A Dave Ramsey Caller Paid Off Their House Exactly As He Preaches. But They Admit They Don't Feel 'The Sense Of Freedom' They Were Promised

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Brittany from Indiana called into “The Ramsey Show” with what sounded like a dream scenario. She and her husband had paid off their home in 2023, wiped out all debt, and were following Dave Ramsey's “Baby Steps” exactly as he teaches. But when Brittany spoke, she admitted they weren't feeling the payoff they expected.

Contentment Can Feel Like A Moving Target

“We don't feel the sense of freedom, I guess, that we kind of expected or wanted,” Brittany told Ramsey and co-host John Delony. “We're currently saving for a big home renovation. Our house was built in the 70s and a lot of the original exterior components are in need of being replaced.” In other words, they're trying to balance enjoying freedom with staying intense so that they can get the renovations done and then really feel free.

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Ramsey responded with a dose of perspective. “It is devastating that no matter what stage of money you get at, you find out it's finite,” he said. “Contentment is kind of a bully in the schoolyard. It says, ‘Step across this line and I'll punch you.’ You step across the line, it backs up and draws another line. It’s a moving target.”

He explained that Brittany's feelings are common, even for people who become millionaires. “Intellectually, you didn't think it was going to be unlimited, but emotionally you felt like you were going to feel like you were unlimited.”

Delony added that it’s like thinking you’re a millionaire, so you don't have to budget anymore.

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Freedom Is About Choices, Not Just Money

Delony pushed Brittany to reframe how she looked at her situation. “Here's my promise to you. The day these renovations are over, if you and your husband don't get together ASAP and change how you experience the world, you're going to find yourself in yet another self-created prison,” he said. “You are choosing to live in an old house, which means you are choosing to update this stuff. Some stuff has to be done, some stuff doesn't. These are all choices. You're not owned by it.”

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Ramsey also pointed out the difference between financial freedom and financial catastrophe. “Thank God you don’t have this window project and a house payment,” he said. “Thank God it’s an inconvenience versus a freaking catastrophe. When your life’s broke, your life looks like a country song. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong.”

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The Deeper Lesson: Contentment

Ramsey used his own life as an example, describing a time when he finally realized he didn’t need to buy anything to feel satisfied. “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” he said. “I became convinced that contentment might be the most powerful financial principle. If you don’t have contentment, you get into debt. If you do have contentment, you can save.”

For Brittany and her husband, Ramsey and Delony agreed the challenge wasn’t financial mismanagement but learning to breathe and see their progress for what it is: true freedom. “You’re in control. You’re making a choice,” Ramsey reminded her. “The great news is you have choices.”

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This article A Dave Ramsey Caller Paid Off Their House Exactly As He Preaches. But They Admit They Don't Feel 'The Sense Of Freedom' They Were Promised originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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