The Ramsey Show Highlights: “Pay For My Wife to Get Plastic Surgery?”

Release Date: April 12, 2025 | Host: Ramsey Network

In the April 12, 2025 episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights, hosted by the Ramsey Network, a dedicated couple seeks financial guidance on a heartfelt personal decision. The episode delves into balancing financial responsibility with personal desires, showcasing the Ramsey Network's expertise in navigating complex financial scenarios.

Caller’s Financial Profile and Situation

The caller begins by outlining an impressive financial background, setting the stage for the discussion:

Caller [00:06]: “We collectively make about $180,000 a year. We have two businesses that we own and operate. And last year we jumped on the… We completed Financial Peace University and we paid off $25,000 worth of debt that we had.”

Their disciplined approach is further highlighted as they mention:

• Debt Elimination: Successfully paid off $25,000 in debt.
• Credit Management: Cut up all credit cards.
• Net Worth: Achieved a net worth of approximately $950,000.

Rachel Cruze and Chris Hogan respond positively, acknowledging the couple's financial achievements:

Rachel Cruze [00:49]: "Wow."

Chris Hogan [00:50]: "Awesome."

The caller continues to detail their financial growth:

Caller [00:51]: “So it's been a hard road, but last year I decided to spend some of my free time working and opened up a handyman business. And I added about 75k on top of our regular income last year.”

This entrepreneurial spirit elevated their annual income from $180,000 to $250,000:

Rachel Cruze [01:09]: "So is that on top of the 180 or that's what you're at now?"

Caller [01:13]: "That's on top of the 180k."

Rachel Cruze [01:17]: "Good job."

Future Financial Goals and Stability

At 42, the caller expresses a focused ambition to maximize their working years:

Caller [01:22]: “You know, I turned 42 in March and I want to kind of work hard in my 40s, so hopefully it pays off and we can retire when we want to sell the businesses in our home and get out of Washington.”

Chris Hogan acknowledges their forward-thinking approach:

Chris Hogan [01:37]: "So what's your question today?"

The Decision to Fund a Mommy Makeover

The central question revolves around financing the wife’s desired plastic surgery:

Rachel Cruze [01:39]: "How much is the mommy makeover?"

Caller [01:41]: “It's somewhere between 28 and 35,000. And I, I have about 50k set aside on top of our…”

The caller clarifies the allocation of the $50,000:

Caller [01:54]: “…emergency fund.”

Rachel Cruze probes further to understand the purpose of the savings:

Rachel Cruze [01:55]: "Is that what you earmarked it for, the 50,000? Is that what you guys said this money is for or was it originally for something else?"

The caller reveals a comprehensive savings strategy, addressing various financial responsibilities:

Caller [02:03]: “No, we've been putting it away for this as well as I have a daughter in college and our responsibility for her is about 14,000 per year. And we've been paying that in full in cash when it comes about. And my son just got braces and paid that in cash.”

This demonstrates their commitment to managing educational expenses and healthcare costs without incurring additional debt.

Assessment of Financial Readiness

The hosts analyze the caller’s financial status, commending their debt-free lifestyle and cash flow management:

Chris Hogan [02:23]: "So you're cash flowing, everything. There's no worry about the future and retirement and kids college and you've got some extra money and you want to do the selective surgery for him."

Rachel Cruze adds emotional support, recognizing the wife's efforts and the caller's generous intent:

Rachel Cruze [02:31]: "Listen, mom is getting a new lease on life. Yeah. Was getting an upgrade."

The caller emphasizes the wife's dedication to personal health and self-improvement:

Caller [02:55]: “She has been going through a, you know, a health thing and getting herself in shape and changing her diet and all this stuff. So this is kind of the icing on the cake for her.”

Detailed Breakdown of the Mommy Makeover

To provide transparency, the caller details what the mommy makeover entails:

Caller [03:09]: “It would be a tummy tuck.”

Caller [03:22]: "And a lift."

Chris Hogan requests further clarification to ensure understanding:

Chris Hogan [03:09]: "Can you entail what this 35,000 includes?"

Rachel Cruze validates the planned expenses and the couple’s readiness:

Rachel Cruze [03:48]: "Yeah, I think you can afford it. You guys have been really smart with your money. Congratulations. You guys are young and you've done a lot and…"

Final Assessment and Encouragement

The hosts collectively commend the couple’s financial prudence and well-laid plans:

Chris Hogan [04:12]: “Well, you guys have done really well. You're doing it by the book. You guys are debt free with the emergency fund. You're cash flowing everything in your life. You're on the verge of being a baby steps millionaire. And so this might be a shock to a lot of people listening. I can't believe they said they listen. We never said don't spend money. You know, I'm a frugal guy, but once you've hit that different place financially, they make a great income. It's a small part of their world. And they're super young.”

Rachel Cruze echoes this sentiment, highlighting the joy the couple can now afford:

Rachel Cruze [04:36]: "Yeah, I love it for them. That's a really, really good treat that they get to enjoy because they've done everything right."

Dave Ramsey concludes the segment by reinforcing the importance of budgeting:

Dave Ramsey [04:41]: "Create your free EveryDollar budget today. The simplest way to budget for your life."

Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Financial Discipline Leads to Freedom: The caller’s journey underscores the significance of budgeting, debt elimination, and strategic savings in achieving financial stability and the freedom to make personal choices.

2. Smart Income Management: Diversifying income streams, as demonstrated by the caller's handyman business, can significantly enhance financial security and accelerate wealth accumulation.

3. Prioritizing Family and Well-being: Allocating funds for a family member’s well-being, such as the mother’s mommy makeover, is feasible and sustainable when approached with careful financial planning.

4. Emergency Funds are Crucial: Maintaining a robust emergency fund allows for both expected and unexpected expenses without derailing long-term financial goals.

5. Importance of Future Planning: The couple’s foresight in saving for college expenses and healthcare needs exemplifies comprehensive financial planning essential for long-term peace of mind.

Conclusion

This episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights illustrates a successful example of applying the Baby Steps methodology. The caller’s ability to eliminate debt, manage cash flow, and save diligently has not only secured their financial future but also enabled them to support their family’s personal aspirations. The host and guests provide affirmation and encouragement, reinforcing that disciplined financial practices pave the way for both security and personal fulfillment.

For listeners seeking similar financial guidance, the episode serves as an inspirational testament to what can be achieved with dedication, strategic planning, and expert advice from the Ramsey Network.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the specific points in the provided transcript and reflect the sequence of the conversation.