"You're Sitting On A Solution And Won't Even Use It"

Summary

Summary of "You're Sitting On A Solution And Won't Even Use It" – The Ramsey Show Highlights

Release Date: August 3, 2025
Host: Ramsey Network
Episode Title: "You're Sitting On A Solution And Won't Even Use It"

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1. Introduction to the Caller’s Financial Predicament

The episode opens with a caller reaching out for advice regarding her family's financial struggles. She explains that her husband is in the military and, despite living rent-free on base housing, they are burdened with significant debt. The caller juggles two jobs to manage their financial obligations, while her husband has accepted a major pay cut—a common trade-off associated with military base housing.

Caller’s Situation:

• Total Debt: Approximately $30,000 (including her car), with her husband holding two major debts: $20,000 on a credit card and $20,000 on a car loan.
• Income: The caller earns $50,000 annually from two jobs, while her husband nets about $4,500 monthly.
• Expenses: Her personal expenses are around $3,000 per month, and her husband has approximately $1,200 left after bills.

Key Concern:
The caller is torn between continuing her strenuous work regimen to eliminate debt swiftly or accepting her family’s suggestion to reduce her workload, pursue college using her husband’s GI Bill, and handle the debt gradually.

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2. Evaluating the Debt and Income Dynamics

Dave Ramsey delves into the specifics of the caller’s debt and income, seeking clarity on their financial landscape.

Dave Ramsey’s Inquiry:

• Question: “How much debt do you guys have?” [00:59]
• Caller’s Response: “So I have roughly about 30,000 including my car. And his is just two big ones. So 20,000 on a credit card and 20,000 on a car.” [01:01]

Ramsey calculates their combined net income, estimating over $8,600 monthly, but notes the substantial debt load of $70,000 in consumer debt. He underscores the strain their debts place on their financial stability, despite a seemingly healthy income.

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3. Emotional Attachment to Assets

A significant part of the discussion centers around the caller's reluctance to sell her husband’s car, which, while contributing to their debt, holds sentimental value.

George Kamel’s Insight:

• Quote: “Stop falling in love with depreciating assets.” [00:55]

The caller reveals that the car is not just a means of transportation but is tied to future plans like vacations and trips, making it an emotional investment. Ramsey challenges this attachment by emphasizing the financial freedom that could be achieved by selling the car and eliminating a portion of their debt.

Ramsey’s Challenge:

• Quote: “If we sell this car, we could knock out like a third of our debt today. That would excite me and give you the freedom and runway to go to college if you wanted to.” [01:44]

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4. The Tough Choice: Debt Elimination vs. Pursuing Education

The core of the episode revolves around the caller’s dilemma: whether to continue working two jobs to aggressively pay down debt or to leverage the GI Bill for education, potentially easing her current workload but extending the debt repayment period.

Caller’s Dilemma:

• Statement: “I just want certainty. And with paying off my debts, I know that's certainly something I can do.” [05:36]

George Kamel passionately argues that the caller is “sitting on a solution and won’t use it,” urging her to make uncomfortable yet necessary choices to achieve financial freedom.

George’s Persuasive Argument:

• Quote: “You are sitting on a solution and you won't use it. Because here's the thing... you have to begin doing things that make you uncomfortable that you don't want to do.” [05:57]

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5. Overcoming Fear and Embracing Financial Freedom

The conversation highlights the psychological barriers that prevent individuals from making financially sound decisions. The caller fears the uncertainty of post-college income, which hampers her ability to commit fully to debt elimination.

Caller’s Fears:

• Quote: “I'm scared to take that leap and go to college because what if in a couple years I do all the college and go to find a job and end up not paying me much?” [05:29]

Ramsey and Kamel emphasize the importance of prioritizing debt freedom over potential but uncertain future gains. They advocate for making sacrifices now to secure financial stability and reduce stress.

George Kamel’s Encouragement:

• Quote: “Start enjoying it in six months when you don't owe anybody anything. And that, my sister, is the true definition of freedom.” [07:56]

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6. Cultural Influences and Financial Decision-Making

George Kamel touches upon the broader cultural mindset that glorifies material possessions and instant gratification, which often clashes with sound financial principles.

Cultural Critique:

• Quote: “America, I'd like you to meet itself. It's called America. I like these things and they're fun, but we can't afford them.” [02:32]

He underscores the societal pressures that drive individuals to accumulate debt for depreciating assets, detracting from their financial well-being.

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7. Conclusion: Choosing Financial Freedom

The episode culminates with a strong message urging the caller—and listeners in similar situations—to prioritize debt elimination over deferred gratification. Ramsey and Kamel reinforce the idea that true freedom comes from being debt-free, allowing individuals to pursue their goals without financial constraints.

Final Advice:

• Dave Ramsey: “It breaks my heart because we love military folks. They're fighting for freedom, and yet they're living in a financial bondage. That's not okay.” [08:20]
• George Kamel: “Choose freedom.” [07:56]

Ramsey encourages the use of budgeting tools like the EveryDollar app to manage finances effectively and steer towards a debt-free life.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• George Kamel: “You’re just not OCD about being married?” [04:35]
• Caller: “I'm just like my father. He was right.” [06:08]
• George Kamel: “You're sitting on a solution and you won't use it.” [05:58]
• George Kamel: “Stop falling in love with depreciating assets.” [00:55]
• Dave Ramsey: “What does he make?” [03:01]
• Caller: “I don't believe in quitting my two jobs.” [04:46]
• George Kamel: “You can’t see it, because I think.” [05:36]
• Dave Ramsey: “This college dream is a distraction from having a reality.” [07:43]

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Key Takeaways

• Debt Prioritization: Aggressively tackling debt can lead to financial freedom and reduced stress.
• Emotional Attachments: Letting go of depreciating or emotionally charged assets can significantly alleviate financial burdens.
• Making Sacrifices: Achieving financial stability often requires uncomfortable choices and temporary sacrifices.
• Cultural Awareness: Recognizing and resisting societal pressures that encourage debt accumulation is crucial for financial health.
• Utilizing Resources: Tools like budgeting apps can aid in managing finances effectively and tracking progress towards debt elimination.

This episode serves as a poignant reminder that while striving for higher education and personal aspirations is valuable, aligning these goals with sound financial practices ensures long-term stability and freedom.

Transcript

[Dave Ramsey]

Brought to you by the EveryDollar app. Start budgeting for free today.

[Caller]

So, well, long story short, my husband is in the military, so he is on a fixed income and I work two jobs. We do live on base housing and so we live rent free. No utilities or anything. But he took a major pay cut because of that, because that's kind of a catch to it. And so we're struggling with this debt that's been ongoing and it feels like it's just getting heavier and heavier. My family believes I should stop working two jobs and burning myself out and just take the free college he offered me because my husband is sweet and gave me his GI bill so I can pursue my college and just work one job and deal with the debt later. I believe I should continue to grind out with the two jobs and get our debt gone because I know I can do it. I just kind of don't know what to do. I'm not sure. I just wanted your guys opinion. Wow.

[Dave Ramsey]

How much debt do you guys have?

[Caller]

So I have roughly about 30,000 including my car. And his is just two big ones. So 20,000 on a credit card and 20,000 on a car.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. Does he need the car if he's on base, could that be sold?

[Caller]

It could be sold. I still think he would be a little bit sad to sell it. And also it was for a long term kind of thing. For future reference and trips that we hope to do later down the road.

[George Kamel]

Y' all are.

[Dave Ramsey]

He's committed to this car emotionally. He put a ring on it and said, I'm going to marry this car.

[Caller]

We, we wanted the truck for a reason, you know, because we want to do vacations and Moab and, you know, all these things. But it's.

[Dave Ramsey]

Can I be honest, Phoebe? If I told my wife, hey, awesome, you can work three jobs if you want. I'm keeping this car. Versus, hey, if we sell this car, we could knock out like a third of our debt today. That would excite me and give you the freedom and Runway to go to college if you wanted to.

[George Kamel]

And if you sold yours and just bought like a Corolla that everyone would be like, why are you driving that? And be like, cause I'm free. Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

How about halfway we spit, shake and say, we're both selling.

[George Kamel]

Do what?

[Caller]

My car's almost paid off. I got ten grand.

[George Kamel]

Awesome. What's it worth?

[Caller]

Probably like four. Last time I had a Ford Fusion, it didn't value out that well, actually.

[George Kamel]

So it didn't value out. And so you were like, you Know what? I'm gonna buy another one because I.

[Caller]

Really like the car. Okay, Yeah, I see who you're getting at.

[George Kamel]

You're incredible. America, I'd like you to meet itself. It's called America. I like these things and they're fun, but we can't afford them. You're like, I know, but we want to go to the desert and stuff and whatever.

[Caller]

That's why I don't believe in quitting my two jobs.

[Dave Ramsey]

What are you making total from these two jobs?

[George Kamel]

No, stop falling in love with depreciating assets.

[Caller]

50,000 in total.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay.

[Caller]

You make 50 income.

[Dave Ramsey]

What does he make?

[Caller]

He makes. So he makes about 4500 net income a month.

[Dave Ramsey]

And you make 50k net income per year?

[Caller]

Yeah.

[George Kamel]

So you'll make a hundred grand together. You have no bills and y' all can't make it.

[Caller]

The debt has kind of put weight on us. Plus with the economy and everything.

[George Kamel]

No, you make a hundred grand, you'll have no bills.

[Dave Ramsey]

You guys are bringing in. This is my estimation, over $8,600 a month net take home pay.

[Caller]

But that is with me working two jobs, doesn't matter. If I take away one job, then I only make about 40,000.

[Dave Ramsey]

But let's say you keep. Are you working 40 hours total?

[Caller]

I work with both jobs about 60 to 70 hours a week.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay.

[Caller]

Or, sorry. Oh, no. Yeah, that tracks.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay. And you have a total of, based on my math, $70,000 in consumer debt.

[Caller]

Yes.

[Dave Ramsey]

And how much are your actual expenses that you guys have to pay every month, including the minimum debt payments?

[Caller]

My expenses roughly come out to, I want to say about three. Three grand or so. And then his, I think his comes out to. He has about 1200 left over.

[Dave Ramsey]

What do you mean?

[Caller]

So I know that after all his bills are done, he has 12. Oh, you guys aren't married for the whole month?

[Dave Ramsey]

You guys like Venmo each other? You just said he's got his bills. He pays. I got my bills, I pay. He has this much left over. I have this much left over.

[Caller]

Right. Because I, I like to pay my bills. I'm very OCD about how I pay my bills and everything.

[George Kamel]

You're just not OCD about being married?

[Caller]

No, we're on our first year. We've been together for six years. But like, we're on our first year of marriage. So we're, we're working on the colliding of income and everything. But I kind of like my stuff. Okay, here's the thing, in a way.

[George Kamel]

Like, here's the Truth. Okay? This is just. Bottom line. Nothing in your life is gonna change. And that's okay if that's what you want. The only way you get away from this debt, you go to school, you have peace in your life, you build an amazing marriage together, is you have to begin doing things that make you uncomfortable that you don't want to do, period. And the irony is, for me and George is we can see every day of your life, you're doing things you don't want to be doing.

[Caller]

Right?

[George Kamel]

But you can't see it, because I think.

[Caller]

I think the end goal is going to be worth it. And I'm scared to take that leap and go to college because what if in a couple years I do all the college and go to find a job and end up not paying me much? I guess I'm overthinking. And I just want certainty. And with paying off my debts, I know that's certainly something I can do. I can put a track on that.

[George Kamel]

I know, I know. But listen, listen.

[Caller]

I'm falling into it.

[George Kamel]

You're like, you're sitting on a solution and you won't use it. Because here's the thing.

[Caller]

I'm just like my father. He was right.

[George Kamel]

It's cool, man. I accept that he must have been a really handsome, quasi handsome, smart guy. But, like, if you all sold your cars and you worked really hard for six months, y' all did not go out to eat a single time, you would be debt free. I know you see what I'm saying. This. It's so I can't tell you, and I'm getting kind of worked up, and I apologize. It's not at you. It's just that the whole culture we live in, because it's right there, it's literally right here. And the number we just. George and I, in a previous hour, talked to a woman on a fixed income who's 72, whose family has abandoned her, and you're sitting on six figures, but y' all don't want to, like, not buy another crappy car that just gets older and dies in your driveway and take advantage of this glitch in the Matrix where you have no bills. None. And you're talking about. You're talking about not even suffering, just having kind of a bummer of a six months where y' all just going to have to make out more and go fishing more and go walking around more. Like, that's the. That's the penalty you will pay to not owe anybody anything come Christmas in January. You can quit everything and go to college for free. And as a taxpayer, think I am all about paying for veterans and their dependents to go to college. I think that's an amazing use of my tax dollars. I love that, and I want you to do that, but good God Almighty, dude. Go for, go for go debt free. Go with nothing.

[Caller]

Stop dialing around. Yes.

[Dave Ramsey]

I think this college dream is a distraction from having a reality.

[George Kamel]

It's a Xanax.

[Caller]

It kind of.

[Dave Ramsey]

And you're hoping life's gonna be better for myself.

[Caller]

Got caught up in the whole, whoa, we have to go enjoy life, so let's not worry too much about the debt. And it just kept going in that cycle.

[George Kamel]

And I was like, listen, enjoy. Enjoy it like crazy. Enjoy it like crazy. Just start enjoying it in six months when you don't owe anybody anything. And that, my sister, is the true definition of freedom. Y' all aren't free. Y' all are owned by car companies, by the base, housing, by all these other entities. Just say, as for me and my house, we choose freedom. It's the Fourth of July, for God's sakes. Choose freedom.

[Dave Ramsey]

It breaks my heart because we love military folks. They're fighting for freedom, and yet they're living in a financial bondage. That's not okay. We got to do better. Create your free Every dollar budget today. The simplest way to budget for your life.