“This Is a Really Good Question”

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Ramsey Show Highlights – “This Is a Really Good Question”

Introduction

In the February 14, 2025 episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights, hosted by the Ramsey Network, listeners are treated to practical advice on managing household budgets without compromising on essential needs. The episode, titled “This Is a Really Good Question,” delves into the perennial challenge of balancing financial constraints with the desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Hosted by Ken Coleman, with insights from financial expert Jade Warshaw, the discussion provides actionable strategies for families striving to optimize their grocery spending.

Caller’s Dilemma: Balancing Budget and Healthy Eating

At the heart of the episode is a compelling question from a listener named Lauren, who struggles to manage her family’s grocery budget without sacrificing the quality of their food. Lauren outlines her predicament:

Lauren (00:06): “I just have been tracking my budget for the last year asking friends who have similar families as me living in the area how much they're spending on groceries every month. And I am over by a couple hundred dollars every month. I've tried to bring it down, but I just am not willing to compromise on certain healthy foods. And I've already made several compromises the past couple years. So I just want to know how much should I be willing to compromise on healthy food in order to keep a budget?”
[00:06]

Expert Insights: Prioritizing Health Without Financial Strain

Ken Coleman acknowledges the validity of Lauren’s concerns and introduces Jade Warshaw to provide expert advice:

Ken Coleman (00:35): “This is a great question, isn't it? And I can't think of a better person to be sitting beside on this one because I'm. I'm in the middle here.”
[00:35]

Jade emphasizes the importance of not compromising long-term health for financial gains:

Jade Warshaw (01:58): “When you're working the baby steps, you don't sacrifice your health long term for it. So getting out of debt is not an excuse to eat crap. It's not you eating ramen noodles every night. Because we gotta live, Kim. We can't be out here with high blood pressure and in the gout and all these things that hold holding us back.”
[01:58]

Ken adds a light-hearted remark, acknowledging Jade’s comprehensive view on health:

Ken Coleman (02:25): “I love that you drop. I love the gamut. High blood pressure to gout. I mean, you covered it all.”
[02:25]

Analyzing the Current Budget and Exploring Adjustments

Lauren provides further details about her family’s financial situation:

Lauren (01:02): “Yeah. So we are a family of four. I've got a five year old. Sorry, a family of five. New baby. He doesn't really count. So family of five. I'm spending $1,300 a month. And when we first moved here, I was spending it at a really nice store. And when that got too out of hand, I moved down to a store that didn't have as good of quality stuff. When that got too out of hand, I moved to a different one. So for some reason I just can't kick the $1300 a month.”
[01:02]

Jade assesses Lauren’s situation within the framework of budgeting standards:

Jade Warshaw (02:54): “Lauren, if you look at like the FDA standards for a family of four, it's usually somewhere between 800 and $1200. Now, they break it down on kind of a. It's almost like a good, better, best, like for a less expensive budget, a median expensive budget. And for people who can spend a little bit more, that's the way they break it down. And for the folks who can spend a little bit more, it's usually between 800 and $1200. So you're right there.”
[02:54]

Strategies for Reducing Grocery Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

Ken probes further into potential areas where Lauren might trim expenses:

Ken Coleman (03:30): “You were going to sit at Lauren's table tonight.”
[03:30]

Jade suggests focusing on reducing costs in specific areas without impacting the quality of food:

Jade Warshaw (03:42): “I'd be looking for the convenience items, for instance. Most people are looking to. Most people, if they have the money, they're looking to save time. Right. That's the next thing. It's like, I can spend the money in order to save more time. Right. Lauren probably has spent more money to save time. So I'd be looking for things that are prepackaged, like snacks. Like when you have five kids, you want to just be able to throw the things in the kids lunch. Right. So you might buy the. The snack things that Are prepackaged. The prepackaged things and nuts. The prepackaged, you know, that sort of deal. As opposed to, okay, I'm going to buy the Big Sam's Club, you know, package of, you know, cheesy smiles or.”
[03:42]

Ken engages Lauren to identify her major expenses, leading to a discussion on prioritizing spending:

Ken Coleman (05:10): “We, we stopped doing it because it was so expensive. But I really, really care about buying from local farms and dairies because I like how they treat their animals better. And I think that the chemicals and things aren't in there as much.”
[05:10]

Jade underscores the importance of value-based spending and making trade-offs:

Jade Warshaw (05:27): “You know what you're probably gonna find is it's, it's their trade offs that you're making. Even when Sam and I were in $460,000 of debt back then, I would spend $60 a week on groceries. Remember, this is back in the day. But those were what you're talking about. Everybody has a set of values that they care about. Whether it's, you know, I don't want the red 40 and the yellow fives, or, you know, I'm trying to avoid the dyes, or I want to buy local or I care about organics. You might not be able to afford to do all of it. But if you say for meat specifically, I really care about that. And because of that, I'm willing to skimp in other areas. It's a trade off.”
[05:27]

Maintaining Financial Responsibility While Enjoying Life

Ken and Jade discuss maintaining financial responsibility while allowing room for occasional indulgences:

Jade Warshaw (06:09): “Once you're in baby steps four or five and six. Right. And you're able to kind of not be in that, like, balls to the wall mode. I think that as long as you're doing the things that cause you to be a responsibly financial, a financially responsible adult, you're investing 15 you're putting extra on the mortgage, you're, you know, putting away for the kids college. If you're still doing all those things and you have the margin and you say, yeah, I'd love to. To be able to splurge on this, you know, milk from next door, whatever.”
[06:09]

Ken adds a personal touch, sharing his own experiences and plans, fostering a sense of community and relatability:

Ken Coleman (07:06): “Guess what I signed up me and Stacy for in February while Pilates? A sourdough class. Oh. I'm going to go learn how to make sourdough and I get to come home with the mother. Is that what they call that? Get that right.”
[07:06]

Conclusion: Embracing Values and Financial Goals

The episode wraps up with an emphasis on aligning spending with personal values and long-term financial goals. Ken and Jade encourage listeners to evaluate their budgets, identify areas for adjustment, and prioritize spending that reflects their family’s values without jeopardizing financial stability.

Key Takeaways

Assess Your Budget Thoroughly: Understand all areas of your spending to identify potential savings without compromising on essential needs.
Prioritize Health and Quality: Avoid sacrificing long-term health for short-term financial gains. Invest in quality food that supports your family's well-being.
Identify Trade-Offs: Determine which areas you can adjust to save money while maintaining your core values, such as buying local or organic products.
Focus on Value-Based Spending: Allocate your budget in a way that reflects what you and your family truly value, ensuring financial decisions support your overall goals.
Maintain Financial Responsibility: Continue to invest in important financial goals like paying off the mortgage, saving for college, and building an emergency fund, while allowing for occasional indulgences.

Notable Quotes

Jade Warshaw (01:58): “When you're working the baby steps, you don't sacrifice your health long term for it. So getting out of debt is not an excuse to eat crap.”
Ken Coleman (02:54): “The FDA standards for a family of four, it's usually somewhere between 800 and $1200.”
Jade Warshaw (05:27): “Everybody has a set of values that they care about. Whether it's, you know, I don't want the red 40 and the yellow fives... It's a trade off.”

Final Thoughts

“This Is a Really Good Question” episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights offers valuable insights for families grappling with budget constraints and the desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By prioritizing values, identifying necessary trade-offs, and maintaining financial discipline, listeners are empowered to make informed decisions that support both their financial and personal well-being.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Ramsey Show Highlights – “This Is a Really Good Question”

Introduction

Caller’s Dilemma: Balancing Budget and Healthy Eating

Lauren (00:06): “I just have been tracking my budget for the last year asking friends who have similar families as me living in the area how much they're spending on groceries every month. And I am over by a couple hundred dollars every month. I've tried to bring it down, but I just am not willing to compromise on certain healthy foods. And I've already made several compromises the past couple years. So I just want to know how much should I be willing to compromise on healthy food in order to keep a budget?”
[00:06]

Expert Insights: Prioritizing Health Without Financial Strain

Ken Coleman acknowledges the validity of Lauren’s concerns and introduces Jade Warshaw to provide expert advice:

Ken Coleman (00:35): “This is a great question, isn't it? And I can't think of a better person to be sitting beside on this one because I'm. I'm in the middle here.”
[00:35]

Jade emphasizes the importance of not compromising long-term health for financial gains:

Jade Warshaw (01:58): “When you're working the baby steps, you don't sacrifice your health long term for it. So getting out of debt is not an excuse to eat crap. It's not you eating ramen noodles every night. Because we gotta live, Kim. We can't be out here with high blood pressure and in the gout and all these things that hold holding us back.”
[01:58]

Ken adds a light-hearted remark, acknowledging Jade’s comprehensive view on health:

Ken Coleman (02:25): “I love that you drop. I love the gamut. High blood pressure to gout. I mean, you covered it all.”
[02:25]

Analyzing the Current Budget and Exploring Adjustments

Lauren provides further details about her family’s financial situation:

Lauren (01:02): “Yeah. So we are a family of four. I've got a five year old. Sorry, a family of five. New baby. He doesn't really count. So family of five. I'm spending $1,300 a month. And when we first moved here, I was spending it at a really nice store. And when that got too out of hand, I moved down to a store that didn't have as good of quality stuff. When that got too out of hand, I moved to a different one. So for some reason I just can't kick the $1300 a month.”
[01:02]

Jade assesses Lauren’s situation within the framework of budgeting standards:

Jade Warshaw (02:54): “Lauren, if you look at like the FDA standards for a family of four, it's usually somewhere between 800 and $1200. Now, they break it down on kind of a. It's almost like a good, better, best, like for a less expensive budget, a median expensive budget. And for people who can spend a little bit more, that's the way they break it down. And for the folks who can spend a little bit more, it's usually between 800 and $1200. So you're right there.”
[02:54]

Strategies for Reducing Grocery Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

Ken probes further into potential areas where Lauren might trim expenses:

Ken Coleman (03:30): “You were going to sit at Lauren's table tonight.”
[03:30]

Jade suggests focusing on reducing costs in specific areas without impacting the quality of food:

Jade Warshaw (03:42): “I'd be looking for the convenience items, for instance. Most people are looking to. Most people, if they have the money, they're looking to save time. Right. That's the next thing. It's like, I can spend the money in order to save more time. Right. Lauren probably has spent more money to save time. So I'd be looking for things that are prepackaged, like snacks. Like when you have five kids, you want to just be able to throw the things in the kids lunch. Right. So you might buy the. The snack things that Are prepackaged. The prepackaged things and nuts. The prepackaged, you know, that sort of deal. As opposed to, okay, I'm going to buy the Big Sam's Club, you know, package of, you know, cheesy smiles or.”
[03:42]

Ken engages Lauren to identify her major expenses, leading to a discussion on prioritizing spending:

Ken Coleman (05:10): “We, we stopped doing it because it was so expensive. But I really, really care about buying from local farms and dairies because I like how they treat their animals better. And I think that the chemicals and things aren't in there as much.”
[05:10]

Jade underscores the importance of value-based spending and making trade-offs:

Jade Warshaw (05:27): “You know what you're probably gonna find is it's, it's their trade offs that you're making. Even when Sam and I were in $460,000 of debt back then, I would spend $60 a week on groceries. Remember, this is back in the day. But those were what you're talking about. Everybody has a set of values that they care about. Whether it's, you know, I don't want the red 40 and the yellow fives, or, you know, I'm trying to avoid the dyes, or I want to buy local or I care about organics. You might not be able to afford to do all of it. But if you say for meat specifically, I really care about that. And because of that, I'm willing to skimp in other areas. It's a trade off.”
[05:27]

Maintaining Financial Responsibility While Enjoying Life

Ken and Jade discuss maintaining financial responsibility while allowing room for occasional indulgences:

Jade Warshaw (06:09): “Once you're in baby steps four or five and six. Right. And you're able to kind of not be in that, like, balls to the wall mode. I think that as long as you're doing the things that cause you to be a responsibly financial, a financially responsible adult, you're investing 15 you're putting extra on the mortgage, you're, you know, putting away for the kids college. If you're still doing all those things and you have the margin and you say, yeah, I'd love to. To be able to splurge on this, you know, milk from next door, whatever.”
[06:09]

Ken adds a personal touch, sharing his own experiences and plans, fostering a sense of community and relatability:

Ken Coleman (07:06): “Guess what I signed up me and Stacy for in February while Pilates? A sourdough class. Oh. I'm going to go learn how to make sourdough and I get to come home with the mother. Is that what they call that? Get that right.”
[07:06]

Conclusion: Embracing Values and Financial Goals

Key Takeaways

Assess Your Budget Thoroughly: Understand all areas of your spending to identify potential savings without compromising on essential needs.
Prioritize Health and Quality: Avoid sacrificing long-term health for short-term financial gains. Invest in quality food that supports your family's well-being.
Identify Trade-Offs: Determine which areas you can adjust to save money while maintaining your core values, such as buying local or organic products.
Focus on Value-Based Spending: Allocate your budget in a way that reflects what you and your family truly value, ensuring financial decisions support your overall goals.
Maintain Financial Responsibility: Continue to invest in important financial goals like paying off the mortgage, saving for college, and building an emergency fund, while allowing for occasional indulgences.

Notable Quotes

Jade Warshaw (01:58): “When you're working the baby steps, you don't sacrifice your health long term for it. So getting out of debt is not an excuse to eat crap.”
Ken Coleman (02:54): “The FDA standards for a family of four, it's usually somewhere between 800 and $1200.”
Jade Warshaw (05:27): “Everybody has a set of values that they care about. Whether it's, you know, I don't want the red 40 and the yellow fives... It's a trade off.”

Final Thoughts

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