What was pitched as a free vacation became a $14,000 obligation a young woman cannot escape.

That debt became a problem for Allison, a 21-year-old from Tampa, Florida. As she and her fiancé began saving for their first home, she called "The Ramsey Show" for advice.

"I think I made the worst financial decision of my life," said Allison, who bought the timeshare in California after accepting what she was told was a free trip.

Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey confirmed she still owes about $14,000 on the contract.

"It's legalized fraud," he said.

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How The Deal Unfolded

Allison said the sale followed a presentation at an amusement park, where she and her boyfriend at the time were offered a free vacation as part of a timeshare pitch. She said the salesperson promised additional benefits, including free weeks tied to bookings made through partner companies.

When she later tried to use those benefits, she said she learned the partner companies were no longer affiliated, and the free weeks no longer applied. She added that she contacted the company multiple times trying to exit the contract.

"They have reiterated to me many times that they have no buyback programs, and I cannot sell or transfer the loan to anyone until the loan is fully paid off," she said.

Ramsey said those terms matched how timeshare contracts typically work. "You stepped into a bear trap," he said.

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Why Getting Out Is So Hard

Ramsey said timeshares typically come with maintenance fees that increase over time, which makes them difficult to sell even after the loan is paid off. "They're for sale online for a dollar," Ramsey said, adding that buyers inherit the maintenance fees. "Don't ever go into the tiger cage," he said. 

Co-host Ken Coleman echoed the warning: "They beat you down."

The Few Options Left

Ramsey said there are a small number of legitimate companies that review contracts for fraudulent inducement and sometimes help people exit timeshares, though there are no guarantees. 

If that does not work, Ramsey said the remaining option is to pay off the $14,000 balance to stop the ongoing costs.

Situations like this often shift the focus to limiting further damage and identifying next steps. Domain Money offers free strategy sessions with CFP professionals to help individuals and families bring structure to their financial decisions. When obligations compete and mistakes are already on the books, a clear framework can help sort priorities and identify practical next steps.

"There's no free vacation that's worth this crap," Ramsey said.

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