The Ramsey Show – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Dwelling On Past Mistakes Won't Benefit Your Future Growth
Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Ken Coleman & Jade Warshaw
Podcast Theme:
This episode centers on empowering listeners to move beyond financial regrets and past missteps, emphasizing actionable steps for future success. Ken Coleman and Jade Warshaw field live calls, addressing challenges like debt, entrepreneurship, home buying, family dynamics, and setting boundaries, all with practical, no-nonsense advice rooted in Ramsey Solutions' approach. The core message: learn from your money mistakes but don’t dwell—take control and move forward.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Facing Business Failures & Debt (00:14–09:00)

Caller: Derek from Montana

• Derek and his wife started an arcade business with $25,000 in debt, now moved up to $68,000 total due to other ventures.
• Losses attributed to underestimating costs, missed advertising (no signage), and insufficient market traction.
• Equipment worth about half the debt ($10-12k).
• Current income barely covering debt payments—no profitability. Advice:
• Ken and Jade advise against bankruptcy; recommend taking a full-time job and using all available income to pay down debt aggressively, including selling assets if needed.
• “You're not going out to eat, you're not doing anything. You're selling a car if you need to, to clear this out very quickly." – Jade Warshaw (08:20)

2. 401k Loans, Consumer Debt & Sacrifice (10:22–18:48)

Caller: Megan from Pittsburgh

• Facing a $15k 401k loan, $15k in credit card debt (from fertility treatments), $20k car debt, $45k student loans.
• Considering cashing out 401k to pay off loan. Advice:
• Absolutely do not cash out 401k—pay loan back to avoid taxes and penalties.
• Tackle 401k loan as a priority, then credit cards/cars.
• Consider selling cars for equity and driving beaters for a season.
• “We did three very extreme things…sold one car, moved in with roommates, slept on an air mattress. It's a short term sacrifice for a long term gain.” – Jade Warshaw (18:48)

3. Home Value Anxiety & Section 8 Housing (21:37–27:42)

Caller: Mary from Rhode Island

• Concerned about dropping home values due to a new low-income/Section 8 development nearby. Advice:
• Consult 2-3 seasoned local real estate pros immediately for honest market assessment.
• Avoid catastrophic thinking; make decisions on facts not fears.
• Keep options open: “You can't be operating in really extreme falsehoods. ...Now we've got to make the best decision moving forward.” – Ken Coleman (23:31)

4. Career Transition & Risk (27:43–31:25)

Caller: Vince from Denver

• Considering leaving law enforcement ($97k/year) for an apprenticeship as a journeyman lineman ($50-60k start, $230k after four years). Advice:
• Prepare thoroughly and stack up emergency fund during the 8–12 month application window.
• Family can tighten budget for the short-term salary dip; payoff down the line is worth it.
• “Would it be worth it all to make $230,000...I'm telling you I'm doing it if I'm you.” – Ken Coleman (30:49)

5. Young Adult Facing Car Debt & Lifestyle Corrections (33:16–40:48)

Caller: Zach from Los Angeles, 22

• Has $25k car debt, credit cards, personal loan; trying to make ends meet working retail.
• Considers renting out car on Turo to make payments. Advice:
• Urged to sell car, buy a cheap beater, and hustle to increase income—not rely on gig fixes.
• Consider pausing college until financial footing is solid.
• “You're working retail right now and not getting more hours?...I would get out of that car.” – Jade Warshaw (35:49)

6. Family Loans and Estrangement (43:26–51:38)

Caller: Álvaro from Houston

• Lent $14,000 to sister-in-law for a family business, which failed; no repayment after 8 years. Advice:
• Realistically, unlikely to recoup money. Either negotiate a small settlement or let it go emotionally.
• “The truth is, it's just as much your mistake as it is hers, because borrowing money between family members is a mistake.” – Jade Warshaw (50:28)

7. Relationships, Autonomy, and Financial Trust (53:32–63:16)

Caller: Marley from Phoenix, 40s

• Wants companionship but not marriage due to financial autonomy fears rooted in childhood.
• Struggles with partners wanting more commitment. Advice:
• Suggested seeking therapy to process trust issues, reconsider beliefs about marriage and finances.
• “Something you witnessed has created...a massive hole of trust in your life...Get a really good therapist...” – Ken Coleman (61:22)

8. Housing Policy & Market Trends Analysis (64:19–69:15)

• Discussed government efforts to make homes more affordable by buying mortgage bonds.
• Fundamental lesson: Interest rate drops increase demand and push prices up; don’t “time” the market—only buy when personally ready and house fits 25% income rule.

9. VA Loans, Military Moves & Real Estate (70:14–74:07)

Caller: Linwood from Montgomery, active duty military

• Deciding between VA loan (lower payment, requires escrow) and conventional (can skip escrow).
• Plans to move in two years and rent out the house. Advice:
• Strongly advised NOT to buy with such an uncertain timeline; owning as a landlord overseas is risky.
• “We get this call all the time from military men and women...I would not get into the landlord business certainly when I'm overseas.” – Ken Coleman (73:36)

10. Family & Retirement Boundaries (77:32–85:10)

Caller: Megan from Ohio

• Parents in their late 60s are unprepared for retirement and refuse to create a will or documents.
• Megan worries the responsibilities will fall to her. Advice:
• If they resist help, set boundaries. Communicate concerns and clarify that you may not be able to help financially if they don’t plan.
• “If nobody asked you, don't get involved.” – Jade Warshaw (84:39)

11. Should I Pause Investing to Save for a Down Payment? (86:00–94:08)

Caller: Riley from Seattle

• Wondering if they should pause retirement investing for one year to aggressively save for a $200k down payment, given Seattle's hot market. Advice:
• Jade: Valid to pause; house is also an investment.
• Ken: Don’t feel pressured; look at all the numbers and trends, and don’t rush if life plans aren’t settled (especially if single).
• “How quickly do I want to get this done and out of my life? ...There's not a wrong or right answer.” – Jade Warshaw (91:51)

12. How to Get a Good Job Without a Degree? (96:18–103:45)

Caller: Grace, age 20

• Aiming for government jobs with travel; about to start Navy boot camp; wants advice for herself and others who may not go military/college. Advice:
• Focus on skills, passions, and mission to guide career (recommends Ken’s “Get Clear Assessment”).
• Many paths don’t require four-year degrees—trades, training, apprenticeships all can deliver good pay.
• “Most of the time you’re going to find you don’t need a college degree that you can work your way into that.” – Ken Coleman (100:49)

13. Teaching Financial Lessons to Your Kids (117:29–123:49)

Caller: Jennifer from San Francisco

• Wants to be transparent with her 17-year-old son about her past financial missteps so he doesn’t struggle. Advice:
• Share “big mistakes” (e.g., not budgeting) and lessons learned. Let him make some mistakes and be available to discuss, resisting the urge to “clean up” or hover.
• “Kids will listen to our pain more than they will our advice.” – Ken Coleman (119:03)

14. Budgeting with Irregular Income, New Baby & Career Change (124:02–126:11)

Caller: Sean

• Starting a new sales job, Army Reserve income, baby on the way, struggling to begin budgeting. Advice:
• Base budget on worst-case (lowest possible) month; as income stabilizes, adjust; aim to build a buffer/cushion.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You're not going out to eat, you're not doing anything. You're selling a car if you need to, to clear this out very quickly."
  — Jade Warshaw (08:20)

• “You need to get more money and you need to offload this car.”
  — Ken Coleman (37:20)

• “The truth is, it's just as much your mistake as it is hers, because borrowing money between family members is a mistake.”
  — Jade Warshaw (50:28)

• “There is no way to structure these relationships with romance and then a lack of trust around finance. You just can't do it.”
  — Ken Coleman (61:22)

• “How much do I value having this house? ... I value doing it faster than I value putting aside the extra money in retirement. So I'm just going to do it.”
  — Jade Warshaw (91:51)

• “Kids will listen to our pain more than they will our advice.”
  — Ken Coleman (119:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:14 – Show starts; Burnout & financial issues
• 01:09 – Derek (business debt, bankruptcy fears)
• 10:22 – Megan (401k loan vs. debt, fertility expenses)
• 21:37 – Mary (section 8 near her home)
• 27:43 – Vince (changing careers, lineman apprenticeship)
• 33:16 – Zach (22, car debt, should he sell)
• 43:26 – Alvaro (family loan gone bad)
• 53:32 – Marley (autonomy and relationships)
• 64:19 – Discussion on housing affordability and policy
• 70:14 – Linwood (VA loan vs. conventional, military)
• 77:32 – Megan (parents unprepared for retirement)
• 86:00 – Riley (pause retirement to save for house?)
• 96:18 – Grace (good-paying job without degree)
• 117:29 – Jennifer (teaching finances to her son)
• 124:02 – Sean (budgeting with new variable income)

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Ken and Jade deliver no-fluff, practical coaching with a direct but empathetic approach. Their advice consistently comes back to personal responsibility, self-discipline, and being willing to make uncomfortable but necessary sacrifices for long-term gain. “Normal is broke. Common sense is weird.”—the show’s tagline—frames the episode: if you want different results, you must make uncommon decisions.

If you haven’t listened:
This episode provides great encouragement for anyone struggling with regret, overwhelm, or uncertainty about financial mistakes. The hosts’ real talk, specific methods, and vulnerable caller stories are a reminder that while you can’t change your past, you can always rewrite your financial future by taking action—one smart decision at a time.