'The Ramsey Show' To Caller With $147K Debt: Don't Sell the Business — Just Stop Treating It Like Your Full-Time Job

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When a Boston caller asked "The Ramsey Show" whether he should sell his small printing business to tackle some of his $147,000 debt, the advice he received pointed him in a different direction. Rather than unloading the equipment and starting over, the hosts suggested reframing the business as a side hustle — at least for now.

A First-Year Business and Mounting Personal Debt

The caller, Miguel, explained that he runs a merchandise printing business that generates about $1,500 a month. It's his first year in operation, and despite the modest income, he's putting in 50 to 60 hours a week. At the same time, he's carrying substantial personal debt, including credit cards, student loans, and a car payment.

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Miguel said he was considering selling his equipment — valued at roughly $30,000 — to put a lump sum toward his debt. The challenge, he added, is that the business fluctuates month to month and demands nearly all his time.

"You're Not on a Living Wage Right Now"

Ramsey Show hosts Rachel Cruze and Jade Warshaw quickly honed in on a key issue: while the business is bringing in some revenue, it's not enough to sustain basic living expenses.

Warshaw walked through Miguel's numbers — $850 for rent, $450 for a car payment, and limited income left for food and other essentials — and pointed out that he didn't have health insurance.

"You’re not on a living wage right now," she said. "And so while I think it’s cool to have a printing business, it eats like a part-time side hustle when we look at the income that it’s bringing."

Their recommendation: keep the business, but stop relying on it as a full-time job until it grows.

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Why Selling May Not Be the Best First Move

Both hosts emphasized that Miguel's equipment investment wasn't a financial mistake — only $8,000 of his $147,000 debt came from the business itself. They noted that generating $1,500 a month within the first year is actually a promising start. Because of that early traction, they encouraged him to continue running the operation, but with fewer hours and clearer limits.

Cruze advised Miguel to set a six- to nine-month timeline to determine whether the business can grow without additional debt or overwhelming hours.

"A part of me would give it another six months while doing something else," she said. "You need to go wait tables. I mean, you could make more money doing that."

If the business doesn't gain momentum during that window, the hosts said selling the equipment could still be an option — just not the first one.

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The Immediate Priority: Increase Income

Both hosts agreed that the fastest way to get Miguel back on stable financial footing is to secure a full-time job. Whether that means waiting tables, picking up service work, or exploring a new career path, they stressed that additional income is essential. Cutting expenses, they noted, is no longer a realistic solution because Miguel is already operating on "bare bones" spending.

A Side Hustle With Potential

While the decision ultimately rests with Miguel, the show's guidance framed his printing business as something worth keeping — just not as his main source of income right now. With a stable job and a scaled-down operation, he may be able to pay down debt, rebuild confidence, and revisit the business's long-term potential once he's on firmer financial ground.

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This article 'The Ramsey Show' To Caller With $147K Debt: Don't Sell the Business — Just Stop Treating It Like Your Full-Time Job originally appeared on Benzinga.com