They Planned To Crush Their Mortgage With Extra Payments. Suddenly, He Wants To Redirect The Money Into Crypto. 'He Has A Friend Who's In On It'
They Planned To Crush Their Mortgage With Extra Payments. Suddenly, He Wants To Redirect The Money Into Crypto. 'He Has A Friend Who's In On It'
Adrian VolenikSun, March 1, 2026 at 3:01 AM UTC
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A couple in Indianapolis thought they had a straightforward plan: work hard, throw every extra dollar at the house and be mortgage-free in six years.
Now that plan is under pressure.
Monica called “The Ramsey Show” about a disagreement over redirecting their extra mortgage payments into crypto. She and her husband both work full-time. He also works a part-time job, and until now, that second paycheck has gone straight toward extra principal payments. They owe about $244,000 on their home and have been paying double, $4,800 a month, to speed things up.
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A Sudden Pivot Toward Crypto
But starting in March, her husband wants to redirect the part-time income into cryptocurrency.
“He has a friend who’s in on it,” Monica said, explaining that the friend claims to have been “very successful” recently.
That shift has created tension at home.
Monica said she worries about being controlling. She grew up in a household where her mother “wore the pants,” and she doesn't want to repeat that dynamic. Still, she feels uneasy abandoning a plan they made together.
Co-host George Kamel didn't hesitate. “You’re not being controlling,” he told her. “If my wife said, ‘Hey, I know we got debt to pay down. I’m going to go gamble in Vegas instead. Are you okay with that?’ I think it’s wise as a spouse to say, ‘That’s not a good idea.'”
Kamel pointed out that paying down a mortgage offers a guaranteed return equal to the interest rate. Crypto, on the other hand, is volatile. “There is a guaranteed outcome of paying down your mortgage,” he said.
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Co-host John Delony pushed the conversation deeper. “This is not about crypto,” he said. He suggested the real issue may be fear of missing out, pride or a desire to speed up the six-year payoff timeline.
Monica agreed that her husband likely sees crypto as a shortcut. If it jumps in value, they could wipe out the mortgage faster.
Security First, Speculation Later
The hosts warned about what can happen when risk tolerance shifts. Delony shared a story of another caller whose spouse secretly borrowed $250,000 against their home and lost it in crypto.
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it,” Kamel said, quoting Proverbs 13:11.
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Their broader point was about order. Eliminate existential risks first–the house, the cars, the basics. Then take calculated risks with money you can afford to lose.
They even offered a compromise: pay off the house, invest 15% into retirement and build up cash reserves. After that, if he wants to buy crypto with a set amount, go for it.
“Nobody calls in saying, ‘Oh my gosh, worst decision of our life. We are deeply in debt,'” Kamel said of people who paid off their homes. “They’re debt-free.”
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In the end, Monica's situation isn't just about crypto. It's about alignment.
She values stability and the peace that comes with owning a home outright. Her husband appears to value speed and the possibility of a big upside.
The hard part won't be predicting the next crypto cycle. It will be getting on the same page about what financial freedom actually means.
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This article They Planned To Crush Their Mortgage With Extra Payments. Suddenly, He Wants To Redirect The Money Into Crypto. 'He Has A Friend Who's In On It' originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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