Author: Emma Caplan-Fisher

Melissa, a disabled veteran in Charleston, West Virginia, thought she’d found the perfect home. She quickly discovered how wrong she was.

Within weeks of moving in, she told The Ramsey Show, her family started getting sick, displaying allergy-like symptoms.

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“Long story short, [we] ended up getting someone to come in and test for mold, and it’s very high numbers,” Melissa said in a clip posted June 22. The type of mold found, she says, was Stachybotrys — often called black mold.

Melissa says the home passed an inspection before closing, but it’s unlivable in its current state, and she’s unsure where to go from here.

Hidden problems

On top of the mold problem, an adjuster came by and informed Meslissa the basement wasn’t up to code. She says the estimated cost to fix the mold was at least $10,000, while upgrading the basement would set her back $20,000.

Melissa says she explored her legal rights.

“I contacted attorneys, and they all pretty much said that I don’t have a case because it’s a buyer-beware state,” she said. “They have no duty to disclose mold in West Virginia.”

Indeed, West Virginia operates under “caveat emptor,” where properties are sold as-is and sellers don’t have to provide potential buyers with a formal disclosure about the state of their property.

Melissa suggests it would have been beneficial to have hired a specific mold inspector for the job, rather than just a general one, to hold the seller accountable for any existing mold in the home.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Game plan

At the time of the call, Melissa says the family was living with her partner in Columbus, Ohio, and she commutes two-and-a-half hours every other day to meet with clients and maintain her business in West Virginia. She earns about $10,000 per month in disability and after-tax income from her job, but she has no savings and her costs are presently high.

Show co-hosts Jade Warshaw and Rachel Cruze suggested that Melissa find a cheap, temporary rental to provide stability between her home and work life while she searches for a permanent solution.

“I would be saving, and I would do the cheapest renovation you can to get this mold out so that you can, in good conscience, sell this home,” Cruze said.

The co-hosts also suggested she continue to explore her legal options, if financially feasible.

Cost of mold remediation

Mold cleanup costs can vary widely — ranging between $500 to $30,000 — depending on the location of the mold and the size of the impacted area, according to This Old House.

If you’re dealing with mold problems, here’s a rough idea of what remediation might run you:

• Small area (e.g. bathroom) — $500-$1,500
• Basement — $500-$4,000
• Attic — $1,000-$9,000
• Drywall — $1,000-$12,000
• HVAC system — $3,000-$10,000
• Large area/whole house — $10,000-$30,000

Keep in mind, there are broader impacts beyond financial costs, like potential health concerns and hidden maintenance problems.

Mold infestations can affect a property’s value and lead to mortgage issues if lenders refuse financing for mold-ridden properties.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Three Denver-area businesses face a combined $8 million in fines for allegedly employing unauthorized migrant workers in contravention of employment law.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agent Steve Cagen told Fox31 News that the fines are designed to uphold the law and “promote a culture of compliance."

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“The employment of unauthorized workers undermines the integrity of our immigration system and puts law-abiding employers at a disadvantage,” he said.

The agency announced the fines publicly on X.

Who was fined and why

ICE said CCS Denver, Inc. — a commercial cleaning and facility maintenance company — knowingly hired and employed at least 87 unauthorized workers. It faces the largest fine: $6.19 million.

According to ICE, Denver’s PBC Commercial Cleaning Systems, Inc. demonstrated “a pattern of knowingly employing at least 12 unauthorized workers.” It was fined nearly $1.6 million.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Green Management Denver was fined $270,195 after ICE identified 44 unauthorized employees.

ICE said its enforcement actions follow workplace audits. John Fabbricatore, a former field office director for ICE. said such audits have been going on for decades.

“They performed an I-9 audit in which they found multiple Social Security number (probably) mismatches and no matches,” Fabbricatore told Fox31.

“So, they went through with a civil violation of that and fined these companies for employing people who are unlawfully present in the United States and unauthorized to work (there).”

Undocumented workers pay a price

While the businesses face financial consequences from such audits, undocumented workers pay a high price on the job. Here’s how they’re typically impacted.

Wage theft

When employers knowingly hire unauthorized workers, they sometimes exploit that status to skirt labor laws, resulting in wage theft.

According to a report from the Economic Policy Institute, workers lose over $15 billion each year due to minimum wage violations alone — a burden that disproportionately affects immigrant and undocumented workers.

Benefits loss and job instability

Undocumented workers are rarely offered employee benefits like health insurance, paid sick leave or unemployment protections.

Their precarious legal standing often prevents them from reporting labor violations like unsafe conditions, wage theft or harassment.

For many, this is due to fear of retaliation or immigration consequences, including deportation.

But some workers also have visas tied to a specific employer, meaning that employer controls their visa status along with their livelihood.

Financial strain and tax implications

Although many undocumented workers pay taxes — often through Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) — they’re ineligible for many public benefits funded by those taxes.

They’re also more likely to face budgeting strain due to unpredictable income, lack of formal employment contracts and vulnerability to sudden job loss during enforcement actions.

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Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

When Damon from San Jose called into The Ramsey Show, he didn’t ask how to get out of debt — he asked whether he should tell his wife they’re secretly worth millions.

His question of whether he should ever disclose his secret to his wife caught listeners — and hosts Dave Ramsey and Ken Coleman — completely off guard.

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"You have deceived your wife," was Ramsey’s initial reaction.

A breach of trust

Damon, who’s been married for five years, explained that he’s a high-earning minimalist, while his stay-at-home wife is more of a spender.

He works a full-time job, runs a business on the side and handles all the family finances. His wife gets an allowance and has no idea about their true financial standing, which includes $750,000 in annual income and a net worth in the millions. Since they got married, Damon’s income has grown sevenfold.

Ramsey was blunt in his response.

“You’ve been married to her for five years and sleeping with her for five years, but she didn’t know you got any money — that’s deception,” he said.

Damon said he’s afraid of how she’ll react and worries she’ll overspend. But as Ramsey and Coleman pointed out, that kind of secrecy can have serious consequences.

Their advice? Start with accountability and don’t make it about her spending. Coleman suggested he open with something like, "I have a massive fear problem, and because I have a fear problem, I’m a control freak … I’ve got to confess this.”

From there, they said Damon needs to apologize, commit to therapy and work on rebuilding trust by budgeting together.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Financial infidelity vs transparency in relationships

Damon’s situation highlights a growing but often overlooked issue: financial infidelity — when one partner hides money, debt or financial decisions from the other. It can create misaligned goals, poor planning and erode trust.

“You’re the problem, not her, and you need to go work on you,” Ramsey told Damon. “This is a weird thing you’ve done — and you need to own that.”

And Damon’s not alone. According to a survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education, 43% of US adults admit to committing financial deception in a relationship.

How to rebuild trust

Financial transparency, on the other hand, is about openly sharing everything — income, debts, goals and spending habits. It helps build trust, encourages shared decision-making and allows couples to plan for the future together.

Best practices for financial transparency include:

• Full disclosure early. Couples should discuss their income, debts, assets and financial goals openly before or shortly after getting married.
• Joint budgeting. Using budgeting apps or spreadsheets to plan together helps prevent miscommunication.
• Regular financial check-ins. Monthly or quarterly conversations keep both on the same page.
• Shared access. Even if accounts aren’t merged, having mutual visibility builds trust.
• Counseling or coaching. Working with a therapist or advisor can help couples overcome deeper issues.

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• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

When Lexi called into The Ramsey Show from New York, her voice carried the weight of crushing debt and the pressure of years of following flawed familial guidance.

Lexi admitted she’d made a lot of "really bad financial decisions” in order to fulfill her parents’ dreams. They wanted her to pursue medicine.

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While she didn’t become a doctor, Lexi did manage to graduate with a master’s degree in health administration — and $230,000 in student loans. She only earns $54,000 a year as a care coordinator in New York City. Now her mom wants her to co-sign a mortgage.

Co-hosts George Kamel and John Delony’s top tip for Lexi? To stop listening to her parents.

And as far as her co-signing the mortgage is concerned, that’s a hard no.

Cut the umbilical cord to pay down debt

"They have given you such horrific financial advice up till now,” Delony told Lexi. “You’ve carried their dream as far as you can carry it because now this is your nightmare."

Lexi is a first-generation college graduate. Her parents pushed her to attend expensive private schools hoping she’d become a doctor. In her effort to realize their outsized dreams, she ended up with outsized debt.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Kamel and Delony offered Lexi practical advice on how to start cutting down her crushing debt.

“You have a math problem — a very serious math problem," Delony said. "You’re going to have to get serious about where you can live, where your cost of living is as low as humanly possible.”

She currently shares rent with a roomie in New York, but given her relatively low income and the high cost of living in the Big Apple, Kamel and Delony believe New York is the last place she should live.

Delony advised her to move to a community where she can pull in a much higher salary, for example as a health administrator in a rural hospital, and save more.

Lexi revealed that the main reason she lives in New York is that her mother worries about her moving too far away. Lexi has a chronic medical condition, but is managing it, along with her life, independently.

They encouraged her to embrace that independence and move to a more affordable region, as so many other Americans are doing.

Between July 2023 and 2024, relatively affordable states like Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee saw some of the highest net migrations, with anywhere from 50,000 and 85,000 people moving in from elsewhere in the U.S.

Vermont, Oklahoma and West Virginia have even introduced relocation incentives. For example, Tulsa Remote offers $10,000 grants to remote workers who move to the city.

Planning a strategic move

Relocating isn’t easy, but for someone in Lexi’s situation, it may be the most viable path to financial recovery.

As Kamel put it, “If you can make $54k in Idaho, you’re going to have a better shot at paying off these student loans in your lifetime … New York City is not the place.”

Here’s what financial experts say to consider in a potential move:

Cost of living. Use tools like MIT’s Living Wage Calculator to compare real expenses in potential cities.

Job market. Ensure comparable or better-paying jobs exist in your field in the new location.

Healthcare access. For those with chronic conditions like Lexi, proximity to care is critical.

Support system. Having community, friends, relatives or another support network is crucial when adapting to a new place.

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• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

When Sarah from Seattle recently called into The Ramsey Show, Dave Ramsey described her situation as “a ticking time bomb."

She owns a condo in Seattle with a $2,300 monthly mortgage plus homeowners association (HOA) fees, and purchased a second property in Florida last year at the top of her budget.

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• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Now, the Florida mortgage costs her $4,000 a month, rental income of $2,700 doesn’t cover it and the property remains in negative equity.

Why she’s underwater

Originally from Florida, Sarah knew she eventually wanted to return to be near her aging parents.

She says she "freaked out because of the housing situation.” With prices going up, she worried that if she waited too long she’d get priced out of the market. So, she went ahead and bought the second property.

Unable to rent it out for more than a year, Sarah finally has tenants, but their rent falls $1,300 short of her monthly mortgage payment. She’s spent approximately $23,000 in closing costs and $50,000 more trying to sustain the property.

Despite having $50,000 in savings and a strong take-home pay of $8,600 a month, she simply can’t afford to live this way anymore.

Ramsey and cohost Jade Warshaw strongly recommended that Sarah sell the property.

“You have a problem here that is not going to get better … If you have to write a $10,000 check to get rid of your mistake, do it,” Ramsey asserted.

The pair recommended immediate action, first by quickly listing the home. Ramsey warned she’d pay some "stupid tax" for her mistake, but she needed to take a short-term loss to stop the financial crisis.

"You’re going to get some of your money back, but you’re not going to get all your money back," he said.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

The sunk-cost fallacy and its dangers

Sarah’s reluctance to sell stems from the sunk-cost fallacy: the belief of having invested too much to walk away. Ramsey warned against this mindset.

"There may not be a way to get back the money that’s lost. You’re doing well if you can break even … Mistakes cost you,” he said.

Ramsey and Warshaw advised Sarah to focus on cash flow, not past expenses, cautioning against letting emotional attachment or fear keep her trapped.

If she keeps the home, they warned that the situation could get worse through things like insurance issues, vacancy cycles or emergency repairs.

"We’re trying to stop the bleeding, not reverse the fact that we had a car wreck."

Sellers in Florida markets like Miami are increasingly delisting homes rather than cutting prices, suggesting buyers are becoming scarce.

Meanwhile, Florida home prices dipped 2.2% year-over-year to a median of around $412,400 as of May 2025, according to Redfin. These conditions give all the more reason for Sarah to get out of the market sooner than later.

Plus, carrying the property risks continued price drops, increasing home insurance and HOA costs and the chance of foreclosure. Florida had 2,780 foreclosure starts in May 2025, among the highest in the U.S.

Homeowners there face rising insurance premiums, with the average cost increasing 45% from 2017 to 2022, alongside higher HOA fees and property taxes — all putting sellers at risk even in rising markets.

Nationwide, it’s not much better. In May across the U.S., housing prices were up just 0.6% to $440,910, while the number of homes sold was down 4.5% year over year. Affordability continues to suffer due to high mortgage rates and regional oversupply.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

For the third time, Amanda Sparks, the owner of A&L Sheds, has been arrested — this time, in Montgomery County, Texas.

Authorities allege she scammed more than 100 people out of more than $1 million by promising to build sheds and tiny homes that were never delivered.

Sparks’ previous arrests occurred in Gray and Harris counties, and now a $12 million civil judgment has been issued against her by the Harris County Attorney’s Office.

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"It’s heartbreaking. It’s very heartbreaking," victim Julia Marino told KPRC 2 News Houston.

"My mother passed away just last month. If I had my $8,100, I could help with her funeral."

A web of victims and a $12 million judgment

Sparks faces felony theft charges after a warrant was issued by Johnson County. According to investigators and victims, she allegedly collected large upfront payments — ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 — often in cash, from individuals and organizations expecting sheds or tiny homes. In many cases, contracts were signed, but no work ever began.

Victims include private citizens as well as vulnerable groups including a church, a domestic violence shelter and even a construction crew claiming it completed work in 2023 but was never paid.

Victim Charlotte Clifford, who says she paid $16,800 up front, recalled her experience to KPRC reporters

"She wrote out a contract — I’ve got the contract, all the paperwork at home — telling us when she was going to start our building. It never happened.”

The fraud unraveled when more than 100 people came together via a Facebook group, where they compared notes and documented their stories, revealing a pattern of broken promises and missing funds. Their collective effort culminated in a complaint submitted to the Harris County Attorney’s Office in late 2024.

Marino, an organizer behind the complaint, emphasized the importance of recordkeeping and speaking out.

"We’re showing a paper trail because we’re all in this together,” she told KPRC News. “We’re trying to get a resolution on this. It’s just taking a little time.”

The result of that work was a $12 million judgment signed at the end of March 2025, which could help victims recover some of their losses.

With housing costs on the rise, more people are turning to tiny homes as an affordable alternative. According to one report, 73% of Americans would consider living in a tiny home.

However, this case highlights how the booming industry has presented an opportunity for scammers.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Watch for red flags and protect yourself from builder scams

If you’re planning to purchase a tiny home, here are some ways to protect yourself. The key is staying vigilant and doing your homework before committing.

Verify builder licensing and references

Ensure your builder is licensed and bonded. Ask for references, check online reviews and their rating with the Better Business Bureau. Reputable builders should have a portfolio of completed projects and satisfied clients.

Get a detailed contract

A legitimate builder should provide a detailed contract outlining timelines, materials, payment terms and guarantees.

Avoid paying 100% up front

Never pay the full amount before any work is done. A deposit, typically 10% to 25%, is reasonable, but further payments should be tied to completed work milestones. Your state may have limits on how much a contractor can ask for up front, check your local laws.

Use escrow services

Escrow accounts protect your money by only releasing funds when both parties meet agreed-upon terms. This is especially helpful for large transactions.

Watch for red flags

High-pressure sales tactics, vague or verbal-only agreements and refusal to show credentials or provide timelines can all be warning signs.

Keep all documentation

Save emails, receipts, signed contracts and messages. This can be helpful in disputes and legal actions, should it come to that.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

What would you do if your city placed $366,000 in liens on your home after inspectors observed minor violations like broken window frames, cracked outlet covers and peeling paint?

If you were Lauderdale Lakes residents Kenneth and Mildred Bordeaux, a Florida couple in their 80s, you’d hire a lawyer and fight back.

"I feel like I’m just being beat on with a sledgehammer, and I don’t understand it," Kenneth told CBS News.

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Their lawyer Ari Pregen says the city’s actions are completely unfair.

“It’s absolutely mindblowing to say ‘We’re going to hold your property hostage and we’re not going to allow you to do what you want with your property, to pass it on to your next of kin and your loved ones, because of window cranks and plastic covers,’” he said.

Now, their efforts — and the media attention — may have borne some fruit.

How minor violations turned into major fines

It all started last year when the Bordeauxs — who rent out part of their duplex to cover bills — evicted a tenant.

When inspectors visited the property following the eviction, they fined the Bordeauxs for six violations, including broken window frames and handles; cracked outlet covers; peeling paint; minor interior door and wall damage; and smoke detectors needing replacement.

The Bordeauxs say they promptly addressed all the issues and made the required repairs.

The problem? City inspectors took 222 days to verify that the repairs had been made. Meanwhile, for every one of those 222 days, the city levied additional daily fines of $1,500 per violation — resulting in the $366,142.70 total.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Their attorney, Ari Pregen, said the situation is unreasonable.

"You can’t charge someone $65,000 for a broken window crank, $55,000 for a broken [cover] plate,” he said.

The couple applied for a lien reduction, a process allowing property owners to request a lower payment on fines or fees owed to the city.

Inspectors only offered a 10% reduction, meaning the Bordeauxs would have to pay more than $300,000 to remove the liens on the property, one the couple want to leave to family members.

"It’s just been absolutely terrible,” Kenneth Bordeaux said.

CBS Miami has since discovered that other Lauderdale Lakes property owners have been hit with excessive fines and liens due to code inspection delays.

The news outlet revealed that in its 2025 budget, the City of Lauderdale Lakes is counting on a 161.4% increase in revenue from fines and forfeitures compared to 2024.

The Bordeauxs’ lawyer notes that levying excessive fines is illegal.

“We have the excessive fines clause for a reason,” Pregen says. “It prohibits excessive fines.”

He continues to negotiate with the city — not only to lower the Bordeauxs’ fines and remove the liens on their duplex, but to urge the city to change its policy to protect other homeowners in similar situations.

In a CBS followup to the story, City Attorney Sidney Calloway rejected the idea that the City of Lauderdale Lakes "acted improperly, has (dragged) its feet or slowed the process" for the Bordeauxs.

However, he did invite the Bordeauxs to meet with him to reduce how much they owe.

And CBS discovered the city attorney also reached out to the local business Levy Realty Advisors — one of Lauderdale Lakes’ biggest taxpayers — to talk about reducing $744,000 worth of liens that resulted from similar delays in city inspections.

How to handle excessive fines on a fixed income

For retired homeowners like the Bordeauxs living on fixed incomes — primarily Social Security and modest pensions — unexpected fines, fees or repair costs can be ruinous.

Without sufficient savings, seniors in such situations may accumulate debt and could lose their homes. The added stress can take a toll on physical and mental health, particularly for seniors who don’t have the resources to navigate complex legal and financial systems.

Legal advocacy and community support can be lifelines. Homeowners facing large municipal fines should first seek legal counsel, especially pro bono services or nonprofit legal clinics that specialize in housing or elder law.

Organizations such as Legal Aid or the AARP Legal Advocacy Group may offer assistance or connect individuals to local resources.

Homeowners on fixed incomes who find themselves in the same predicament as the Bordeauxs should consider doing as they have done and bring media attention to the case to increase public pressure and push local governments to revise their enforcement practices or settlement offers.

Homeowners can also work with housing counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to explore options like financial hardship programs, home equity solutions or income-based repayment plans for liens, where available.

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After receiving an $8 million settlement following her husband’s fatal workplace accident in 2008, Mikeal, a 53-year-old widow from Charleston, West Virginia, entrusted the money to a close friend who worked at a bank.

Two years ago, she discovered it was gone.

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"He stole all the money … There was nothing," Mikeal said during The Ramsey Show.

$8 million stolen

The betrayal left Mikeal in a precarious spot. She now lives in a camper on her mother’s property and still owes $12,000 on it. She also has some credit card debt and relies on workers’ compensation benefits from her late husband’s employer.

Unemployed with ongoing expenses, her situation is challenging.

Mikael said she reported the theft and has attorneys working on it, but it appears the money is gone. She may only recover about a couple of hundred thousand dollars. She added that the alleged thief is now in Florida and has done the same thing to other widows.

Recently, Mikeal received a $531,000 malpractice settlement. She said she’s determined to grow that money quickly to secure her future.

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What can she do?

Ramsey Show co-hosts George Kamel and Ken Coleman offered a structured plan to help Mikael regain financial stability. They suggested she could sell the camper, use the profits to pay off her credit card and never have debt again. She could also build up an emergency fund with some of the settlement money and invest the rest. Here’s a breakdown of the

• Sell the camper. Selling it could eliminate the $12,000 debt and potentially find more affordable housing options.
• Pay off credit card debt. Clearing her balances would ease financial pressure and improve her credit score.
• Establish an emergency fund. Setting aside a portion of the settlement would give her a cushion for unexpected expenses.
• Invest wisely. Putting the remaining funds into diversified, low-risk portfolios could provide steady growth. Financial experts recommend options like ETFs — SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), Vanguard S&P 500 (VOO) and Vanguard Total World Stock (VT) — to get broad market exposure and build long-term wealth.
• Seek employment. Re-entering the workforce, even part-time, would bring in extra income and add structure to her day.

Kamel suggested Mikeal do something from home, like customer service, since she’s got "a good personality” and “good common sense."

He added she needs to work "for momentum’s sake.”

“It’s not about a ton of money that you need,” Kamel said. “(But) your shoulders will go back a little bit more; your head gets a little higher as you begin to see that ‘I can take care of myself.’"

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Formerly friendly neighbors in Stonebriar, a quiet subdivision in northern Pinellas County, Florida, are at odds over an $82,000 special assessment the homeowner’s association (HOA) has levied.

It’s a lot of money — $1,400 per household.

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“It’s insane to ask people to pay that,” resident Ken Christensen told ABC Action News. “We have lives besides our mortgage payments. I personally have a son in hockey. There are people with kids in college.”

Unlike regular HOA dues, special assessments are meant to be one-time fees designed to cover unexpected expenses.

But this one follows another special assessment that the Stonebriar Improvement Association levied last year to the tune of $35,000, or $595 per household,

The situation has caused anger to erupt in the once-peaceful East Lake community of 59 single-family homes.

“When we all got the letter that showed why this assessment was necessary, people really reacted,” resident Dorothy King said.

What has residents at odds is the rationale. The board is raising the money to pay its legal fees in a long legal battle with one resident: John Siamas.

As with so many battles, it started over something seemingly small.

The heart of the conflict

It all began in 2020 when Siamas installed what he describes as a small "plastic, snap-together shed" in his backyard. The HOA board said the structure violates a rule prohibiting outbuildings in Stonebriar, and is suing Siamas over the matter, demanding he take it down.

“He put up a shed and the covenants indicated no sheds — and the board nicely asked him to remove it. He said no,” resident John Papa said. “One thing after another, now we’ve got a lawsuit on our hands.”

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For his part, Siamas says he told the Stonebriar Improvement Association board about his plan to install a shed, and the board never rejected it. Mind you, they didn’t agree to it, either.

Now Siamas has escalated an already tense situation with the board by attempting to trademark the HOA’s name: Stonebriar Improvement Association, Inc.

“I think it’s foolish,” Papa said. “Why would he do it?”

Many residents counter that the HOA’s costly legal battles are foolish.

The trademark case will cost an estimated $425 per hour over 141 hours through to November 2026. Former Stonebriar HOA president Stephen King says the trademark battle is unnecessary as the Stonebriar Improvement Association has served the community well for 33 years without having a trademarked name.

Meanwhile, Siamas has filed federal complaints against HOA president Gayle Zelcs over the board’s trademark challenge, saying she and the board are trying to ruin him financially and force him to “sell his home” and move out of Stonebriar.

For his part, Christensen agrees that the board and its president are causing unnecessary financial hardship in a battle he describes as “nonsense.” He wants things to return to normal.

“It’s a good family neighborhood,” he said. “It used to be peaceful, no drama.”

How HOA residents can protect themselves

Living in an HOA-governed community comes with financial responsibilities that can go well beyond monthly dues.

Special assessments for out-of-budget anomalies like legal fees, structural repairs or emergencies can cost homeowners thousands of dollars, often with little warning.

Unlike traditional emergency expenses (like a car repair or medical bill), HOA assessments may be non-negotiable and time-sensitive, with tight payment deadlines and legal consequences for nonpayment.

While you can’t avoid them altogether, there are things you can do to ensure you’re prepared:

Budget for the unexpected. Plan for financial risks by building a designated HOA emergency reserve in addition to your general emergency fund. Many HOAs set aside 25 to 40% of their monthly dues for reserves to avoid sudden assessments.

For individual homeowners planning, that translates to $2,000 to $5,000, ideally.

To estimate what you’ll need, review your HOA’s budget, reserve studies (which outline anticipated expenditures) and minutes to understand upcoming projects and potential liabilities.

If you see any red flags — lawsuits, aging buildings, vague expense reports — increase your reserve savings accordingly.

Review governing documents early. If you’re in the market for a condominium, understand the rules for special assessments before buying. For example, Florida law requires at least 14 days’ notice before forming a special assessment meeting.

Push for transparency. Attend meetings, demand clear breakdowns of fees and question exorbitant or unusual costs — like $82,000 in trademark legal expenses.

Build community alliances. Get to know your neighbors and understand their concerns and questions. When you’re in a unified front, it’s easier to vote in new board members, renegotiate payment terms or challenge unfair assessments.

Know your rights. Condominium boards can’t always apply unlimited assessments without owner approval. HOAs may face similar constraints depending on the state law and bylaws they’re subject to. If board actions seem suspect, seek legal counsel.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.