Podcast Summary: The Ramsey Show

Episode: “Was I Right To Break Off My Engagement Because of Bad Money Habits?”
Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: George Campbell & Jade Warshaw (Dave Ramsey at intervals)

Overview of Episode

This episode focused on real-life financial dilemmas called in by listeners. The main theme revolved around relationships and money—exploring difficult decisions like breaking off engagements due to financial incompatibility, navigating jointly owned assets, and overcoming financial distress as a couple or family. The Ramsey team gave practical, direct advice with characteristic candor, helping callers see both the numbers and the emotional realities behind their money decisions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Off an Engagement Over Bad Money Habits

(00:40–08:35)

• Caller: Brianna from Minneapolis
• Situation: She broke off her engagement due to her fiancé’s bad money habits (overspending, trouble holding a job) and now faces sole financial responsibility, including debt incurred during the relationship.

Major Insights:

• Hosts affirmed Brianna’s choice, emphasizing the importance of aligned financial values before marriage.
  • Jade Warshaw (02:12): "You had enough time to see a track record, and you seem like your thoughts are comp. So I'm going to ride with you on this."
  • George Campbell (01:52): "I say bullet dodged...It's either this or a divorce later on. I'd rather nip it in the bud while we can."
• Brianna revealed she bought a $50K car during her engagement, influenced by her fiancé.
  • George (04:17): Calls out the inconsistency: "How am I supposed to take you seriously if I'm the Fiance going, you really need to get better with your spending habits. And then I'm over here financing a $50,000 car?"
• The hosts challenge her to take ownership for her own financial decisions, not just blame the ex.
  • Jade (05:25): "There are plenty of people in the world who are fine with debt. For a lot of people, that's not the problem. The problem is when you have somebody who's not working..."
  • George (05:56): "I think you are right to break off the engagement, and I think we need to accept a little more responsibility that we weren't quite the angel that we maybe made ourselves out to be, and he's the devil here."
• Actionable advice: Sell the expensive car, become financially independent, and establish solid financial habits before entering another relationship.
  • George (08:19): "I would sell that car as soon as possible...There's no reason you need to be driving a $50,000 car walking out of this mess."

2. Marriage Stress Over Money & Hobbies

(10:30–21:56)

• Caller: Jeremy from Boise
• Situation: Argues with wife over hobby spending (restoring an old car) while under heavy debt. Wife is strict with the Ramsey plan; he's not as urgent about getting out of debt.

Major Insights:

• Jade and George frame the spending disagreement as a misalignment in financial priorities and a potential threat to marital unity.
  • George (15:09): "She's seeing a guy who is choosing a hobby of car restoration over the strength and stability of their marriage and finances."
• They suggest practical ways to harmonize goals:
  • Set a fun money budget for each spouse.
  • If Jeremy wants to fund his hobby, get a side hustle and earmark extra income for it.
  • Consider selling high-value vehicles to pay off debt faster and relieve stress.
  • George (19:31): "You'd have 70 grand sitting in a bank account to go buy some used cars and pay off debt."
• Warning: Avoid letting debt and secretive spending become reasons for divorce.
  • George (20:22): "You're opting out of this marriage by focusing on this car instead of what she really needs right now."

3. Messy Family Real Estate Deals

(21:56–33:23)

• Caller: Kaylee (Canadian living in Florida)
• Situation: Co-owns a house with mom (and indirectly dad), grapples with how to split household bills and future profits, and whether she’s being unfair for wanting to split bills three ways instead of two.

Major Insights:

• Hosts clarify that if parents’ finances are joined, it's really two “entities,” not three—so 50/50 is fair, not thirds.
  • Jade (24:52): "Your mom and dad are an entity and you are an entity. That's really what it is."
• Urge to get any homeownership or profit-sharing agreements in writing for clarity.
  • George (27:52): "I would have that in writing and have all of you sign it and come to Jesus meeting and say, this has been messy."
• If the current arrangement causes ongoing stress, recommend getting out altogether, letting parents buy her out, and simplifying life.
  • Jade (28:30): "You're so conflicted by this that you called in the show... Move and get an apartment on my own and just be on my own."

4. Budgeting Struggles and Emergency Fund Management

(33:23–36:14)

• Written-In Question from Justin (Michigan): Keeps dipping into emergency fund to make it to the end of the month, wonders if he should pause debt payments to build a buffer.

Major Insights:

• Review and tighten the budget; any recurring shortfalls mean categories are mismatched with reality.
• Keep a small buffer in checking in addition to the emergency fund.
• Track spending in real-time to avoid mid-month surprises.

5. Financial Planning & Major Life Choices

(36:14–42:55)

• Caller: Madison from Sacramento, age 24
• Situation: Paid off debt, wants to go back to school for counseling degree (~$50,000), but also wants to buy a home and start a family.

Major Insights:

• Absolutely avoid debt for school if possible, especially after working so hard to become debt-free.
• Cash flow school or delay plans until home/family goals are met.
• Be strategic: "You can do a lot of things, but you can't do them all at once." (Jade, 40:59)

6. Other Notable Calls & Insights

• Spousal Career Change & School Debt: Couple wrestling with both wanting to change careers, but on tight finances and already in debt. Hosts urge delaying big dreams until financial stability is achieved, and caution against going into further debt.

  • Jade (48:47): "His is more risky...but his is cheaper and has a shorter timeline. Yours is more straight ahead, but expensive and you can't go into debt for this."

• Elderly Widow with Cash Stash:

  • Caller: Patricia, 82, has over $100,000 cash saved “under the mattress” by her late husband.
  • Advice: Deposit it at a bank; no fear of IRS reprisal beyond standard banking paperwork. Seek trustworthy investment advice so her nest egg can grow to supplement Social Security.

• Lead Paint Abatement Crisis:

  • Caller: Sydney with 5 young kids, facing mandatory $30K lead abatement in 1895 farmhouse, limited income.
  • Advice: Deep empathy, but ultimate focus on finding new sources of income or possibly selling before accruing unsustainable debt.

• Underwater Car Loan Choices:

  • Caller: Brittany owes more than car is worth.
  • Advice: Sell the car if possible, use personal loan for the gap, but avoid voluntary repossession, as it destroys credit but doesn’t remove the debt.

• Large Secret IRS Tax Debt:

  • Caller: Claude with 27 properties, hasn’t filed taxes since 2016.
  • Advice: Hire a CPA/enrolled agent immediately, liquidate properties to pay off huge probable tax bill, get integrity and legal compliance before disaster strikes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Bullet dodged. It's either this or a divorce later on. I'd rather nip it in the bud while we can."
  — George Campbell, (01:52) on breaking off the engagement
• "How am I supposed to take you seriously if I'm the Fiance going, you really need to get better with your spending habits. And then I'm over here financing a $50,000 car?"
  — George Campbell, (04:17)
• "Simplify your life."
  — Jade Warshaw, (93:16) to a caller with an unmanageable web of rental properties and tax issues
• "There are people who are fine with debt... The problem is when you have somebody who's not working and seems like they might not be able to hold a job."
  — Jade Warshaw, (05:25)
• "If you do this, somebody needs to go out and earn it."
  — Jade Warshaw, (115:09) about funding a destination wedding trip
• "We make $11,000. Why are we going into debt for anything?"
  — George Campbell, (112:44)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:40–08:35] — Ending engagement over money issues; what to do post-breakup
• [10:30–21:56] — Spousal conflict over hobby vs. debt freedom
• [21:56–33:23] — Messy family house deal and how to split bills/future profit
• [33:23–36:14] — Listener budgeting struggles & building a buffer
• [36:14–42:55] — Young couple, college dreams versus home/family priorities
• [44:11–52:04] — Career dreams versus family stability, timeline, and debt
• [54:09–57:48] — Elderly widow, hidden cash, and safe investment
• [95:53–103:40] — Lead abatement financial crisis
• [85:41–93:51] — Real estate investor with years of unfiled taxes

Tone & Style

The hosts delivered tough love with humor and empathy, not shying away from hard truths. There were many moments of laughter—especially when callers revealed surprising realities (like mattress cash or massive back taxes)—but always a return to core Ramsey principles: honesty, personal responsibility, no debt, and intentionality.

Conclusion

This episode showcased the complexity of financial challenges—especially as they intersect with relationships, health, and family. The advice threads a powerful needle: No short-term comfort or accommodation is worth a lifetime of financial stress and regret. Take control, act with integrity, and be brutally honest with yourself, your partners, and your budget.

For more insights and resources, visit Ramsey Solutions.