Anne changed the $400K Education Fund.

Abby, a student aiming for medical school, learned during her appearance on "The Ramsey Show" that her mother was considering spending the family's $400,000 university fund on a foreign exchange student.

The exchange student mentioned that the 529 plan, which she believed was intended for Abby's education, was controlled by her mother and that her mother refused to share the account balance. Abby expressed that she would need to take out student loans to attend medical school.

Financial expert Dave Ramsey and the show's host John Delony could hardly hide their astonishment upon hearing that Abby's mother had funded most of the account and wanted to direct that money towards the exchange student's education. Abby estimated that the account had more than $400,000, but her mother did not want to give her a clear number.

Ramsey pointed out that legally the account belonged to Abby's mother, and therefore she could use it as she wished. However, he questioned that decision, saying, “What planet is she living on that she can't help an exchange student and still have enough money left for you to go to medical school?”

Delony expressed that the mother seemed to want her daughter to drown in debt rather than support her, just as he had experienced in the past.

Abby shared that she was covering her medical school application, interview flight tickets, rent, and other expenses on her own. Ramsey cautioned her not to go into debt if her mother refused to help. “That’s not right. I don’t want you to take on $250,000 in debt to become a doctor — that’s dangerous in the current medical environment,” he added.

Delony advised Abby to have an honest conversation with her mother, emphasizing that the real issue was not the exchange student but the tension between them. Both hosts noted that the mother's behavior reflected something beyond the financial situation — possibly jealousy or unresolved familial tension.

Ramsey expressed that the situation exceeded parental discipline and that the mother was exerting control through “tough love.” He argued that withholding funds for her daughter's education was more harmful.

“There is a difference between teaching your kids to do hard things and being cruel,” he stated. In conclusion, he said, “You’re bragging about being tough, and you've proven it.” Delony supported this idea, stating that the mother's approach risks alienating a hardworking daughter and is far from preparing her for success.