Here's a painful financial lesson that comes with a $30,000 price tag: co-signing loans for a romantic partner can leave you holding the bag when the relationship ends. A Florida nurse named Jocelyn learned this the hard way, but her story of digging out from under the debt offers some hope alongside the cautionary tale.
When Love Meets Liability
On a recent Sunday episode of The Ramsey Show, Jocelyn explained how she ended up in this mess. About four and a half years ago, she co-signed several loans for her then-boyfriend, including a business credit card, a personal loan for his vehicles, and yes, a golf cart loan. You can probably see where this is going.
"Two years ago, we split up and he promised me like he would pay me monthly. Well, he got a new um girlfriend and then of course, you know, he stopped paying me," she said.
The legal reality is brutal: when you co-sign a loan, you're not just vouching for someone's character. You're equally responsible for the debt, whether or not you're still dating that person.
The Long Climb Back
Jocelyn didn't just complain about her situation. She attacked it head-on, working relentlessly to chip away at a total debt load that had ballooned to somewhere between $50,000 and $60,000. Through sheer determination, she managed to bring it down to $20,000 by moving back in with her parents and leaning into her nursing career.
"I just worked a lot. I'm a nurse, so I'm kind of lucky there I can find a good job," she explained.
Show hosts Jade Warshaw and Rachel Cruz encouraged her to push through and finish paying off the remaining balance rather than trying to recover money from her ex.
"You're so close to being done. You've got 20,000 to go and you could just wash your hands of this entire situation," Warshaw told her.
Cruz made an important point about closure: even if Jocelyn could successfully chase down her ex for repayment, the process could keep her emotionally and financially tethered to him for years.
Money and Relationships Don't Mix Easily
Jocelyn's case wasn't the only relationship-meets-money crisis discussed on The Ramsey Show. Dave Ramsey fielded several calls that reinforced the same basic principle: financial boundaries matter in relationships.
Jacob, 25, called in worried that his girlfriend's mother was threatening to withhold a promised acre of land. Ramsey warned him against accepting gifts that come with strings attached and potential manipulation.
A 48-year-old small business owner wondered if he should break up with his girlfriend because she earned less than him. Ramsey pointed out she had no debt, managed her finances responsibly, and saw no financial reason to end the relationship.
Canadian caller Garregg faced a different dilemma: his girlfriend offered to pay off his $21,100 in debt. Ramsey and Warshaw both advised against accepting it, stressing that dating partners should handle their debts independently.
The common thread? Financial independence and clear boundaries protect both your wallet and your relationships. Mixing the two without proper legal protection or marriage can create disasters that outlast the romance.