriage date set; finances cited as the reason.

• Dave Ramsey’s advice on marriage:
  Dave Ramsey ([06:01]): “That’s how fiancé works. We have a date. Otherwise, we...have a promise that has not got a date.”

• Financial Coach ([06:44]): Jokingly points out, “He can walk, I think he can work. I think you both need to work more.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the co-signer situation:
  Dave Ramsey ([01:10]): “He’s already screwed because he’s got a judgment against him...most of the damage has already been done is my point.”

• On personal responsibility:
  Dave Ramsey ([03:06]): “There’s a lot of different crisises represented in those things that you created by not taking care of business.”

• On work ethic:
  Dave Ramsey ([05:35]): “Listen, you’re broke. You gotta be working, girl. All the time.”

• On waiting to get married until debt-free:
  Dave Ramsey ([06:18]): “Being debt free is not required to get married in the state of Colorado.”

• On the need for hustle:
  Dave Ramsey ([06:55]): “Less partying, more working. Lots more working. Money comes from work. You need money.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:20: Caller describes eviction and job loss due to medical issue.
• 01:10: Dave explains why the co-signer’s credit is already damaged.
• 03:06: Dave’s critique on life choices, personal responsibility for debt.
• 05:00: Reveals she only works three days a week; Dave presses her to work more.
• 05:35: Dave’s direct call for working harder (“You gotta be working, girl. All the time.”)
• 06:18: Discussion about fiancé, marriage timing, and employment status.

Tone & Style

The episode is characterized by blunt honesty, practical financial advice, and a touch of tough love—typical of Dave Ramsey’s direct style. There is a mix of empathy for the medical crisis and frustration with repeated financial missteps. The conversation is energizing and motivational, underlining personal accountability and the need for relentless work to overcome debt.

Summary Takeaway:
Stick to the basics: follow the debt snowball, don’t try to protect co-signers after the fact, take responsibility for past mistakes, maximize income opportunities, and don’t delay major life decisions unnecessarily due to debt. “Less partying, more working.”