The Ramsey Show – “He Has Marriage Problems Disguised As Money Problems”

Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Ken Coleman & Jade Warshaw (Ramsey Network)
Main Theme:
This episode dives deep into the fundamental connections between money issues, emotional well-being, relational health, and practical financial steps. Through real caller stories, Ken and Jade illustrate how many perceived “money problems” are often rooted in areas such as communication, teamwork, self-awareness, and the emotional side of money. The hosts also provide actionable financial advice and touch on the emotional journeys required to follow it.

Episode Overview

Ken Coleman and Jade Warshaw field questions from callers dealing with debt, financial setbacks, emotional roadblocks, and big life decisions. The main throughline: many financial troubles trace back to underlying emotional and relational patterns—and winning with money requires both a sound plan and emotional buy-in from all involved.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. When Money Problems Are Actually Relationship Problems

[00:38 - 09:01] – Marcus, Orlando, FL

• Situation: Marcus asks about consolidating $50k of debt and repeatedly mentions “communication issues” with his wife.

• Key Insight: Ken and Jade push Marcus to realize his main obstacle isn’t communication but lack of shared planning and teamwork with his spouse.

  • Jade (03:09): “There’s always going to be a reason...that’s why I don’t think this [credit-card juggling] is good for you. I think for you, feeling that pain is a good thing because you’re going to have to do this the old-fashioned way.”
  • Ken (05:22): “This is not a communication issue. Stop saying that...You’ve got some want to, but you don’t have any how to.”
  • Jade (06:46): “You have counted out your teammate...nobody wants to play like that.”

• Practical Plan: Hosts recommend Marcus and his wife create a joint budget (“every dollar” budget) together and start with vision (“where are we going?”), purpose (“why?”), and mission (“how?”).

2. Behavior Change & the Emotional Side of Money

[09:43 - 13:15]

• Ken: “It’s not all math...You are a human being who’s trying really hard to be disciplined. And this is really hard to dig out of this stuff.”
• Jade: Promotes her upcoming book (“What No One Tells You About Money”), focusing on the emotional and relational journey behind true financial change.

3. Young, Single, and Drowning in ‘Fun’ Debt

[14:32 - 19:40] – Jackson, Greenville, SC

• Situation: At 20, Jackson owes $52k from a truck, a side-by-side ATV, and a boat.
• Key Insight: Jade and Ken explain that keeping so much in depreciating toys is unsustainable on Jackson’s $60k income.
  • Jade (18:38): “You have too much money tied up in things with motors...If I were you, I’d probably hang on to the truck ... but the rest of it, I’d say bye bye.”

4. Financial Catastrophe After Medical Crisis

[21:26 - 31:07] – Joshua, Denver, CO

• Situation: Joshua is in dire financial straits after a devastating accident; his disability insurance is inconsistently paying.
• Key Insights:
  • Navigating disability insurance claims is “a full-time job.”
  • Lean on advocates, get organized, and accept help from loved ones.
  • Above all: focus on the “four walls” (food, utilities, shelter, transportation) and communicate with your landlord/family.

5. The Challenge of Large Families on a Small Budget

[32:52 - 42:11] – Kim, Detroit, MI

• Situation: Pregnant with sixth child, living in a two-bedroom house and needs a larger vehicle.
• Key Insights:
  • Ken: “There is no expansion of the house for [husband]. He’s going to a place called a coffee shop.” (35:05)
  • Jade: If you’ve had a $2k/month surplus for years but no savings, it’s time for radical behavioral change. Buy only what you can afford in cash, get creative, and lean on your community if necessary.

6. Joining Finances After Marriage & Letting Go of the Dream Car

[43:51 - 51:37] – Shakira, Washington DC

• Situation: Newlyweds with $39k in debt, $23k car that’s “his dream.”
• Key Insights:
  • Ken (46:01): “This is OUR debt, not his debt.”
  • Jade: “Sacrifice is the name of the game ... you’re not getting out of this without it.”
  • Private sale of car recommended, quick wins toward debt payoff.

7. Should I Sell Employer Stock After Big Losses?

[53:52 - 61:57] – Brittany, Portland, OR

• Situation: Company stock is down 60%; she’s emotionally conflicted over whether to ‘hold’ or ‘move to index funds.’
• Key Insights:
  • Ken: Advocates giving the new CEO a chance if she believes in the turnaround.
  • Jade: Advises Brittany to move all new vested shares immediately to index funds and considers moving what’s already vested.
  • Resolution: Brittany chooses to hold for now due to company loyalty but receives both perspectives.

8. What to Do With a Windfall—Pay off Loans or Invest?

[67:52 - 74:02] – Luke, Philadelphia, PA

• Situation: About to inherit $85k and considering investing instead of paying off $56k in student loans (at 2.5% interest) due to “bar advice.”
• Key Insight:
  • Jade: “If you value getting away from [debt]...you’ll say, ‘there’ll be other time to invest. This is my chance to break free.’”
  • Ken: “You’ll be a multi, multi-millionaire either way, but why not clear the debt and invest the rest for the next 30+ years?”

9. Supporting Adult Children Responsibly

[96:55 - 105:17] – Mary, Grand Rapids, MI

• Situation: Should she give her reliable car to her debt-free son (30, driving a beater)?
• Key Insights:
  • Don’t assume your grown kids need “better”—sometimes a beater fits their values.
  • If gifting, frame it as a genuine gift, not a rescue.
  • Ensure similar generosity across siblings for family harmony if you have another child.

10. When to Downshift for Meaningful Work

[106:38 - 115:52] – Mary, North Carolina (Written Question)

• Situation: Financially set, but wondering if it’s okay to leave a lucrative but unfulfilling job before retirement.
• Key Insights:
  • Ken: “I’m never, ever, ever going to choose money over meaning...choose to work for contribution when you have financial peace.”
  • There’s a season for “provision over purpose,” but once needs and margin are met, prioritizing fulfillment is completely legitimate—and healthy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On teamwork/marriage and money:
  • “It’s not a communication issue. It’s a teamwork issue because you have counted out your teammate.” – Jade Warshaw (06:46)
• On debt & sacrifice:
  • “You’re not getting out of this without sacrifice.” – Jade Warshaw (51:26)
• On emotional side of finance:
  • “Half of what we’re facing, Ken, is emotions. And that’s why this book is only about that.” – Jade Warshaw (12:12)
• On the myth of pure math:
  • “This money game...you can win, but it’s not all math.” – Ken Coleman (09:43)
• On community and humility:
  • “You have to get creative and innovative when you are in this situation. And people will feel for you if you just say, ‘We’ve been dumb...Help us.’” – Ken Coleman (41:32)
• Ken’s 3 Questions for Life Purpose:
  • “Who are the people I want to help? What problem or desire do they have? What are the solutions I get most fired up about?” (94:52)
• Meaningful work vs. money:
  • “There is no greater form of torture...than meaningless work.” – Ken Coleman (110:51)
• Emotional freedom from debt:
  • “When people let their student loans stick around forever, Ken, the amount of guilt associated with that is...crazy.” – Jade Warshaw (73:04)
• On teaching kids about money (“Mary”):
  • “You’re a great mom...I think these boys are blessed.” – Ken Coleman (103:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• **[00:38] Marcus – Marriage disguised as money problem
• **[09:43] Emotional reality of getting out of debt
• **[14:32] Jackson – Young single debt for fun (“toys”)
• **[21:26] Joshua – Medical crisis & insurance headache
• **[32:52] Kim – Large family, housing and vehicle struggle
• **[43:51] Shakira – Newlywed finances, dream car dilemma
• **[53:52] Brittany – RSUs, emotional investing, company loyalty
• **[67:52] Luke – Inheritance: pay off student loans or invest?
• **[96:55] Mary – Helping adult children, family dynamics in gifting
• **[106:38] Mary (QOTD) – Leaving unfulfilling work with financial security
• **[110:51] Ken’s lesson: “No greater torture than meaningless work.”
• **[122:55] Amy – Single parent, sandwich generation, emergency fund priorities

Tone & Style

• Warm, engaging, and authentic.
• Candid, direct feedback tempered with encouragement.
• Conversational, often lighthearted and humorous even amid heavy financial situations.
• Frequently offers emotional validation (“you’re not alone”) and practical next steps.

Final Summary

The episode weaves together classic Ramsey method tactical advice—budgeting, snowballing debt, selling off liabilities, building an emergency fund—with a powerful focus on the emotional, behavioral, and especially relational side of money. Ken and Jade challenge listeners to see debt and spending as fundamentally connected to beliefs, habits, and family dynamics—and they both reassure and push people to have hard conversations, make sacrifices, and claim the personal agency required to build lasting financial peace.

If you’re struggling with a money problem, this episode powerfully argues: look deeper. The “numbers” are real, but the path to freedom starts at heart—and at home.