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Arabella from Springfield, Missouri called into “The Ramsey Show” because she was facing a financial fork in the road.
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.
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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 the market upswing that many in the crypto world are anticipating?
“I wouldn’t try to time the market with it,” co-host Jade Warshaw said. “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 digital currency’s risks either.
“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 said that the digital coins they hold aren’t meme tokens, but admitted their portfolio was worth $30,000 more before President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements.
“And so what happens when Trump burps again? You’re screwed,” Ramsey said.
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 used for paying off loans.
“It’s the roll of the dice. You’re in Vegas, and your car payment’s on the line,” Ramsey said.
He also used a sunk cost analysis to help Arabella reframe her thinking: If she had no debt, would she borrow against her car and on credit cards to buy $60,000 worth of crypto? Arabella responded, “Absolutely not.”
“It’s the same thing.” Ramsey said. “If you don't sell it today, you'll borrow it again tomorrow.”
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Read more: Car insurance in America now costs a stunning $2,329/year on average — but here’s how 2 minutes can save you more than $600 in 2025
‘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 said. “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 hit a nerve with Ramsey, who drew a sharp line between what he sees as biblical financial wisdom and reckless speculation.
“Playing short-term games with money you don’t have — because 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 didn’t mince words. For Arabella, and anyone else listening, the message was clear: If you’re buried in debt, banking on a crypto miracle isn’t a plan — it’s a gamble.
When you're dealing with tough financial decisions, having a qualified financial advisor by your side can provide much-needed clarity. But with over 321,000 financial advisers in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where do you start?
One option is to search for a financial advisor near you with Advisor.com. How it works is simple: Just answer a few questions about your finances and goals, then Advisor.com will match you with a financial advisor near you.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
