- Home
- ‘That’s...
‘That’s a little absurd’: Hawaii man earns $390K a year and has a $7.3M net worth but he doesn’t let his family spend any money — here’s the solution stunned Ramsey Show hosts offered
How much money is enough? For many of us, there’s no clear answer.
However, a recent caller on The Ramsey Show seems to be deeply contemplating this question. Mark from Honolulu, Hawaii has built a fortune worth $7.3 million but still can’t grasp the idea of his family spending any money.
Don't miss
- Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years — but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger
- Cost-of-living in America is still out of control — use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says
- These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 — and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how
“I’m just so wound up,” he tells the co-hosts. “It’s impacting my relationship with my wife.”
Here’s the simple — but challenging — solution the Ramsey Show hosts offered him.
How Mark got like this
By any measure, Mark’s a financial outperformer. He earns $390,000 a year working as a physician and has managed to accumulate rental properties collectively worth $2 million. He says these properties generate $8,000 a month in passive income.
Yet, despite the immense monthly cash flow, Mark can’t handle the concept of his wife and children spending any money. “If we go to dinner and the kids want an extra drink, I’ll say yes but inside [I think] ‘Man, that’s extra $3 we could have saved,’” he explains.
Co-host John Delony quickly deduces the issue: Mark grew up poor.
His family struggled financially and that experience made Mark hyper-conservative with money. “Give yourself some grace, your nervous system is wired this way,” Delony reassured him.
Parents facing financial hardship could impact their children’s psychology, according to the American Psychology Association. Kids who witness financial strain face higher likelihoods of mental health issues.
Meanwhile, a study conducted by the University of Michigan found that even children as young as 5 displayed emotions related to spending and saving money that may have been influenced by their parents’ money habits.
Put simply, Mark’s attitude to money has been shaped by his parents and he’s likely to similarly impact his childrens’ perception of money. But he admits that his tight-fisted approach is impacting his marriage.
To break the cycle, Mark needs to gain a fresh perspective on his family’s fortune.
Read more: Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year — but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free)
A new perspective
Mark’s immense net worth of $7.3 million puts his family nearly within the top 2% of American households, according to data from the Federal Reserve. However, wealth doesn’t necessarily correlate with lifestyle and spending patterns. Warren Buffett, for instance, exclusively buys used cars and lives in the same house he bought in 1958.
However, Delony thinks this level of financial restraint is unnecessary. “You’re running for your life,” he tells Mark. “That’s a little absurd, you’re pretty wealthy.”
The co-hosts convince him to stop fixating on money and take a step back to work on his relationships. Mark claims working part-time, three days a week, would reduce his annual income to $290,000, but agrees that it would give him more time to spend with his wife and children.
“Do it. I love the idea that you’ve worked hard enough that you get to work part-time and spend more time with your family,” says co-host Jade Cranshaw. “Embrace that. I think that’s excellent.”
Delony adds he knows exactly what Mark’s going through — he too struggles with a voice in his head that urges him to save every cent. But he emphasizes that this is something Mark can change by simply being aware of it and gently resisting that instinct.
“It’s going to be uncomfortable at first, but the more you’re mindful of it, the more you accept it, the more your body goes ‘Alright, we’re ok now,’” Delony reassured him.
What to read next
- Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market — and are betting on these assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds
- Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof — and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month
- Stop crushing your retirement dreams with wealth-killing costs and headaches — here are 10 'must-haves' when choosing a trading platform (and 1 option that has them all)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/that-s-a-little-absurd-hawaii-man-earns-390k-a-year-and-has-a-7-3m-net-worth-but-he-doesn-t-let-his-family-spend-any-money-here-s-the-solution-stunned-ramsey-show-hosts-offered/ar-BB1oNsSM?ocid=00000000
Related
Social Security's 2025 COLA Estimate Just Dropped. Here's Why You Shouldn't Worry.
It's too soon to know what next year's COLA will look like, and a smaller raise may not be such a bad thing.
Money'I own 15,000 houses': Robert Kiyosaki says there's 'nothing wrong' with buying a house — except he uses debt to buy it and 'pay no taxes'
Want to be a real estate mogul? Read on.
MoneyMy soon-to-be ex-husband placed his money in a trust before we married, and used it to buy properties. Am I entitled to any of these?
THE MONEYIST Dear Moneyist, My spouse created a revocable trust two months before our marriage without my knowledge. He placed all of his money in the trust fund. We are now getting a divorce. Am I entitled to any of his assets? Or not? He also bought an investment property, supposedly with his trust fund, a month after marriage without my knowledg...
MoneyWalgreens plans store closures as CEO says consumers 'stunned' by prices
Walgreens is planning potentially sweeping store closures as it faces what its CEO called a “challenging” environment for pharmacies and U.S. consumers.
MoneyA Hawaii judge ordered the demolition of a house after a California woman bought a vacant plot, only to discover the building on her land
The construction company built the house on the wrong plot after incorrectly identifying it using telephone poles.
MoneyMargot Robbie joins stars hawking alcohol as Hollywood investments are 'going down the drain': expert
"Barbie" star Margot Robbie is the latest celebrity to join the alcohol business, which she admitted is more "straightforward" than the movie business.
MoneyThis retired Florida couple saved $100K by ‘going bare’ on their home insurance, which had soared to $7K a year — is this money-saving hack worth the risk?
More Americans are ditching their home insurance because they can’t pay the premiums.
Money