The Ramsey Show – If Nothing Changes, Your Money Won’t Change

Date: March 26, 2026
Hosts: Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruze, Chris Hogan (occasional), Ramsey Team
Theme: Take control of your finances, change your behaviors, and build wealth—regardless of past mistakes.

Episode Overview

This episode underscores the heart of The Ramsey Show: if you want to change your money, you have to change your actions and mindset. Dave Ramsey and his co-hosts field questions from callers navigating marital money disputes, business dilemmas, debt crises, and life transitions. The discussions offer practical advice grounded in Ramsey’s “baby steps” and no-nonsense, sometimes tough-love, wisdom. The core throughline is personal responsibility, the power of teamwork in relationships, and the importance of avoiding debt.

Key Discussion Points & Call Highlights

1. Combining Finances in Marriage

Callers: Ben (Charlotte, NC), Ashley (Dallas, TX), Cassandra (Raleigh, NC)
Time: [00:44], [54:56], [95:46]

• Ben’s Dilemma: Struggles to fully combine finances with his wife due to her fears and past family trauma.
  • Dave: Suggests the two possible issues: lack of trust or control issues—“Either she's a selfish princess…or she doesn’t trust you that she will have a vote.” [02:15]
  • Rachel & Chris: Urge Ben to dig deeper into his wife’s “why” and communicate openly.
  • Quote: “If you want to win with money in marriage, you have to have oneness. Money is a tool you use together, daily.” – Chris Hogan [04:31]
• Ashley’s Marital Struggle: Signed a prenup, feels excluded from husband’s business finances, does unpaid work, and has no clarity or control.
  • Dave: “You don't have a prenuptial problem or a financial problem. You have a desperately bad marriage problem.” [58:50]
  • Urges her to seek counseling: “If there’s no change, you shouldn't be there.” [61:13]
  • Chris: “Your husband’s kind of a jerk, do you agree?” [57:36]
  • Advice: Go to marriage counseling, don't let it be a ‘prenup’ excuse, and refuse to become a victim in the arrangement.
• Cassandra’s Budget Debate: Discusses how to categorize certain expenses as she and her husband combine finances.
  • Dave: Recommends starting with granular line items for transparency (“have the emotional shock”) and then, over time, simplifying categories. [96:50]
  • Budgeting detail helps develop healthy financial habits as a couple.

2. Young Couples & Money Mistakes

Calls: Jack (Houston, TX), Oscar (Orlando, FL), Samantha (Cincinnati, OH)
Time: [05:30], [11:14], [66:14]

• Jack: 20-year-old business owner, profitable, asks about going into debt for business property.
  • Dave: Advises against debt, “move at the speed of cash.” There’s time to grow and learn—use business profits, avoid leverage. [08:06]
• Oscar: 20, young family, high-interest debts, low income, living with in-laws.
  • Dave: Blunt critique: “You guys need to look at each other and go, okay, we have done our last stupid thing. I mean, 27% on a car—good God!” [15:16]
  • Solution: Use existing cash to pay down debts (except for car loan), increase income with extra jobs, stop using credit, and plan a debt-free roadmap.
  • Chris: Encourages envisioning the future: “When you’re 26, where do you want to be?” [18:09]
• Samantha: In a relationship, not married, bankruptcy, combined child, partner unwilling to change.
  • Dave: Strong advice for marriage (“The number of couples who succeed financially and relationally like this is zero.” [71:34]); calls out the perils of “playing house” without marriage.
  • Stats: “The net worth of a single lady shacking up as compared to a married lady at 35… is 13 times less.” [74:55]

3. Dealing With Overwhelming Debt & Bankruptcy

Callers: Abby (Oklahoma City), Jessica, Leah, Matt (Fort Worth, TX)
Time: [44:13], [40:50], [36:49], [22:09]

• Abby: $90,000+ in debt, upside-down car, single mom, struggling to see a way out.
  • Dave: Bankruptcy would not solve her core problem (student loans and family debts can’t be discharged). Focus: sell the car, wait for child support arrears to fill the gap, use private sale, and possibly hardship deferment for student loans [49:00].
  • “The car is the problem. You hang on; I’m gonna have Christian pick up and get you a Ramsey-trained counselor.” [52:28]
• Jessica: Owes $7,000 in taxes, also expecting a baby.
  • Dave: “You don’t get to choose—pay the IRS now. The penalties and interest are worse than a payday lender.” [41:15]
• Leah: Special-needs child, asks about adequate life insurance as a stay-at-home mom.
  • Dave: “All stay-at-home moms should have life insurance to replace the actual marketplace value of their duties.” [37:38]
  • Recommends $500K+.
• Matt: Tried to get his mom out of debt before retirement; she’s unmotivated.
  • Dave: “You want your loved ones to win with money more than they do, but you can’t force them. Have a closing conversation—then drop it.” [25:04]

4. Windfalls & Major Decisions

Caller: Michael (Little Rock), Jimmy (Atlanta), Donnie (Richmond, VA), Chris (Roanoke)
Time: [86:24], [33:14], [107:04], [113:50]

• Michael: $400K legal settlement, $70K debt, wants to do the right thing.
  • Dave: “Pay off your debts, set aside wedding money, and build a life where you don't need this settlement. Invest the rest and let it grow.” [91:21]
  • Chris: “If you start living off it, it'll be gone in 20 days.”
• Jimmy: Self-employed, 5 paid-for houses, considering using DSCR loan for remodels.
  • Dave: “I own several hundred million in real estate—100% paid for. Move at the speed of cash, don't use DSCR loans.” [35:29]
• Donnie: Successful TikTok sports card shop with his son, considering leaving his steady finance job.
  • Dave: “Do it, but remember: this won’t last forever. Platforms change. Bank your profits and look for what's next.” [110:19]
  • Be on multiple platforms; don't rely on one channel (TikTok).
• Chris: Has leftover 529 funds after cash-flowing college.
  • Dave: Use the 529s as intended, then invest extra with flexibility outside college restrictions. [114:11]

5. Budgeting, Business, and Financial Planning

Callers: Tanya (Richmond, VA), Rose (Phoenix), Jack & others
Time: [80:58], [102:14], [05:30]

• Tanya: Balancing growth of a young concierge therapy business with debt payoff.
  • Dave: “You can’t borrow your way out of debt. Use business income to get debt-free, but the real growth comes from more clients, not spending.”
  • Chris: It's okay for all her income to go to debt in the early days. [84:35]
• Rose: Paid off half the joint mortgage on a home with her sister; sister is upset.
  • Dave: “No reason to be mad, nothing’s hurt. Mortgage payoff doesn’t affect trusts.” [104:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Money & Relationships:
  “If you keep doing what you've been doing, you're going to keep getting what you've been getting.” – Dave Ramsey [18:44]
• On Financial Teamwork:
  “Money is a tool that we use every day in our life. When we see that as a household and togetherness, it helps so many decisions.” – Rachel Cruze [04:28]
• On Debt Reality:
  “Everything you had was north of 20%... Like, do you like getting screwed? You signed up for everything possible that was horrible!” – Dave Ramsey [14:29]
• On Trying to Help Loved Ones:
  “You can't answer questions people aren't asking. I quit presenting myself as the answer to problems people aren't trying to solve.” – Dave Ramsey [26:07]
• On Entrepreneurial Risk:
  “TikTok Shop won't be around forever... Be looking for the next way to sell. Don’t marry one platform.” – Dave Ramsey [111:18]
• On Marital Alignment:
  “I would not ask someone to be in an abusive, toxic environment for 20 years... This is abusive, toxic.” – Dave Ramsey (to Ashley) [61:13]
• On Budget Shock:
  “The emotional shock of looking down at your line items—‘my mentored coffees cost that much?’—is good for you.” – Dave Ramsey [98:12]

Important Timestamps

• Combining finances in marriage: [00:44] – [05:30]
• Young entrepreneur and debt: [05:30] – [09:59]
• Crisis debt and tough advice: [11:14] – [20:41]
• Inheriting parent’s business and debt: [124:00] – [126:33]
• Life insurance for stay-at-home parents: [36:49] – [40:50]
• Prenups, boundaries, and trust: [54:56] – [62:58]
• Budgeting details and habits for couples: [95:46] – [102:14]
• Windfall and life planning: [86:24] – [94:03]
• TikTok Shop: Side hustle to business leap: [107:04] – [113:24]
• Final financial-planning questions: [117:14] – [123:43]

Episode Tone

Direct and practical with a mix of tough love and encouragement. Dave and team don’t sugarcoat the consequences of poor decisions or the challenges of changing habits—but constantly assure listeners that transformation is possible through focus, teamwork, and a willingness to make hard changes.

Key Takeaways

• Change starts with you: If you want your money to change, your behavior must change first.
• Couples need unity, not secrecy: Financial “oneness” is crucial in marriage. Avoid financial secrets and work as a team.
• No more debt: Avoid debt at all costs; “move at the speed of cash.”
• Take responsibility: Own your mistakes and vow not to repeat them.
• You can’t force others to change: Inspire by example, not by nagging.
• Plan for the future: Windfalls are opportunities—secure your future, don’t fritter them away.
• Budget matters: Start detailed, then simplify as you gain discipline.

For Listeners:

If you’re stuck, struggling, or just want to make a change—remember Dave’s refrain:
“If nothing changes, your money won’t change.”
Take ownership, get on a plan, and surround yourself with accountability.

Listen to the full episode at ramseysolutions.com or search for The Ramsey Show on your favorite podcast platform.