16-Year-Old Making $50K Per Month Doesn't Want To Tell His Mom – Dave Ramsey Says, 'If You Were My Son...I Would Say Have At It, Dude'

A 16-year-old entrepreneur called into "The Ramsey Show" to share a surprising secret: he's been earning $50,000 or more a month — and he hasn't told his mom. Financial expert Dave Ramsey listened to the teen's story and offered advice on both the business success and the family situation.

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Running a Six-Figure Business in Secret

The caller explained that he runs several ecommerce businesses, including dropshipping websites and online arbitrage through platforms like eBay and Amazon. Over eight months, he has built up more than $300,000 in a PayPal account, all without his mother knowing.

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The teen worried that if he revealed the truth, his mother, whom he described as "very traditional," would shut down his operation. He shared that he had kept everything secret, even from his closest friends.

Dave Ramsey’s Initial Reaction

Ramsey was surprised by the caller's achievements. "You’re making $50,000 a month at 16 years old?" he asked, confirming the story. After hearing more details, Ramsey acknowledged the young entrepreneur's unusual success.

“If you were my son and you were doing this and you told me you don’t want to go to college and you want to move out and be an entrepreneur, I would say ‘Have at it, dude,'” Ramsey said. However, he also cautioned that internet business trends can change quickly and advised the teen to be mindful that the current opportunity likely isn't a sustainable job that will last years into his future.

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Advice on Honesty and Planning for the Future

While Ramsey praised the teen’s drive and success, he also expressed concern about the secrecy. “Deception is never a good rule,” Ramsey said, encouraging the caller to find a trusted person who both he and his mother respect — possibly a pastor or mentor — to help mediate a conversation where he could tell his mother about his entrepreneurial success. 

Ramsey suggested the teen take time, even up to a month, to build a strategy for telling his mom the full story. Rather than continue hiding the business, involving a trusted third party could help make the discussion more constructive.

Why Education Still Matters

Although Ramsey said the teen doesn't necessarily need a college degree to succeed, he emphasized the value of education for long-term success. He explained that internet businesses can be volatile, and building a strong foundation of business knowledge could help the teen pivot when opportunities shift.

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Ramsey also warned that early success, if not paired with ongoing learning and growth, could lead to challenges later in life. “I don’t want you to have an unusual success at a young age, and it's the only time you have success,” he said.

Final Takeaways

Ramsey's advice balanced celebrating the caller's extraordinary success with offering caution about the future. His key messages: be honest with family, continue learning, and recognize that business opportunities can change over time.

While making $50,000 a month at 16 is a remarkable achievement, maintaining long-term success will require smart planning — both financially and personally.

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