The Ramsey Show — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Make The Right Decision Today—Your Future Will Thank You
Date: December 26, 2025
Hosts: Ken Coleman & George Kamel
Network: Ramsey Network

Episode Overview

This episode of The Ramsey Show centers around the theme: “Make wise choices with your money today—your future self will thank you.” Ken Coleman and George Kamel tackle real-life financial and career questions from callers, often facing tough crossroads, big mistakes, and pressing opportunities. Callers confront classic Ramsey topics: debt, scams, home buying, family money dilemmas, and career transitions. The hosts blend practical advice, tough love, and hope, all while holding listeners accountable to straightforward, value-driven principles.

Key Discussion Points & Caller Questions

1. Recovering from a Catastrophic Investment Scam

Caller: Kathy from Texas ([00:52]–[09:10])

• Situation: 68 years old, lost $487,000 to an online scam, wiped out retirement funds, owes $33,000 (AmEx loan + minor debts), borrowed money from her brother who also lost money.

• Emotional Fallout:

  • Ken: "I'm guessing you're just emotionally stunned." ([01:51])
  • Kathy: "I have a house that's paid off... I'm just lost."

• Immediate Actions:

  • Do not file bankruptcy—it won’t fix the underlying loss.
  • Prioritize day-to-day survival; her $2000/month Social Security barely covers bills.
  • George: "You can't take care of brother. Brother's got to take care of himself. You both made a poor decision." ([04:09])
  • Ken: "Get a job—even Starbucks, Walmart, Target... Coming off something this emotionally difficult, one of the best things you can do is get to work." ([05:10])

• Long-term Advice:

  • Do NOT get a reverse mortgage: “They prey on desperate people like our friend Kathy.” ([07:32])
  • Her paid-off home ($375k–$425k value) is her safety net.
  • Focus on generating income; only sell/downgrade the house if absolutely necessary in the future.
  • Ken: "Grieve what was and just create a realistic picture of what comes next." ([08:14])

2. Ethical Dilemma: Cosigning on a Church Loan

Caller: Jim from Little Rock, Arkansas ([11:16]–[14:24])

• Situation: Leadership asked church members to personally guarantee a $3M loan for a building expansion.

• Advice:

  • Ken: “No. I wouldn’t do it.” ([12:21])
  • George: "The reason they need a guarantor is because the lender doesn't believe the church has the finances. That should be red flag number one." ([12:39])
  • Ken: "Growth is exciting, but the pastor has building fever … He shouldn’t be putting pressure as a leader on people to guarantee what the church needs to handle." ([13:36])
  • “If the church can’t cash flow the loan, DON’T do the loan.”

3. Managing a Drastic Jump in Income

Caller: Morgan from Cleveland, OH ([14:31]–[19:39])

• Situation: Law student jumping from $20/hr to $210k/year, no debt, $100k in savings, family follows Ramsey plan.

• Advice:

  • George lauds the foundation: “100 grand saved, no debt. … The best thank you is following the plan and changing your family tree.” ([17:03])
  • Recommendation: Continue renting at first, even for 1–2 years in new city to stack more cash. “[Maybe] you could even pay cash” for your first home. ([18:10])
  • Invest 15% of new income for retirement and save for a down payment.

• Ken’s reassurance: “You’re not alone—your mom and dad will help. … You’re a superstar.” ([19:39])

4. Dangerous Debt: The 48% Loan Trap

Caller: Karen from San Antonio, TX ([21:41]–[30:55])

• Situation: Widow, business struggling, took out a $29,000 personal loan at 48% interest (front-loaded) for mobile dog grooming van conversion, lots of additional debt, lives in an RV she owes $40k on, health issues.

• Ramsey Intervention:

  • George: “Better than paying $15k in interest that you don’t have!” ([29:29])
  • Encouragement to return the $31k loan immediately and not buy the van.
  • Sell the RV and reduce debts, live simply, seek low-stress work (part time if needed).
  • Ken: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. … Life has been happening to her—she’s got to flip the script.” ([30:55])

5. Escaping a Life of Poverty with Recovery

Caller: Dan from Mesa, AZ ([43:42]–[51:46])

• Situation: Lifelong poverty, disability income + grocery store job, long-term recovery from trauma and alcoholism, recently got certified in data analytics.

• Hosts' Uplifting Encouragement:

  • Ken: “I think you’re stronger than you think you are. … There’s a man who’s full of joy and gives joy.” ([46:02])
  • Suggests moving into a full-time retail or service job for income/benefits, continue therapy, keep working toward tech job.
  • George: “You’re worth more than $100/week. Can we agree on that?” ([51:22])
  • Ken: “It’s worth betting on yourself.” ([49:52])
  • Gift: Ken offers Dan his book “Proximity Principle” as a homework assignment.

6. Family Real Estate Mess: Buying Before Marriage

Caller: Allison from Philadelphia, PA ([54:15]–[62:35])

• Situation: Dating nearly 2 years, boyfriend wants to buy parents’ house (below market), split equity if sold, but they aren’t married.

• Hosts' Reaction:

  • Ken: “This is an awful idea.” ([55:02])
  • George: “Red flag, red flag, red flag. … Splitting the difference with them—what if the house goes way up in value?” ([55:44])
  • Owning a house before marriage (and with parents in the deal) creates legal and relational chaos.
  • Ken: “You and your boyfriend don’t live together until you get married.” ([56:07])
  • George: “Right now, what’s clouding your judgment is this quote, ‘deal’ you’re getting…” ([57:49])
  • Both hosts urge Allison to stick to her boundaries and wait for a real commitment.

Memorable Ken quote:
"I’m not even going to date you for a long time if you don’t show some dad gum commitment … This is what’s wrong with men in America today." ([60:16])

7. Teen Working 60 Hours/Week—Is It Too Much?

Caller: Joanne from Toronto, ON ([33:17]–[42:05])

• Situation: 15-year-old son, Ramsey-educated, works 50–60 hours/week in landscaping, lives for work over soccer, wants to buy a house at age 20.

• Parental Concern: Is he missing out on childhood or becoming unhealthily obsessed with work and money?

• Ken’s Take: “I couldn’t be happier. Joanne, you have nothing to be concerned about at all.” ([35:34])

• George’s Nuance: “Only concern: he’s skipped childhood, went straight into adulthood. … I just want him doing it for the right reasons and have some real depth to it…” ([36:10])

• Context: Trauma (loss of brother, parental divorce) may be fueling this work obsession.

8. Keep or Sell Inherited Property?

Caller: Sarah from Boston, MA ([69:10]–[74:58])

• Situation: Husband wants to keep inherited Cape Cod cottage while selling main family home, but Sarah worries about paying off $560k mortgage vs. keeping vacation home.

• Advice:

  • Both hosts support keeping the cottage if income allows—"You’re not broke. You make $300,000. … I want to be in that cottage in Cape Cod." ([71:16], [71:30])
  • Aggressively pay off primary home mortgage with combined $4–5k/month and consider renting the cottage when not using it for extra income.
  • George: “Go use our mortgage payoff calculator … have some fun and dream…”

9. The “Should We Use Savings to Pay Off Debt?” Dilemma

Caller: Natalie from Sacramento, CA ([88:30]–[96:41])

• Situation: Veterans, $87k in debt (credit card, student loans, car loan on a 2022 4Runner), $12.5k in savings, $9k/month income.

• Advice:

  • George: “You should use your savings—except $1,000—for the debt snowball.” ([90:41])
  • Command to sell the car—likely underwater, but do what it takes to clear the $667/mo payment.
  • “That dream’s bigger than a vehicle,” referencing their intention to relocate and adopt.
  • Ken: “It's a season—it's not forever.” ([92:04])
  • Both hosts: Eliminate the car, blast the debt, then save for the future.

10. Should You Pay Off the Mortgage—Even If the Math Seems Dumb?

Caller: Adam from Dallas, TX ([79:11]–[86:29])

• Situation: Debates with wife over paying off 3.625% $327k mortgage when their money market/savings earn 3.8–5% interest; plenty of cash on hand.

• George’s Key Counter: "The question is, is it worth paying 12 grand in interest to make 12 grand in a savings account? Basic math tells me it’s a wash, dude. … Nobody can come after your house. You own it free and clear." ([86:29])

• Ken’s Insight: “Your wife is looking at this emotionally, you’re looking at it logically. … How important is it to make $2,000/yr or to meet your wife where she is and help her feel safe?” ([85:19])

11. Massive Inheritance for Kids—What Next?

Caller: Steve from Houston, TX ([97:46]–[102:18])

• Situation: Put lump sums in kids’ 529s and UTMAs, now grown to over $1.3 million (kids aged 9 and 12).

• Advice:

  • George: “Hope you have a trustworthy investment professional … you're creating generational wealth.” ([101:31])
  • Delay setting up their own wills until adulthood; for now, trust/will, and beneficiaries already set.

12. Snowbird Retirement: Should We Buy a Second House?

Caller: Rebecca from Orlando, FL ([102:44]–[107:15])

• Situation: Wants to split time between FL & OH in retirement.

• Advice:

  • George: Renting in second state is perfectly valid, especially if cash flow is strong and property would be used only part of the year—"You could rent for 33 years before you’ve spent 400 grand in rent.” ([106:41])
  • Test it for a year or two before committing to buying a property.

13. Real-Life Debt-Free Scream

Guests: Lucas & Alexis, Clarksville, TN ([108:20]–[114:55])

• Paid off $81,188 in 14 months on $72k–$86k income (single income, young family, two children).
• Biggest Lessons: "Budget, budget, budget" ([113:00]); "Consistency—life happens, but get right back on." ([113:06])
• Motivation: “The podcast … and debt-free screams gave us the inspiration.”
• Celebratory scream: “Three, two, one … WE’RE DEBT FREE!” ([114:28])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “You can’t take care of brother. Brother’s got to take care of himself. You both made a poor decision.” – Ken ([04:09])
• “The promises are over. … I hope you can pay him back one day, but it’s not today.” – George ([03:51])
• “Get a job—even Starbucks, Walmart, Target. … Coming off something this emotionally difficult, one of the best things you can do is get to work.” – Ken ([05:10])
• “Growth is exciting, but the pastor has building fever … He shouldn’t be putting pressure as a leader on people to guarantee what the church needs to handle.” – Ken ([13:36])
• “100 grand saved, no debt. … The best thank you is following the plan and changing your family tree.” – George ([17:03])
• “Better than paying $15,000 in interest that you don't have!” – George ([29:29])
• “You’re worth more than $100 a week. Can we agree on that?” – George, to Dan ([51:23])
• “This is what's wrong with men in America today. We got all these friggin' women walking around … they can't get married because you got a bunch of frickin' children posing as men.” – Ken ([60:16])
• “The question is, is it worth paying 12 grand in interest to make 12 grand in a savings account? Basic math tells me it’s a wash, dude. … Nobody can come after your house. You own it free and clear.” – George ([86:29])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Kathy’s scam/retirement disaster: [00:52] – [09:10]
• Church cosigning question: [11:16] – [14:24]
• Law student’s new salary: [14:31] – [19:39]
• Karen’s small business debt spiral: [21:41] – [30:55]
• Dan escapes poverty/addiction: [43:42] – [51:46]
• Allison, buying a house before marriage: [54:15] – [62:35]
• Teen work-life balance: [33:17] – [42:05]
• Managing inheritance vs loan payoff: [69:10] – [74:58]
• How to use savings on debt, and the “fancy car” trap: [88:30] – [96:41]
• Mortgage payoff debate: [79:11] – [86:29]
• Inheriting massive funds for kids: [97:46] – [102:18]
• Becoming a snowbird in retirement: [102:44] – [107:15]
• Debt free scream / Lucas & Alexis: [108:20] – [114:55]

Episode Tone

• Direct, empathetic, sometimes blunt (“red flag, red flag, red flag…”).
• Combines encouragement with tough love.
• Hosts keep things fast-paced, relatable, and even humorous at times (“I almost said chicken butt...”).

Final Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in financial triage, straight talk, and hope. With each caller, Ken and George steer listeners to simple, principled answers: live within your means, face embarrassment head-on, help your future self by making wise choices now, and don’t get seduced by “deals” or quick fixes. The common thread: honesty, courage, and a willingness to change—plus a reminder that even after the worst money mistake, you can start again.

For more resources and the full Ramsey baby steps plan, visit RamseySolutions.com.