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A new relationship can feel exciting. It can also blur financial judgment faster than expected.
For Cody, a 30-year-old from New York, the issue came just four months into dating. He told “The Ramsey Show” his 19-year-old girlfriend wanted him to finance a car for her after he had already put himself “back a couple baby steps.”
“You just described a sugar daddy,” personal finance expert Dave Ramsey said.
Cody said he recently financed $33,400 for a truck and had made only two payments, while putting about $4,000 a month toward clearing it.
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His girlfriend, meanwhile, wanted him to finance a car even though she already had one that, after an inspection, he believed should last at least another year.
She was bringing home about $800 a week, while he earned roughly $120,000 a year. Co-host Rachel Cruze warned that taking on someone else’s debt, especially this early in a relationship, carries serious risk. “When you put your name on someone else’s debt that’s a massive risk,” she said.
Cody said he already knew the answer before he called. Ramsey said debt was off the table and turned to what the decision would do to the relationship.
Financing the car, he said, would shift the dynamic from two independent adults to one in which Cody was left carrying the obligation.
“There’s no explanation for it, Cody, we’re taking debt off the table,” Ramsey said. He said that while saying no could create tension, agreeing to the deal would make things worse.
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Ramsey said Cody would not really be co-signing at all. In his view, he would be taking out a loan in his own name for a car his girlfriend would drive.
If she missed payments, he would still be responsible, and if the relationship ended, he could be left trying to get the car back from an ex-girlfriend.
“There’s no scenario that turns out positive out of this,” Ramsey said.
Situations like this often highlight how quickly emotional decisions can turn into long-term financial obligations, especially when debt and personal relationships overlap. Understanding the risks involved in taking on additional liabilities and how they fit into a broader financial picture is an important part of making informed choices.
Platforms like Finance Advisors connect individuals with fiduciary advisors who help assess financial decisions in the context of long-term goals, debt exposure and overall financial stability, providing guidance that focuses on structure rather than emotion.
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Arrived
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Masterworks
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Public
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Bam Capital
BAM Capital offers accredited investors a way to diversify beyond public markets through institutional-grade multifamily real estate. With over $1.85 billion in completed transactions and guidance from Senior Economic Advisor Tony Landa, the firm targets income and long-term growth as supply tightens and renter demand remains strong—especially in Midwest markets. Its income-focused and growth-oriented funds provide exposure to real assets designed to be less tied to stock market volatility.
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