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Dave Ramsey has millions of followers who swear by his money advice, but does his one size fits all approach actually help or hurt? In today’s episode I’m breaking down the full picture––what he gets right, where his advice becomes harmful, and why so many people feel shame, fear, or financial stagnation after following his rigid frameworks. From emergency funds and credit cards to retirement timing, debt payoff, and the systemic barriers Ramsey ignores, I’m diving into the nuance he refuses to acknowledge—so you can take the helpful parts and leave the rest behind. If you’ve ever struggled to explain why Dave Ramsey isn’t your financial cup of tea, save this episode.
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00:00 Intro
01:59 Dave Ramsey’s “Baby Steps” framework
02:56 Dave Ramsey’s appeal
03:17 Lack of nuance and ignoring systemic issues
04:04 What Dave Ramsey gets right
07:10 Major problems with Ramsey’s advice
07:37 $1,000 emergency fund is too low
09:36 “All debt is bad” is harmful and misleading
10:45 The 7% rule: When to pay off debt vs. invest
11:20 Unrealistic mortgage and home-buying advice
12:20 Why rigid rules are easier to sell, but less helpful
13:28 The role of shame and discipline
15:32 Use of Christianity and morality in marketing
16:47 Advice on combining finances in marriage
18:21 Lawsuits and toxic workplace allegations
21:48 Out-of-touch advice on childcare
22:45 How to use Ramsey’s advice mindfully
24:36 Systemic oppression in personal finance
25:44 Credit scores and credit cards
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