The Ramsey Show

Episode: Stop Letting Dumb Decisions Control Your Financial Future

Date: March 18, 2026

Hosts: Dave Ramsey, Dr. John DeLoney
Podcast Network: Ramsey Network

Episode Overview

In this hard-hitting, insightful episode, Dave Ramsey and Dr. John DeLoney take calls from listeners struggling with financial mistakes and major life decisions. The hosts use their signature blend of tough love, practical advice, and relatable humor to address the theme of the day: “Stop letting dumb decisions control your financial future.” Across calls ranging from marital money drama and mounting debt to career transitions and inheritance woes, Dave and John remind listeners that no mistake is permanent and with the right plan and mindset, anyone can build wealth and take control.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marital Money Problems and A Lack of Unity

• Caller Ann’s Story (00:51–08:35):
  • Ann describes a decade of marriage with separate finances, following advice from her grandmother to always keep control of her own money.
  • Recently discovered her disabled husband has an Amex with an $18,000 balance at 30% interest — previously hidden.
  • She finds out her husband makes more income than she thought from his pension.
• Dave & John’s Take:
  • Dave emphasizes: "You lost all the right to vote on his money when you said, 'I'm not going to vote on your money.'" (02:24)
  • John points out: "You have to change your language ... you have to change it to we." (05:21)
  • Solution: The pair encourage Ann to drop blame, restart the marriage financially, and work together as a team. "The two of us are going to become one, like the preacher says... and he gets a vote and you get a vote." (06:17–06:50)

2. Paying Down Debt vs. Investing

• Caller Susanna (11:01–17:23):

  • Married less than a year, household income $11,500/month, with $85k in debt (mostly car loan and student loans).
  • Debates continuing investments vs. paying off debt.

• Dave’s Guidance (13:20–14:39):

  • "The data says stop all investing temporarily and pay off the $85,000 as fast as you possibly can."
  • Highlights that their most powerful wealth-building tool is their income, which is being "sucked out" by the debt.
  • Emotional impact of debt is discussed: "Taking that stuff off your risk profile lets you sleep, man. It just changes the temperature and the tension in your home." (16:00 – John)

3. Should I Let Family Be My Bank?

• Caller Joy (17:26–20:00):
  • Her dad offers to finance her upcoming home purchase instead of her taking a bank loan.
• Dave & John’s Advice:
  • Immediate “Don’t do it!” — borrowing money from family, especially for big life purchases, almost always ends with relational strain.
  • Dave: "When you eat Thanksgiving dinner with your master, even if he's a nice master, it still tastes different." (18:27)
  • Encourages clear boundaries, suggesting only to accept a large family gift, not a loan.

4. Workplace Morality and Personal Values

• Caller Doug (22:06–27:39):
  • Works part-time in a home improvement store and is pressured to sign up customers for credit cards and HELOCs, conflicting with his values as he tries to get out of debt.
• Advice:
  • Dave: “If you work for someone, they tell you, 'this is your job.' You have to do the job or you don't get to work there.” (25:07)
  • If it violates your ethics, seek other employment rather than creating conflict or harboring resentment.
  • John: “Those imaginary conversations are a complete and utter waste of your time … commit to not having imaginary conversations. Either have it or don’t.” (26:39)

5. Massive Student Debt and Life Priorities

• Caller Tara (27:43–31:00):
  • 29-year-old veterinarian with $301k in student loans, 5.7% interest, wants advice about debt vs. launching a business vs. starting family.
• Dave:
  • Urges caller to recognize her “vet” commitment and focus on wiping out the debt before considering business-ownership or reducing work to have kids.
  • “You sacrificed a lot of your future in $300,000 to get to be a DVM. And so I want to quit and stay home and raise babies. You gave that up when you signed up for 300k ... Now you gotta get this stinking mess cleaned up.” (29:16–30:26)

6. Smart Home Buying in Your Twenties

• Caller Matthew (34:05–39:09):
  • 27, saved $120,000, wants to buy a sensible, smaller first home for $250–300k range.
• Dave’s Principle:
  • "He with the most options and patience, wins. ... Options mean you look at a lot of properties.” (35:20)
  • Foreclosures are only a deal if they’re actually priced below market after repairs; always get inspections.

7. Dealing With Regret After Financial Upheaval

• Caller John (39:31–42:49):
  • Self-employed musician, recently purchased first home, now anxious, feels over-leveraged after unexpected car accident and expenses.
• Ramsey Reframe:
  • "The math says the $1500 out of $4000 shouldn’t cause you stress ... your perception of the house is causing stress." (42:29)
  • Emphasizes sticking with the plan, “facts are your friends.”

8. Quick-Fire: Ethics & Integrity Calls

Settling Massive Old Car Debt After Injury Settlement (44:06–51:07)

• 21-year-old caller, $70k car debt, $250k settlement after bizarre injury from 3D-printed firearm.
• Dave: “When you get your $250k, you write a check and pay the people you owe because you screwed them.” (48:02)
• John on integrity: “If you want to become a wealthy person that changes your family tree ... you have to become a person of extreme integrity.” (49:36)

Living Together, Splitting Expenses, and Avoiding Commitment (54:16–58:52)

• Marie, 62, debates with 51-year-old boyfriend (not married) about whether he should pay part of her household bills, as he stays there regularly.
• Dave/John: Suggest she may be seeking emotional connection and commitment, disguised as a financial debate. Outcome: “If you’re going to stay in this relationship, I think he wins the argument.” (58:35)

9. Financial Clean-Up & Systems Over Spending

Young Adult Trapped by Poor Habits (66:18–71:33)

• Evelyn, 24, earns $3–4k/month, lives at home, puts everything on credit card, stuck in paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, duplex rental not making money.
• Dave: “I think you have a systems problem.” (68:57)
• Suggests selling property, cutting up the credit card, budgeting with EveryDollar, and picking up a second job for fast progress.

10. Debt Settlement, Credit Reports, and Ethics (71:46–74:21)

• Hannah asks how long charge-offs stay on credit reports.
• Dave: “Seven years from date of last activity. Spoiler: That doesn't matter ... They still will sue you.”
• Takes opportunity to urge people to clean up their debts, not just wait them out.

11. Work, Relocation, and Being Upfront With Future Employers

• Caller Corey (75:35–81:40):
  • Worried about taking a new job knowing possible relocation in 6–12 months.
• Ethical Lens:
  • “Treat other people like you’d want to be treated.” (76:41)
  • John: “If you’re a great social worker, there will be schools lining up for you. ... Be honest, but also tell the whole story.” (81:10)

12. Other Notable Calls & Wisdom Nuggets

• How much to spend on an engagement ring? — “No more than a month’s income. The jewelry store tells you three months income, but they sell jewelry.” (82:21–84:40)
• Inheriting a rental property as executor — “Your job is to execute the will, not drama. Make sure the will is clear so there’s no family squabble afterward.” (85:52–93:06)
• Work optional after selling business and real estate (122:03–126:14): "Arithmetic says you have enough, but you need a sense of purpose. Your spirit is not work-optional."
• Baby Steps Millionaire story—Scott: “Stay employed, pay yourself first, stay invested.” (109:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Marital Unity:

  • “You gotta change your language. I, I, I, he he he, you have to change it to we.” — John DeLoney (05:21)
  • "The two of us are going to become one, like the preacher says. And now you are one." — Dave Ramsey (06:17)

• Financial Peace and Stress:

  • “Taking that stuff off your risk profile lets you sleep, man. It just changes the temperature and the tension in your home.” — John DeLoney (16:00)

• Family Loans:

  • “When you eat Thanksgiving dinner with your master, even if he's a nice master, it still tastes different.” — Dave Ramsey (18:27)

• On Integrity:

  • “If you want to become a wealthy person ... you have to become a person of extreme integrity. Quit doing crap under the table.” — Dave Ramsey (49:36)

• Dealing with Inheritance Drama:

  • “Your job is not to execute drama. Your job is to execute his wishes in the will.” – Dave Ramsey (89:23)

• Wealth-Building Fundamentals:

  • “Keep investing and keep employed. Pay yourself first.” — Scott, Baby Steps Millionaire (109:27)
  • “Compound interest, self discipline, living on less than you make ... actually freaking works.” — Dave Ramsey (114:31)

Timestamps: Important Segments

• Marital Financial Blunders & Rebuilding as a Team: 00:51–08:35
• Debt vs. Investing Strategies: 11:01–17:23
• Should My Dad Be My Bank?: 17:26–20:00
• Values Clash at Work: 22:06–27:39
• $301k Student Loans, Business Ownership vs. Kids: 27:43–31:00
• First-Time Home Buying (Gen Z Success): 34:05–39:09
• Homeownership Regrets & Anxiety: 39:31–42:49
• Morality of Debt Settlement After Injury Windfall: 44:06–51:07
• Long-Term Unmarried Couples & Expenses: 54:16–58:52
• Basic Budgeting/Systems for Young Adults: 66:18–71:33
• Credit Charge-Offs, Ethics, and Settlement: 71:46–74:21
• Moral Dilemma: Changing Jobs Before Moving: 75:35–81:40
• How Much for the Engagement Ring?: 82:05–84:40
• Inheritance, Executorship, and Setting Up the Will: 85:52–93:06
• Baby Steps Millionaire Wisdom: 107:33–114:31
• Work Optional vs. Purposeful Living: 122:03–126:14

Tone and Style

• Direct, no-nonsense, and at times irreverent (“Better than I deserve,” “Normal is broke and common sense is weird”)
• Offers encouragement but never coddles; humor and “snark” soften blunt truths
• Emphasizes personal responsibility, unity (especially in marriage), and integrity

Final Takeaway

The Ramsey Show’s March 18, 2026 episode is a masterclass in financial reality checks. Through pointed advice and illustrative caller stories, Dave and Dr. John drive home that “dumb” past decisions don’t have to dictate your future—if you face them with honesty, teamwork, and a plan. Financial peace isn’t just about dollars; it’s about character, unity, and intentionality.