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The Ramsey Show · July 17, 2026 · 2h 7m

When You Don't Have Payments, You Have More Options

Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruze

Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze answer listener calls covering extreme debt, relationship strain from unemployment, major career pivots with steep income drops, handling retirement accounts after a company closure, and investing divorce settlements. The episode reinforces that eliminating payments creates freedom to follow a financial plan.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Canon

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Escaping $108,000 of debt while homeless00:00:00
A caller is $108,000 in debt, living in their car, and having wages garnished. The hosts discuss the Ramsey Baby Steps as a debt‑elimination framework.
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Editorial

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Deciding whether to leave a long‑term unemployed spouse00:00:00
A listener asks whether to leave a husband who has been unemployed for ten years. The hosts explore the financial and emotional toll of supporting an unwilling partner.
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Transitioning to a career with a 75% pay cut00:00:00
A caller wants to switch to a field where they’ll earn a quarter of their current income. The hosts advise on preparing financially before the leap.
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Handling retirement accounts when the company closes00:00:00
A caller’s employer is shutting down, and they ask what to do with the company retirement plan. The hosts explain rollover options and the danger of early withdrawals.
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Investing divorce settlement money for the future00:00:00
A caller receives money in a divorce and asks whether to put it into retirement. The hosts discuss how to prioritize savings and avoid lifestyle inflation.
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