The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode: Will These Financial Predictions Happen in 2026?
Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts & Speakers: Ken Coleman (A), George Kamel (B), Rachel Cruze (C)

Episode Overview

This fast-paced episode features Ramsey Network experts making bold (and some safe) financial and economic predictions for the year 2026. With plenty of humor, competitive spirit, and candid opinions, the hosts forecast trends in mortgage rates, sports betting, real estate (particularly Airbnb), the stock market, "buy now, pay later" services, and the evolving job market. The tone is lively, sometimes acerbic, but always focused on providing practical insights and warnings to listeners about the financial year ahead.

Key Predictions & Insights

1. Mortgage Rates in 2026

Rachel Cruze’s Prediction:

• Mortgage rates will "continue to slowly go down" (00:39)
• Cites a drop from "around 7%" to "about 5.48% on a 15-year fixed"
• Expects rates to remain in the "low fives, high fours" by end of 2026
• Quote:
  • "I think we're gonna slowly throughout the year keep seeing that..." (00:49)

Ken Coleman’s Counterpoint:

• Predicts rates will "hold" steady at current levels rather than drop further (01:45)
• Quote:
  • "I think what anyone would call a hold. I think it's going to hold." (01:53)

Context:

• Political tensions between former President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell, with Powell possibly stepping down and a new chair expected in 2026 (01:20)

2. The Impact of Sports Betting

George Kamel’s Prediction:

• Sports betting will "continue sabotaging young men's lives" (02:01)
• Points to "36% of men under 30" having placed bets in past year (02:16)
• Highlights normalization and rising social acceptance
• Quote:
  • "It's just socialized gambling. It's, hey, I'm having fun with the buddies..." (02:24)

Rachel Cruze’s Take:

• Strong reaction, seeing it as the "most unattractive thing" (02:58)
• Criticizes young men who bet rather than invest in housing:
  • "I don't own a home...but I'm going to go in freaking sports bet 'cuz I'm not athletic enough to play the game..." (03:06)

3. Airbnb and Real Estate Outlook

Ken Coleman’s Prediction:

• Airbnbs will see a divide:
  • Cheaper and oversaturated markets will decline
  • Luxury listings will see demand remain strong (03:19)
• Warns over-leveraged Airbnb owners not to expect a rebound; advises to sell if possible (03:57)
• Quote:
  • "If you can sell, I'd sell." (04:14)

Explanation:

• "Too saturated, too much supply...that's why." (04:19)

Rachel Cruze’s Quip:

• Mocks the "same dude that sports bets" and boasts about owning "like, eight Airbnbs" on TikTok (04:30)

4. Stock Market Forecast

George Kamel’s Prediction:

• Expects the stock market to "stay relatively consistent" (04:55)
• No major crash; predicts a positive year supported by "AI and tech"
• Quote:
  • "I think we'll come back up pretty quickly." (05:16)

Perspective:

• Predicts a steady end-of-year result, not repeating the recent cycles of dramatic ups and downs

5. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Services

Rachel Cruze’s Warning:

• Predicts BNPL services will worsen for consumers:
  • More fees, stacked loans, increased consumer spending (05:36)
• Retailers and banks profiting by encouraging these options (05:55)
• Quote:
  • "Stores are making so much money...they see the money." (06:02)

George Kamel Adds:

• Cites news that "Affirm is rolling out a rent buy now, pay later option" (06:13)
• Disturbed by the scale and risk of applying BNPL to expenses like rent

6. 2026 Job Market Predictions

Ken Coleman's Phrase:

• "Low hire, low fire": Stagnant job market, few layoffs or new hires (07:04)
• Unemployment at "4.5%, maybe near 5%" (07:14)
• Cited uncertainty due to tariffs and macroeconomic caution
• Quote:
  • "We're okay with who we got and we're gonna stay in a holding pattern." (07:28)

Growth Sectors:

• Healthcare
• Skilled trades ("don't sleep on the trades!")
• Logistics and AI-adjacent roles (08:02)

White Collar Tech:

• AI is replacing white-collar tech jobs; "private equity equals public misery" (08:44)

7. General Advice and Takeaways

• Despite all predictions, the panel emphasizes that "nobody knows what's going to happen, so just stay the course." (08:55 - B)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sports betting:

  • George Kamel: "It's just socialized gambling. It's, hey, I'm having fun with the buddies..." (02:24)
  • Rachel Cruze: "It's the most unattractive thing." (02:58)

• On Airbnbs:

  • Ken Coleman: "If you have over-leveraged yourself, do not think that you're going to eventually rebound in 2026. In other words, if you can sell, I'd sell." (03:57)
  • Rachel Cruze: "It's the same dude that sports bets that's also on TikTok and it's like, I own, like, eight Airbnbs and I'm great. You are so annoying." (04:30)

• On Private Equity:

  • Ken Coleman: "Private equity equals public misery." (08:44)

• On Overall Uncertainty:

  • George Kamel: "Here's the truth. Nobody knows what's going to happen, so just stay the course." (08:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mortgage Rates Predictions: 00:38 – 01:56
• Sports Betting Trends: 02:01 – 03:19
• Airbnb Real Estate Market: 03:19 – 04:30
• Stock Market & BNPL Forecasts: 04:55 – 06:27
• Job Market Predictions: 06:53 – 08:54
• General Wrap-up & Advice: 08:55 – 09:02

Summary Table: 2026 Predictions at a Glance

| Topic | Prediction | Who Said It | Timestamp | |--------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------|------------| | Mortgage Rates | Slow decrease (low 5%, high 4%) | Rachel Cruze | 00:39 | | Mortgage Rates | Hold steady at 5.5% | Ken Coleman | 01:53 | | Sports Betting | More young men impacted | George Kamel | 02:01 | | Airbnb Market | Luxury up, cheap/mid down | Ken Coleman | 03:19 | | Stock Market | Steady-positive, no crash | George Kamel | 04:55 | | Buy Now, Pay Later | More fees, more consumer pain | Rachel Cruze | 05:36 | | Job Market | "Low hire, low fire" year | Ken Coleman | 07:04 |

Takeaway Message:
While the team’s best guesses touch on everything from mortgage rates and market stability to consumer risk and job outlook, they stress not to base financial plans on anyone’s predictions—control what you can control, stay the course, and be wary of new trends that can easily trip up your financial wellbeing.