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Author: Monique Danao

  • This retired military couple found their forever home in an abandoned 37.5-acre Kentucky farmstead — and it only cost them $390K. Now they see it as the key to unlocking self-sufficiency

    This retired military couple found their forever home in an abandoned 37.5-acre Kentucky farmstead — and it only cost them $390K. Now they see it as the key to unlocking self-sufficiency

    As home prices soar and dreams of ownership slip away for many Americans, one couple decided to stop chasing the market and a new life from the ground up.

    In spring 2024, Sophie Hilaire Goldie, 37, and her husband Rocky Goldie, 50, purchased a 37.5-acre fixer-upper homestead in rural Kentucky for $390,000 and began transforming it into their forever home.

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    They are now dedicating their energy, time, and skills to remodeling the property into a self-sustaining lifestyle. Their plans include raising chickens, starting a dairy goat farm and launching a new skincare business.

    “We are not moving,” Sophie said. “It’s weird even to think that’s an option because it’s not how we think. I have no interest in leaving — ever.”

    From match to mortgage

    Sophie, an Army veteran, and Rocky, a former Marine, met on Match.com. They quickly bonded over their shared love of the outdoors and their desire to embrace life.

    When they started dating, Sophie transformed a friend’s Home Depot shed into a tiny home after spending two years living in a Sprinter van. Their second date was spent working together to build the shed.

    “It was important for me while we were dating to see if we could work together on projects,” Sophie told CNBC.

    After she returned from a trip through Southeast Asia, Rocky suggested they find a place of their own. They turned to Zillow and searched for rural properties with at least 10 acres and a sense of history.

    A local photographer introduced them to a real estate agent, who showed them the abandoned property. It included two log cabins from the 1840s, a 2,200-square-foot home with four bedrooms and one bathroom, a 200-square-foot separate cabin and two barns — all on 37.5 acres.

    The couple secured a 30-year mortgage with minimum monthly payments of $1,790, but they plan to pay off their home within five years. Sophie recently launched her own skincare company, Seoul + Soil, inspired by their natural lifestyle on the homestead. The business is part of a larger goal to become 85% to 90% self-sufficient.

    “I think it’s the most excited I’ve ever been about anything,” Sophie said. “There’s nothing more entrepreneurial than just making up your life.”

    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

    Why homesteading may be a smart financial strategy

    For the Goldies, homesteading is more than a lifestyle — it’s a financial strategy grounded in long-term resilience and freedom.

    According to a 2022 survey by Homesteaders of America, nearly 40% of respondents said they had adopted homesteading within the past three years. Here’s how the Goldies are making it work:

    • Reduced Housing Costs: It’s rare to find a 37.5-acre property with existing infrastructure for less than $400,000. By purchasing this land, the couple is eliminating decades of future housing expenses and aiming to be mortgage-free within five years.
    • Income Diversification: Sophie’s skincare company is one source of income. Additional revenue may come from selling farm produce, hosting workshops or providing agritourism experiences such as farm stays.
    • Asset Appreciation: Historic properties on large rural land are increasingly seen as wise investments. Renovations and the addition of sustainable infrastructure can significantly increase long-term value.
    • Financial Resilience: A self-sufficient lifestyle that includes livestock, gardens and renewable energy systems can provide protection against inflation, food shortages and job loss.

    For the Goldies, this bold experiment in modern homesteading is driven by passion and purpose.

    “We only have a few more decades left, but we want to do 200 years’ worth of stuff,” Sophie says. “Everything we did brought us to where we are now, but it would be nice to be 20 and starting this.”

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

  • ‘I feel lousy’: Tampa woman, 83, paid a heavy $4,500 toll after being hooked by trendy phishing text. Here’s what the scam looks like — and how to avoid falling for the bait

    ‘I feel lousy’: Tampa woman, 83, paid a heavy $4,500 toll after being hooked by trendy phishing text. Here’s what the scam looks like — and how to avoid falling for the bait

    When Ed Mondello’s 83-year-old wife received a text message about an unpaid toll, it seemed legitimate.

    “They said she didn’t pay the toll and had to pay $6.99 by a certain time,” the Tampa Bay resident told WFLA News. “If not, it would go to her credit report, and she would lose her registration. I feel lousy."

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    The link in the message looked official, appearing to come from Florida’s SunPass system complete with branded logos and language. Wanting to resolve the issue quickly, she clicked the link and entered her debit card information.

    That small decision cost $4,500. According to Mondello, the thieves used his wife’s debit card 25 times over three days, making purchases at Staples stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

    Their story is part of a troubling national trend: a surge in toll-related phishing scams.

    Toll-related phishing scams on the rise

    The toll scam targeting the Mondellos follows a typical playbook in which scammers impersonate toll agencies and send mass text messages claiming that recipients owe a small amount for unpaid tolls.

    The messages typically include a link and urgent warnings of steep late fees or even the threat of license suspension without immediate payment.

    The link directs victims to a fake payment portal. Once a victim enters their credit or debit card information, scammers charge large sums or steal sensitive information for future use.

    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

    According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost $470 million to text-message scams in 2024 alone — five times as many as in 2020.

    Older adults are particularly vulnerable.

    AARP reports that people in their 70s suffered median losses of $20,000 to investment scams — a stark contrast to the $1,551 median loss reported by victims in their 20s.

    How to avoid falling victim

    Here are some ways you can protect yourself from toll-related text scams:

    • Don’t click links in unsolicited texts: If you receive a toll notice, contact the tolling agency through their official website.
    • Look closely at the sender: Scam texts often come from email addresses or numbers you can’t trace. Verify the message with the tolling agency using a trusted source when in doubt.
    • Watch for urgency: Scammers rely on panic to prompt quick action. A legitimate agency won’t threaten license suspension or credit damage over a single missed payment.
    • Enable alerts from your bank: Instant notifications can help you catch and respond to fraudulent activity before it causes more damage.
    • Report suspicious messages: Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and delete them from your device.

    In the end, the Mondellos were fortunate. Their credit union, Achieva, reimbursed the more than $4,500 they lost in the scam.

    Still, the experience left its mark. Ed says his wife learned a challenging but important lesson about suspicious text messages.

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

  • ‘Don’t blame that on the Holy Spirit’: Dave Ramsey urges Missouri woman to instantly liquidate her $60,000 crypto portfolio to pay off debts — but she says she’s waiting for a sign from God

    ‘Don’t blame that on the Holy Spirit’: Dave Ramsey urges Missouri woman to instantly liquidate her $60,000 crypto portfolio to pay off debts — but she says she’s waiting for a sign from God

    Arabella from Springfield, Missouri called into The Ramsey Show because she was facing a financial fork in the road.

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    With about $60,000 in cryptocurrency, $14,000 in student loans, and $37,000 in auto debt, she and her husband were preparing to close on their first home.

    Her question to financial guru Dave Ramsey: Should they liquidate their crypto holdings to become debt-free before taking on a mortgage, or hold out for a market upswing that many in the crypto world anticipate?

    “I wouldn’t try to time the market with it,” said co-host Jade Warshaw. “You guys are in debt today, and you’re closing on the house really quickly. So, I would liquidate this crypto, and I would pay off this debt. I would do that instantly.”

    Ramsey didn’t mince words about the risks. “It’s one of the most volatile, high-risk investments on the planet. And it’s not technically an investment, it’s actually called speculation.”

    ‘You’re in Vegas, and your car payment’s on the line’

    Arabella argued the digital coins they hold aren’t meme tokens, but admitted their portfolio was worth $30,000 more before President Trump’s tariff announcement.

    “And so what happens when Trump burps again? You’re screwed,” quipped Ramsey.

    Ramsey and Warshaw emphasized that investing in the cryptocurrency market is more like gambling than wealth building, especially when the assets are held instead of paying off loans.

    “It’s the roll of the dice. You’re in Vegas, and your car payment’s on the line,” Ramsey said, repeating Warshaw’s advice.

    He also used a sunk cost analysis to help Arabella reframe her thinking. He asked her that if had no debt, would she borrow on her car and credit cards to buy $60,000 worth of crypto. Arabella responded, “Absolutely not.”

    “It’s the same thing!” said Ramsey. “If you don’t sell it today, you’ve borrowed it again tomorrow.”

    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

    ‘It might’ve been a spirit, but it wasn’t the holy one’

    Arabella then revealed a different reasoning for the couple’s crypto holdings as the conversation turned spiritual.

    “We are Christian and we do not gamble,” she explained. “But we felt like God showed us these three specific coins that we’re invested in. And we have just been waiting for the right time for him to show us when to sell, which is why we’ve been holding for five years through two bull runs.”

    Arabella’s story struck a nerve with Ramsey. He drew a clear line between what he believes are scriptural principles of long-term investing and speculation.

    “Playing short-term games with money you don’t have, cause you’re broke … Please don’t blame that on the Holy Spirit,” he said. “It might’ve been a spirit, but it wasn’t the holy one.”

    Ramsey made his position crystal clear — for her and anyone else listening: when you’re deep in debt, hoping for a crypto miracle isn’t a plan. It’s a bet.

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  • Nearly 1-in-5 Las Vegas home buyers walked away from a deal in April for these 2 main reasons — but could contracts falling through actually be a sign the market is tipping in their favor?

    Nearly 1-in-5 Las Vegas home buyers walked away from a deal in April for these 2 main reasons — but could contracts falling through actually be a sign the market is tipping in their favor?

    Home buyers in Las Vegas are walking away from contracts in increasing numbers.

    High interest rates, financial anxiety and an oversupplied market are pushing many to rethink their purchases before closing.

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    A recent Redfin report found 14.3% of U.S. homes under contract in April were canceled, marking the second-highest April cancellation rate on record, behind only the pandemic-era spike in April 2020.

    In Las Vegas, the rate was even higher: 18.6% of purchase agreements fell through, placing the city eighth among major U.S. metros for canceled deals.

    Here are two of the main reasons for the growing trend.

    Reason 1: Financial concerns

    Higher mortgage rates and skyrocketing home prices are driving many to the brink. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate hit 6.85% in June, more than double what it was during pandemic lows. That kind of increase can add hundreds — even thousands — to monthly payments when taxes and insurance are included.

    “Groceries have been high, gas has been high, utilities have been high,” said Jillian Batchelor, a Southern Nevada realtor, in an interview with 8 News Now. “So buyers are more payment-conscious or payment-savvy than they really ever have been.”

    And with inflation still weighing on American households, some prospective buyers are having trouble securing final approval. Others are rethinking whether they can afford the total cost once they see the final numbers — including homeowners association (HOA) fees and insurance premiums.

    Redfin agents nationwide are also seeing buyers hesitate due to broader economic and political instability — including layoffs, tariffs and federal policy uncertainty. Another recent Redfin survey found that nearly 1 in 4 Americans scrapped plans for a major purchase this year due to tariffs.

    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

    Reason 2: A flood of choices

    The housing market in Las Vegas is also experiencing a surge in listings.

    “[A] buyer goes under contract,” Batchelor told 8 News Now. “And all of a sudden a week later they see, ‘oh there’s five more homes available in that neighborhood, this one might be nicer, this one might have more upgrades.’”

    With inventory now at a five-year high nationally, according to Redfin, this scenario is becoming increasingly common — especially in states like Nevada, Texas and Florida, where new home construction has surged.

    Buyers feel less pressure to settle, knowing there may be better deals just around the corner.

    That confidence is reshaping buyer behavior. According to Redfin’s report, five of the 10 metros with the highest cancellation rates are in Florida — which is a sign that growing supply can tip the scales in favor of consumers.

    A warning sign for the national market?

    While Las Vegas may be an extreme case, the underlying issues — affordability and market saturation — are national in scope.

    From Riverside, California to Atlanta, Georgia (which led the country with a 20% contract cancellation rate), buyers are hitting the brakes.

    This shift may suggest that while the housing market may be cooling, affordability is still out of reach for many Americans.

    Still, Redfin economists predict some relief later in 2025, with home prices expected to drop modestly as demand softens. In the meantime, buyers are urged to do their research, stay flexible and be ready to walk if the numbers don’t add up.

    As Batchelor put it, “All of this is just an adjustment to probably (…) equalize the playing field — maybe a little bit more.”

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

  • ‘Don’t do this out of fear’: Utah woman debating whether to accelerate her plans to buy a car to dodge the impacts of Trump’s tariffs — why The Ramsey Show hosts tell her to hit the brakes

    ‘Don’t do this out of fear’: Utah woman debating whether to accelerate her plans to buy a car to dodge the impacts of Trump’s tariffs — why The Ramsey Show hosts tell her to hit the brakes

    Allie, a Salt Lake City resident, faced a dilemma many car buyers can relate to: should she pull the trigger on purchasing a vehicle earlier than planned to avoid potential price hikes due to tariffs?

    Originally, Allie and her husband had planned to buy a car in the spring of 2026. However, with concerns about tariffs driving up the cost of new vehicles, she began reconsidering that timeline.

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    They were planning on spending around $35,000 on a used car, but were also considering buying a new one if they could find the right deal.

    “We are wondering if we should move that purchase up and buy now because car prices might decrease because of the tariff.” Allie explained to The Ramsey Show co-hosts Jade Warshaw and Ken Coleman

    Allie said with the media reporting that tariffs will potentially drive up the cost of vehicles, she wanted to know if buying now would be wiser than possibly paying more later.

    The experts weigh in — patience over panic

    The show’s financial experts quickly offered guidance.

    Coleman’s first advice was clear: don’t act out of fear.

    “We have no idea what the tariff situation is going to be,” he said.

    “And by the way, it’s already too late. If you’re going to get a car, the costs will be affected by tariffs … we just don’t know what that’s going to look like.”

    Coleman emphasized that while tariffs might impact the prices of new vehicles, they wouldn’t directly affect used car prices, which he says are more influenced by market demand.

    On this point, Warshaw cautioned that while media headlines may push consumers toward fear-based decisions, it’s impossible to predict how the tariff situation will evolve.

    "That media pressure is real,” Warshaw said. “ And then all the car commercials are going, ‘We are gonna stand by our payment. We’re not raising our payment.’ Everybody’s talking about it.”

    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

    Buy now or stick to the plan?

    Allie and her husband also had to consider where they would borrow money for the car purchase. They had $30,000 in a high-yield savings account that was earmarked for future vacations and sinking funds, but the couple was considering repurposing those funds for the car purchase.

    However, the experts suggested that Allie wait for her husband’s stock options to vest next spring as initially planned.

    The co-hosts were adamant about not letting fear dictate a large purchase like a car. They encouraged Allie to stick with her plan and advised her to buy the car when it made more financial sense.

    “You don’t do this out of fear. You do it out of ‘Are we ready to buy the car today?’” Warshaw said. “If you think, ‘Hey, we don’t need it yet,’ then don’t do it.”

    “Let these stocks vest regardless of what you do,” she added.

    Both co-hosts noted that by waiting, Allie could have an opportunity to find a great deal.

    “A year from now, when they want to buy. There’s gonna be some people who overextended themselves,” Coleman said,

    “ I can promise you a year from now, there’s gonna be some people driving around with a car payment of $700 or more. We know this from the data. And they gotta unload it.”

    Warshaw and Coleman emphasized the importance of patience and careful planning, advising Allie to avoid making a fear-driven purchase. Instead, it’s best to align her decision with her long-term financial goals.

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

  • ‘It opened the door to a lot of other victims’: Georgia police are warning of a surge in stolen cars being sold on Facebook Marketplace — here’s what to watch out for when buying a new car

    ‘It opened the door to a lot of other victims’: Georgia police are warning of a surge in stolen cars being sold on Facebook Marketplace — here’s what to watch out for when buying a new car

    Gwinnett County Police in Georgia are warning car buyers to be cautious when shopping online, especially on Facebook Marketplace.

    Authorities have uncovered a scheme in which thieves are selling stolen vehicles — specifically Honda CR-Vs — with altered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to unsuspecting buyers. The cars are primarily stolen from New York, given fake VINs and resold in the Atlanta area.

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    A growing scam

    Public information officer Juan Madiedo of the Gwinnett County Police said the vehicles are being sold for between $29,000 and $30,000.

    “They are pretty pricey,” he told Atlanta News First. “They are making out with a lot of victims’ money.”

    The investigation began when a local buyer reported VIN inconsistencies after taking their CR-V to a mechanic. That tip led police to uncover multiple victims and triggered a Facebook Marketplace sting, where investigators posed as buyers. The seller tried to flee but was caught.

    A second suspect, Karen Mendez, remains at large. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact 911.

    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

    Dealerships targeted too

    VIN fraud — or “VIN cloning” — involves copying a legitimate VIN from a similar car and placing it on a stolen one. The scammer makes the vehicle appear clean and legal during resale.

    The fraud has reached beyond individual buyers. Atlanta Used Cars unknowingly purchased a stolen vehicle through a Carvana auction. They only learned the truth after a customer reported it stolen. Authorities later traced the vehicle back to Hertz Rental Car Company.

    “Saving up money for a down payment or the whole car, purchasing it and being accused of stealing it definitely from law enforcement is definitely not a good experience,” said Shameel Shad, the dealership’s general manager.

    Carvana reimbursed the dealership after confirming the fraud. Shad said the experience forced his team to tighten their inspection process. They now triple-check VINs on the windshield, driver-side door and vehicle computer.

    How to protect yourself

    Gwinnett County Police and consumer advocates recommend several steps to avoid becoming a victim of VIN fraud:

    • Meet in a public place: Complete private car sales at a police station or designated “safe exchange” zone.
    • Cross-check the VIN: Make sure the number matches on the windshield, driver-side door, and title documents. Any mismatch is a red flag.
    • Use an OBD2 scanner: These tools reveal the VIN stored in the car’s electronic system, which scammers can’t easily alter.
    • Run a vehicle history report: Use services like Carfax, AutoCheck or the free VINCheck tool from the National Insurance Crime Bureau to check for theft or salvage records.
    • Trust your instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true or the seller avoids basic questions, walk away.

    “There is an endless amount of ways that people can commit fraud in this business, VIN swapping is the simplest and easiest to catch,” Shad said. “But there are a lot of other crafty ways.”

    With online car sales on the rise, Gwinnett County Police say vigilance is key. Taking extra steps now could save buyers thousands or prevent legal trouble later.

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

  • ‘That is a bath right there’: This Atlanta dad splurged on a $60K car — now it’s only worth $30K but he still owes $57K. Here’s how the Ramsey Show hosts suggest he get clean again

    Terrence from Atlanta has a budget problem, and he knows it.

    The Georgia father recently called in to The Ramsey Show seeking advice on how to get rid of his car, a 2021 Kia Stinger GT2 that costs him $1,200 a month. He also pays $2,000 in child support every month — a financial burden that leaves him with little breathing room despite earning a six-figure salary.

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    “I make $10,000 a month,” Terrence told co-hosts Ken Coleman and Dr. John Delony. “I bring home $5,200 after taxes and child support.”

    Terrence bought the Stinger for about $60,000 — rolling in negative equity from a previous vehicle. Two years later and he still owes $57,000, but the car is now only worth about $30,000.

    “Oh boy, that’s a bath!” Coleman exclaimed. “That is a bat right there.”

    America’s auto loan crisis

    Terrence’s situation isn’t rare. Unfortunately, many Americans find themselves “car poor” — trapped by high monthly payments, inflated prices and interest rates that stretch already-thin budgets.

    According to CarEdge, the average price of a new car in the U.S. hovers around $48,699. Meanwhile, Experian reports the average monthly car payment for new vehicles sits at $742 as of Q4 2024.

    Interest rates on auto loans are also elevated, with new car buyers paying an average of 7.1% in Q1 2025, according to USA Today. All of this has led to Americans accumulating $1.64 trillion in auto loan debt as of Q1 2025, according to Trade Economics.

    Those numbers don’t even factor in insurance, gas or maintenance costs. And with 20% of new car buyers now paying over $1,000 a month, Terrence is among a growing cohort of American drivers underwater on their loans.

    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

    Co-hosts share their advice for Terrence

    Terrence’s question for the co-hosts was simple: what’s the fastest, least painful way out of this situation?

    In order to give the co-hosts a complete picture of his finances, Terrence said he typically has between $1,300 and $1,400 remaining every month after paying his child support and other expenses.

    The co-hosts offered Terrence two potential escape routes. One option is to aggressively pay off the car over a long period of time by throwing $3,000 a month at the debt. However, that route might include some extreme budgeting and maybe even a few overtime shifts for Terrence.

    "If you take that $1,200 a month [car] payment, you take that $1,300 extra and you go through your budget with a magnifying glass. You stop going out for a season, and let’s say you can scrounge up $3,000 [per month] that includes this $1,200. You can pay this thing off,“ Deloney said.

    The other route calls for Terrence to sell the car now for around $30,000 and buy a reliable used vehicle — like a high-mileage Toyota or a Buick, which Terrence once owned and loved — for about $7,500, and then pay off a big chunk of the auto loan balance with the roughly $22,000 remaining from the sale of the car.

    This would leave Terrence with roughly $35,000 left on the auto loan, which means he wouldn’t be out of the woods just yet.

    Either way, Terrence is going to have to pull himself up by his boot straps and create a frugal budget in order to get out of this financial hole. Ultimately, the co-hosts applauded Terrence’s honesty and determination to change course.

    “I’ve got a daughter who’s about to go to college, so I want to have the money," Terrence said.

    Coleman and Delony’s final piece of advice? Ditch the debt, drive a modest car and stay focused on long-term goals.

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

  • I’m 33 and I’ve hustled hard to make something of myself. Now my sister, 29, is asking to borrow money — again. I can afford to help, but I don’t want to this time. What do I do?

    I’m 33 and I’ve hustled hard to make something of myself. Now my sister, 29, is asking to borrow money — again. I can afford to help, but I don’t want to this time. What do I do?

    Is lending money to family always the right thing to do?

    Consider the case of Eric, a 33-year-old who is debt-free, owns his own business and lives comfortably after years of hard work and risk-taking. When his 29-year-old sister recently asked him to cover a few months of her rent, he said no.

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    It wasn’t because he couldn’t afford it. It was because he’d done it before.

    Still, Eric insists the decision isn’t about greed. It’s about boundaries.

    Lending money to family: What could go wrong?

    According to Lending Tree, 35% of Americans who lent money to family or friends reported negative consequences. These include hurt feelings (14%), decreased contact (11%) and resentment (10%).

    Lending to family can also blur emotional lines. It’s one thing to help someone in a crisis. But if there’s no plan for repayment or accountability, it can easily lead to resentment.

    A short-term favour can quickly shift the family dynamic and turn one sibling into a provider and the other into a dependent.

    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 help doesn’t equal financial handouts

    Saying no to lending money doesn’t mean saying no to helping. Some forms of support can be more beneficial in the long run. Here are a few alternatives that might empower your sibling more than a temporary bailout:

    • Offer to review their budget: Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh set of eyes to spot where money is going. Instead of offering cash, propose working together toward a goal like building an emergency fund.

    • Help them apply for jobs or update their resume: A part-time job might not cover everything. Offer to help update their resume, practice for interviews, search for better opportunities or tap into your network on their behalf.

    • Help them explore debt consolidation: If they’re overwhelmed by bills, consolidating the debt into a single, lower-interest payment might help them catch up.

    • Set boundaries with conditions: If you choose to help in the future, consider setting clear expectations, like one-time assistance, partial repayment, or proof of an action plan.

    • Connect them with a financial advisor or credit counsellor: If the situation is complex, a professional can offer tailored advice and help them build a sustainable plan to get back on track.

    There’s another often-overlooked cost: your peace of mind. Financial boundaries are just as important as emotional ones, especially when you’re working hard to maintain your own stability.

    Prioritize your financial stability

    Eric’s situation is a reminder that being financially stable doesn’t mean being responsible for fixing other people’s problems. Saying no to a loved one can be hard.

    But it can also be the first step toward healthier boundaries and long-term solutions.

    Whether his sister agrees is uncertain. But Eric’s stance is firm — not out of coldness, but out of care. He wants her to thrive on her own terms, not just get by on someone else’s dime.

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

  • Oregon woman, 70, says she’s ‘trying very hard’ to be able to retire by 80 — and now an offer to use her land for a solar farm would make that doable. Dave Ramsey gave her some blunt advice

    Oregon woman, 70, says she’s ‘trying very hard’ to be able to retire by 80 — and now an offer to use her land for a solar farm would make that doable. Dave Ramsey gave her some blunt advice

    Abigail, a 70-year-old woman from Portland, Oregon, says she’s “trying very hard to make it possible to retire by 80.” That goal may be within reach now that a solar company has offered to lease her farmland. Still, she’s not sure if the deal is a financial lifeline or a liability.

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    She called into The Ramsey Show seeking advice and said the company wants to lease 45 acres of her property to build a solar farm, offering a payout of about $4 million for 40 years.

    Accepting could allow Abigail to retire in a few years — but there are potential pitfalls.

    “I’ve looked at these deals,” said personal finance personality Dave Ramsey. “ In the event they go bankrupt, obviously this lease is cancelled, and then you’ve got a bunch of junk on your farm that’s got to be hauled off. It’s very expensive to get rid of it … You’re leaving this mess for your heirs then.”

    A warning and an alternative

    Ramsey warned that accepting the lease would effectively place a lien on the property, which Abigail said is worth $3 million today.

    Even though she would technically own the land, it would be tied up in the deal for decades. Any future buyer would have to accept the lease terms which complicates a potential sale or inheritance.

    Ramsey questioned whether this was all worth it. “ You’re not gonna like my answer, but I wouldn’t tie up a $3 million asset for that and have my whole backyard full of this.”

    He offered an alternative: “ I would sell 10 acres and use that money to live off of.”

    Abigail’s husband is not in support of renting out the land or selling it, but Ramsey had a blunt response to this. “You’re working at 70 years old and worried about how you’re going to eat at 80. Your husband didn’t save enough money when he was young and working to provide for his wife’s food, and so we’re going to sell some of his land.”

    Ramsey said she should figure out how to sell 10 acres to generate $1.5 million by talking to a real estate agent and a land surveyor. That would give her the money to retire without encumbering the rest of the property or saddling her heirs with a long-term lease.

    Ramsey’s advice is clear: avoid complexity and don’t leave behind a problem disguised as a paycheck.

    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

    Do your research

    Leasing land for solar development has let land owners generate passive income, but it’s not always the best option. If you’re facing a situation like this, there are resources online to help you make the right decision.

    Mike Nuckols of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Jefferson County made a list of considerations when leasing agricultural lands to solar developers.

    “Given the long-term ramifications, we strongly recommend that you have lease agreements reviewed by an attorney to avoid unexpected surprises such as transfer of mineral rights or mandated renewal after the performance period expires,” he wrote. “Due diligence is required to avoid exaggerated claims of financial windfall or outright scams.”

    For example, look closely at end-of-lease terms. The developer should be responsible for removing equipment and restoring your land at the end of the lease. You also need to consider tax implications, what will be possible on the land not rented out, and if the developer is obeying local laws and obtaining necessary approvals, among other factors.

    The SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) has also published a guide for solar land leasing.

    What to read next

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

  • ‘It feels like a violation’: This Atlanta driver realized his ‘free’ app was collecting his data and feeding it to his auto insurer — here’s how your smartphone may be skewing your premiums

    ‘It feels like a violation’: This Atlanta driver realized his ‘free’ app was collecting his data and feeding it to his auto insurer — here’s how your smartphone may be skewing your premiums

    Larry Johnson thought he was doing everything right. The Atlanta father had a clean driving record, a rising credit score and a practical tool to monitor his family: the Life360 app.

    When he started shopping for car insurance recently, the quotes were unexpectedly high, and something wasn’t adding up.

    Don’t miss

    “The quotes I was getting just didn’t make sense to me,” Johnson told Channel 2. Eventually, an agent told him he had a “low insurance score.”

    He later realized that the Life360 app also tracked their driving and fed that data to insurance companies.

    “It’s shocking. And it feels like a violation almost,” Johnson said. “I don’t mind signing up for something when I know what I’m getting myself into.”

    From safety to surveillance?

    Life360 is a popular location-tracking app marketed to families for safety and peace of mind. However, according to Channel 2, Life360 and similar apps may be doing much more than users realize.

    A lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges that a data broker called Arity — a subsidiary of Allstate Insurance — embedded tracking software into apps like Life360 and GasBuddy.

    The software allegedly monitors users’ real-time location and movement without clearly disclosing that companies can use it to adjust insurance prices.

    Paxton alleges that “the personal data of millions of Americans was sold to insurance companies without their knowledge or consent in violation of the law.”

    Allstate has stated that Arity is a separate legal entity, but reporters who contacted Arity received a response from an Allstate email address.

    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

    How does this affect your insurance?

    Apps that track motion and location may collect data sold to third parties. These data brokers aggregate your behaviour to create a “driving profile” that insurers can use to determine your risk level and adjust your premium accordingly.

    “You’re getting similar quotes from similar insurance companies because they’re pulling from the [same] database,” Johnson told Channel 2.

    Tina Marie Johnson also reported that her insurer’s “safe driving” app penalized her for her car’s automatic braking, a safety feature she can’t control. She was also flagged for erratic driving while using a mobility scooter in a grocery store.

    Most apps like Life360 or GasBuddy are free to download but often monetize user data.

    While you may think you’re only sharing your location to find cheaper gas or keep your kids safe, that data can be repackaged and sold.

    What can consumers do?

    After learning how Life360 handled his data, Johnson deleted the app and changed how he evaluates new tools.

    “I look for location, I look for tracking data, and I look to see what they do with that data and if I can opt out or not. And if I can’t, then I don’t use the app,” he told Channel 2.

    Privacy advocates argue that stronger legislation is needed. Recently, Georgian Senator Jon Ossoff and a Louisiana Republican introduced the bipartisan DELETE Act, requiring data brokers to delete consumer information upon request and create a “do not track” list.

    “Data brokers are buying, collecting and reselling vast amounts of personal information about all of us without our consent,” said Ossoff. “This bipartisan bill is about returning control of our personal data to us, the American people.”

    What to read next

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