Money problems end a lot of marriages, so what happens when you spot the warning signs before the wedding? One caller to The Ramsey Show decided not to find out the hard way.
When Financial Habits Don't Match Up
Briana told hosts Jade Warshaw and George Kamel on Sunday that she'd called off her engagement after realizing she and her fiancé had fundamentally different approaches to money. While she'd always been careful about saving and planning for the future, her partner couldn't seem to keep a steady job and had a habit of spending beyond his means.
"He can't hold a job just because the market's been so unsteady," Briana explained.
Kamel didn't sugarcoat his response. "Bullet dodged cuz this is it's either this or a divorce later on. I'd rather, you know, nip it in the bud," he said.
Warshaw backed that up, noting that plenty of people ignore obvious problems until it's too late. "So many people ignore red flags," she said. "You made the choice. You had enough time to see a track record."
The Cost of Staying Together
Briana also shared that the relationship had already damaged her own financial position. She'd taken on debt during the engagement, including buying a $50,000 Mazda CX-70 while also covering shared household expenses.
Kamel's advice was straightforward: own the decision and move on. "Sell that car as soon as possible," he suggested, adding that she should focus on putting herself in a strong financial position going forward.
Warshaw zeroed in on what really mattered: the lack of motivation and consistent income from Briana's former fiancé, which would have been a constant source of stress in a marriage.
Other Financial Boundary Battles
The show has featured plenty of other examples of money creating friction in relationships. A 25-year-old husband from Birmingham, Alabama recently caught heat after his 23-year-old wife Brittany called in to say he'd let his mother take over their household budget, completely overriding her objections.
Dave Ramsey called it a "boundary violation," and co-host Rachel Cruze suggested marriage counseling because of the fundamental lack of respect involved.
In another recent call, Ramsey advised a woman named Courtney whose husband wanted to quit his job and go back to school full-time, which would cut their household income in half. Ramsey gave the plan his blessing, but only with strict conditions: both spouses needed to be in full agreement, they had to save aggressively beforehand, and the degree needed to be practical and marketable. He called the education a crucial long-term investment, assuming it was done right.