Dave Ramsey

Ramsey was raised in the Antioch area of Nashville and graduated from Antioch High School. He married Sharon Ramsey on June 26, 1982.

The couple have three children, Denise Whittemore, Rachel Cruze and Daniel Ramsey, all of whom work at Ramsey Solutions. Ramsey is an evangelical Christian, and his faith shapes both his teaching and his company.

Politically conservative, he supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, where he sold his previous home for $10.2 million in 2021 and began building a new one nearby.

Early Success and Bankruptcy (1978 to 1988)

Ramsey took the real estate exam at 18 and bought and sold property while studying at the University of Tennessee, where he earned a degree in finance and real estate. By 1986 his portfolio was valued at over $4 million, financed largely with short-term debt.

When his primary lender was sold and the new owners called in his notes, he could not refinance. He filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1988.

Rebuilding and Founding (1991 to 1994)

Ramsey began counseling couples at his church, and demand led him to form The Lampo Group, now Ramsey Solutions, in 1991. He self-published Financial Peace in 1992 and introduced Financial Peace University in 1994, today a nine-lesson course.

Radio and Media (1992 to present)

His radio career began in June 1992 on The Money Game on WWTN in Nashville. He began self-syndicating nationally in 1996, the show became The Dave Ramsey Show in 1999, and it was renamed The Ramsey Show in 2020 when permanent co-hosts joined.

A television version aired on Fox Business from October 2007 to 2010. His honors include an NAB Marconi Radio Award (2009) and induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame (2015).

Publishing

His books include The Total Money Makeover (2003), a New York Times bestseller, EntreLeadership (2011), Smart Money Smart Kids (2014, with Rachel Cruze), Baby Steps Millionaires (2021) and Build a Business You Love (2025).

Criticism and Legal Disputes

In 2004 Gannett dropped his newspaper column after finding that reader letters had been altered without disclosure. In 2020 he drew criticism for calling people who asked for event refunds “wusses” and for opposing measures such as mask mandates.

Former employees have filed religious discrimination lawsuits against Ramsey Solutions, including Caitlin O’Connor, who was fired in 2020 while pregnant and unmarried. In June 2025 a federal judge allowed her case to proceed.

Biblical Financial Framework

Ramsey’s teaching is rooted in Christian principles. He presents money management as a matter of stewardship and personal discipline rather than only mathematics.

Key Principles

• Live on less than you earn and follow a written monthly budget.
• Avoid debt, including credit cards and car loans.
• Save an emergency fund before investing.
• Invest consistently for the long term once debt is gone.
• Give generously as part of building wealth.

The Baby Steps

His seven Baby Steps set the order of priorities:

• Save $1,000 for a starter emergency fund.
• Pay off all debt except the house using the debt snowball.
• Save three to six months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.
• Invest 15% of household income for retirement.
• Save for your children’s college fund.
• Pay off your home early.
• Build wealth and give.

The Debt Snowball

Instead of targeting the highest interest rate first, Ramsey tells people to pay off debts from smallest balance to largest. He argues that quick wins build motivation, putting behavior ahead of mathematical efficiency.