Dave Ramsey

Ramsey was born on September 3, 1960, in Maryville, Tennessee, to parents who worked in the real estate industry.{{Cite web |last= |date=2017-04-13 |title=Centennial Alumni: Dave Ramsey |url=https://our.tennessee.edu/2017/dave-ramsey/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Our Tennessee |publisher=University of Tennessee at Knoxville}}Drury, Susan (May 31, 2007). "[https://archive.today/20210106012206/https:/www.nashvillescene.com/news/article/13014787/the-gospel-according-to-dave The Gospel According to Dave]". Nashville Scene. Archived from the [https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/article/13014787/the-gospel-according-to-dave original] on January 6, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2025. He was raised in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville and graduated from Antioch High School.{{Cite news |last=Patton |first=Alicia |date=September 18, 2023 |title=These are the Most Famous Alumni of Davidson County Schools |url=https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/these-are-the-most-famous-alumni-of-davidson-county-schools/ |access-date=April 12, 2025 |work=WKRN}} At age 18, Ramsey took the real estate exam and began buying and selling property while attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and real estate.

{{See also|Ramsey Solutions|The Ramsey Show{{!}}The Ramsey Show}}

By 1986, Ramsey had accumulated a real estate portfolio valued at over $4 million.{{Cite web |last=Ross Jr. |first=Bobby |date=March 31, 2003 |title=Christian Financial Guru Crusades Against Overspending |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=20030331&id=VLtNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6793,8240090 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210105211307/https:/news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=20030331&id=VLtNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6793,8240090 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Google News}}{{Cite book |last=Ramsey |first=Dave |title=Financial Peace Revisited: New Chapters on Marriage, Singles, Kids and Families |last2=Ramsey |first2=Sharon |date= |publisher=Penguin Publishing Group |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-670-03208-2 |location=East Rutherford}} Following the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, he was unable to meet his loan obligations and filed for bankruptcy in September 1988.{{Cite book |last=Ramsey |first=Dave |title=Real Estate the Ramsey Way |publisher=Ramsey Press |year=2024 |isbn=979-8887820248 |location=Franklin, Tennessee}}

While rebuilding his personal finances, Ramsey began providing financial counseling sessions at his church. In 1991, seeing his demand for counseling grow, he formed the Lampo Group (now known as Ramsey Solutions) to begin providing counseling professionally.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Company History |url=https://www.daveramsey.com/pr/company-history |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210106010619/https:/www.daveramsey.com/pr/company-history |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=DaveRamsey.com}} Ramsey wrote and self-published his first book, Financial Peace, in 1992.

Ramsey's media career began that same year, when he was a guest on a local radio show on WWTN in Nashville—answering money-related questions from listeners and promoting his book. After the show's host left the station over a financial dispute, Ramsey and two other money experts began hosting a show called The Money Game—a daily three-hour call-in financial advice talk show.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Hal |date=2007-03-08 |title=Wilson Group Real Estate |url=http://www.wilsongrouprealestate.com/hal.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308095638/http:/www.wilsongrouprealestate.com/hal.html |archive-date=March 8, 2007 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Wilson Group Real Estate}} By 1996, Ramsey was the solo host and the show was eventually renamed The Dave Ramsey Show three years later.{{Cite web |title=Dave Ramsey |url=https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Ramsey Solutions}}

In 1994, Ramsey introduced Financial Peace University, his nine-lesson course on personal finance.{{Cite web |last=Alberta |first=Tim |date=2018-03-11 |title=The Financial Whisperer to Trump's America |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/03/11/radio-dave-ramsey-2018-trump-217229 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180311110533/https:/www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/03/11/radio-dave-ramsey-2018-trump-217229 |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Politico}}

In 2004, the Gannett newspaper group dropped Ramsey's financial advice column after discovering that the names in readers' letters had been changed without disclosure. Ramsey responded by offering to pay Gannett their money back.

In October of 2007, Ramsey took his radio show to television with The Dave Ramsey Show on Fox Business, which aired until 2010.{{Cite web |last=Riddle |first=Scott B. |date=2007-10-16 |title='The Dave Ramsey Show' Premiers on New Fox Business Channel |url=https://www.georgiabankruptcyblog.com/northern-district-cases/northern-district-cases-the-dave-ramsey-show-premiers-on-new-fox-business-channel |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Georgia Bankruptcy Blog}}{{Cite web |title=Fox Business Bumps Dave Ramsey in Favor of Former Trader Eric Bolling |url=https://www.tvweek.com/broadcast/2010/06/fox-business-bumps-dave-ramsey/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=TV Week}}

In 2014, The Daily Beast reported Ramsey had criticized former employees for discussing company culture on social media. Ramsey himself reportedly infiltrated a private Facebook group, offered cash for the identities of its members, and later addressed the situation in staff meetings. Some Twitter accounts linked to former employees alleged that Ramsey "pulled a gun out of a bag to try to teach a lesson about gossip".{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Matthew Paul |date=May 29, 2014 |title=Spies, Cash, and Fear: Inside Christian Money Guru Dave Ramsey's Social Media Witch Hunt |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/spies-cash-and-fear-inside-christian-money-guru-dave-ramseys-social-media-witch-hunt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200913062057/https:/www.thedailybeast.com/spies-cash-and-fear-inside-christian-money-guru-dave-ramseys-social-media-witch-hunt |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=The Daily Beast}} The incident prompted an increased backlash, a meeting Ramsey set up to confront critics, and the eventual deletion of several of the critical Twitter accounts.

The Dave Ramsey Show was renamed The Ramsey Show in 2020 to better incorporate the show's new full-time co-hosts, and to position the brand for long-term continuity beyond Ramsey's personal involvement. Ramsey was quoted saying that the name change will "set the show up for generational success; that it doesn't die when I do".{{Cite web |last=Nieuwhof |first=Carey |date=2023-10-03 |title=Episode 601: Dave Ramsey on Leading a Gen Z and Millennial Team, His Strategy for Successful Succession, and Rules for Working with Your Adult Kids |url=https://careynieuwhof.com/episode601/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=CareyNieuwhof.com}} Ramsey also said that he will continue to co-host The Ramsey Show "as long as I make sense".

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramsey opposed public health measures such as mask mandates, referring to them as "a sign of fear".{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=N1m_-Ael-sdguHyR&v=6SRorZx3NYo&feature=youtu.be |title=This Has Gotten Out of Hand! - Dave Ramsey Rant |date=2020-11-19 |last= |type=Video |access-date=2025-04-14 |via=YouTube}} On his March 2, 2020, show, Ramsey dismissed refund requests for his upcoming live events, calling those who sought them "wusses" and stated that he would attend an event "by my freaking self" if necessary.{{Cite web |last=Smietana |first=Bob |date=2020-12-11 |title=Dave Ramsey, Christian personal finance guru, defies COVID-19 to keep staff at desks |url=https://religionnews.com/2020/12/11/dave-ramsey-christian-financial-guru-ridicules-covid-19-fears-plans-large-in-person-christmas-party/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Religious News Service}}

In February 2021, Ramsey told Fox News that he did not support stimulus checks, saying, "If $600 or $1,400 changes your life you were pretty much screwed already. You got other issues going on."{{Cite news |last=Lonas Cochran |first=Lexi |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Dave Ramsey on stimulus checks: 'If $600 or $1,400 changes your life, you were pretty much screwed already' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/538549-dave-ramsey-on-stimulus-checks-if-600-or-1400-changes-your-life-you-were-pretty/ |work=The Hill}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQUA1_Nm3Nc&ab_channel=TheRamseyShow-Highlights |title=If a $600 Stimulus Check Changes Your Life, Then You're Already Screwed! |date=2021-02-11 |last= |access-date=2025-04-14 |via=YouTube}}

Ramsey advocates a "biblically based approach" to personal finance, which includes a debt-free lifestyle—a stance shaped in part by his own experience with bankruptcy.{{Cite book |last=Ramsey |first=Dave |title=The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Peace |publisher=Thomas Nelson |year=2024 |isbn=978-1400342525 |edition=Expanded and Updated |location=Nashville, Tennessee}}

One of Ramsey's central strategies is the "debt snowball" method, in which individuals pay off smaller debts first to gain momentum before tackling larger ones, regardless of interest rates.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Martha C. |date=2012-08-16 |title=The Verdict Is In: Tackle Smaller Debts First |url=https://business.time.com/2012/08/16/the-verdict-is-in-tackle-smaller-debts-first/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |work=Time |issn=0040-781X}}{{Cite web |last=Bahler |first=Kristin |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Broke Millennials Are Flocking to Financial Guru Dave Ramsey. Is His Advice Any Good? |url=https://money.com/dave-ramsey-money-debt-free/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Money }} He discourages the use of credit cards, and frequently demonstrates his adherence to this philosophy by showing the only cards he carries: two debit cards, a driver's license, and a concealed-carry permit.{{Cite web |last=Grisby |first=Lorna |date=February 17, 1997 |title=Digging Out of Debt |url=https://people.com/archive/digging-out-of-debt-vol-47-no-6/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210116192216/https:/people.com/archive/digging-out-from-under-vol-32-no-19/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=People}}

Economists and financial professionals have criticized aspects of Ramsey's teachings for diverging from mainstream economic theory. His advice to avoid borrowing during economic downturns runs counter to the concept of consumption smoothing, which suggests that individuals should borrow early in life and save during peak earning years.Choi, James J. (2022). "Popular Personal Financial Advice versus the Professors". Journal of Economic Perspectives. 36 (4): 167–192. doi:10.1257/jep.36.4.167. ISSN [https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0895-3309 0895-3309].

Critics also argue that Ramsey's approach may not account for income inequality, emergency financial needs, or long-term investment strategies.{{Cite news |last=David Chang, ChFC®, CLU® |date=2022-10-29 |title=3 Reasons Not to Listen to Dave Ramsey |url=https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/3-reasons-not-to-listen-to-dave-ramsey/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230811192512/https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/3-reasons-not-to-listen-to-dave-ramsey/ |archive-date=2023-08-11 |access-date=2025-04-14 |work=The Motley Fool }}{{Cite web |last=Olen |first=Helaine |date=2013-10-28 |title=The Prophet |url=https://psmag.com/social-justice/prophet-dave-ramsey-personal-finance-67269/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Pacific Standard}} The "debt snowball" method has drawn mixed reviews in academic studies, with some research supporting its psychological benefits and others criticizing its higher cost compared to the "avalanche" method.{{Cite web |last=Sweeney |first=Libby |date=2019-01-18 |title=Debt Snowball Vs. Debt Avalanche: The Best Way To Pay Off Credit Card Debt |url=https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/debt-snowball-vs-debt-avalanche-the-best-way-to-pay-off-credit-card-debt/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Forbes Advisor}}{{Cite web |title=Paying Down Credit Card Debt |url=https://www.bu.edu/questrom/news-and-events/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Boston University Questrom School of Business}}

Ramsey's investing advice has been challenged for its emphasis on stock-based mutual funds with load fees, and claims of consistent 12% annual returns on investments, which critics view as unrealistic.{{Cite web |last=Carrns |first=Ann |date=2011-05-13 |title=Dave Ramsey's 12% Solution |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/dave-ramseys-12-solution/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=The New York Times |department=Bucks Blog}}{{Cite web |last=Stoffel |first=Brian |date=2013-06-03 |title=Dangerous Retirement Planning Advice From Financial Guru Dave Ramsey |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/06/03/dangerous-retirement-planning-advice-from-financia.aspx |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=The Motley Fool }}{{Cite web |last=Salmon |first=Felix |date=September 26, 2013 |title=Save like Dave Ramsey ... Just Don't Invest Like Him |url=https://money.com/save-like-dave-ramsey-just-dont-invest-like-him/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210212044321/https:/money.com/save-like-dave-ramsey-just-dont-invest-like-him/ |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=Money}}

Journalist Helaine Olen argued in her book, Pound Foolish, that some of Ramsey's financial advice "doesn't even work on a base, mathematical level".{{Cite web |date=2013 |title=Money spinners |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f1431020-663c-11e2-919b-00144feab49a |website=Financial Times}}

Ramsey married his wife, Sharon, on June 26, 1982.{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Dave |date=January 26, 2022 |title=Post on Dave Ramsey's 40h wedding anniversary |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158905874185886&id=30592180885&set=a.10156620783295886 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Facebook}} The Ramseys have three children: Denise Whittemore, Rachel Cruze, and Daniel Ramsey. All three work for Ramsey Solutions.{{Cite web |title=Leadership |url=https://www.ramseysolutions.com/company/leadership?srsltid=AfmBOoqhrIdK8rAPZBZEfi2ErfOhSuk5LLDW82R0f4j4lkVUvIOmuTdk |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Ramsey Solutions}}

Ramsey was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2015.{{R|"rhof"}}

As of 2018, Ramsey had an estimated net worth of $55 million. In 2021, he sold his custom-built home in Franklin, Tennessee, for $10.2 million and began construction on a new home in the area.{{Cite news |last=Zap |first=Claudine |date=2021-11-24 |title=Dave Ramsey Sells Franklin, TN, Mansion for $10.2M |url=https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/dave-ramsey-sells-tennessee-mansion/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |work=Realtor.com}}

Ramsey is an evangelical Christian and described himself as fiscally and socially conservative. He has blamed politics for what he considers Americans' economic dependence, and has said presidents should do "as little as possible" about the economy.

In the fall of 2024, Ramsey announced on his show that he was voting for Republican Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election, while encouraging his listeners to vote for candidates who best align with their values.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-19 |title=Finance Whiz Dave Ramsey Reveals Why He's Voting for Trump |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/finance-whiz-dave-ramsey-reveals-why-hes-voting-for-trump/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=The Daily Beast }}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=FtAy56lkCXbWTAR2&v=Pw7KIeJChjQ&feature=youtu.be |title=Dave Ramsey Explains Who He's Voting For |date=2024-10-15 |last= |type=Video |access-date=2025-04-14 |via=YouTube}}

• Financial Peace (1992)
• More Than Enough (1999)
• Financial Peace Revisited (2002)
• The Total Money Makeover (2003)
• Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money (2011)
• EntreLeadership (2011)
• Smart Money Smart Kids (with Rachel Cruze, 2014)
• The Legacy Journey (2014)
• Baby Steps Millionaires (2021)
• Build a Business You Love (2025)

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web |title=Dave Ramsey |url=https://www.radiohalloffame.com/dave-ramsey |website=Radio Hall of Fame |access-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210105223800/https://www.radiohalloffame.com/dave-ramsey |archive-date=January 5, 2021}}

}}

• [https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/236/my-two-cents?act=1 2003 profile] by This American Life
• [https://www1.cbn.com/ask-dave-ramsey "Ask Dave Ramsey" on the Christian Broadcasting Network]

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