Dave Ramsey Tells Concerned Dad To Turn Sister Loose On Daughter’s ‘Loser’ Boyfriend He Fears Is Going To Ruin Her Life —’This Is A Bad Situation’

John thought he was funding his daughter’s future. Now he’s worried he’s subsidizing her boyfriend’s bad decisions.

On “The Ramsey Show,” the North Carolina dad explained that his middle daughter—once senior class president and athlete of the year—was excelling in college two hours from home. Her grades were solid, and her ambitions were high. But one thing kept threatening to derail it all: the boyfriend.

He’s older, out of school, living on his own, and came with baggage. “He doesn’t have a diploma. He doesn’t live at home. His license got suspended. He’s had issues with alcohol,” John said. “We’re almost certain she’s gonna pick the boyfriend over us.”

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Despite paying for everything—car, tuition, food—John and his wife feared that their support might not be enough to compete with love. Their daughter was now considering leaving college and moving back home just to be closer to him.

A Test of Character for the Boyfriend

Instead of cutting ties or issuing ultimatums, John had a more strategic idea: offer the boyfriend help and see what he does with it.

“Come over for dinner, have a conversation,” John said. “We would like to support you in getting your GED.” His thinking was simple—if the boyfriend takes the offer seriously, maybe he’s worth a second look. If not, it might finally expose his true intentions to the daughter.

Dave Ramsey didn’t reject the idea outright. “You’re trying to just be wise about how to get at this whole thing,” he told John, praising him for staying calm and deliberate.

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John hoped the gesture would either give the boyfriend a leg up—or give his daughter a reason to reevaluate. “We’re helping him, our daughter sees that… and perhaps he’s got the ability to get a decent job,” he said.

Using Siblings as a Secret Weapon

Ramsey had a different move in mind: weaponize the older sister.

The daughter has two siblings—one younger and one older, both with a clearer perspective on the relationship. The oldest, a senior in college, had already made her opinion known. “She doesn’t like the boyfriend,” John said.

That was all Ramsey needed. “Turn her loose on her sister,” he said. “My daughters policed each other at that age.”

According to Ramsey, peer influence cuts through faster than parental concern. “If this had been going on with my girls, one of them would’ve said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. This guy’s a loser,'” he said. And unlike parents, sisters don’t have to sugarcoat it.

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When Love Blinds, Be Blunt

As for John’s role? Ramsey urged him not to underestimate his influence. “You probably have more than you think you do,” he said.

Ramsey encouraged showing up—not with threats, but with truth. “You make a couple trips over there for Saturday morning breakfast,” he said. “Just start speaking into this situation very bluntly.”

Co-host John Delony added his own tactic: smother the boyfriend with kindness. Ask about his future, offer support, then watch what happens. “See if it freaks him out. Gets him to leave,” he said.

Ramsey brought it home with what mattered most: love and clarity. “This is a bad situation, and I’m worried about you because I love you,” he advised John to say. “You’re not abandoning this. You’re standing in the gap.”

Whether you’re bankrolling a bachelor’s degree or trying to steer your kid away from a dead-end relationship, financial support isn’t just about money—it’s about direction. A financial advisor can help you figure out how to invest in your child’s future without accidentally investing in their mistakes.

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