The Ramsey Show

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Building Wealth Means Choosing What Matters Most

Explore episode Jun 29, 2026
Business
Why Ramsey Recommends Exactly 15% for Retirement Investing

Building Wealth Means Choosing What Matters Most · Jun 29, 2026 Business

The FIRE movement says invest 30–40% of your income. Ramsey says 15%. George and Jade break down why: 15% of gross income is enough to retire with dignity while still funding college for kids, paying off the mortgage early, giving, and living your life. It's calculated on gross household income, the employer match doesn't count, and the order is 401(k) to the match, then Roth IRA, then back to the 401(k).

3m 28s

Where this was said

Sarah in DC — Divorced at 43, Zero Retirement, Starting Over

At 1:04:24 · chapter starts 55:37

Sarah from DC opens a window into a quiet but devastating kind of financial setback: a 19-year marriage where she was the stay-at-home parent, built her life around her husband's finances, and then came away from the divorce with the house but none of the retirement accounts. She's 43, just started a $28,500/year job as a library assistant, and has a 13-year-old son. The good news is she's also receiving $58,000 per year in combined alimony and child support — bringing total income to $86,000. Jade runs the numbers: 15% of $86K is $1,075 per month, and if she invests that consistently from now until 65, she surpasses $1 million in retirement savings. George and Jade remind her that she has no obligation to fully fund her son's college — setting expectations for state schools, scholarships, and work is itself a gift. But most urgently, both hosts sense deep emotional hurt underneath the financial questions, and George tells her plainly: get well first. The dream of working in social work isn't dead; it just needs a runway.

Business
43, No Retirement, Divorced — Sarah Is Not Too Late

Building Wealth Means Choosing What Matters Most · Jun 29, 2026 Business

Sarah is 43, just became a library assistant after being a stay-at-home mom for 19 years, and has zero retirement savings after her ex-husband kept all the retirement accounts in the divorce. She has $86,000 in combined income right now — but the alimony dwindles in 5 to 9 years. George and Jade crunch the numbers: 15% of $86K is $1,075/month, and investing that from now until 65 puts her over $1 million.

4m 43s

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