“She’s So Full of Crap She’s a Christmas Turkey!”

Summary

The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode: “She’s So Full of Crap She’s a Christmas Turkey!”

Date: November 4, 2025
Podcast: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Host: Ramsey Network
Featured Experts: Dave Ramsey, Team Advisors

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Episode Overview

In this short, candid episode, a listener seeks advice after his ex-wife suggests he cash out his 401k to buy a house—mirroring what she claims to have done profitably in the past. The Ramsey team quickly unpacks why this is financially disastrous, debunks the ex-wife’s “success story,” and highlights the importance of taking money advice from credible, mature sources rather than flashy influencers or questionable acquaintances.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Listener’s Dilemma

• Situation Recap:

  • The caller’s ex-wife advocates for cashing out his 401k to buy a house, referencing her past attempt at this with supposed profit ([00:07–00:44]).
  • The caller is attracted by her apparent success, feeling stuck renting while she owns ([01:39]).

• Expert Reaction:

  • Advisors are immediately skeptical, questioning why anyone would seek financial advice from an ex-spouse ([00:46], [01:32–01:38]).
  • They point out the hidden costs—taxes and penalties—that erased her supposed home-flip gains.

2. Breaking Down the 401k Cash-out Myth

• Actual Costs of Cashing Out:

  • 10% IRS early withdrawal penalty + 25% tax rate = ~35% loss upfront.
    • “She got charged a 10% penalty plus her tax rate. She borrowed this money at 35% interest. By the time she flipped this house and made money, she didn’t even make money.” — Skeptical Friend ([00:57])
    • “If you cash out your money, they’re going to charge you a 10% penalty and plus a 25% tax rate. It’s like saying, ‘Dave, I want to borrow at 35% interest to buy a house.’ Please don’t do that.” — Financial Advisor ([02:07])

• Long-Term Impact:

  • “It’s going to take her a lifetime just to catch up on retirement now.” — Additional Advisor ([01:52])

• Emotional Appeal:

  • The ex-wife might be “so mathematically challenged she doesn’t even realize it.” — Skeptical Friend ([01:46])
  • The scenario is called out as self-delusion and wishful thinking.

3. Advice on Reliable Financial Guidance

• On Influencers and Show-offs:

  • “It’s like watching some influencer on Tic Tac… you see a private jet that they rented and don’t own.” — Financial Advisor ([02:22])
  • “And then you go buy a $3,400 kit from them, which is where they actually make their money…” ([02:50])

• How to Spot Real Financial Wisdom:

  • Look for “understated” people: “They’re driving a Toyota…their lives are solid and steady and predictable and sustainable and happy, high quality relationships. These are called mature individuals…these are called millionaires.” — Financial Advisor ([03:10])
  • Real financial advice: “Live on less than you make, save and invest, be generous, live on a plan.” ([03:36])

4. Practical Guidance for the Caller

• Direct No to Cashing Out:
  • “Don’t rob your 401k to get into a house.” — Additional Advisor ([03:53])
  • “Don’t listen to your ex wife for financial advice.” — Financial Advisor ([03:57])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ex-Spouse’s Advice:

  • “She’s so full of crap. She’s a Christmas turkey.” — Skeptical Friend [00:57]
  • “This woman talks out of both sides of her head. That’s why she’s called the ex wife.” — Skeptical Friend [01:32]

• On Real Financial Advice:

  • “What you want to do is look at people that are understated…these are called mature individuals…These are called millionaires.” — Financial Advisor [03:10]
  • “It’s hard stuff like live on less than you make, save and invest, be generous, live on a plan.” — Financial Advisor [03:36]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07–00:44: Caller explains ex-wife’s advice and rationale.
• 00:57: “She’s so full of crap. She’s a Christmas turkey!”
• 01:25–01:51: Advisors explain the hidden 401k penalties and taxes.
• 02:07–02:21: 401k cash-out = 35% loss; direct warning not to do it.
• 02:22–03:36: How to choose credible people for financial advice.
• 03:53–03:57: Summary: don’t rob your 401k or listen to unreliable sources.

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Takeaway

Resist emotionally-charged, unwise shortcuts—especially those with steep penalties and from dubious sources. Sound financial decisions are slow and steady, made with wisdom and trustworthy advice—not highlight reels or pressure from others.

Memorable sign-off:
“Don’t listen to your ex wife for financial advice.” ([03:57])

Transcript

[Financial Advisor]

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[Skeptical Friend]

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[Person Seeking Advice]

So question is, is I am being told by my ex wife that I should cash out my 401k to purchase a home. And the reason being is when we divorced about 8 years ago or so, she basically took half my 401k and parlayed that into purchasing a home 5 years later, sold that home for a good profit. And so now and then. And then bought another one. And so she's saying, hey, you know, you need to get out of. Stop renting and you should really put that, some of that money into real estate.

[Skeptical Friend]

I'm so confused.

[Financial Advisor]

Why would anyone ask their ex wife for financial advice?

[Person Seeking Advice]

Well, I saw what. I saw what she had done with.

[Financial Advisor]

No, you didn't.

[Skeptical Friend]

You saw what she said she did. When she cashed out half of that 401k, she got charged a 10% penalty plus her tax rate. She borrowed this money at 35% interest. By the time she flipped this house and made money, she didn't even make money. She's so full of crap. She's a Christmas turkey.

[Person Seeking Advice]

You know, I see that. You know, with the house that was purchased, you didn't see all the penalties.

[Skeptical Friend]

And taxes she paid on the stupid withdrawal from the 401k that negated any profit that she made on the flip.

[Person Seeking Advice]

Yeah, that is true.

[Skeptical Friend]

Okay. Because this woman talks out of both sides of her head. That's why she's called the ex wife.

[Financial Advisor]

Yeah.

[Person Seeking Advice]

Although she is in a house and I'm still renting, so I gotta.

[Financial Advisor]

Yeah.

[Skeptical Friend]

And what she paid for it was a dear price.

[Person Seeking Advice]

Yeah.

[Skeptical Friend]

And sadly is probably so mathematically challenged she doesn't even realize it.

[Person Seeking Advice]

Yeah.

[Additional Advisor]

It's going to take her a lifetime just to catch up on retirement now.

[Person Seeking Advice]

Yeah.

[Additional Advisor]

So how much do you have in retirement?

[Person Seeking Advice]

Me personally now? About 85.

[Additional Advisor]

And what do you make?

[Person Seeking Advice]

130.

[Financial Advisor]

And how old are you?

[Person Seeking Advice]

50.

[Financial Advisor]

Yeah. Okay. If you cash out your money, they're going to charge you a 10% penalty and plus a 25% tax rate. It's like saying, Dave, I want to borrow 35% interest. I want to borrow money at 35% interest to buy a house. Please don't do that.

[Person Seeking Advice]

No, I agree.

[Financial Advisor]

That does not put your face under the smart column in the dictionary. Okay. So, no, don't, don't do that. And, and be careful who you're listening to for financial advice in the future. You know, it's like watching some influencer on Tic Tac and they're on there doing their thing and they look like all they're running is the highlight reel. And you see a private jet that they rented and don't own.

[Skeptical Friend]

And but by. I can teach you to buy real estate and I've got a jet. Yeah.

[Financial Advisor]

That I rented 10 minutes ago. It's not even your own jet. Come on, dude. You know, and. And then you go buy a $3,400 kit from them, which is where they actually make their money. So now just. No, no, be careful who you're listening to. For money advice, what you want to do is look at people that are understated and they're driving a Toyota and they don't have any flash or any bling and their lives are really solid and steady and predictable and sustainable and happy, high quality relationships. These are called mature individuals. They're not doing anything to impress others. They're living a life of quality. And if someone happens to notice, they probably wouldn't even notice. And these are called millionaires. And if you can find one of those and actually get them to admit it and then talk to you, they'll teach you the real stuff about money. It's hard stuff like live on less than you make, save and invest, be generous, live on a plan.

[Additional Advisor]

Don't rob your 401k to get into a house. That kind of stuff. Yeah, that's on the.

[Financial Advisor]

Don't listen to your ex wife for financial advice.

[Skeptical Friend]

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