The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode: I'm 61 With No Retirement
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Dave Ramsey (Speaker B)
Caller: Jenny (Speaker A)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Ramsey takes a call from Jenny, a 61-year-old newly single woman with no retirement savings. Jenny has $22,000 from the sale of her house, works part-time as a cashier, and is feeling overwhelmed, scared, and stressed about her financial future. The conversation focuses on practical steps Jenny can take to increase her income, given her physical limitations, and regain hope for her retirement years.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jenny’s Current Situation

• Newly single and recently divorced (00:33–00:41)
• Living in rental housing after selling her house in Oregon; has $22,000 leftover (00:13–00:42)
• Works part-time (25 hours/week) as a cashier, but struggles physically due to bad knees (00:46–01:04)
• No retirement savings whatsoever (01:53–01:56)
• Feels scared and stressed about her finances and future (02:09–02:11)

Identifying the Core Issue: Income, Not Assets

• Dave emphasizes that Jenny’s main problem is not lack of retirement savings, but low and unstable income:
  • “Your problem is an income problem.” — Dave (02:38)
  • If Jenny could make even $50,000 a year, “all the stress and the fear starts to go away, because it all really revolves and goes back to that one thing.” — Dave (02:54)
• Past employment: Jenny maxed out at $36,000/year as a municipal airport custodian (03:22), but can no longer do that work physically (03:43)

Exploring Viable Job Options

• Traditional jobs are challenging due to age and health limitations (04:16–04:19)

• Dave asks about other experience:

  • Jenny has been a caregiver and a cook (04:32–04:35)
  • Caregiving is no longer possible due to her knees and back (04:38–04:45)
  • Cooking is still an option (04:47–04:48)

• Dave encourages Jenny to dream about self-employed or flexible work options that fit her physical needs:

  • “A 61-year-old with bad knees looking for a job is tough… If we dream up something you could physically do, that’d be pretty cool.” — Dave (03:59–04:18)
  • Examples include making $25–$50/hr cleaning houses, but acknowledges this probably won’t work for Jenny’s knees (03:45–03:59)
  • Suggests utilizing skills and interests, like cooking or crafts

Leveraging the “Stuff” She Owns: Online Reselling

• Jenny mentions she enjoys upcycling and has a storage unit full of items that could be sold (05:42)
• Dave proposes selling items on eBay and Facebook Marketplace, with technical help from family or friends:
  • “Let’s get a Facebook Marketplace up and use that to sell the crap off…you can make a hundred thousand dollars a year screwing around with that.” — Dave (06:17–06:34)
• Encourages learning new technical skills, noting that age isn’t a barrier:
  • “I’m 65 and I’ve learned enough of it to get through it…you can learn how to do it.” — Dave (06:34–06:53)
• Inspirational example: A man who resold golf clubs made $800,000/year on eBay (07:14–07:22)

Emotional Support & Encouragement

• Dave empathetically acknowledges Jenny’s fear and stress, and shifts the conversation to a place of hope:
  • “I want to stick my head up through the fog of the fear and start looking for the sunshine again and start aiming at something.” — Dave (05:04–05:19)
• He labels transitional periods normal and assures Jenny she still “got stuff you can do” (05:21)
• Encourages small but practical first steps and positive mindset change

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You’re a cashier, and you can't stand, and you got 25 hours a week. So we need a new job.” — Dave (01:24)
• “Mathematically, you don’t have any money, is my point.” — Dave (01:40)
• “Your problem is an income problem.” — Dave (02:38)
• “I want to stick my head up through the fog of the fear and start looking for the sunshine again.” — Dave (05:04)
• “You can make a hundred thousand dollars a year screwing around with that.” — Dave (06:34)
• “I’m 65 and I’ve learned enough of it to get through it…” — Dave (06:34)

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Summary | |-----------|----------------| | 00:13–00:41 | Jenny describes her situation: newly single, low funds, no retirement | | 00:42–02:09 | Dave probes into Jenny's work and income struggle; identifies income as key issue | | 02:09–03:45 | Discussion of stress, past jobs, and physical limitations | | 03:59–05:04 | Brainstorming potential career paths; self-employment possibilities | | 05:42–06:34 | Discussion on selling/upcycling on online marketplaces | | 06:34–07:22 | Tech learning encouragement; inspirational example of online reselling success |

Action Steps & Closing Advice

• Immediate steps for Jenny:

  • Get help to list and sell items online (eBay, Facebook Marketplace)
  • Explore side-income possibilities that don't strain her physically
  • Consider reading The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman for more career ideas

• General advice:
  “Start with what you have, take small steps out of the fog, and know it’s never too late to turn things around.”

This episode is a compassionate, practical guide for anyone facing financial uncertainty later in life—reminding listeners that while the past may not have set you up, your next steps can reshape your future.