Snapshot · The Ramsey Show
A caller named Christina was investing 19% of household income into retirement (above the recommended 15%), and Dave advised dialing back to 15% to redirect the extra toward paying off the mortgage.
Where this was said
At 51:33 · chapter starts 49:15
Christina in Cincinnati is doing Baby Steps 4–6 simultaneously with her husband, investing around 19% of household income and contributing to a 529 for their one-year-old daughter. She works at a university that offers free tuition for dependents. Dave's prescription is straightforward: reduce retirement contributions to exactly 15% per Baby Step 4, and redirect the surplus to mortgage payoff. Rachel cautions against locking in 18 years of employment just to preserve a free-tuition benefit — life changes, and flexibility matters. Dave's parting word: just open the 529 with a token contribution so you've 'touched the base,' then focus on the house.
Baby Step 4 is non-negotiable at 15% — not 19%. Every dollar over 15% should go to the mortgage until it's paid off. And if your employer offers free college tuition as a benefit, plan for life changes rather than locking in a 18-year career commitment just to preserve it.
Ramsey's Baby Step 4 requires investing exactly 15% of household income into retirement before progressing to college savings (Step 5) or extra mortgage payments (Step 6).
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