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'''David L. Ramsey III''' (born September 3, 1960) is an ] financial ], ], ], and ]. {{Short description|American financial advisor, author and radio personality}}
{{similar names|David Ramsey (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Dave Ramsay|Dave Rumsey (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Criticism-section|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Dave Ramsey
| image = Dave Ramsey by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = Ramsey in 2023
| pseudonym =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|9|3}}<ref>''Dave Ramsey Show'' Newstalk 550 KTSA. San Antonio, Texas. September 3, 2012. Radio.</ref>
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Personal finance consultant, radio show host, author
| period =
| subject = Personal finance
| notableworks = '']''
| movement =
| spouse = Sharon Ramsey
| children = 3, including ]
| relatives =
| signature =
| alma_mater = ] (])
| website = {{URL|ramseysolutions.com}}
| module = {{Infobox person|child=yes}}
}}


'''David Lawrence Ramsey III''' (born September 3, 1960) is an American radio personality who offers financial advice. He is the owner and CEO of Ramsey Solutions and co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio program '']''. Ramsey has written several books, including ] '']'', and hosted a television show on ] from 2007 to 2010.
Ramsey's ] ] program, '']'', is promoted with a tagline that it is about "Life and Money", and it is heard on over 400 radio stations throughout the ] and ], as well as on ] and ].<ref name="Axia Interview: Blake Thompson">{{Cite web|url=http://www.axiaaudio.com/interviews/features/ramsey.htm|title=Axia Interview with Blake Thompson, producer of The Dave Ramsey Show|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=www.axiaaudio.com}}</ref> He has written numerous books. His books and broadcasts often feature a conservative ] perspective that reflects Ramsey's own religious beliefs.


==Early life==
Ramsey's current company, The Lampo Group, is headquartered in ], and oversees three divisions geared toward financial counseling.
Ramsey was born in ], to successful real estate agents and developers.{{R|"gospeldave"}} He attended ] where he played ice hockey. At age 18, Ramsey took the real estate exam{{R|"gospeldave"}} and began selling property, working through college at the ],{{R|"gospeldave"}} where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and real estate.{{R|"aboutdave"}}


==Career==
Ramsey has been featured on many media outlets including '']'', '']'', and '']'' on ]. He has also recorded a pilot and six episodes of a reality show named ''The Dave Ramsey Project''<ref name=DaveGospel>{{cite web|url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/2007-05-31/news/the-gospel-according-to-dave/ |title=The Gospel According to Dave |publisher=''Nashville Scene'' |first=Susan |last=Drury |date=2007-05-31 |accessdate=2007-07-16}}</ref> for CBS; however, the Network decided not to air the program. He is the host of ] at 20:00 ] and repeated weekdays on the ].<ref></ref>
By 1986, Ramsey had amassed a portfolio worth over $4{{spaces}}million.{{R|"GRI"}}{{R|"ocalacrusades"}} However, when the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 took effect, several banks changed ownership and called his $1.2{{spaces}}million in loans and lines of credit because he was over-leveraged.{{R|"gospeldave"}} Ramsey was unable to pay and filed for bankruptcy in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramsey |first1=Dave |title=Home Page |url=https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey |website=www.ramseysolutions.com |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref>


Ramsey experienced several years of financial recovery and began offering financial advice to couples at his local church.{{R|"ocalacrusades"}} In 1988, he founded the Lampo Group, a financial counseling service,{{R|"ocalacrusades"}} and in 1992 he wrote and self-published his first book, ''Financial Peace''.{{R|"GRI"}}{{R|"gospeldave"}}
==Biography==
Ramsey was born and raised in ], ], ], ]. At the age of 26, through his brokerage firm, Ramsey Investments, Inc., he built a rental real estate portfolio worth more than $4 million and became one of Tennessee's youngest brokers to be admitted to the Graduate Realtors Institute.<ref name="GRI">{{cite book | title=Financial Peace Revisited| last=Ramsey| first=Dave| coauthors=Sharon Ramsey| year=2003| pages=325| publisher=Viking Penguin| location=Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England| id=0-670-03208-5}}</ref>


Ramsey began as one of three alternating hosts of ''The Money Game'' on radio station WWTN/Nashville in 1992. The show eventually became ''The Dave Ramsey Show'', Ramsey's daily three-hour call-in financial advice talk show.{{R|"gospeldave"}}{{R|"rhof"}}
Ramsey's success soon came to an end as the ] began to have a negative impact on the real estate business. One of Ramsey's largest investors was sold to a larger bank, who began to take a harder look at Ramsey's borrowing habits. The bank demanded he pay $1.2 million worth of short-term notes within 90 days, forcing him to file bankruptcy. <ref name="GRI">{{cite book | title=Financial Peace Revisited| last=Ramsey| first=Dave| coauthors=Sharon Ramsey| year=2003| pages=1-4| publisher=Viking Penguin| location=Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England| id=0-670-03208-5}}</ref>


Financial Peace University, Ramsey's nine-lesson, video-based personal finance course, debuted in 1994.{{R|"whisperer"}} The ] newspaper group ran his financial column, though dropped it when the newspaper realized that Ramsey had changed the names on the letters to which he was responding. He offered to pay them their money back.{{R|"gospeldave"}}'' The Dave Ramsey Show'' aired on the Fox Business Network from 2007 to 2010.
Ramsey began counseling couples at his local church. Soon after offering private counseling services, Ramsey began attending every workshop and seminar on consumer financial problems that he could find. He developed a simple set of lessons and materials based partially on his own experience and on works and teachings by ] and ].<ref></ref> After many requests from his clients, in ] wrote his first book ''Financial Peace''.<ref name="GRI">{{cite book | title=Financial Peace Revisited| last=Ramsey| first=Dave| coauthors=Sharon Ramsey| year=2003| pages=Preface vii-xi| publisher=Viking Penguin| location=Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England| id=0-670-03208-5}}</ref>


In 2014, The Lampo Group, Inc. was rebranded as Ramsey Solutions.{{R|"rebrand"}} The company's headquarters are located in ], and a new 47-acre campus opened there in 2019.{{R|"millenials"}}
Ramsey has been married to his wife, Sharon, for 25 years; they have three children: Denise; Rachel; and Daniel. The family resides in Brentwood.<ref name="GRI">{{cite book | title=Financial Peace Revisited| last=Ramsey| first=Dave| coauthors=Sharon Ramsey| year=2003| pages=About the Author, pg 325| publisher=Viking Penguin| location=Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England| id=0-670-03208-5}}</ref>


Ramsey has written five books for adults, three of which were '']'' bestsellers, and six children's books.{{R|"gospeldave"}} He was inducted into the ] in 2015.{{R|"rhof"}}
== The Dave Ramsey Show ==
{{main|The Dave Ramsey Show}}


===Teachings===
Ramsey started his radio show, currently known as ''The Dave Ramsey Show,'' in 1992 under the title of ''The Money Game''. Originally a locally based show, it is now syndicated across the country. In 2007, the ] launched a television show under the same title. Both shows are on air Monday through Friday.
Ramsey advises listeners to reduce debt using the ], where debtors pay off their lowest balances first.{{R|"timedebt"}}{{R|"millenials"}} Ramsey opposes the use of credit cards.{{R|"peoplemag"}} At live shows, he sometimes takes out his wallet to show audiences the "only four pieces of plastic" he carries: A business debit card, a personal debit card, a driver's license, and a concealed-carry permit.{{R|"gospeldave"}}{{R|"millenials"}} Ramsey encourages the use of cash and advises families to utilize an ], putting a cash allocation for each month's food, entertainment, and other expenses in separate envelopes and then spending only what is in the envelope.{{R|"pacificstandard"}} Ramsey encourages people not to take on student loan debt{{R|"millenials"}} and calls the idea that student loans are required for college "a myth".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/columnists/dave-ramsey/2019/02/16/parents-shouldnt-co-sign-student-loans-dave-ramsey/2779888002/|title=Parents shouldn't co-sign student loans|first=Dave|last=Ramsey|website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref>


==Criticism and controversies==
==Related companies==
In 2014, '']'' reported that Ramsey had lashed out against former employees he claimed were discussing working conditions at the company on ] and ]. At company staff meetings, Ramsey recounted conversations from a private Facebook group of former employees that he had infiltrated, offered cash rewards for the identities of some members. Once they realized Ramsey had joined the private group, some anonymous Twitter accounts who '''alleged''' to be those workers and tweeted that he "pulled a gun out of a bag to try to teach a lesson about gossip".{{R|gallowaydeposition}} 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.{{R|"dailybeast"}}
===The Lampo Group, Inc.===
Ramsey founded his company, the Lampo Group in 1991<ref name="Company History">{{Cite web|url=http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/cms/index.cfm?intContentID=2797|title=Our Company History|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=daveramsey.com|year=2006|author=Dave Ramsey}}</ref>, initially helping people one-on-one who were struggling with financial issues. In 1994 he hired Russ Carroll, Ramsey's lead financial counselor, and together they began teaching the first Financial Peace University classes on overhead projectors.<ref name="Company History" /> Between 1999 and 2004, The Lampo Group grew from 18 to 105 team members. There are currently over 200 team members.


=== Company policies regarding marriage, sex and homosexuality ===
Ramsey runs his business completely debt-free, an accomplishment he states was critical to the success of his company.<ref name="Inside Radio">{{Cite web|url=http://ftp.media.radcity.net/ZMST/daily/IS032405.pdf|title=The Inside Story with Mike Kinosian: Behind The Dave Ramsey Show|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=InsideRadio.com|year=2005|author=Mike Kinosian|format=PDF}}</ref>
According to a September 2021 lawsuit, when Julie Anne Stamps, a Ramsey Solutions employee on the customer care team, approached her supervisor regarding coming out as a ] in May 2020, the supervisor explained that company policy would not allow Stamps to continue to be employed at Ramsey Solutions. Stamps alleged that her departure from the company was further expedited once the ] June 15, 2020, ruling in '']'' was decided. Ramsey Solutions denies the accusations.{{R|nbc4stamps}}{{R|scenestamps}}


In July 2020, Caitlin O'Connor, a former Ramsey Solutions employee, filed a federal lawsuit against the company alleging that she was fired for being pregnant and, since she was not married to the baby's father, for violating Ramsey Solutions' employee conduct policies.{{R|"pregnant"}} On May 27, 2021, O'Connor gave her first interview about the termination and her experience working for Ramsey.{{R|oconnorinterview}}
===Financial Peace University===
Ramsey is also the creator of '''Financial Peace University''', a Biblically based 13-week video training series for adults, and a companion series targeted at teenagers that has been offered in schools across the nation. Some topics covered in the series are cash flow planning, investing, saving, credit, retirement, and giving.<ref name="FPNG">{{Cite web|url=http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/cms/index.cfm?intContentID=6772|title=THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY LEARN LIFE’S FINANCIAL LESSONS FROM DAVE RAMSEY|accessdate=2007-03-21|publisher=DaveRamsey.com|year=2007|author=Beth Tallent}}</ref>


On March 10, 2021, featured personality ] left the company, citing "things going on in my personal life&nbsp;... that are not in line with Ramsey Solutions."{{R|chrishoganlawsuit}} Hogan's resignation followed a request for his personnel file at Ramsey Solutions during the Caitlin O'Connor case. Before the release of his book ''Everyday Millionaires'', Hogan admitted to several affairs, including one with a co-worker at Ramsey Solutions during his marriage to wife Melissa Hogan.{{R|hoganleaves}} References to his book and videos are still available on the Ramsey website ({{as of|2021|08|18|lc=y|df=US}})<ref> Ramsey</ref> and YouTube channels; however, direct links on the Ramsey Solutions website are replaced with a redirect page for other company resources.
===Share It!===
"Share It!" is a foundation created by Dave and Sharon Ramsey for the purpose of working with other ] organizations such as housing initiatives, work to success projects, domestic violence shelters, drug and alcohol recovery programs, crisis pregnancy centers, youth outreaches, and high schools to help others become financially literate.<ref name="shareittoday">{{Cite web|url=http://www.shareittoday.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=dspContent&intContentID=3153|title=About Us|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=shareittoday.org}}</ref>


In May 2021, ] (RNS) obtained recordings of Ramsey mocking employees over the policy and explaining Hogan's 2019 absence as a "rest break" following the affair accusations. Melissa Hogan, Chris Hogan's ex-wife, issued a statement to RNS claiming that the company downplayed Chris's behavior, covered for him, and characterized her behavior as "anger, hyperbole, and drama".{{R|secretrecordings}}{{R|bestplacetowork}}
==Criticism==


=== COVID-19 response ===
Ramsey has been criticized in financial circles for offering overly simplistic solutions to "complex" financial issues.<ref name="TMMO">{{cite book | title=The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness| last=Ramsey| first=Dave| year=2003| pages=5| publisher=Thomas Nelson, Inc.| location=Nashville, Tennessee| id=0-7852-6326-8}}</ref>
In December 2020, a complaint was filed with the Franklin health department alleging that caterers hired for the Ramsey Solutions Christmas party at its company headquarters were instructed not to wear masks or gloves while serving, which the company later confirmed to the local NBC affiliate.{{R|"nbcmask"}} Ramsey Solutions responded that there was no truth to the complaint.{{R|"huffpoxmas"}} Earlier in the pandemic, the company remained open after employees tested positive for the virus, ignored recommendations to avoid large gatherings, and hosted a July business conference after the Marriott hotel canceled citing safety concerns.{{R|"conferencejuly"}}


On his radio show{{R|"davecovid"}} and in staff meetings, Ramsey railed against face coverings and other ] precautions, calling them "a sign of fear".{{R|"rnscovid"}} On his March 2, 2020, show, he mocked concerned ticket holders for his upcoming live events, calling anyone who wanted a refund a "wuss" and insisting that he would attend the "Live Like No One Else" cruise "by my freaking self" if necessary.{{R|bestplacetowork}}
The '']'' has reported that Ramsey occasionally receives e-mails and letters containing the Biblical verse: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24 ]) Ramsey interprets such communications to be a rebuke of his own wealth and a call for poverty.<ref name="DaveGospel" />


In February 2021, Ramsey appeared on ], where he said, "I don't believe in ], because if $600 or $1,400 changes your life you were pretty much screwed already. You got other issues going on."{{R|stimuluschecks}}{{R|stimulusvideo}}
In ], Ramsey's column was dropped from '']'' and four other newspapers owned by ] after it was discovered that the identities of those seeking help were falsified in several of his columns. A Lampo executive vice president attributed the duplications to a young former employee who was in charge of selecting and editing the column questions and answers, and said the employee has since left the company. Despite claiming to not have made the mistake himself, Ramsey accepted overall responsibility, offering refunds to the newspapers affected by the error.<ref name="ramsey1">http://www.tennessean.com/business/archives/04/06/53312885.shtml</ref>


In a December 2021 federal lawsuit, a former employee alleged that Ramsey violated his religious rights by firing him when he took scientifically prescribed precautions against COVID-19. The employee, Brad Amos, stated he was following the ] in protecting others from the virus.<ref name="Dallas"/> The lawsuit said Ramsey ran a "cultlike" environment where employees who worried about the pandemic were accused of "weakness of spirit" and told to pray if they wanted to ward off the virus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cramer |first1=Maria |title=Dave Ramsey Fired Employee for Taking Covid Precautions, Suit Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/us/dave-ramsey-lawsuit-covid.html |website=The New York Times |date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref> Ramsey Solutions has denied all accusations and has claimed the suit was "completely false".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dave Ramsey fired staffer for taking Covid precautions, ran work environment where masks were 'mocked', lawsuit says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dave-ramsey-fired-staffer-taking-covid-precautions-lawsuit-says-rcna8835 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=NBC News |date=December 15, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In December 2023, A U.S. district judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling there was no proof of religious discrimination, but in August 2024 the ] overturned the dismissal, allowing the case to proceed.<ref name="Dallas">{{cite news |last1=Dallas |first1=Kelsey |title=Dave Ramsey faces religious discrimination case |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/08/12/dave-ramsey-covid-discrimination-case/ |work=Deseret News |date=12 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
Wall Street Journal best-selling author and nationally syndicated columnist Eric Tyson criticizes Ramsey for referring listeners to endorsed, commission-based brokers (who pay fees back to Ramsey) instead of fee-based advisors; and for advocating portfolios containing only stocks instead of portfolios balanced with bonds. Tyson also cites Ramsey's exaggeration of expected stock market returns, his focus on high-risk growth funds instead of safer index and life-cycle funds, and his failure to state the importance of investment expenses.<ref>http://www.erictyson.com/articles/20090313</ref>


===Timeshare exit lawsuit===
== Publications ==
In his teachings, Ramsey has described the timeshare industry as "scummy".<ref name="Hillbilly">{{Cite web |last=Smietana |first=Bob |date=2021-05-27 |title=Dave Ramsey declares war on timeshare industry: 'You done pissed off the wrong hillbilly' |url=https://religionnews.com/2021/05/27/dave-ramsey-declares-war-on-timeshare-exit-team-diamond-resorts-pissed-off-wrong-hillbilly/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527130955/https://religionnews.com/2021/05/27/dave-ramsey-declares-war-on-timeshare-exit-team-diamond-resorts-pissed-off-wrong-hillbilly/ |archive-date=2021-05-27 |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Religion News Service |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2023 listeners of his show filed a $150 million dollar lawsuit against Ramsey alleging he received $30 million to promote a timeshare exit company who engaged in deceptive practices.<ref name="TimeshareExit">{{Cite news |last=Bella |first=Timothy |date=2023-06-03 |title=Dave Ramsey promoted a timeshare quick-fix. His listeners called fraud. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/03/dave-ramsey-timeshare-lawsuit/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823060816/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/03/dave-ramsey-timeshare-lawsuit/ |archive-date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2024-05-05 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="ExitTimeshare">{{Cite web |last=Smietana |first=Bob |date=2023-06-01 |title=Dave Ramsey sued for $150 million by former fans who followed his timeshare exit advice |url=https://religionnews.com/2023/06/01/dave-ramsey-sued-for-150-million-by-former-fans-who-followed-his-timeshare-exit-advice/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228092244/https://religionnews.com/2023/06/01/dave-ramsey-sued-for-150-million-by-former-fans-who-followed-his-timeshare-exit-advice/ |archive-date=2023-12-28 |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Religion News Service |language=en-US}}</ref>
Additionally, ''The Total Money Makeover'', ''Financial Peace Revisited'', and ''More than Enough'' are available in Spanish.


====Financial advice==== ===Efficacy===
Critics of Ramsey's core teachings point out that they are often a "one-size-fits-all" approach that disregards income disparities, investment horizon, and ignores financial emergencies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=David |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/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=www.fool.com |language=en}}</ref>{{R|"pacificstandard"}}{{R|"millenials"}} The debt snowball method is frequently debated, and studies have returned results that both support and oppose its efficacy.{{R|"forbessnowball"}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bu.edu/questrom/2017/01/05/paying-back-those-swipes/|title=Paying Down Credit Card Debt &#124; Questrom School of Business|website=www.bu.edu}}</ref> Ramsey's investing advice has also drawn criticism over its reliance on stock investment, as opposed to bonds, using mutual funds with load fees, and its frequent claim of 12% annual returns on investments.{{R|"nytstock"}}{{R|"motleyfool"}}{{R|"loadfund"}}
* ''Financial Peace: Restoring Financial Hope to You and Your Family'' (1997) ISBN 0-67-087361-6
* ''The Financial Peace Planner: A step-by step guide to restoring your family's financial health'' (1998) ISBN 0-14-026468-X
* ''How to Have More than Enough: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Abundance'' (2000) ISBN 0-14-028193-2
* ''More than Enough: The Ten Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny '' (2002) ISBN 0-14-200047-7
* ''Financial Peace Revisited'' (2002) ISBN 0-670-03208-5
* ''The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness'' (2003) ISBN 0-7852-6326-8
* ''Total Money Makeover Workbook'' (2004) ISBN 0-7852-6327-6
* ''The Money Answer Book: Quick Answers to Everyday Financial Questions '' (2005) ISBN 0-8499-9619-8
* ''Priceless: Straight-Shooting, No-Frills Financial Wisdom'' (2006) ISBN 0-9774895-9-0


====Kids' books==== ==Personal life==
Ramsey married his wife Sharon in 1982. The Ramseys have three children, including ]. All three work for Ramsey Solutions.{{R|"millenials"}}
* ''The Super Red Racer: Junior Discovers Work'' (2003) ISBN 0-9726323-0-1
* ''Careless At The Carnival: Junior Discovers Spending'' (2003) ISBN 0-9726323-1-X
* ''The Big Birthday Surprise: Junior Discovers Giving'' (2003) ISBN 0-9726323-2-8
* ''My Fantastic Fieldtrip: Junior Discovers Saving'' (2003) ISBN 0-9726323-3-6
* ''A Special Thank You: Junior Discovers Integrity'' (2005) ISBN 0-9769630-0-0
* ''Battle of the Chores: Junior Discovers Debt'' (2005) ISBN 0-9769630-1-9


Ramsey had an estimated net worth of $55 million as of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alberta |first=Tim |title=The Financial Whisperer to Trump's America |url=http://politi.co/2p1KNlz |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=POLITICO Magazine |date=May 8, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He sold his custom-built home in the ], area for $10.2{{spaces}}million in 2021 after living there for over a decade. A spokesperson said he was having another home built in the area.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 24, 2021|title=Dave Ramsey Takes a Deep Discount, Sells Franklin, TN, Home for $10.2M|url=https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/dave-ramsey-sells-tennessee-mansion/|access-date=December 17, 2021|website=Real Estate News & Insights {{!}} realtor.com®|language=en-US}}</ref>
====Contributions====
* ''48 Days To The Work You Love'' by Dan Miller, Foreword by Dave Ramsey (2005) ISBN 0-8054-3188-8


Ramsey is an ]{{R|"millenials"}} who describes himself as ], both fiscally and culturally.{{R|"ocalacrusades"}}{{R|"whisperer"}} He has blamed politics for what he considers Americans' economic dependence, and has said presidents should do "as little as possible" about the economy.{{R|"whisperer"}} Ramsey has publicly stated he would vote for Republican ] in the ], but also plainly said that people should vote for which candidate best aligns with their political values.<ref name="Trump">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/finance-whiz-dave-ramsey-reveals-why-hes-voting-for-trump/|title=Finance Whiz Dave Ramsey Reveals Why He's Voting for Trump|date=October 19, 2024|first1=Lily Mae|last1=Lazarus|website=] }}</ref>
==See also==
*]
*]
*]
*]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist|refs=
<ref name="GRI">{{cite book | title=Financial Peace Revisited| last=Ramsey| first=Dave|author2=Sharon Ramsey| year=2003| page=325| publisher=Viking Penguin| location=Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England| id=0-670-03208-5}}</ref>
<ref name="aboutdave">{{Cite web|url=https://www.daveramsey.com/pr/about-dave-ramsey|title=Check out the latest from Dave Ramsey!|website=daveramsey.com|language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="ocalacrusades">{{cite web |last1=Ross Jr. |first1=Bobby |title=Christian financial guru crusades against overspending |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=20030331&id=VLtNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6793,8240090 |website=Google News |publisher=Ocala Star-Banner |access-date=January 5, 2021 |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 |page=6C |date=March 31, 2003}}</ref>
<ref name="rhof">{{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}}</ref>
<ref name="rebrand">{{cite web |title=Company History |url=https://www.daveramsey.com/pr/company-history |website=daveramsey.com |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210106010619/https://www.daveramsey.com/pr/company-history |archive-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="gospeldave">{{cite web |last1=Drury |first1=Susan |title=The Gospel According to Dave |url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/article/13014787/the-gospel-according-to-dave |website=Nashville Scene |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210106012206/https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/article/13014787/the-gospel-according-to-dave |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |date=May 31, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="timedebt">{{cite magazine |last1=White |first1=Martha |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/ |magazine=] |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204103245/http://business.time.com/2012/08/16/the-verdict-is-in-tackle-smaller-debts-first/ |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="nytstock">{{cite web |last1=Carrns |first1=Ann |title=Dave Ramsey's 12% Solution |url=https://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/dave-ramseys-12-solution/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104112133/http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/dave-ramseys-12-solution/ |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |date=May 13, 2011}}</ref>
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<ref name="millenials">{{cite web |last1=Bahler |first1=Kristen |title=Broke Millennials Are Flocking to Financial Guru Dave Ramsey. Is His Advice Any Good? |url=https://money.com/dave-ramsey-money-debt-free/ |website=] |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210106032103/https://money.com/dave-ramsey-money-debt-free/ |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |date=April 16, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="loadfund">{{cite web |last1=Salmon |first1=Felix |title=Save like Dave Ramsey&nbsp;... Just Don't Invest Like Him? |url=https://money.com/save-like-dave-ramsey-just-dont-invest-like-him/ |website=Money|access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210212044321/https://money.com/save-like-dave-ramsey-just-dont-invest-like-him/ |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |date=September 26, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="whisperer">{{cite web |last1=Alberta |first1=Tim |title=The Financial Whisperer to Trump's America |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/03/11/radio-dave-ramsey-2018-trump-217229 |website=] |access-date=January 7, 2021 |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}}</ref>
<ref name="gallowaydeposition">{{cite court |litigants=THE LAMPO GROUP, LLC, D/B/A RAMSEY SOLUTIONS v. KEVIN HELMUT PAFFRATH, PAFFRATH ORGANIZATION, MEETNDONE CORPORATION |pinpoint=18 |court=M.D. Tenn. |date=29 Oct 2019 |url=https://archive.org/download/galloway-deposition-in-ramsey-solutions-lawsuit/Galloway_Deposition.pdf}}</ref>
<ref name="dailybeast">{{cite web |last1=Turner |first1=Matthew Paul |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 |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=January 7, 2021 |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 |date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="huffpoxmas">{{cite web |last1=Hale |first1=Steven |last2=Jamieson |first2=Dave |title=Personal Finance Guru Dave Ramsey Just Threw A Huge Indoor Christmas Party |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dave-ramsey-christmas-party-coronavirus_n_5fd6b17dc5b663c37597aadf?9px&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmJjbmV3cy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMDcQLJqfGuCQupqUR0XaC9BXL43OBf6Ee3r3Y84PVGw1dKQt4-NzKj1f91zturJYTtjjtqidmn_t3ZIVXvD9HNfEJo0HMcwLRApJrWQtAv06MWgp0R6m7GHurMClx8SVhEn7mu4Pit_KTleSORr16t_nPPaM1MN5jh6AJhMvgKn |website=The Huffington Post |date=December 14, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210108224837/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dave-ramsey-christmas-party-coronavirus_n_5fd6b17dc5b663c37597aadf?9px&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmJjbmV3cy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMDcQLJqfGuCQupqUR0XaC9BXL43OBf6Ee3r3Y84PVGw1dKQt4-NzKj1f91zturJYTtjjtqidmn_t3ZIVXvD9HNfEJo0HMcwLRApJrWQtAv06MWgp0R6m7GHurMClx8SVhEn7mu4Pit_KTleSORr16t_nPPaM1MN5jh6AJhMvgKn |archive-date=January 8, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="nbcmask">{{cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Jeremy |title=Dave Ramsey's company Christmas party subject of non-mask compliance complaint |url=https://www.wsmv.com/news/dave-ramsey-s-company-christmas-party-subject-of-non-mask-compliance-complaint/article_292f2928-3bf6-11eb-b335-b703769c2ed4.html |website=News 4 Nashville |access-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210109004429/https://www.wsmv.com/news/dave-ramsey-s-company-christmas-party-subject-of-non-mask-compliance-complaint/article_292f2928-3bf6-11eb-b335-b703769c2ed4.html |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |date=December 11, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="rnscovid">{{cite web |last1=Smietana |first1=Bob |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/ |agency=] |access-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201211232636/https://religionnews.com/2020/12/11/dave-ramsey-christian-financial-guru-ridicules-covid-19-fears-plans-large-in-person-christmas-party/ |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |date=December 11, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="davecovid">{{cite web |last1=Ramsey |first1=Dave |title=This Has Gotten Out of Hand! – Dave Ramsey Rant |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SRorZx3NYo&ab_channel=TheDaveRamseyShow |website=The Dave Ramsey Show – YouTube |access-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210109014653/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SRorZx3NYo&ab_channel=TheDaveRamseyShow |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |date=November 19, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="conferencejuly">{{cite web |last1=Hale |first1=Steven |title=Dave Ramsey to Host Business Conference in Franklin as COVID-19 Cases Rise |url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/21139509/dave-ramsey-to-host-business-conference-in-franklin-as-covid19-cases-rise |website=Nashville Scene |access-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200708183712/https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/21139509/dave-ramsey-to-host-business-conference-in-franklin-as-covid19-cases-rise |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |date=July 8, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="peoplemag">{{cite web |last1=Grisby |first1=Lorna |title=Digging Out of Debt |url=https://people.com/archive/digging-out-of-debt-vol-47-no-6/ |website=] |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210116192216/https://people.com/archive/digging-out-from-under-vol-32-no-19/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |date=February 17, 1997}}</ref>
<ref name="pacificstandard">{{cite web |authorlink = Helaine Olen|last1=Olen |first1=Helaine |title=The Prophet |url=https://psmag.com/social-justice/prophet-dave-ramsey-personal-finance-67269 |website=Pacific Standard |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210116202200/https://psmag.com/social-justice/prophet-dave-ramsey-personal-finance-67269 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |date=October 28, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="forbessnowball">{{cite web |last1=Berger |first1=Rob |title=Debt Snowball Versus Debt Avalanche: What The Academic Research Shows |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertberger/2017/07/20/debt-snowball-versus-debt-avalanche-what-the-academic-research-shows/?sh=46f21f141454 |website=Forbes.com |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210116223719/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertberger/2017/07/20/debt-snowball-versus-debt-avalanche-what-the-academic-research-shows/?sh=2e38aa7b1454 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |date=July 20, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="pregnant">{{cite web |last1=West |first1=Emily R. |title=Lawsuit: Former Ramsey Solutions employee alleges firing over pregnancy |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/2020/07/21/ramsey-solutions-lawsuit-caitlin-oconnor-franklin-tn/5482489002/ |website=Tennessean |access-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200722021304/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/2020/07/21/ramsey-solutions-lawsuit-caitlin-oconnor-franklin-tn/5482489002/ |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |date=July 21, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="stimuluschecks">{{cite web |last1=Lonas |first1=Lexi |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 |website=The Hill |access-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210213110442/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/538549-dave-ramsey-on-stimulus-checks-if-600-or-1400-changes-your-life-you-were-pretty |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |date=February 11, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="stimulusvideo">{{cite web |title=If a $600 Stimulus Check Changes Your Life, Then You're Already Screwed! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQUA1_Nm3Nc&ab_channel=TheRamseyShow-Highlights |website=The Ramsey Show on Youtube | date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="chrishoganlawsuit">{{cite news |last1=Finley |first1=Jeremy |title=Lawsuit alleges Dave Ramsey's company fired/disciplined employees for premarital sex |url=https://www.wbir.com/article/news/crime/lawsuit-alleges-dave-ramseys-company-fireddisciplined-employees-for-premarital-sex/51-04c3e9c1-e0b6-4218-8d02-ae44102c1d16 |website=WBIR.com |access-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210415180158/https://www.wbir.com/article/news/crime/lawsuit-alleges-dave-ramseys-company-fireddisciplined-employees-for-premarital-sex/51-04c3e9c1-e0b6-4218-8d02-ae44102c1d16 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |date=March 11, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="hoganleaves">{{cite web |last1=Smietana |first1=Bob |title=Chris Hogan, retirement expert and Dave Ramsey protégé, departs Ramsey Solutions |url=https://religionnews.com/2021/03/10/chris-hogan-retirement-dave-ramsey-everyday-millionaire-righteous-living/ |agency=Religion News Service |access-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210415180633/https://religionnews.com/2021/03/10/chris-hogan-retirement-dave-ramsey-everyday-millionaire-righteous-living/ |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="secretrecordings">{{cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Jeremy |title=Secretly recorded audio of Dave Ramsey reveals question of double standards in company |url=https://www.wsmv.com/news/investigations/secretly-recorded-audio-of-dave-ramsey-reveals-question-of-double-standards-in-company/article_292f40ba-bc6c-11eb-a6b1-83cffea1f66c.html |website=News 4 Nashville |access-date=May 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210525190622/https://www.wsmv.com/news/investigations/secretly-recorded-audio-of-dave-ramsey-reveals-question-of-double-standards-in-company/article_292f40ba-bc6c-11eb-a6b1-83cffea1f66c.html |archive-date=May 25, 2021 |date=May 24, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="bestplacetowork">{{cite web |last1=Smietana |first1=Bob |title=Is Dave Ramsey's empire the 'best place to work in America'? Say no and you're out |url=https://religionnews.com/2021/01/15/dave-ramsey-is-tired-of-being-called-a-jerk-for-his-stands-on-sex-and-covid/ |agency=Religion News Service |access-date=May 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210130160737/https://religionnews.com/2021/01/15/dave-ramsey-is-tired-of-being-called-a-jerk-for-his-stands-on-sex-and-covid/ |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |date=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="oconnorinterview">{{cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Jeremy |title='It's Like Leaving the Cult': Former employee suing Dave Ramsey speaks out for the first time |url=https://www.wsmv.com/news/former-employee-suing-dave-ramsey-speaks-out-for-the-first-time/article_217b07b2-bf2f-11eb-9652-57dc68819abf.html |website=News 4 Nashville |access-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210603132552/https://www.wsmv.com/news/former-employee-suing-dave-ramsey-speaks-out-for-the-first-time/article_217b07b2-bf2f-11eb-9652-57dc68819abf.html |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |date=May 27, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="nbc4stamps">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Chuck |title=Woman sues Dave Ramsey company after being fired for coming out as lesbian |url=https://www.wsmv.com/news/williamson_county/woman-sues-dave-ramsey-company-after-being-fired-for-coming-out-as-lesbian/article_d390bd02-2235-11ec-9609-dbbc218ce53d.html |website=News 4 Nashville |access-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211016164858/https://www.wsmv.com/news/williamson_county/woman-sues-dave-ramsey-company-after-being-fired-for-coming-out-as-lesbian/article_d390bd02-2235-11ec-9609-dbbc218ce53d.html |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="scenestamps">{{cite news |last1=Hale |first1=Steven |title=Former Ramsey Solutions Employee Says She Was Fired for Coming Out as a Lesbian |url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/former-ramsey-solutions-employee-says-she-was-fired-for-coming-out-as-a-lesbian/article_355c4182-2209-11ec-97a0-b7385fc00be6.html |website=Nashville Scene |access-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211016165153/https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/former-ramsey-solutions-employee-says-she-was-fired-for-coming-out-as-a-lesbian/article_355c4182-2209-11ec-97a0-b7385fc00be6.html |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>
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Revision as of 21:50, 27 December 2024

American financial advisor, author and radio personality For other people with similar names, see David Ramsey (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Dave Ramsay or Dave Rumsey (disambiguation).

This article's "criticism" or "controversy" section may compromise the article's neutrality. Please help rewrite or integrate negative information to other sections through discussion on the talk page. (November 2024)
Dave Ramsey
Ramsey in 2023Ramsey in 2023
Born (1960-09-03) September 3, 1960 (age 64)
Antioch, Tennessee, U.S.
OccupationPersonal finance consultant, radio show host, author
Alma materUniversity of Tennessee (BS)
SubjectPersonal finance
Notable worksThe Total Money Makeover
SpouseSharon Ramsey
Children3, including Rachel Cruze
Website
ramseysolutions.com

David Lawrence Ramsey III (born September 3, 1960) is an American radio personality who offers financial advice. He is the owner and CEO of Ramsey Solutions and co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio program The Ramsey Show. Ramsey has written several books, including The New York Times bestseller The Total Money Makeover, and hosted a television show on Fox Business from 2007 to 2010.

Early life

Ramsey was born in Antioch, Tennessee, to successful real estate agents and developers. He attended Antioch High School where he played ice hockey. At age 18, Ramsey took the real estate exam and began selling property, working through college at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and real estate.

Career

By 1986, Ramsey had amassed a portfolio worth over $4 million. However, when the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 took effect, several banks changed ownership and called his $1.2 million in loans and lines of credit because he was over-leveraged. Ramsey was unable to pay and filed for bankruptcy in 1988.

Ramsey experienced several years of financial recovery and began offering financial advice to couples at his local church. In 1988, he founded the Lampo Group, a financial counseling service, and in 1992 he wrote and self-published his first book, Financial Peace.

Ramsey began as one of three alternating hosts of The Money Game on radio station WWTN/Nashville in 1992. The show eventually became The Dave Ramsey Show, Ramsey's daily three-hour call-in financial advice talk show.

Financial Peace University, Ramsey's nine-lesson, video-based personal finance course, debuted in 1994. The Gannett newspaper group ran his financial column, though dropped it when the newspaper realized that Ramsey had changed the names on the letters to which he was responding. He offered to pay them their money back. The Dave Ramsey Show aired on the Fox Business Network from 2007 to 2010.

In 2014, The Lampo Group, Inc. was rebranded as Ramsey Solutions. The company's headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, and a new 47-acre campus opened there in 2019.

Ramsey has written five books for adults, three of which were New York Times bestsellers, and six children's books. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2015.

Teachings

Ramsey advises listeners to reduce debt using the debt snowball method, where debtors pay off their lowest balances first. Ramsey opposes the use of credit cards. At live shows, he sometimes takes out his wallet to show audiences the "only four pieces of plastic" he carries: A business debit card, a personal debit card, a driver's license, and a concealed-carry permit. Ramsey encourages the use of cash and advises families to utilize an envelope system, putting a cash allocation for each month's food, entertainment, and other expenses in separate envelopes and then spending only what is in the envelope. Ramsey encourages people not to take on student loan debt and calls the idea that student loans are required for college "a myth".

Criticism and controversies

In 2014, The Daily Beast reported that Ramsey had lashed out against former employees he claimed were discussing working conditions at the company on Facebook and Twitter. At company staff meetings, Ramsey recounted conversations from a private Facebook group of former employees that he had infiltrated, offered cash rewards for the identities of some members. Once they realized Ramsey had joined the private group, some anonymous Twitter accounts who alleged to be those workers and tweeted that he "pulled a gun out of a bag to try to teach a lesson about gossip". 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.

Company policies regarding marriage, sex and homosexuality

According to a September 2021 lawsuit, when Julie Anne Stamps, a Ramsey Solutions employee on the customer care team, approached her supervisor regarding coming out as a lesbian in May 2020, the supervisor explained that company policy would not allow Stamps to continue to be employed at Ramsey Solutions. Stamps alleged that her departure from the company was further expedited once the United States Supreme Court June 15, 2020, ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County was decided. Ramsey Solutions denies the accusations.

In July 2020, Caitlin O'Connor, a former Ramsey Solutions employee, filed a federal lawsuit against the company alleging that she was fired for being pregnant and, since she was not married to the baby's father, for violating Ramsey Solutions' employee conduct policies. On May 27, 2021, O'Connor gave her first interview about the termination and her experience working for Ramsey.

On March 10, 2021, featured personality Chris Hogan left the company, citing "things going on in my personal life ... that are not in line with Ramsey Solutions." Hogan's resignation followed a request for his personnel file at Ramsey Solutions during the Caitlin O'Connor case. Before the release of his book Everyday Millionaires, Hogan admitted to several affairs, including one with a co-worker at Ramsey Solutions during his marriage to wife Melissa Hogan. References to his book and videos are still available on the Ramsey website (as of August 18, 2021) and YouTube channels; however, direct links on the Ramsey Solutions website are replaced with a redirect page for other company resources.

In May 2021, Religion News Service (RNS) obtained recordings of Ramsey mocking employees over the policy and explaining Hogan's 2019 absence as a "rest break" following the affair accusations. Melissa Hogan, Chris Hogan's ex-wife, issued a statement to RNS claiming that the company downplayed Chris's behavior, covered for him, and characterized her behavior as "anger, hyperbole, and drama".

COVID-19 response

In December 2020, a complaint was filed with the Franklin health department alleging that caterers hired for the Ramsey Solutions Christmas party at its company headquarters were instructed not to wear masks or gloves while serving, which the company later confirmed to the local NBC affiliate. Ramsey Solutions responded that there was no truth to the complaint. Earlier in the pandemic, the company remained open after employees tested positive for the virus, ignored recommendations to avoid large gatherings, and hosted a July business conference after the Marriott hotel canceled citing safety concerns.

On his radio show and in staff meetings, Ramsey railed against face coverings and other COVID-19 precautions, calling them "a sign of fear". On his March 2, 2020, show, he mocked concerned ticket holders for his upcoming live events, calling anyone who wanted a refund a "wuss" and insisting that he would attend the "Live Like No One Else" cruise "by my freaking self" if necessary.

In February 2021, Ramsey appeared on Fox News, where he said, "I don't believe in stimulus checks, because if $600 or $1,400 changes your life you were pretty much screwed already. You got other issues going on."

In a December 2021 federal lawsuit, a former employee alleged that Ramsey violated his religious rights by firing him when he took scientifically prescribed precautions against COVID-19. The employee, Brad Amos, stated he was following the Golden Rule in protecting others from the virus. The lawsuit said Ramsey ran a "cultlike" environment where employees who worried about the pandemic were accused of "weakness of spirit" and told to pray if they wanted to ward off the virus. Ramsey Solutions has denied all accusations and has claimed the suit was "completely false". In December 2023, A U.S. district judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling there was no proof of religious discrimination, but in August 2024 the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit overturned the dismissal, allowing the case to proceed.

Timeshare exit lawsuit

In his teachings, Ramsey has described the timeshare industry as "scummy". In April 2023 listeners of his show filed a $150 million dollar lawsuit against Ramsey alleging he received $30 million to promote a timeshare exit company who engaged in deceptive practices.

Efficacy

Critics of Ramsey's core teachings point out that they are often a "one-size-fits-all" approach that disregards income disparities, investment horizon, and ignores financial emergencies. The debt snowball method is frequently debated, and studies have returned results that both support and oppose its efficacy. Ramsey's investing advice has also drawn criticism over its reliance on stock investment, as opposed to bonds, using mutual funds with load fees, and its frequent claim of 12% annual returns on investments.

Personal life

Ramsey married his wife Sharon in 1982. The Ramseys have three children, including Rachel Cruze. All three work for Ramsey Solutions.

Ramsey had an estimated net worth of $55 million as of 2018. He sold his custom-built home in the Nashville, Tennessee, area for $10.2 million in 2021 after living there for over a decade. A spokesperson said he was having another home built in the area.

Ramsey is an evangelical Christian who describes himself as conservative, both fiscally and culturally. He has blamed politics for what he considers Americans' economic dependence, and has said presidents should do "as little as possible" about the economy. Ramsey has publicly stated he would vote for Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, but also plainly said that people should vote for which candidate best aligns with their political values.

References

  1. Dave Ramsey Show Newstalk 550 KTSA. San Antonio, Texas. September 3, 2012. Radio.
  2. ^ Drury, Susan (May 31, 2007). "The Gospel According to Dave". Nashville Scene. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  3. "Check out the latest from Dave Ramsey!". daveramsey.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  4. ^ Ramsey, Dave; Sharon Ramsey (2003). Financial Peace Revisited. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Viking Penguin. p. 325. 0-670-03208-5.
  5. ^ Ross Jr., Bobby (March 31, 2003). "Christian financial guru crusades against overspending". Google News. Ocala Star-Banner. p. 6C. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  6. Ramsey, Dave. "Home Page". www.ramseysolutions.com. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Dave Ramsey". Radio Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
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