The Ramsey Show Highlights My Wife's Holiday Spending Is Costing Us A Fortune
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Oct 29, 2025 Dale, a caller seeking advice, shares the details of his wife's costly family holiday traditions, highlighting a staggering $3,000 holiday spend. He discusses the sentimental vs. practical aspects of adult children's gifts, which sparks a deep dive into their finances. With guidance from Dave, they explore ways to simplify holiday giving, like drawing names and setting clear budget limits. The conversation culminates in practical tips for creating a written Christmas budget, utilizing cash envelopes, and focusing spending on children.
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Longstanding Family Christmas Traditions
- Dale describes a 15-year tradition where adults receive children's Christmas books and expensive stockings from his wife's family.
- He says the holiday spending totals several thousand dollars and they don't budget for it, which creates tension in the marriage.
Holiday Spending Is A Symptom
- Dave highlights that the holiday spending is a symptom of larger communication and financial control issues in the marriage.
- He says fixing the overall money habits makes negotiating specific traditions much easier.
Control Holidays By Budgeting Year-Round
- Rachel recommends living on a written monthly budget so holiday spending feels controlled instead of chaotic.
- She recommends using the EveryDollar app to plan and stick to that budget together.