I'm A Single Mom With A Part-Time Job, How Do I Get Out Of Debt?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode: I'm A Single Mom With A Part-Time Job, How Do I Get Out Of Debt?
Release Date: July 12, 2025
Host: Ramsey Network
Duration: Under 10 minutes

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Introduction

In this poignant episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights, a distressed single mother reaches out for financial guidance while navigating the complexities of debt, single parenthood, and medical challenges. Hosted by experts from the Ramsey Network, including Dave Ramsey and co-hosts, the discussion offers both practical financial strategies and emotional support tailored to her unique circumstances.

Caller’s Situation

At 00:10, the caller introduces herself as a 24-year-old single mother living in a domestic violence (DV) shelter. She juggles a part-time job with DoorDash while caring for her one-year-old son, who has significant medical needs. Her financial burdens include:

• Debt: Approximately $18,000, including medical debts.
• Employment History: Former patient advocacy role terminated due to frequent hospital visits for her son.
• Housing: Currently residing in a DV shelter, seeking stable housing.
• Child’s Health: Her son was born with left heart syndrome, requiring multiple surgeries. Now, at one year old, he's beginning speech therapy and may be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, necessitating additional medical support.

Expert Advice and Guidance

Prioritizing Stability Over Debt

Dave Ramsey emphasizes the importance of first establishing a stable living situation before tackling debt. At 02:51, he advises:

“If I'm in your shoes, my first job is to create a stable home situation, not get out of debt.”

He underscores that securing stable housing and a reliable income stream are foundational steps that will, in turn, create a conducive environment for addressing debt.

Addressing Immediate Financial Obligations

Highlighting the urgency of certain debts, Ramsey focuses on the caller's $1,000 overdue car payment at 03:49:

“They will do that. You’ve got to get that current. We got to get the car current and get it paid off and get you in an apartment.”

He reassures her that while the larger debt may not be immediately actionable, the car payment requires prompt attention to prevent repossession.

Employment and Income Stability

Acknowledging the limitations of part-time work, Ramsey advises transitioning to full-time employment to increase income and facilitate debt repayment. He states at 05:31:

“You've got to have a full time gig going for your long term future. I know it's hard to see that right now, but you've got to have some money and DoorDash doesn't cut it.”

Community and Emotional Support

Recognizing the importance of emotional and community support, Ramsey offers to connect her with local churches and pastors who can provide additional assistance:

“We're going to hook you up with some pastors and some church congregations in the area... to have some support right now.”

This support network is crucial for navigating the challenges of single parenthood and overcoming financial hurdles.

Financial Coaching and Debt Management

Ramsey commits to providing a financial coach to help her manage her debts, particularly focusing on the immediate car payment, while setting aside concerns about the larger $18,000 debt for the time being.

“We're going to put a coach in your corner. We're going to pay for all of it and cost you a thing.”

Emotional Support and Encouragement

Throughout the conversation, Ramsey and the co-host offer heartfelt encouragement, recognizing the caller's resilience and strength. At 05:31, Ramsey refers to her as a "warrior princess," highlighting her courage in facing adversity.

A listener adds further support at 07:13:

“You said she was a warrior princess and I just, I feel the same way. I feel like kudos to you for doing everything you can to take care of yourself and take care of your boy.”

Ramsey envisions a brighter future for her and her son, urging her to stay focused on her long-term goals:

“You're gonna be standing there when he walks down, gets his high school diploma and is getting ready to head off to college and you're paying for it and you're going to be smiling.” (07:30)

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of support, as Ramsey vows to provide the necessary resources and community connections to help the caller achieve stability and eventual debt freedom. The host reinforces the message that this challenging period is temporary and that with the right support and strategies, financial independence is attainable.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Caller Introduction:

  “I'm DoorDashing currently and I have a little one-year-old boy who has come with a lot of medical debt...” [00:10]

• Prioritizing Stability:

  “If I'm in your shoes, my first job is to create a stable home situation, not get out of debt.” [02:51]

• Addressing Car Payment:

  “We got to get the car current and get it paid off and get you in an apartment.” [03:49]

• Employment Advice:

  “You've got to have a full time gig going for your long term future. I know it's hard to see that right now, but you've got to have some money and DoorDash doesn't cut it.” [05:31]

• Emotional Encouragement:

  “You're a warrior and you've lost a few battles and you're going to keep fighting princess.” [05:31]

• Future Vision:

  “You're gonna be standing there when he walks down, gets his high school diploma and is getting ready to head off to college and you're paying for it and you're going to be smiling.” [07:30]

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Key Takeaways

• Stability First: Prioritize securing stable housing and full-time employment before aggressively tackling debt.
• Immediate Debt Management: Focus on resolving immediate financial obligations, such as car payments, to prevent further complications.
• Community Support: Leverage community resources, including churches and financial coaches, to build a support network.
• Long-Term Planning: Maintain a vision for the future to stay motivated through challenging times.
• Emotional Resilience: Acknowledge and validate the emotional struggles while providing encouragement and affirming strength.

This episode serves as a compassionate and practical guide for single parents facing financial hardship, emphasizing the importance of stability, support, and strategic planning in overcoming debt.

Transcript

[Host]

Brought to you by chm, a biblically based alternative to health insurance. Learn [e-mail] budget my question is trying.

[Caller]

To navigate debt as a single mom on a part time job. Part time job. I'm door dashing currently and I have a little one year old boy who has come with a lot of medical debt as well as medical, trying to consolidate my own debt. And I'm currently living in a DV shelter trying to navigate our way out.

[Dave Ramsey]

You're living in a what shelter?

[Caller]

A domestic violence shelter. Okay.

[Co-host]

Wow.

[Dave Ramsey]

How old are you, hon?

[Caller]

I'm 24.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

And how much debt do you have personally?

[Caller]

Collectively, about 18,000.

[Dave Ramsey]

That includes his medical debt?

[Caller]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

And what was this precious boy born with? What's he struggling with?

[Caller]

A number of things. So he was born with left heart syndrome. That means part of his heart was not developed correctly. He had several surgeries to take care of it. Meanwhile, now that he's on the up curve and he's seeing a lot of his milestones being hit, we're trying to get him into speech. He's one, he's turning two in September here and we're getting into speech and they possibly think he may have autism spectrum disorder. So I have a lot of extra doctors I need to bring him to, like the speech therapist and the behavioral therapist. On top of being a single mom and trying to navigate his schedule as long as keeping a job, I did get. I had a way better job before. I'm doordashing now. But back in January, I was released from my other job, a patient advocacy job for people who have cancer to help them get their medication cheaper. But the job was terminated because I had a lot of hospital stays with my son and.

[Dave Ramsey]

But his hospital stays, thank goodness. It sounds like you said he's curving up and hitting his milestones. So a lot of those issues are now behind you. You've just got to face the speech and a possible, not necessarily probable autism thing that's in the offing here. We don't know for sure. Be careful getting sucked into that world first. Take care of what's right in front of us. And that's taking care of him and his speech. And he's one years old.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

So if I'm in your shoes, my first job is to create a stable home situation, not get out of debt.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

My first job is to get an apartment and get a full time job and create a manageable situation with him and your schedule. And that's a challenge. Those two things right there, that's a big ask. A full career and an apartment. You've obviously got a car. Okay. I don't care about the $18,000. They can't get anything from you, darling. You don't have anything.

[Caller]

Exactly.

[Dave Ramsey]

You're. You're safe, right? No, they're not going to get your car. Your car. Did you say repo your car?

[Caller]

Yeah, I'm about $1,000 behind.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. They will do that.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

We've got to get that current. We got to get the car current and get it paid off and get you in an apartment. And that's going to require more income and a stable thing. Do you have family in the area that's trustworthy?

[Caller]

Not trustworthy. They're helping me. My mom is helping me a bit, but it's more of a catch 22 situation. She's having him while I doordash through the day, but she also, at the same point, is starting him in daycare. That is quite. It's an expensive area, so it's hard for me to manage because she's also working, so she takes overnight while I'm door dashing. And I'm putting him through daycare during the day. And it's about $175 a week on top of a $264 car payment that.

[Dave Ramsey]

I pay every week. Yeah, that's not helpful. And so we haven't got any help. We haven't got any help yet. I'm still trying to get you some help. Okay. Are you plugged into a good church there?

[Caller]

No.

[Co-host]

Okay. All right.

[Dave Ramsey]

We're going to hook you up with some pastors and some church congregations in the area that we know and see if we can get some folks to come around you and walk with you while you're doing this, because you've got to have some support right now. And. And your. Your support because you obviously don't need to return to the situation you've escaped from. That's completely in the rear view mirror. Say I promise.

[Caller]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

The situation is in your rear view mirror. You're never going back. Say, I promise, Dave.

[Caller]

I promise, Dave. Trust me, that boy does not receive to see that.

[Dave Ramsey]

That boy. And you do not deserve that. That's why you're in this shelter.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

And so you are a warrior and you've lost a few battles and you're going to keep fighting princess. You're a warrior princess. You're going to do this. I got faith in you. And we're going to put some people around you to help you. I'M also going to get one of our Ramsey coaches that are financial coaches to help you as well. But your deal is don't worry about the debt. We do need to worry about the thousand dollars on the car. We got to get that straightened out and I'm going to help you with that.

[Co-host]

Okay?

[Dave Ramsey]

We're going to get the coaches to help you work that out and we're going to get you with a church and see if maybe they'll catch your car up.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

And help you get into an apartment and bring some people around you to love you well. And so we're going to put some community around you and we're going to put a coach in your corner. We're going to pay for all of it and cost you a thing.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dave Ramsey]

And then because that you've got to get a full time gig going for your long term future. I know it's hard to see that right now, but you've got to have some money and doordash doesn't cut it and you got to get it and that'll get you out of the shelter and get you into an apartment. Get the car caught up. See if you were in an apartment with food on the table and the lights and the water were paid and the car was current and you had a schedule set up for your son, you would have a real life. Agreed?

[Caller]

Agreed.

[Dave Ramsey]

Only then do we worry about the stat. First we take care of you and the boy.

[Caller]

Yeah, it's. It's like I said, it's been a catch 22 for quite a bit.

[Dave Ramsey]

Oh yeah. You're stuck. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place. That's where you are. So you got to have some help to get unstuck and we're going to help you.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Caller]

Thank you so much.

[Dave Ramsey]

Anything you want to add? Yeah.

[Listener]

You said she was a warrior princess and I just, I feel the same way. I feel like kudos to you for doing everything you can to take care of yourself and take care of your boy. And this is a really hard season, but it's not forever. It's just a season.

[Dave Ramsey]

How old are you?

[Caller]

I'm 24.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah. 18 years from now. And it's May. You're going to walk him. You're going to be standing there when he walks down, gets his high school diploma and is getting ready to head off to college and you're paying for it and you're going to be smiling. That's the picture you're working towards.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Caller]

Hopefully.

[Dave Ramsey]

No, it's not hopefully. You're gonna do it.

[Listener]

You'll do it.

[Dave Ramsey]

We're gonna show you how. Hold on, guys. Set her up with a good church. Get a couple of guys, church department to hold her hand and hook her up with one of our coaches down there. They can help with that as well.

[Host]

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