The Ramsey Show
The Ramsey Show

Building Wealth Requires Trusted Principles, Not Popular Opinions

July 3, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Building Wealth Requires Trusted Principles, Not Popular Opinions

On this episode of The Ramsey Show, Jade Warshaw and Dr. John Deloney fielded calls covering financial abuse, shady employment practices, risky mortgage strategies, and the emotional weight of money decisions. The throughline was consistent: financial peace comes from sticking to proven principles, not chasing hacks or following TikTok influencers.

Financial Abuse and the Reality of Leaving

Maria, a 48-year-old stay-at-home mom in San Diego, called in a situation that was both financial and relational. She had been married for 13 years to a man who controlled all the money. She had no savings, no retirement, and had only recently discovered his income — $90,000 a year — by finding a HELOC application. He routed his mail to his parents. She had no access to bank accounts.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:10) **Show Open & First Call: Financial Abuse in Marriage** - Maria, a stay-at-home mom in San Diego, reveals a volatile marriage where her husband controls all finances and she has no savings or retirement.
  • 2 (10:13) **Second Call: Salary vs. Hourly Confusion** - Leah from Ohio calls about her husband's new job where the salary offer doesn't match the first paycheck, and the employer is blocking access to pay information.
  • 3 (21:58) **Third Call: The First Lien HELOC TikTok Trap** - Brooke from Baton Rouge calls because her husband is following a TikToker promoting a first lien HELOC to pay off their mortgage faster.
  • 4 (35:03) **Fourth Call: Baby Step Six Truck Purchase** - Aaron from Nebraska calls to ask if she should buy her husband a $80,000 truck, as they are in Baby Step 6 with a high income.
  • 5 (43:35) **Fifth Call: Blended Family Finances & Unequal Savings** - Tiffany from Houston calls about a conflict with her new husband over savings he has been contributing to his children for 16 years, which is more than she has saved for hers.
  • 6 (53:36) **Sixth Call: Paying Off the Mortgage Celebration** - David from Wisconsin calls to ask what the process looks like for paying off his house in three weeks.
  • 7 (64:34) **Ask Ramsey Segment: How to Choose Investments** - The hosts address the most asked question from the Ask Ramsey AI tool: how to choose the right investment options.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Jade Warshaw Dr. John Deloney

Show Notes

📈 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a Free Personalized Plan.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

❓ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a money question? Ask Ramsey is here to help.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Jade Warshaw and John Delony answer your questions and discuss:

  • I'm 48, have nothing saved for retirement, and I can't rely on my husband financially
  • I feel like my husband's new employer is engaging in shady business practices
  • My husband follows a TikToker who promotes getting a first lean HELOC, is this a good idea?
  • We're paying off our home in 3 weeks, what does that process look like?
  • My property is not cash flowing but I will take a loss if I sell it
  • I don't understand investments, where should I put my money?


Next Steps:

📞 Have a question for the show? Call 888-825-5225 weekdays from 2–5 p.m. ET

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💵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start your free budget today. Download the EveryDollar app!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🏠 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get organized and prepared to buy or sell a home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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