‘It might not be ideal’: This 60-year-old Arizona woman still dreams of owning her own home one day — but she only makes $2,800/month. Here’s what The Ramsey Show hosts told her to do ASAP

Breaking down her income

Andrea lives with her son and his family and only pays for car insurance, gas and the occasional incidental. That leaves her with approximately $2,154 each month to save.

She has $69,000 in a 401(k) and $45,000 in a savings account. She’s also considering relocating to Ohio, where her aging siblings live, to be closer to family and cut living costs.

Andrea works in medical records and hopes to move to a remote role at her company that pays about $40,000 annually. She’s also certified in medical coding but hasn’t worked in that role.

The hosts quickly identified her biggest hurdle: boosting her income.

“What you’re facing here, Andrea, is an income problem,” Kamel said. “We’ve gotta get your income up because that’s going to create more margin for you to save for that home.”

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Saving for retirement at 60

Starting late doesn't mean it's too late. At 60, Andrea still has solid options to grow her retirement savings.

1. Put money away for a down payment

The hosts recommended using her $45,000 as both an emergency fund and a down payment reserve. They advised setting aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses as a safety net, with the rest going toward a future home purchase.

2. Invest 15% of her income into retirement

Andrea said she’s currently investing only about 1%. The hosts stressed that saving alone isn’t enough. They encouraged her to invest in mutual funds through her retirement account. If done consistently, she could see 10-12% average returns over time.

3. Pursue higher-paying roles

With her experience and certification in medical coding, Andrea could land a better-paying remote job. While her starting salary is $40,000, the field offers room to grow.

“ Even if it's not the exact role you want, I would just try to get on a ladder,” Kamel said.

4. Continue living with family or find a roommate

To keep saving aggressively, the hosts suggested Andrea stay with her son or consider moving in with her siblings once she’s in Ohio.

“It might not be ideal,” Delony said, “ but I love the idea of you saving money over the next five or 10 or 15 years until somebody can help you.

5. Adjust expectations around retirement

Andrea may need to work into her 70s to reach her goals. That’s not uncommon — in 2022, 24% of men and about 15% of women ages 65 and older were still in the labour force, according to the Population Reference Bureau.

“ You know you got $69,000 in that retirement account,” Kamel said. “(If) you keep investing, let's say, a thousand bucks a month. If you can do that to 72, you'll have over half a million in that nest egg. ”

He added that she could also get a reasonable mortgage to avoid paying rent forever.

Andrea’s situation underscores a growing concern for older Americans: how to make a smooth and comfortable transition to retirement. The co-hosts stressed that with focus and a solid long-term plan, Andrea still has a real shot at a meaningful future.