Molly and Jason are 45 and 46, living together with a 2-year-old daughter. They earn $142,000 a year combined. They have $0 in savings, $46,000 in debt, and a net worth of just $4,842. They dream of buying a house, investing in real estate, and retiring early. But when Ramit opens their Conscious Spending Plan, the picture is stark. Fixed costs at 77%. No savings rate. $25,000 in credit card debt in Molly's name that Jason can't fully account for. And a financial system built entirely on Venmo transfers, separate accounts, and crossed fingers. What Ramit finds underneath the numbers is a relationship where one person is managing everything alone, and the other has quietly checked out. Molly researches, opens accounts, tracks the bills, and covers the overdrafts. Jason works, pays rent, and sends Venmo transfers when asked. Neither of them planned financially before having a baby. Neither of them has seen what a real financial partnership looks like. But something shifts. When Ramit shows them that working together they could reach $1.75 million by retirement, something clicks. They stop explaining why things are the way they are and start talking about what they are going to do. In this episode we uncover: Why two people earning $142,000 a year can have $0 in savings and $46,000 in debt The Venmo money transfer system that has kept them financially disconnected for years What it looks like when one partner manages everything alone while the other disengages How $4,000 in annual subscriptions disappears when nobody is looking at the full picture Why dreaming about real estate investing is the wrong move when your own finances are on fire The moment Jason admits he feels resentful and apathetic about money The plan to sell the truck, wipe the credit card debt, and combine finances for the first time What Ramit means when he says the biggest savings anyone can make is on housing costs The follow-up update from Molly and Jason Chapters: (00:00:00) "We wanna be rich. We have $0 in savings" (00:03:01) Meet Molly and Jason (00:10:00) How often do you talk about money? (00:14:00) Jason completely disengaged (00:19:00) No decisions are ever made (00:30:00) Dreamers who won't save $250 a month (00:34:11) Opening the Conscious Spending Plan (00:40:15) Fixed costs at 77% (00:46:50) Separate accounts, Venmo transfers, no shared vision (00:59:20) "Resentful. And apathetic." (01:03:00) Money psychology and upbringings (01:17:46) "You're gonna sell a truck and pay off debt" (01:41:13) Follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist ZocDoc | Go to https://zocdoc.com/ramit to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 20% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit MasterClass | For unlimited access to every class and an additional 15% off any annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Connect with Ramit Get my new book, Money For Couples Get Money Coaching with Ramit Download the Conscious Spending Plan Listen to my book now on Audible Get my New York Times best-selling book Get my no-numbers journal Other episodes Instagram Twitter YouTube If you or your partner get stressed spending $150 on dinner, or are covering up spending, I'd like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Liza and Bradford earn $120,000 a year as expats in Colombia, South America. They have three kids, $273,000 in net worth, and by the standards of expat life, they live well. But they have $1,500 in savings, no savings rate, and a line of credit they treat like a rainy day fund. And for five years, Liza has been pushing to move back to Canada almost every single day. When Ramit opens their Conscious Spending Plan, the income isn't the issue. Investments are protected at all costs. Savings are non-existent. And the same debt cycle they've been running for years keeps getting treated like a victory every time they pay it off. If nothing changes, moving back to Canada, the thing Liza wants most, will never actually be an option. They can't afford the flights, the furniture, or the fresh start. But this episode goes deeper than the numbers. What Ramit finds is a dynamic that has been quietly running their marriage for years. Bradford takes on every financial burden alone, and every time he does, Liza is left feeling like she has no purpose and no reason to contribute. After years of this, both of them are stuck in roles that aren't working.   In this episode we uncover: ?  The expat "money hack" that turned into a trap, and why Liza hasn't been able to find traction in Colombia ?  Why doubling Liza's income in Canada wouldn't actually improve their financial position ?  The taxi fleet that lost between $60,000 and $100,000, and the pattern it revealed ?  How Bradford's "I'll handle it" efficiency has been disempowering his wife for years ?  Why Liza ties her self-worth to what companies are willing to pay her ?  The debt cycle they've been treating as a win, and why Ramit sees it differently ?  What a shared financial vision actually looks like for this couple ?  The follow-up update from Liza and Bradford   Chapters: (00:00) Cold open: Can we afford to leave? (01:08) Episode intro + financial breakdown (02:31) Meet Liza and Bradford (05:07) The ?money hack? that became a trap (09:30) Five years of the same argument (25:00) The debt cycle begins (32:30) Opening the Conscious Spending Plan (38:00) How much can Liza actually earn? (41:39) The line of credit problem (45:52) Breaking down their system (01:30:00) The pattern hurting both of them (01:33:30) What do you each need? (01:47:00) Follow-up This episode is brought to you by: Factor | Head to factormeals.com/ramit50off and use code ramit50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details). Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving the enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer has been extended to 12/31/2026. #FacetAd Netsuite | Get the free guide ?Demystifying AI? at https://netsuite.com/ramit Wispr Flow | Try Wispr Flow for free at wisprflow.ai/ramit   Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube   If you or your partner get stressed spending $150 on dinner, or are covering up spending, I?d like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Gabriella, 36, and Chris, 40, a married couple from Pennsylvania with four kids, zero savings, and $32,000 in credit card debt. They both work multiple jobs. Chris travels all week and picks up extra shifts on weekends. Gabriella juggles three income streams while running the household alone. And yet their fixed costs sit at 109% of their income and the debt keeps growing. What Ramit uncovers goes much deeper than the numbers. For years, Gabriella has been managing everything alone, building budgets Chris never looks at, covering purchases she never agreed to, and quietly losing hope. Chris has been avoiding the conversation entirely. And buried underneath it all is something neither of them mentioned in their application: they've been here before. They filed for bankruptcy. And now, with four kids in tow, they're on the exact same path. In this episode we uncover: Why two incomes and two extra jobs still aren?t enough when your fixed costs are 109% The treadmill purchase that broke Gabriella's trust What Ramit means by "95% of your money relationship is in the shadows" The bankruptcy reveal that changes everything Why Chris can't give a straight answer and what it's costing the marriage The moment Gabriella admits she stopped doing everything just to see what would happen How Gabriella's new $70K job changes the numbers overnight The Florida plan and why Ramit says it won't fix anything What it looks like when a couple finally starts working as a team Chapters: (00:00:00) "I've never not worried about money in our marriage" (00:07:10) Do you have trust issues around money? (00:15:18) "What if you just stopped doing it all?" (00:17:32) "95% of our relationship with money is in the shadows" (00:22:17) Ramit reads the separation ultimatum from her application (00:34:00) The power dynamic: who earns more, who leads? (00:46:05) "So you all are broke" (00:52:27) The bankruptcy reveal (01:00:36) The Florida plan and why it won't fix anything (01:03:31) Gabriella's new income changes everything (01:05:57) "I'm too tired of being alone" (01:58:09) Follow-ups Calling LA couples: Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at ?https://iwt.com/apply? This episode is brought to you by: Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit DeleteMe | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit and use promo code RAMIT at checkout ZocDoc | Go to https://zocdoc.com/ramit to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored  Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving the enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer has been extended to 12/31/2026. #FacetAd  If you or your partner get stressed spending $150 on dinner, or are covering up spending, I'd like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply Connect with Ramit Get my new book, Money For Couples Get Money Coaching with Ramit  Download the Conscious Spending Plan Listen to my book?now on Audible Get my New York Times best-selling book Get my no-numbers journal Other episodes Instagram Twitter YouTube Have you or your partner fallen for a scam? If so, I?d like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply 

Most people never find out when they'll have $100,000. Not because it's impossible, but because they never actually run the numbers. In this bonus episode, Ramit walks through the full picture: the compound interest math that most people ignore, the six-step system he recommends for getting to $100K, and the calculator that shows you the exact date it's going to happen for you. He also covers the four mistakes he sees people make over and over, including one that affects people who are otherwise doing everything right. No couple on the couch. No Conscious Spending Plan breakdown. Just the map. Why a higher salary alone won't fix your relationship with money The compound interest curve and the moment in year 19 where everything changes The calculator that gives you your personal $100K date The CEO system: What it means to cut, earn, and optimize, and how to do it without obsessing over every dollar Why automation beats trying every single time The six steps to $100K and why you can't skip ahead The 1% December rule, one small change per year that compounds into hundreds of thousands Four traps that quietly derail people: get rich quick thinking, toxic frugality, "I missed my chance," and the optimization spiral Q&A: debt vs investing, handling irregular income, moving a Roth IRA out of Primerica, and how FIRE actually works ? CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Introduction: your money map to $100K (00:01:24) The big delusion: "If I just earned more, I'd be rich" (00:06:04) What $100K actually means and why it matters (00:07:13) The compound interest math most people never look at (00:15:12) Finding your exact date: the $100K calculator live (00:19:57) The six steps and why sequence matters (00:20:22) Step 1: Kill high-interest debt (00:22:28) Step 2: The CEO system: cut, earn, and optimize (00:29:50) Step 3: Build your financial moat (00:33:13) Step 4: Where real wealth is actually created (00:34:25) Step 5: Build the right environment (00:38:34) Step 6: Play offense and delete your budgeting app (00:41:22) Four traps that quietly destroy your momentum (00:45:29) Q&A: debt vs investing, irregular income, Roth IRA transfers, and FIRE Get my new book, Money For Couples: https://iwt.com/moneyforcouples Get Money Coaching with Ramit: https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Download the Conscious Spending Plan: https://iwt.com/csp Listen to my book now on Audible: https://amzn.to/48zko28 Get my New York Times best-selling book: https://iwt.com/book Get my no-numbers journal: https://iwt.com/journal Other episodes: https://iwt.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramit/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ramit YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/ramitsethi/featured/ If you or your partner get stressed spending $150 on dinner, or are covering up spending, I'd like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Tania and Mike who are in their 50s, married 21 years, and earning over $225,000 a year. By most measures, they should be fine. But they?ve been trapped in the same debt cycle for two decades. Cashing out 401(k)s, borrowing from family, and digging themselves out only to fall right back in. Again and again. When Ramit opens their Conscious Spending Plan, the numbers are genuinely shocking. Fixed costs at 155%. Savings at 0%. Guilt-free spending at -73%. They are spending more than they make every single month and they have barely one month of savings to show for it. But the money isn?t even the most revealing part of this episode. Ramit works through the psychology behind the cycle, the ?dreamer? pattern that keeps pulling them back in, and what it?s actually going to take for them to change together. In this episode we uncover: A $228K income with 155% fixed costs? How does that even happen? The parent-child dynamic Ramit identifies and why both of them are miserable because of it Mike?s $23,000 tractor purchase and the pattern behind it Why Tania has been a ?money transcriptionist? instead of a money manager The ?dreamer? trap: Believing the next thing will finally fix everything How Mike?s upbringing shaped his complete shutdown around money What real money conversations between couples actually look like The follow-up update from Tania and Mike Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:07:04) Looking at the numbers: $228K income, 155% fixed costs (00:11:41) "I've never talked about feelings, we've been married 21 years" (00:30:35) The tractor: how every big purchase actually happens (00:43:26) Cashing out retirement AGAIN! (00:47:14) The dreamer pattern: why the next thing never fixes anything (00:53:46) Michael's moment: "I don't know how to talk about money. It scares me." (01:07:56) Ramit walks through their house: where did all the money go?(01:16:07) The alter ego exercise: imagining a different life (01:31:27) Tanya's moment: "I'm the hero. I always say yes." (01:34:05) Ramit draws the caricature (02:01:48) Follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Gusto | Try Gusto at http://gusto.com/ramit and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving the enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires March 31, 2026. #FacetAd  Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube Has your partner recently been obsessed with investing? Maybe not telling you what they're doing with your shared money? If so, I'd like to talk. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply 

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Lina, 35, and Mike, 28, a married couple living in South Florida with their 8-month-old son. Despite earning almost $200,000 annually, they've been entangled in debt since their wedding three years ago. They consistently make plans to conquer their financial woes but never follow through. Their debt has soared to over $750,000, and their fixed costs devour 98% of their take-home pay, leaving them with zero savings. Lina attributes their financial struggles to unexpected events, like her pregnancy, which led to her cutting back on work and an increased focus on comfort and convenience, regardless of the cost. Mike, an accountant, has largely deferred to Lina, resulting in a fractured approach to their shared finances. They both use "comfort" as a justification for their spending, avoiding "sacrifice," yet this mindset is driving them toward a financial cliff. Can Ramit help them confront their real numbers, bridge their communication gap, and finally unite as a financial team to build a rich life? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Lina's comfort-first approach to spending is unsustainable ? Mike?s "happy wife, happy life" approach to finances ? The shocking reality of their $750,000 debt despite a high income ? How Mike's "accountant" background has not helped their personal finances ? The startling hidden costs of their lifestyle choices ? Lina's upbringing with generational wealth and its impact on her money mindset ? Mike's immigrant experience and its influence on his spending habits ? The unspoken divide in their financial expectations and responsibilities ? Ramit's direct challenge to their "comfort over sacrifice" mentality ? A dramatic suggestion to overhaul their financial situation ? Their raw and vulnerable discussion about making tough decisions ? The moment Mike and Lina finally confront their financial reality Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:04:01) "We make plans and we never follow through" (00:09:00) Understanding their "comfort vs. sacrifice" mentality (00:18:40) Mike's "happy wife, happy life" approach (00:34:50) Unpacking their debt (00:40:11) "If we're a plane, we're about to crash" (00:46:00) Lina's privileged upbringing & generational wealth (01:00:21) Mike's immigrant story and mom's sacrifices (01:26:02) Confronting their high fixed costs and potential solutions (01:17:01) Mike and Lina's dramatic confrontation about spending habits (01:21:00) The power of a shared vision for their future (01:32:14) Follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 20% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any LMNT order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT DeleteMe | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit and use promo code RAMIT at checkout Factor | Go to https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF and use code RAMIT50OFF to get 50% off your first box, plus free breakfast for 1 year ZocDoc | Go to https://zocdoc.com/ramit to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored  Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you or your partner get stressed spending $150 on dinner, or are covering up spending, I?d like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to John and Victoria in a follow-up episode. This couple, in their thirties with three children and a home in suburban New York, is facing severe financial challenges with 97% fixed costs and over $100K in non-mortgage debt. In their last session, Ramit highlighted the urgency of their situation, presenting them with two stark choices: sell their house and clear debt, or double down on income and aggressive cuts. They chose to keep their house, which required Victoria to return to work, both of them to significantly increase their earnings, and drastically cut spending. Ramit challenged them to implement these changes within two months. This episode reveals how John and Victoria fared in those crucial eight weeks. Did they truly embrace change, or did old habits resurface? In this episode we uncover: ? Their initial feelings after the first money coaching session ? The surprising reason for Victoria's job loss ? How they managed to cut $500 from their grocery bill ? Why John thinks dry cleaning is a necessity ? Ramit's radical advice on debt repayment versus savings ? The true meaning of "rich life" for John and Victoria ? How their childhood money beliefs impact their present ? The hidden challenge of Victoria's student loans ? Their struggle with an external vs. internal locus of control ? The danger of a financial plan that requires 100% perfection Chapters: (00:00:00) The desperation that led to an application to Ramit (00:03:00) How a hotel bill leads to a missed mortgage payment (00:05:25) The once-a-year money conversation (00:10:47) The devastating results of Victoria?s annual money spreadsheet (00:19:18) Justifying thousands in Amazon purchases with high debt (00:28:15) Understanding their $600K net worth and zero liquidity (00:35:10) The crushing reality of 97% fixed costs (01:10:46) Victoria?s inherited money trauma fuels her avoidance (01:19:40) The importance of taking decisive action (01:21:05) The couple?s future plans This episode is brought to you by: Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving the enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires March 31, 2026. #FacetAd MasterClass | For unlimited access to every class and an additional 15% off any annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Netsuite | Get the free guide ?Demystifying AI? at https://netsuite.com/ramit Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you or your partner get stressed spending $150 on dinner, or are covering up spending, I?d like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to John and Victoria, a couple in their thirties with three children who own a home they adore in the suburbs of New York. Despite a beautiful house and growing family, their financial reality is grim. They are facing a structural financial problem, with 97% of their take-home pay consumed by fixed costs and less than a week's worth of savings. Ramit helps them confront the deep-seated issues that are keeping them in a constant state of financial precarity, from their avoidance of tough money conversations to inherited money scripts from childhood. Can John and Victoria break free from their cycle of justification and short-term thinking to secure their family's future, or will their dream home remain their biggest financial burden? In this episode we uncover: ? How 97% fixed costs lead to a desperate financial situation ? The role of a vacation in triggering their mortgage payment crisis ? Their alarming "once a year" approach to discussing money ? The mental gymnastics behind their Amazon purchases ? A revealing peek at their "money wishlist" revealing crazy renovation plans ? The shocking truth about their combined total net worth ? The impact of a significant annual financial gift on their spending habits ? Victoria's avoidance of medical bills and connection to her mother's money habits ? Ramit's candid warning about their path to losing their home ? The critical choice they face: the house or their financial stability Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:37) The Mortgage Crisis and Vacation Spending (00:07:45) Their "Once a Year" Money Talks (00:16:14) The Amazon Justification and Money Wishlist (00:25:10) A High Net Worth, Zero Liquidity (00:30:15) The Emotional Cost of Financial Struggle (00:41:50) The True Cost of Their Grocery Spending (00:48:10) Understanding Their Credit Card Debt (01:09:31) Ramit's Dire Warning: The Threat to Their Home (01:13:07) A Fork in the Road: House vs. Financial Stability This episode is brought to you by: DeleteMe | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit and use promo code RAMIT at checkout Superhuman Mail | Turn your inbox into momentum. Sign up at https://superhuman.com/ramit3. Gusto | Try Gusto at http://gusto.com/ramit and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping ZocDoc | Go to https://zocdoc.com/ramit to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored  Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube Do you want to retire in the next 5 years but wonder if you have enough? If so, I'd like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Chris and Heather, a couple aged 41 and 39 respectively, who, despite earning over $450,000 annually and boasting a $2.18 million net worth, feel like they're living paycheck to paycheck. Heather, an accomplished healthcare professional, worries that despite their income, they aren't organizing their finances effectively, leading to a feeling of scarcity. Chris, who works for the State of California, focuses on long-term retirement planning but avoids making crucial decisions, leading to "analysis paralysis." Their differing views on spending - Heather?s desire for "rich life now" versus Chris's cautious, debt-averse approach, create underlying tension. Ramit challenges their underlying money psychology, uncovering how childhood experiences influence their current financial anxieties. In this episode we uncover: ? Their contrasting interpretations of their "paycheck-to-paycheck" life ? Heather's aversion to finance, despite an impressive debt payoff history ? Why Chris is hesitant to talk about money ? The car purchase that highlighted their financial differences ? Why Heather feels conflicted about her luxury spending ? Chris's childhood with parents who constantly claimed to be "poor" ? Why Chris hates taxes as much as he hates debt ? Vacation Chris vs. Everyday Chris's spending habits ? The real cost of their financial indecision Chapters: (00:00:00) My income feels like "paycheck to paycheck" (00:04:10) Their differing applications reveal fundamental money beliefs (00:07:22) An argument over income reveals deeper trust issues (00:13:25) "We have enough money, but still feel like we live paycheck to paycheck" (00:19:45) Why people systematically discount money psychology (00:23:28) Their first major money disagreement: financing a car (00:44:48) Their struggle to define "enough" for retirement (00:54:10) Why their "too many unknowns" approach is holding them back (01:05:51) The surprising "Vacation Chris" versus everyday Chris (01:11:11) Heather: ?I feel conflicted? about luxury spending (01:24:09) Ramit?s frustration with the couple (01:38:35) Progress updates This episode is brought to you by: Wildgrain | Get $30 off the first box ? PLUS free Croissants in every box ? at https://wildgrain.com/ramit Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving the enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires March 31, 2026. #FacetAd  Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube Have you or your partner fallen for a scam? If so, I?d like to help. Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Cre and April, a couple of five years, aged 46 and 48. Cre lives a debt-averse life and has been methodically building her wealth. April, on the other hand, earns more than twice Cre's income but struggles with significant debt and zero savings. They are at a crossroads, contemplating moving in together, but their conflicting approaches to money present a major hurdle. Cre fears that April?s spending habits will lead to constant arguments and financial strain, especially with the prospect of marriage and inheriting April's substantial debt. April, however, doesn't see her spending as a problem, insisting she lives a good life and can always work more to cover expenses. Ramit helps them uncover the generational patterns influencing their financial behaviors and challenges them to reconsider their current dynamic. In this episode we uncover: ? How Cre and April act as "granny and child" during money conversations ? Why April feels micromanaged and hides purchases ? The emotional pressure April uses to get what she wants ? The significant disparity in their net worth despite April's higher income ? Why April initially doesn't see a problem with her spending habits ? The uncomfortable truth about April treating money like she's still poor ? How April's family history of money management influences her ? The shocking revelation about generational money patterns ? Why April's daughter is following a similar financial dynamic ? Ramit's direct challenge to April's ?innocent doe? persona ? Cre's struggle to set clear financial boundaries ? How April reacts to Cre's direct financial expectations ? Ramit's step-by-step plan for April to tackle debt and build savings Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:04:14) April's persistent questions about Cree's spending (00:07:49) The "granny and child" roles in their money talks (00:12:47) Why April fears marrying into debt (00:13:46) The core of their financial disagreement (00:23:05) A stark comparison of their financial numbers (00:26:08) April's disconnect from her serious financial situation (00:36:00) Cree?s secret side income and resourcefulness (00:40:00) April?s luxury basement renovation with zero savings (00:44:40) Unpacking April's extensive debt and spending habits (00:48:28) Generational money patterns in April's family (01:05:32) Cree's struggle to set clear financial boundaries (01:10:09) The pitfalls of "walking on eggshells" in a relationship This episode is brought to you by: LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any LMNT order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Factor | Go to https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF and use code RAMIT50OFF to get 50% off your first box, plus free breakfast for 1 year ZocDoc | Go to https://zocdoc.com/ramit to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored  Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 30% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners DeleteMe | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit and use promo code RAMIT at checkout Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube Are you looking to retire in the next 5 years but wondering if you have enough saved? Apply to be coached for free on this podcast at iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Stephanie and Chris, an early-40s couple with three young children, two of whom have special needs. Chris is a professor, and Stephanie, an RN, has recently cut back her hours due to burnout. Despite Chris?s confidence that ?it?ll all work out,? their current financial situation is dire: 92% fixed costs, $544K in debt, and virtually no savings. Stephanie handles the books but feels dismissed when she raises concerns, while Chris struggles to listen and often interrupts. Ramit helps them uncover hidden money scripts, gender dynamics, and a profound lack of communication that has kept them stuck in an "avalanche of inaction" for years. Can they finally align on a concrete plan and connect meaningfully about money? In this episode we uncover: ? The stark reality of 92% fixed costs and zero investments ? How Chris?s ?it?ll all work out? dismisses Stephanie?s worries ? How their money conversations always end in gridlock ? Why a wobbly kitchen sink reveals their deeper financial issues ? The surprising cost of their kids? swim lessons ? How their combined salary still leaves them broke ? The emotional toll of their financial situation on Stephanie ? Chris's self-awareness about his "ignorant reassurer" role ? How their money "inaction" has cost them hundreds of thousands ? Why Stephanie feels unheard and Chris struggles to listen ? The plan to drastically cut fixed costs and tackle debt ? Why it?s time to stop making excuses and start taking action Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:04:47) Their repetitive money conversation (00:08:24) Chris's "natural reaction is to shut down" (00:10:40) "He's a buzzkill" (00:16:35) Breaking down their assets, debt, and net worth (00:22:04) Stephanie's emotional confession (00:24:00) Chris's desire to comfort without listening (00:48:47) The cost of their inaction on investments (00:56:56) How Chris can better support Stephanie (01:11:00) What true financial partnership looks like (01:12:00) Transforming their conscious spending plan (01:21:00) A path to a 60% fixed cost future This episode is brought to you by: Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Netsuite | Get the free guide ?Demystifying AI? at https://netsuite.com/ramit Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving the enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires March 31, 2026. #FacetAd   MasterClass | For unlimited access to every class and up to 50% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTubeIf you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here: https://iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Melissa and Tony, a couple who immigrated from Mexico with big dreams and an even bigger work ethic. In less than a decade, they've built a net worth of nearly $900,000. But beneath the surface of their impressive paper wealth, they?re carrying almost $1 million in debt and are completely misaligned on their financial goals. With their second child due any day, Ramit helps them uncover the root of their money woes, from differing money styles to the profound impact of their upbringing. Can they finally get on the same page, create a financial system that works, and build a sustainable rich life? In this episode we uncover: ? How Melissa and Tony built a nearly $900K net worth in 8 years ? The "rollercoaster" of their financial decision-making ? Why their credit card debt is actually due to real estate ? Tony?s ?paycheck to paycheck? feeling with a $189k household income ? Melissa?s childhood money lessons from her dad, Mr. No ? How they navigate financial planning with a baby due this month ? Why they avoid combining their high incomes ? The cultural influences shaping their financial narratives ? What happens when Tony is ?comfortable? and avoids change ? The deeper reasons behind their ongoing money disagreements ? Ramit?s advice on how to communicate about money effectively ? A surprising agreement that might change their future Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:28) Their chaotic financial situation (00:07:07) Melissa and Tony?s real estate struggles (00:13:07) Melissa's real estate ambitions vs. Tony?s pessimism (00:20:58) The cycles of making and losing money (00:26:59) The ineffective communication about debt (00:33:57) The danger of making emotional money decisions (00:37:35) Diving deep into their income and debt (00:46:01) Their unspoken rules about money and spending (00:51:56) The painful truth behind being "house poor" (01:00:43) Impact of childhood money lessons on their current finances (01:10:29) The parent-child dynamic in their financial relationship   This episode is brought to you by: Superhuman | Turn your inbox into momentum. Sign up at https://superhuman.com/ramit. ZocDoc | Go to https://zocdoc.com/ramit to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored  DeleteMe | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit and use promo code RAMIT at checkout Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here: https://iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Grace and James, a couple from Ireland, aged 38 and 37, who have been navigating immense challenges. James was diagnosed with cancer and underwent a year of treatment, while Grace managed a difficult pregnancy and maternity leave with their second child, an infant. Amidst the fear and grief, their household income took a significant hit, causing financial strain. Grace felt the burden of managing their finances, leading to guilt about James continuing to work during his illness. Despite these hardships, they?ve built a strong financial foundation with high savings and have managed to stay afloat. Ramit helps them explore their individual money psychologies, the impact of their upbringings, and how their shared experiences have shaped their financial outlook, revealing a story of resilience, unwavering teamwork, and an inspiring pursuit of a rich life. In this episode we uncover: ? How Grace feels immense pressure to manage finances ? The emotional toll of James's cancer diagnosis ? Grace's hidden "mindless" spending under stress ? The Irish perspective on "mustn't grumble" about money ? James's childhood money messages and aversion to debt ? The surprising freedom found in small financial wins ? Grace's proactive approach to long-term financial planning ? The power of internal versus external locus of control ? How a shared money philosophy can emerge from conflict ? The importance of planning for the worst when at your best ? Their inspiring journey of overcoming adversity as a team Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:05:13) Grace's guilt over James working during cancer (00:12:32) Grace's "mindless purchases" and coping mechanisms (00:15:55) The surprising reality of their financial stability (00:30:03) Contrasting money philosophies: big spend vs. small treats (00:33:45) Reviewing their Conscious Spending Plan and uncovering hidden wealth (00:46:12) The impact of fluctuating income on their financial outlook (00:55:00) Planning for the worst when they are at their best (01:00:16) James's upbringing and the origins of his money anxiety (01:11:10) Their "ice cream cone" fight and early money revelations This episode is brought to you by: Notion | Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at https://notion.com/ramit LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any LMNT order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Facet | As of the date of this recording, Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires March 31, 2026. #FacetAd  Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here: https://iwt.com/apply 

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich continues his discussion with Mike and Noel in part two of their financial deep dive. The couple, married for just 6 months, faces a daunting $244K in debt with zero savings, fueled by previous "guilt-free" spending and a shocking $170K windfall that disappeared. Despite their dire situation, major cuts to their fixed costs haven't happened yet. Ramit encourages Noel to reconsider her church tithing and find proactive ways to increase income, like driving for Uber. Can they shift their mindset from feeling deprived to purposeful sacrifice, anchor their spending to zero, and collaboratively create a sustainable financial future? In this episode we uncover: ? Noel?s decision regarding her church tithing ? The power of incremental income, like Noel?s potential earnings from Uber ? Ramit?s "anchor to zero" framework for mindful spending ? How comparing current spending to past mistakes sabotages financial progress ? The importance of distinguishing between sacrifice and suffering ? Why making big changes with money is meant to be hard ? The potential for selling household items to boost savings and signal a "rebuilding phase" ? How a short-term financial plan can set them up for long-term success ? The opportunity to define their own timeline for debt repayment and savings Chapters: (00:00:00) Previously on money for couples (00:02:09) How Noel's decided to approach tithing (00:03:33) Why cutting subscriptions won't solve their problems (00:03:49) Noel's plan to earn more money with Uber (00:04:21) Ramit introduces the "anchor to zero" spending framework (00:05:46) Mike and Noel reflect on the conversation (00:07:11) Sacrifice vs. suffering: Reframing financial changes (00:08:43) Why comparing to the past holds them back (00:09:50) Noel's internal struggle with tithing (00:10:34) Ramit presents a vision for their future (00:11:15) The idea of selling household items to fund savings (00:12:18) Ramit's proposal for their next steps and a follow-up This episode is brought to you by: ZocDoc | Go to https://zocdoc.com/ramit to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored  DeleteMe | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit and use promo code RAMIT at checkout Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 25% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners Factor | Go to https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF and use code RAMIT50OFF to get 50% off your first box, plus free breakfast for 1 year Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here: https://iwt.com/apply 

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Mike and Noel, a young couple who are both 34. They married just 6 months ago, but financial fights have become a daily occurrence, even after receiving a $170K windfall. Mike blames Noel for overspending, but admits they both struggle with money, while Noel views the windfall as "guilt-free" spending. With $244K in debt, zero savings, and 82% of their income going to fixed costs, Ramit helps them uncover the root of their money woes. Will they finally get on the same page, create a financial system that works, and learn to trust each other with money? In this episode we uncover: ? How Mike?s money anxiety leads him to check his bank account 20 times a day ? The shocking truth about their $170K windfall ? Why Mike?s anxiety worsens when he makes more money ? The one money rule Mike and Noel both broke ? How Mike?s upbringing shaped his money habits ? Why Noel feels like she's "drowning" and has no control over their finances ? The spending categories that reveal their money psychology ? Why Mike's "money is mine" mentality is holding them back ? Noel?s struggle to ?hand over her paycheck? ? The credit card debt that keeps piling up ? Ramit?s radical approach to cutting fixed costs ? The ?Glade Plug-in? budget that explains everything ? Noel?s difficult decision about tithing and faith ? Why benchmarking against past mistakes is a recipe for disaster ? The truth about their approach to money Chapters: (00:00:00) ?We just kinda like get whatever we want whenever we want it? (00:07:02) ?I was stressing more than ever before? (00:14:04) The one money rule they both broke (00:24:29) ?You treat me like a child? (00:32:39) Ramit identifies their ?money leaks? (00:39:34) ?I don?t want to hand over my paycheck? (00:47:30) ?My goals are not being met? (00:55:38) The ?Glade Plug-in? budget (01:00:03) ?I do wanna have a Glade budget? (01:06:50) How Mike?s upbringing shaped his money habits (01:15:10) Ramit shares his radical advice (01:21:10) Preview for part two This episode is brought to you by: Bilt | Join the loyalty program for renters at https://joinbilt.com/ramit Wispr Flow | Try Wispr Flow for free at wisprflow.ai/ramit Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist Netsuite | Get the free guide ?Demystifying AI? at https://netsuite.com/ramit Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Connect with Ramit Get my new book, Money For Couples Get Money Coaching with Ramit  Download the Conscious Spending Plan Listen to my book?now on Audible Get my New York Times best-selling book Get my no-numbers journal Other episodes Instagram Twitter YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here: https://iwt.com/apply

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Natalie and Chris, married with two young kids and a net worth of $1.3 million. Despite their significant assets, money remains a constant source of conflict, especially when unexpected expenses arise. Chris tends to "freak out," emotionally withdrawing and becoming zombie-like, leaving Natalie feeling alone. This pattern, which Chris describes as "catastrophizing," has intensified since their kids' expenses piled up.  Their therapist recommended they talk to Ramit, hoping to establish a financial game plan to prevent Chris's emotional collapses. Currently, 81% of their income goes to fixed costs, with 0% to savings, leading to a feeling of constant stress and no margin for error. Can Ramit help them create a financial system that provides peace of mind and allows Chris to process financial challenges with less distress? In this episode we uncover: ? The unexpected source of Chris and Natalie?s referral to Ramit ? How large, unexpected expenses trigger Chris?s emotional ?shutdown? ? Natalie?s experience of feeling isolated when Chris is financially stressed ? Why having a $1.3 million net worth doesn?t alleviate their financial anxiety ? The surprising reason for their elevated fixed costs and lack of savings  ? The emotional impact of feeling like there?s ?nothing left over? at the end of the month  ? Chris?s pattern of ?catastrophizing? and the fear of successive financial blows  ? The core question their therapist hopes Ramit can answer  ? How Chris?s upbringing influences his current financial anxieties  ? The challenges of discussing money when past traumas intertwine with current stresses Chapters: (00:00:00) ?Your therapist...recommended that you speak to me? (00:10:55) ?Natalie, what?s your role in money?? (00:25:43) The unexpected (and huge) financial blindspot (00:36:18) Ramit discovers a massive amount of hidden money (00:45:01) ?You are financially set up for life? (00:54:02) How "Red Bull wingsuit" leads to a Rich Life (01:19:20) Finding an extra $1,360/month (01:44:23) Natalie and Chris?s follow-up: ?He?s at ease now? This episode is brought to you by: ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored  Notion | Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at https://notion.com/ramit DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off Gusto | Try Gusto at http://gusto.com/ramit and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires March 31, 2026. #FacetAd  Connect with Ramit ? ?Get my new book, Money For Couples? ? ?Get Money Coaching with Ramit? ? ?Download the Conscious Spending Plan? ? ?Listen to my book?now on Audible? ? ?Get my New York Times best-selling book? ? ?Get my no-numbers journal? ? ?Other episodes? ? ?Instagram? ? ?Twitter? ? ?YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here: https://iwt.com/apply 

Two couples take the stage with a shared question?but very different financial realities: When is ?enough? actually enough to move forward? Finn and Luna built a successful pet-sitting business and now sit on hundreds of thousands of dollars?but with no clear plan for investing, homeownership, or the future. Meanwhile, Monica and Antonio earn a strong income, are completely debt-free, and yet feel paralyzed by fear as they juggle parenting, aging parents, and the possibility of purchasing a larger home. In this live episode, Ramit digs into the tension between optimism and realism, abundance and anxiety. Together, they confront inherited money stories, decision paralysis, and what it really takes to turn income into confidence?so money stops being the thing that holds them back. In this episode we uncover: ? Why having ?hundreds of thousands of dollars? can still feel like total financial chaos without a system ? The emotional whiplash of going from paycheck-to-paycheck to sudden abundance ? How Finn and Luna?s optimism vs. realism split shows up in every conversation about housing, investing, and location ? Why crypto success without understanding risk creates false confidence ? The real reason Luna pulled money out of investments and parked it in cash ? How not knowing basic investing terms keeps progress stalled ? Finn?s fear that California homeownership is a ticking time bomb ? Monica and Antonio?s decision paralysis despite high income and zero debt ? How generational trauma, bankruptcies, and lost homes shaped Monica?s daily money anxiety ? Why Antonio believes earning more is the solution ? The financial and emotional toll of supporting aging parents while raising young children ? The hidden cost of being ?responsible for everyone? and never prioritizing your own future ? The shift from reacting emotionally to money toward making deliberate, shared financial decisions ? What changes when money stops being mysterious Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I?m a dreamer??and he just wants a real plan (00:25:32) What happens when the optimizer stops optimizing at home? (00:33:01) ?They gave up everything for us? (00:46:33) ?We make great money?but it doesn?t feel like enough? (00:57:52) ?I set the bar so high I can never win? (01:04:37) Where are they now? Both couples? follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Bilt | Join the loyalty program for renters at https://joinbilt.com/ramit Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any LMNT order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Masterclass | Get up to 50% off Masterclass during the holiday season at https://masterclass.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Cheryl (67) and Michael (69) have built rich, full lives: multiple careers, reinventions, and nearly 12 years of marriage. Yet when it comes to money, they feel stuck. They earn about $120,000 a year, have roughly $600,000 saved, and regularly book $10,000?$15,000 vacations focused on travel, family, and experiences. Then, almost immediately, panic sets in. With mostly separate finances, lingering trust issues from past decisions, and no clear retirement plan, they?re embarrassed to admit that they don?t actually know when (or if) they can retire. Cheryl wants clarity and confidence about the future, while Michael wrestles with fear, guilt, and uncertainty around spending and security. Can Ramit help them stop oscillating between YOLO travel and financial anxiety, and finally create a plan that lets them enjoy life without fear? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Cheryl and Michael can easily book $10K?$15K vacations, then immediately panic ? How a ?dream trip? exposes deeper confusion about what money they actually have access to ? How Michael losing $12,000 from an inheritance investment triggered feelings of betrayal ? Cheryl?s cancer survival and how living with mortality reshaped her urgency to travel, spend, and fully live now ? Michael?s discomfort with seeing money as ?real? unless it?s physically accessible ? Why keeping finances mostly separate makes it nearly impossible to feel confident about retirement ? The emotional weight of being the higher earner ? How early family money stories still shape Michael?s decisions today ? Cheryl?s journey from Wall Street wealth to purpose-driven work ? Why spending in retirement feels scarier than earning ever did ? How ?YOLO travel? and hyper-frugality coexist ? What their Conscious Spending Plan reveals about low fixed costs, high freedom, and misplaced fear ? Why having a financial advisor still didn?t give them clarity or peace of mind Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I?m just doing this for Cheryl? (00:23:13) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:45:23) ?If we?re not on the same page, it?ll be an ugly retirement? (01:08:29) ?Am I worth it now?or am I still that kid asking permission?? (01:10:01) ?We never talked about money when we met? (01:23:10) ?If we retire now? will it feel like freedom?or fear?? (01:36:38) Where are they now? Cheryl and Michael?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 20% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF with code RAMIT50OFF Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires December 31, 2025. Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Today, we?re revisiting one of our favorite Money For Couples episodes of the year. Update: Romy and Travis recently shared an update on YouTube about where they are now. You can watch it here.  Romy and Travis?s story struck a chord with listeners because it shows what really happens when a couple is earning good money?but operating with completely different expectations, habits, and fears around money. This episode is a perfect example of how old patterns can quietly shape a relationship?and what it takes to break them. If you missed it the first time, or want a refresher, this is one of the most revealing conversations of the year. In this episode: ? Why Travis believes he can always ?go fishing? to make money ? How their childhoods shaped their attitudes toward money ? The emotional weight Romy carries as the only planner ? The story behind Romy?s secret UK savings ? Their unclear approach to buying property ? How disorganized thinking affects everything from taxes to tipping ? The risks of having no real emergency fund ? Why Travis?s role as the ?reassurer? holds them back ? How Ramit helps them redefine generosity ? The first steps toward rebuilding trust Chapters: 00:00 ? ?I tapped my card and it said insufficient funds? 09:23 ? ?I?m living the same financial life as my parents? 18:13 ? Breaking down their numbers 38:14 ? The weight of taking on the ?man?s? role 52:48 ? ?I?ve been poor before?I?ll be poor again? 1:02:08 ? Living on hope, not numbers 1:12:05 ? ?We?re doing this together? 1:28:56 ? Where are they now? Romy & Travis Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit  ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Jamie (45) and Ryan (36) have been married for nearly a decade and share three kids, but their financial foundation was shaken when Ryan quit his high-paying finance job and cashed out his 401(k) without telling Jamie. Now earning far less, they?re still spending like nothing changed, running up credit card debt and ending each month wondering where the money went. Jamie, the higher earner, is anxious about retirement and trust after years of financial surprises, while Ryan avoids money conversations and struggles with insecurity. Layered on top are a 10-year age gap, deep past trauma, and very different visions of a Rich Life. Can Ramit help them rebuild trust, create a real plan, and finally start acting like partners instead of adversaries? In this episode we uncover: ? The moment Jamie learned Ryan quit his high-paying job and cashed out his 401(k) ? How Ryan?s breaking point at work led to a ?nuclear option? decision that shifted stress from the office straight into their marriage Why earning nearly $300K still leaves them feeling broke ? The trust fallout from repeated unilateral decisions, including quitting jobs, cashing out retirement accounts, and impulsive purchases ? How Ryan?s spending on shoes, clothes, and even a classic car mirrors patterns he watched growing up ? Jamie?s role as the default financial manager ? The vacation-vs-things blame cycle that keeps them stuck spending instead of saving ? Why hiding money in a separate savings account felt like the only way Jamie could protect their future ? The uncomfortable truth behind their $13K emergency fund ? How calling their own spending ?stupid? and ?dumb? keeps them trapped in shame instead of change ? The emotional toll of living in constant financial vigilance while still spending freely on convenience and comfort ? How a failed $500 spending rule exposed their lack of shared systems ? The powerful influence of Midwestern money guilt, family secrecy, and conflicting childhood money messages ? Jamie?s past divorce and financial trauma ? The shift from adversaries to collaborators Chapters: (00:00:00) ?We?ll just go our separate ways? (00:18:56) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:40:49) ?Smart people can make stupid choices? (00:52:26) ?Can we become a team again?? (01:02:09) ?Is this a Rich Life?or just a really long to-do list?? (01:14:36) ?You?ve turned dysfunction into permission? (01:28:57) ?I?m bitter that I have to pay it off? (01:39:21) Where are they now? Jamie and Ryan?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping. Aura Frames | Use promo code RAMIT to get $35 off the best-selling Carver Mat frames at https://auraframes.com DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Ado (33) and Gabby (32) are exhausted by a cycle they can?t seem to escape: getting into credit card debt, paying it off, and then ending up right back where they started. Now, with $44,000 in credit card balances, student loans on both sides, and an $1,800 monthly daycare bill, they feel one setback away from losing everything. Ado?s avoidant, live-in-the-moment approach clashes with Gabby?s desire for structure and long-term security. Both come from financially chaotic childhoods, and those old patterns are replaying in their marriage. They dream of moving to Europe and building stability for their young daughter?but can they break the cycle that?s defined their entire relationship? This episode asks: What will it take for them to finally stop the spiral and create a plan that lasts? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Ado and Gabby keep finding themselves back in credit card debt ? How their ?dance? of overspending, working extra, and then trying to catch up has cost them thousands ? The emotional toll on Gabby as she tries to break a cycle that feels unsustainable ? Why Ramit pushes them to examine their spending through the lens of their daughter watching and learning their habits ? Taking apart their monthly budget line by line ? The $170 date nights, lattes, Costco trips, and Target runs that add up ? Gabby?s realization that overspending isn?t just about Ado ? Ado?s upbringing as a Bosnian refugee, and how frugality, scarcity, and parental sacrifice shaped his desire to enjoy life ? How childhood experiences continue to shape Gabby?s budgeting, anxiety, and need for security today ? How both partners absorb social norms around spending and treat exhaustion as a justification for impulse purchases ? The truth about using their savings account as a checking account ? The staggering $3,075/month they spend on debt payments ? Their dream of moving to Europe being pushed back year after year ? The emotional rupture of realizing one missed paycheck could destabilize everything they?ve built Chapters: (00:00:00) ?We never tell ourselves no? (00:17:24) ?It?s not just about paying off debt? (00:33:21) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:48:21) ?I feel like it gives me comfort? (01:02:26) ?Money was a weapon? (01:12:53) ?Denial lasts a week, vision lasts a lifetime? (01:32:00) ?Nobody making this much should have credit card debt? (01:36:45) Where are they now? Ado and Gabby?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Aura Frames | Use promo code RAMIT to get $35 off the best-selling Carver Mat frames at https://auraframes.com Masterclass | Get up to 50% off Masterclass during the holiday season at https://masterclass.com/ramit Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Offer expires December 31, 2025 Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Wildgrain | Get $30 off the first box ? PLUS free Croissants in every box ? at https://wildgrain.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? Join my event ?Becoming Time Rich? on December 18th at 8pm ET. Register at https://iwt.com/timerich Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Karen (45) and Chad (44) built their lives around a high income: buying their dream home in a high-cost city and raising three kids with confidence in the future. But when Chad lost his $340K tech job, everything changed. Three years later, he?s earning half as much, their emergency savings are gone, and they?re borrowing just to stay afloat. Karen lies awake fearing they?re one paycheck away from losing the house, while Chad stays optimistic that a future promotion or windfall will fix everything. Their conversations remain polite but distant, masking deep anxiety, resentment, and two completely different philosophies on money. Can Ramit help them confront reality, reconnect emotionally, and decide whether they can afford to keep the home they love? In this episode we uncover: ? How Chad?s income dropped by 50% overnight ? The emotional toll of pretending ?everything is fine? while secretly fearing they can?t make the mortgage ? Why even buying kids? necessities fills Karen with guilt ? Why Chad defaults to thinking ?maybe we?re just poor for a while? ? The dangerous gap between their public optimism and the reality Karen wrote in her application ? How Karen and Chad communicate like polite coworkers instead of partners ? The childhood roots that shaped their opposing money philosophies ? Why living with zero savings and three children is far more dangerous than Chad realizes ? The breakthrough: shifting from tracking numbers to actually making meaning from their spending and fears Chapters: (00:00:00) ?We?re one paycheck away from disaster? (00:17:12) ?Here we go again? (00:26:21) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:37:22) ?I?m looking for solutions, not platitudes? (00:49:47) ?Why aren?t you more relaxed with less money?? (01:01:11) ?Is the house on fire?? (01:19:32) Where are they now? Karen and Chad?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Bilt | Join the loyalty program for renters at https://joinbilt.com/ramit Aura Frames | Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/RAMIT. Promo Code RAMIT Wispr Flow | Try it for free at https://wisprflow.ai/ramit Gelt | Skip the waitlist at https://joingelt.com/ramit Netsuite | Get the free guide ?Demystifying AI? at https://netsuite.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? Design your Rich Life for the New Year at my virtual event. Grab your seat at https://iwt.com/richlifereview Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Alex (34) and Jackie (33) have been married for 11 years, raising four young kids while navigating a financial dynamic that?s been strained for nearly as long. Alex is meticulous and cautious ? he?s tracked every expense since 2016 ? while Jackie follows her instincts and believes God will provide. But when she secretly enrolled in a $5,000 coaching program and later pushed for a $16,000 photography course, Alex?s trust shattered. Now he feels like he?s carrying the entire financial load, while Jackie feels discouraged and untrusted. Their arguments spill into daily life, even in front of their kids. Can Ramit help them rebuild trust, confront their conflicting money beliefs, and finally create a system that brings peace instead of panic? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Alex has tracked every dollar since 2016?and how control became his default coping strategy ? Jackie?s belief that ?money will come? and the role faith plays in her financial decisions ? How a secret $5,000 coaching purchase shattered Alex?s sense of safety ? The emotional toll of raising four young kids while constantly feeling financially behind ? How Jackie?s childhood of scarcity and inconsistent money messages shaped her impulse-driven spending ? How Alex?s upbringing around saving, stability, and tithing taught him to equate control with security ? Why relying on miracles and unexpected windfalls creates a fragile financial foundation ? Jackie?s desire to feel heard, supported, and validated?instead of managed ? Why Alex feels lonely and burdened in the role of financial gatekeeper ? How a shared money system can shift them from crisis-mode to long-term partnership ? The first steps they take toward rebuilding trust, financial clarity, and a plan they can both commit to Chapters: (00:00:00) ?Do you trust each other?? (00:17:40) ?We had $300 and no plan? (00:29:15) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:37:15) ?If we just made more, everything would change? (00:50:52) ?I wasn?t taught to dream ? just to survive? (00:58:53) ?Hope isn?t a financial strategy? (01:07:33) ?I want the positive behavior without the crisis? (01:16:36) ?The house is on fire? (01:29:07) ?That changes everything? (01:36:56) Where are they now? Alex and Jackie?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Gusto | Try Gusto at https://gusto.com/ramit and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 30% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners Factor | Go to https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF and use code RAMIT50OFF to get 50% off your first box, plus free breakfast for 1 year Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching. Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Imani (52) and Michael (65) return for Part 2?and this time, Ramit pushes them to find out how fast they can turn things around. After years of miscommunication, mounting debt, and emotional exhaustion, they?ve finally started tackling their finances together. But when Facet?s retirement scenarios reveal how long their money will really last, they?re forced to confront new tradeoffs: spend less now, retire later, or change their lifestyle entirely. Can Michael step up and lead? Can Imani release control and start dreaming again? Or will their old habits slow their progress before it even begins? A special thanks to Facet for sponsoring this episode. Right now, Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members. And if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days, they?ll add $300 to your brokerage account. Head to facet.com/ramit to see which membership?Core, Plus, or Complete?is right for you. (Ramit is not a member of Facet, and he has an incentive to endorse Facet as he has an ongoing fee based contract for cash compensation based on this endorsement. All opinions are his own and not a guarantee of a similar outcome.) In this episode we uncover: ? Why Michael finally decides to take ownership after decades of financial avoidance ? The moment Imani says she?s ?tapping out? if things don?t change ? How they discover Michael?s electronics obsession is more than clutter?it?s avoidance ? The shocking realization that their debt payments eat up one-third of their take-home pay ? How selling off $7,000 of electronics became the turning point for their marriage ? What it felt like for Imani to finally let go of control and let Michael lead ? Why teamwork and a clear plan helped them pay off $6,000 in just four weeks ? How both partners confront what ?enough? really means ? The couple?s new shared dream: retiring abroad and living a simpler, freer life Chapters: (00:00:03) ?I?m angry at Michael, I?m angry at myself? (00:18:03) ?I?ve lost the ability to dream? (00:34:45) ?It?s gotta work? (00:40:17) ?I got the fever to start selling stuff? (00:51:47) ?I could see the cloud starting to separate? (01:06:29) ?I feel excited, inspired, energized? (01:22:39) Where are they now? Imani and Michael?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Wispr Flow | Voice-to-text AI that turns speech into clear, polished writing in any app. Try it for free at https://wisprflow.ai/ramit Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist MasterClass | For unlimited access to every class and up to 50% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Imani (52) and Michael (65) have been married for 24 years?and they?re drowning in nearly $126,000 of consumer debt despite earning over $250,000 a year. Imani, a disciplined attorney who tracks every dollar, feels trapped by Michael?s unchecked spending on electronics and his laid-back approach to money. She dreams of travel, freedom, and a life that finally feels generous, while he insists everything?s fine as long as the bills get paid. With resentment growing and Imani nearing her breaking point, Ramit challenges them to face the truth: Can they pay off their debt, rebuild trust, and start enjoying life again?or are they too stuck in old patterns to change? A special thanks to Facet for sponsoring this episode. Right now, Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members. And if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days, they?ll add $300 to your brokerage account. Head to facet.com/ramit to see which membership?Core, Plus, or Complete?is right for you. (Ramit is not a member of Facet, and he has an incentive to endorse Facet as he has an ongoing fee based contract for cash compensation based on this endorsement. All opinions are his own and not a guarantee of a similar outcome.) In this episode we uncover: ? Why Imani regrets combining finances after 20 years of marriage ? How Michael?s promise to ?put the money back? reveals a lifetime of avoidance ? The stark contrast between Michael?s military discipline and total lack of structure at home ? What happens when one partner outgrows the other in ambition, discipline, and self-development ? Why Imani admits she?s embarrassed to be in massive debt at her age ? Michael?s habit of buying cars and electronics to celebrate milestones ? How their $268,000 income still leaves them feeling broke, anxious, and behind ? Why Imani clings to control and spreadsheets while Michael tunes out completely ? How both partners confront the question: Can they rebuild trust and create structure before it?s too late? Chapters: (00:00:00) ?Did you go to Best Buy again?? (00:17:34) ?I don?t think I?ve ever planned anything in my life? (00:24:43) ?Every time we had a kid, he bought a car? (00:36:48) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:44:33) ?We make way too much to be this stressed about money? (00:56:21) ?I don?t want to do life by myself? (01:10:51) Can a couple this far apart still find common ground? This episode is brought to you by: Gusto | Try Gusto at https://gusto.com/ramit and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off Notion | Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at https://notion.com/ramit Wildgrain | Get $30 off the first box ? PLUS free Croissants in every box ? at https://wildgrain.com/ramit LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any LMNT order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Links mentioned in this episode ? Join my Money Coaching program for monthly help: https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Samantha (36) and Kevin (41) have been together for seven years, but their financial lives couldn?t look more different. He?s a high earner with $800,000 in investments and a paid-down mortgage. She?s still carrying student loans, car payments, and lingering shame about being ?behind.? While Kevin saves methodically for the future, Samantha prefers to spend on experiences?especially travel?leaving him questioning whether their financial priorities will ever align. Beneath the surface, neither of them has truly learned how to talk about money without shutting down. Can Ramit help them move from avoidance and resentment to shared goals and real plans for the future? A special thanks to Ultraspeaking, who worked with Samantha and Kevin to help them communicate more effectively as a couple. Ultraspeaking is the fastest and most effective way to become a great communicator. Learn more here. In this episode we uncover: ? Why Samantha believes she?ll never be ?financially good enough? for Kevin ? How their shared avoidant tendencies have allowed them to avoid financial planning for years ? How their unspoken expectations around ?fairness? create tension ? Samantha?s logic for not paying rent or mortgage ? How Kevin?s quiet resentment built up after Samantha didn?t use the housing savings to pay down debt ? The real cost of their ?guilt-free? spending, including $15,000/year on vacations ? Why Samantha still feels broke, despite earning $148,000 a year ? Samantha?s fears about not meeting Kevin?s expectations in retirement ? The stark contrast between their savings: Samantha has one month of expenses, Kevin has six ? How Samantha inherited a ?spend it if you have it? mindset from her parents ? Kevin?s fear of loss from divorce and why he avoids fully committing financially ? The role of therapy in helping them rebuild communication and trust Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I?ll never be financially good enough for Kevin? (00:13:39) ?I feel like I have no say because he owns the house? (00:27:08) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:37:44) ?I still feel like I?m only making $50,000? (00:43:59) ?Money burned a hole in my pocket? (01:03:09) ?That?s the bed I made and I will lie in it? (01:08:25) ?Closing doors is hard?but staying stuck is harder? (01:15:59) ?It?s not about catching up ? it?s about building together? (01:37:50) Where are they now? Samantha and Kevin?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: NetSuite | Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://netsuite.com/ramit Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Edward (38) and Ellen (30) live in Hawaii with their young daughter and a new baby on the way. With a net worth of over $2 million, their finances look strong on paper, but behind the scenes, their marriage is strained by control, fear, and trust issues around money. Edward manages every dollar, while Ellen has to ask for ?permission? to spend, even on basic everyday items. He believes tight control protects their future, making her feel more like a child than a partner. As Edward grapples with his deep fear of losing everything, Ellen wants to step into her own financial power. Can they learn to trust each other and build a partnership where both voices are heard, or will control and fear continue to drive their financial decisions? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Ellen calls their financial dynamic ?like asking my dad for permission? ? How Edward?s fear of poverty leads to hyper-control over their money ? Why Edward compares their finances to the top 1% ? Ellen?s $8,000 home birth decision ? How Ellen avoids learning their finances to sidestep arguments ? The emotional legacy of Edward?s childhood poverty and Ellen?s early financial security ? Their definition of a ?traditional marriage? ? Why they fight about $20 face cream despite earning $28K/month ? The weight of Edward?s ?provider? identity ? Their Hawaii ?dream home? vs. the financial pressure it created ? Their shared craving for safety and control ? Ellen?s realization that she?s been playing financial defense instead of building real skills ? Edward?s hope to teach their daughter financial independence Chapters: (00:00:00) ?It feels like I?m asking for permission? (00:16:10) ?I?m in charge of the budget? (00:23:09) ?I had just come into a million dollars? (00:34:29) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:51:41) ?I don?t think he trusts me at all? (00:56:49) ?I will never be poor again? (01:07:01) ?When do we get to live like we?re wealthy?? (01:17:38) ?I shrink myself to please him? (01:39:10) Where are they now? Ellen and Edward?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF with code RAMIT50OFF Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 20% off sitewide PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you make good money but you haven?t taken a real vacation in years, I want to talk to you. I'm casting couples for a special episode of the podcast. Apply this week only at iwt.com/apply.

Angela (31) and David (34) thought they?d built a future on $200,000 in crypto. Instead, they lost it all?and now they?re living in David?s childhood home with his mom. Angela dreams of traveling to Colombia to be with family, while David quietly panics about their finances. She sees every course and trip as a step toward freedom, but he sees their savings shrinking with no plan in sight. With only $4,000 in the bank and a 5-year-old to support, can they stop improvising and finally create a stable financial life of their own? In this episode we uncover: ? How David blew through $200,000 in crypto ? Living rent-free with David?s mom ? The ?get rich quick? approach to debt: bankruptcy talk, unrealistic timelines, and skipped planning ? Why improvising instead of planning is their default financial strategy ? A $3,000 retreat vs. moving out: how conflicting priorities reveal deeper issues ? The moment they see the truth in their spending ? How David?s mom ended up in credit card debt from supporting them ? Angela?s scarcity and rescue narratives from childhood ? Why David avoids stress and Angela absorbs it ? The cost of being ?Dreamers? (big visions with no real plan) ? Signs their daughter is already noticing financial stress Chapters: (00:00:00) ?We have no space to breathe? (00:25:05) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:35:12) ?Our vision isn?t aligned to our actions? (00:52:42) ?Like mother, like daughter? (01:03:09) ?Do you want major changes or minor changes?? (01:15:26) ?We?ve never created a plan? (01:36:53) Where are they now? Angela and David?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping. Wildgrain | Get $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box at https://wildgrain.com/ramit SonderMind | Go to https://sondermind.com to get matched with the right therapist in less than a week Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off Links mentioned in this episode ? If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Amy (32) and John (40) are raising two young kids in Canada, earning a solid $155,000 a year. But with $768,181 in debt and fixed costs at 168% of their income, every month feels like a losing battle. Two years ago, John hid hundreds of thousands in business tax debt from Amy?what she calls ?financial infidelity.? Since then, trust has been fragile, money is tight, and they often feel like they?re fighting on ?two separate life rafts.? Amy?s trying to rebuild their future, but when more than HALF of their monthly income goes immediately towards debt, they?re struggling to find a path forward. Can Ramit help them bridge the gap between good intentions and hard numbers?and finally get on the same team? In this episode we uncover: ? How their fixed costs rose to 168% of their income ? Why John hid his business tax debt, which shattered Amy?s trust ? How years of financial strain forced Amy to shoulder household finances alone ? How Amy?s volatile income and John?s shrinking business payouts created a $4,000 deficit ? John?s Dreamer attitude collides with the harsh math of his monthly debt payments ? The emotional impact of having no safety net ? Amy?s plan to launch a new business vs. John?s struggle to keep his afloat ? Why managing risk isn?t about optimism ? Amy?s frustration with carrying the mental and emotional load of finances while John ?focuses on income? ? Ramit?s direct call for decisive leadership and clear planning to get out of financial free fall Chapters: (00:00:00) ?He spent two years hiding his debt from me? (00:18:03) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:26:27) ?I was humiliated driving that Tesla? (00:39:52) ?We?re flying blind? (00:54:47) ?I feel like I?m carrying this weight alone? (01:02:13) ?Hope is not a strategy? (01:24:56) ?This is what happens when we finally get specific? (01:42:25) Where are they now? Amy and John?s follow-ups Links Mentioned In This Episode: ? Join me Monday, October 20 to learn How To Nail Your Dream Job Interview. Reserve your spot at https://iwt.com/interview This episode is brought to you by: LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Christine (47) and Thad (57) have been together for more than six years, but instead of building wealth, they?re buried under nearly $340,000 of debt. Christine, the self-appointed ?CFO,? is exhausted from tracking every bill, while Thad avoids the details and spends freely. Their conflicting money mindsets (Christine craving stability, Thad living for the moment) have stalled their big dreams like buying a home or taking Rich Life vacations that Christine longs for. With almost no savings and retirement looming, Christine fears she?s approaching 50 with nothing to show for her hard work, while Thad insists a single plan will solve everything. Can Ramit help them break the cycle of avoidance and control, align their priorities, and finally start acting like teammates? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Christine feels she?s approaching 50 with ?nothing to show? for her life ? Thad?s $17,000 student loan that ballooned up to $125,000 ? How Christine became the household ?CFO? while Thad continues to avoid responsibility ? Their real numbers?and why Christine feels so stressed ? Christine?s frustration over micromanaging bills ? Thad?s upbringing in poverty ? The invisible power of shame and fear, and why they can?t see what?s right in front of them financially ? Christine?s childhood lessons from parents who bought an unaffordable home ? Thad?s stark admission: if nothing changes, he?ll be homeless Chapters: (00:00:00) When a worrier and an avoider meet? (00:02:59) ?We have a plan? don?t we?? (00:15:52) ?Where is all the money going?? (00:19:54) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:33:46) ?I never expected to live past 30? (00:48:30) ?I wish my dad was able to say no? (00:56:33) ?I don?t believe he?ll follow through? (01:05:11) ?We need to be playing way bigger? (01:22:38) ?I don?t feel like I have the power? (01:36:54) Where are they now? Christine and Thad?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Doola | Go to https://doola.com.ramit and use code RAMIT for 10% off LLC formation and bookkeeping. Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist. DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Netsuite | Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://netsuite.com/ramit Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Kristen (30) and Josh (36) married just last year, but their honeymoon phase is buried under $40,000 of debt and a sense of being ?trapped.? Kristen is meticulous, tracking every dollar and carrying deep guilt around spending?even on herself. Josh, meanwhile, shrugs off the stress with a ?we?ll figure it out? attitude, though his impulse purchases and nicotine habit don?t help. With 82% of their income tied up in fixed costs, they?re left with almost nothing for fun, savings, or their dreams of a bigger space for pets and cars. Kristen is exhausted from budgeting every penny, while Josh wonders if more discipline is really the answer. Can Ramit help them break free from the cycle of guilt, fear, and deprivation?and finally learn how to enjoy life while paying off debt? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Kristen describes her daily life as feeling ?trapped? by debt and second-guessing over small purchases ? How Josh?s role as the ?ignorant reassurer? undermines their partnership ? The moment Kristen admits she feels like the ?manager? of their household finances, while Josh feels like an ?employee? ? Why 82% of their income goes to fixed costs ? How Josh?s nicotine habit consumes nearly all of their guilt-free spending ? Kristen?s pride in maintaining her cars and what it reveals about her resourcefulness ? The trade-offs Kristen faced leaving a toxic job for lower pay ? How Josh?s childhood poverty and lessons in ?patience? continue to shape his money mindset today ? Kristen?s upbringing in a family of secrecy and mixed financial messages ? The deep guilt Kristen feels about spending and the quiet fear Josh carries that he?ll ?never get ahead? ? How Ramit challenges them to imagine freedom beyond budgeting and debt payoff Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I feel trapped by $50? (00:19:44) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:36:45) ?Zero interest? but still stressed? (00:43:45) ?We packed coolers instead of eating out? (00:51:54) ?When money gets hard, I just work harder? (01:06:08) ?I want a partner, not an employee? (01:13:31) Turning side hustles into new income (01:19:45) ?What do we do with too much money?? (01:28:44) Choosing how to design their Rich Life (01:36:03) Where are they now? Kristen and Josh?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: SonderMind | Go to https://sondermind.com to get matched with the right therapist in less than a week ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF with code RAMIT50OFF Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Jason (38) and Katie (36) thought buying their dream home in Minnesota would be the start of a new chapter. Instead, they?re buried in debt, daycare bills, and the pressure of raising a new baby while working demanding creative jobs in an industry threatened by AI. Despite earning $246,000 a year, they?ve been trapped in a decade-long debt cycle, and every dollar is already spoken for. With $30,000 in debt left to go and no clear plan for what comes next, can they finally break free of survival mode and build the life they truly want together? In this episode we uncover: ? How Jason and Katie?s ?dream home? quickly became a financial trap ? Why their money talks happen every single day?and why that constant communication leaves them exhausted ? The pattern of paying off debt, only to fall right back into it ? The hidden costs of homeownership ? Jason?s obsession with ?cashflow??and why Ramit calls it a red flag that blinds them to the bigger picture ? How Katie?s childhood lessons of ?we can?t afford it? show up in her marriage today ? Jason?s upbringing of scarcity and mixed money messages ? The constant fear of job loss in an industry disrupted by AI ? Why their meticulous tracking of every penny isn?t working ? The moment Jason admits he?s ?done? with the cycle Chapters: (00:00:00) ?We talk about every transaction? (00:22:05) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:36:18) When ?cashflow? becomes a red flag (00:39:39) When ?asking for permission? follows you into marriage (00:45:58) ?We couldn?t afford the pool, but a new TV showed up? (00:56:23) ?I?m repeating a cycle? (01:21:02) ?You have more money than you realize? (01:26:33) Where are they now? Jason and Katie?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 25% off sitewide PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Laura (34) and Cameron (38) earn over $200,000 a year and save thousands each month, yet every decision feels like a crisis. Laura, a first-generation Mexican American, grew up in financial chaos and now enforces strict rules, from tracking every purchase in YNAB to keeping Cameron on an allowance. Her dream is to hit Coast FIRE in five years. Cameron, meanwhile, just wants to enjoy life today?take a trip, fix the car, maybe even expand their family. Their daughter is four, and the question of whether to have another child looms large. Can Ramit help them break free from fear, build shared goals, and find a balance between saving for tomorrow and living fully now? A special thanks to DeleteMe for sponsoring this episode. If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. In this episode we uncover: ? Why Laura enforces strict financial rules yet still feels unsafe despite saving half their income ? How Cameron?s ?passenger? role with money leaves Laura carrying the weight ? Why their $228,000 household income doesn?t feel like ?enough? in an affluent Chicago neighborhood ? How childhood experiences shaped Laura?s scarcity mindset ? The emotional toll of living as if they are still poor, even with nearly half a million dollars in net worth ? How FIRE gave Laura a sense of control and safety?but at the cost of enjoying life today ? How chasing control keeps them feeling perpetually ?behind? and unable to thrive ? The stark contrast between Laura?s authoritarian role and Cameron?s passivity ? How they can move beyond survival mode and start thriving by defining a shared Rich Life vision Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I keep my husband on an allowance? (00:09:58) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:25:05) ?We feel poor? on $228,000 a year? (00:41:37) ?My parents racked up debt in my name without me knowing? (00:54:48) ?I keep us living small? (01:10:21) ?CoastFi says we?re fine?so why doesn?t it feel real?? (01:24:06) ?What would make the next 10 years magical?? (01:33:54) Where are they now? Laura and Cameron?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Wildgrain | Get $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box at https://wildgrain.com/ramit ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored SonderMind | Go to https://sondermind.com to get matched with the right therapist in less than a week Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you Links mentioned in this episode ? Get tickets for my next live event?September 26 in Los Angeles?at iwt.com/events Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Lashan (50) and David (49) have been married for nearly two decades, raising three children and building stable government careers. But when health complications and a sudden return-to-office mandate pressured Lashan into early retirement, their income dropped. Suddenly, $5,000 a month seems to vanish into thin air. Lashan, meticulous and controlling with money, carries the full weight of their financial future, while David remains passive and supportive from the sidelines. But the stakes are high: a mortgage, looming college costs, and the urgency to create meaningful memories while Lashan still can. Can Ramit help them uncover where the money is going, build a roadmap for the future, and finally get David to step up as a true financial partner? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Lashan was pressured into early retirement ? How $5,000 a month in ?guilt-free spending? keeps disappearing ? How David?s childhood scarcity shaped his urge to spend money now ? Evictions and shut-off notices from Lashan?s childhood have driven her obsession with control and bill paying ? Why David earned the ?ignorant reassurer? label ? How compartmentalizing her terminal diagnosis keeps Lashan focused on bills instead of her deepest fears ? Ramit?s challenge to flip their money roles ? The invisible financial work Lashan handles that David barely sees ? Why paying bills feels like love and safety for Lashan ? How Lashan ended up caring for everyone else but not herself Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I?ve cried more about leaving my job than my diagnosis? (00:19:25) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:38:02) ?Eviction notices? the electricity might be off? (00:46:32) ?I?m going to die? and I can?t do this all alone? (01:10:44) Redefining what family memories look like (01:20:28) Paying off debt isn?t enough?planning for life after (01:28:23) ?I feel like I see the possibility for joy and fun? (01:36:01) Where are they now? Lashan and David?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT. Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist. Netsuite | Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://netsuite.com/ramit. Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit. DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get tickets for my next live events?September 14 in Atlanta and September 26 in Los Angeles?at iwt.com/events Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Rachel (31) and Pierre (42) have been together for four years, building a loving and stable life in Brooklyn. But one issue is holding everything back: Pierre?s $60,000 in debt from a failed business he started to support his family. His plan is to wait it out, hoping the problem disappears. But Rachel is unwilling to move forward towards marriage until there?s a plan in place. To her, his passive approach feels like a warning sign for their future together. Can Ramit help them face the reality of this debt, make a plan, and build a shared vision? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Rachel vowed never to date someone with debt?and why she chose to date Pierre anyway ? Pierre?s family vape shop business collapse and the $60,000 in debt he took on to try to save it ? The stark difference in how each partner views the debt ? Why Pierre believes ignoring the judgment is a valid strategy ? Rachel?s habit of minimizing her own fears ? How Pierre?s family history shaped his own sense of obligation ? Rachel?s painful history with her mother being scammed out of $60,000 ? The tension between investing for the future versus paying off past mistakes ? How cultural expectations and family loyalty complicate Pierre?s decision-making around money ? The breaking point: Rachel admits she cannot say yes to a proposal without a clear plan for the debt ? Ramit?s game plan to get the debt paid off?the right way Chapters: (00:00:00) ?If you don?t handle this debt, I won?t marry you? (00:19:50) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:27:25) ?Happy wife, happy life? ? but what about the debt? (00:41:53) He took on debt for his family ? but at what cost to his future? (00:55:01) ?I don?t ask my dad for money? and I don?t ask Pierre either? (01:07:31) How small sacrifices can open the door to big changes (01:23:21) Logistics are a big turn on (01:30:50) Where are they now? Rachel and Pierre?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: SonderMind | Go to https://sondermind.com to get matched with the right therapist in less than a week. Doola | Go to https://doola.com/ramit and use code RAMIT for 10% off LLC formation and bookkeeping. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit Notion | Try Notion for free at https://notion.com/ramit and experience the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get tickets for my next live events?September 14 in Atlanta and September 26 in Los Angeles?at https://iwt.com/events Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Becca (35) and Nikki (31) are planning their wedding, but they?re already struggling with how to merge their money. Becca, a rock climbing guide with a variable income, has thrown herself into personal finance after years of scarcity thinking and now tracks every dollar. Nikki wants to feel more empowered but often defers to Becca?s lead?and sometimes hides financial stress, like credit card debt. Together they net around $80,000, but with high fixed costs, student loans, and uncertainty about investing, their dream of building wealth feels out of reach. They want a clear, intentional financial plan that lets them invest confidently and step into marriage as equal partners. Can Ramit help them overcome ambivalence, balance their roles, and create a structure that supports both their dreams and their future together? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Becca tracks every single dollar ? Nikki?s tendency to ?not overthink? spending ? The power dynamic of one partner leading on money while the other defers ? How Becca?s deep dive into personal finance turned her into the household CFO ? Why high fixed costs and seasonal income keep them from investing the way they want ? The emotional tug-of-war between wanting to combine finances and being afraid of what that might mean ? How their childhood money lessons still show up in every conversation ? What they imagine for their Rich Life together, and why ambivalence keeps them from making clear decisions ? Ramit?s challenge to build a financial structure that balances empowerment, responsibility, and trust Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I don?t want to steer us wrong? (00:17:09) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:26:21) Childhood money scripts that carry into adulthood (00:39:41) ?Why are you playing so small?? (00:49:22) ?The freedom is in the commitment? (01:06:12) Redesigning their Conscious Spending Plan (01:26:23) Where are they now? Becca and Nikki?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? Get tickets for my next live events?September 14 in Atlanta and September 26 in Los Angeles?at iwt.com/events ? I?m casting couples right now for a new season of this podcast. If you?ve been wanting to get my advice on your situation, this is the last chance to talk to me in 2025. Apply now at iwt.com/apply Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Fernanda (44) and Jorge (48) have been married for nearly 25 years, raising three children, including one with lifelong special needs. Despite earning $130,000 a year, they consistently spend more than they make, and only have $300 in savings. Fernanda juggles multiple jobs and manages every detail of their finances, a responsibility that has left her physically ill from stress. Jorge works nights and picks up odd jobs, but avoids financial planning and defers almost everything to Fernanda. Fernanda dreams of a stable, less exhausting life where she and Jorge are true financial partners. Can Ramit help them confront old patterns, create a sustainable system, and secure a future for their family?especially their son?s lifelong care? In this episode we uncover: Why Fernanda says she?s ?physically ill? from the stress of managing their money alone. How Jorge?s laid-back optimism turns into financial avoidance?and leaves Fernanda carrying the full weight. The $13,000 air purifier scam?and what it reveals about their spending habits. How Fernanda?s history of homelessness and working from age 13 shaped her need for control. Why Jorge, who didn?t work until 25, still struggles to engage with financial decisions. The emotional toll of raising three children, including one with lifelong special needs, while buried in $350,000 of debt. What happens when Fernanda tries to share her complicated spreadsheets with Jorge?and why it never works. Ramit?s challenge for Jorge to take concrete steps toward shared ownership of their finances. Fernanda?s vision of a stable, less exhausting life?and the boundaries she?ll need to set to get there. Chapters: (00:00:00) ?If nothing changes, I?ll end up in the hospital? (00:19:41) ?It feels like impending doom? (00:24:18) ?It pisses me off that money could break us? (00:37:32) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:58:08) ?It?s a joke in the family that I have four kids? (01:15:59) ?I want a partner, not just a paycheck? (01:20:40) Red alert: only $311 in savings (01:35:29) Where are they now? Fernie and Jorge?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Wildgrain | Get $30 off your first box?PLUS free croissants in every box at https://wildgrain.com/ramit. Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping. Upwork | Visit https://upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get my Free Money Made Easy Mini Course at https://iwt.com/moneypod Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Romy (38) and Travis (37) are a married couple living in Cape Town?but despite earning over $130,000 a year, they?re constantly running on empty. Romy feels the crushing weight of managing everything alone, while Travis avoids financial planning and insists things will ?just work out.? Together, they?ve repeated the exact same dynamic Romy grew up with?right down to the hidden savings and anxious sleepless nights. Can they stop playing financial whack-a-mole and finally build a system that supports their future dreams, or will history keep repeating itself? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Travis believes he can always ?go fishing? to make money?and how that mindset creates instability. ? How growing up with financial chaos shaped both of their attitudes toward money and planning. ? The emotional weight Romy carries by being the only one thinking about the future. ? Romy?s secret UK savings account?why she kept it hidden, and what happened to the money. ? Their chaotic approach to buying property?and why they can?t clearly say if it?s for living or investing. ? How disorganized thinking shows up in everything from taxes to tipping the valet. ? The truth about their emergency fund (or lack thereof)?and the very real risks they face. ? Why Travis?s role as the ?reassurer? actually prevents change?and how Romy feels trapped by it. ? How Ramit challenges Travis to redefine generosity without spending money. ? The first steps they take toward rebuilding trust and creating a shared financial system. I?m casting couples right now for a new season of this podcast. If you?ve been wanting to get my advice on your situation, this is the last chance to talk to me in 2025. Apply now at iwt.com/apply Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I tapped my card and it said insufficient funds? (00:09:23) ?I?m living the same financial life as my parents? (00:18:13) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:38:14) The weight of taking on the ?man?s? role (00:52:48) ?I?ve been poor before?I?ll be poor again? (01:02:08) Living on hope, not numbers (01:12:05) ?We?re doing this together? ? building a new financial identity (01:28:56) Where are they now? Romy and Travis?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Doola | Go to https://doola.com/ramit and use code RAMIT for 10% off LLC formation and bookkeeping. Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off with promo code RAMIT at checkout. Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit. LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get tickets for my next live events?September 14 in Atlanta and September 26 in Los Angeles?at iwt.com/events Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Monica (36) and Michael (33) have been married just over a year and are navigating the pressures of new parenthood?but Monica feels like she?s doing it alone. She pays the rent, covers childcare, and works a demanding job, while Michael juggles three jobs and carries shame about his income and past financial mistakes?including an eviction he never told her about. Despite a recent 50% salary increase, Michael didn?t share the news, reinforcing Monica?s sense that she?s carrying the emotional and financial load. Can Ramit help them rebuild trust, communicate transparently, and step into a true financial partnership? In this episode we uncover: ? Michael?s quiet shame about earning less ? How an eviction early in their relationship shattered Monica?s trust ? The $95K salary increase Michael never told her about ? Why Michael?s ?Swiss Army knife? mentality is sabotaging their relationship ? What Monica really means when she says she wants a financial partner ? Why transparency is still a major hurdle ? The emotional gap in their relationship, and how it?s showing up in everything from birthday celebrations to debt payoff plans ? What finally shifts when Michael shares his debt-free timeline Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I feel like a leech? (00:18:28) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:25:56) ?I got a 50% raise?and didn?t tell her? (00:33:24) Why she?s always the last to know about his money (00:42:59) The secret that shattered her trust early on (00:46:26) He paid off half his debt?but still struggles to celebrate it (01:00:03) Torn between faith and financial goals (01:04:38) When earning more still isn?t enough (01:26:25) Are they finally rowing in the same direction? (01:35:17) Where are they now? Monica and Michael?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF with code RAMIT50OFF Netsuite | Download the free e-book 'Navigating Global Trade: Three Insights for Leaders' at https://netsuite.com/ramit OpenPhone | Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? Get tickets for my next live events?September 14 in Atlanta and September 26 in Los Angeles?at iwt.com/events Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Angela (52) and Brian (52) have been together since they were teenagers and have raised four kids. Now as they approach being empty nesters, they?re stuck in a sitcom-style standoff: Angela loves bargain shopping and dreams of traveling the world, but Brian clings to a decades-old belief that they need $1 million to retire and panics over every pantry purchase. Their net worth proves that they?re actually financially stable?but Brian can?t shake the fear of not having enough. Can Ramit help them rewrite their roles, align on what retirement really looks like, and find connection beyond coupons and control? In this episode we uncover: ? Why Angela believes they?re ready to retire?and why Brian is convinced they?re still broke. ? The decades-old advice Brian can?t shake?and how it?s been quietly dictating their entire financial life. ? The performance dynamic they?ve fallen into?and how it?s masking deeper emotional needs. ? The stark difference in how they define a ?Rich Life??and what?s missing from both visions. ? How Angela uses frugality to feel responsible?and the cost of that invisible labor. ? The moment Brian saw their actual net worth, and why it didn?t change how he feels. ? What happens when couples keep score with their sacrifices?and how it erodes connection. ? How fear of losing control is stopping Brian from building the life he actually wants. Chapters: (00:00:00) ?I?ve been chasing that number since I was 18? (00:04:11) The emotional cost of saying no to everything (00:19:08) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:29:21) ?Why do we need eight jars of peanut butter?? (00:40:57) Trapped in the ?justifier? and ?decider? roles (00:50:34) Frugal lives, empty spaces (00:58:01) ?I think we?ve just kind of? drifted? (01:06:04) How much is enough to retire?and what would make us feel safe? (01:18:42) Where are they now? Angela and Brian?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 25% off sitewide PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners. Upwork | Visit https://upwork.com/save to get a $200 credit to put towards your next freelancer to help grow your business. Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get tickets for my next live events?September 14 in Atlanta and September 26 in Los Angeles?at iwt.com/events Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Last week, we met Dominique (33) and Chris (34)?a couple earning $180K a year, raising a toddler, and still living paycheck to paycheck. Dominique felt alone in managing their finances, while Chris stayed disengaged, assuming things were fine. In Part One, we uncovered the cracks: a lack of communication, zero long-term planning, and growing resentment. Now, as their childcare costs are about to quadruple, will they be able to move past survival mode and start working as a team? Will Chris finally step up?and can Dominique let go of overthinking and accept support? In this episode we uncover: ? How their expensive Arizona house became a symbol of both pride and financial strain. ? The quiet resentment Dominique feels when Chris is out of work?and why she kept it to herself. ? A surprising disconnect around how much they contribute?and who?s really paying more. ? Ramit?s reality check about going month to month on a six-figure income. ? Why Dominique?s overthinking makes her feel in control?but leaves them stuck in place. ? The false sense of security that?s masking a dangerous truth: They have just two months of savings. ? The emotional cost of living reactively?and what it will take for them to finally plan ahead. Chapters: (00:00:00) ?My friend sold it to me?? ? the truth about whole life insurance (00:09:05) Investing, saving? or just surviving? (00:14:58) Problem-oriented vs. solution-oriented (00:22:11) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:26:14) He?s living for his son?but what about himself? (00:38:32) What if selling your house meant losing money? (00:43:13) ?I thought I?d be co-parenting by now? (00:52:38) Dominique & Chris 2.0: Confident. Open. Together. (01:03:30) Where are they now? Dominique and Chris?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist. ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today #sponsored Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Dominique (33) and Chris (34) have been together for six years, engaged for two, and share a two-year-old son. While Dominique manages parenting, full-time work, and their finances, Chris shuts down when money comes up?and has no plan for what?s next. With rising childcare costs, growing debt, and a second home draining up to $2,000/month, their finances are on the brink. Dominique has paused their wedding plans?and admits she?s considering co-parenting alone. Can Ramit help them build a future together before it?s too late? In this episode we uncover: ? The emotional burden Dominique carries as the default parent, planner, and financial lead ? How Chris?s we?ll-figure-it-out mindset undermines Dominique?s trust and long-term planning ? The real reason their wedding is on pause?and why Dominique?s preparing for life on her own ? Chris?s internal conflict: overwhelmed by adulthood, uncertain how to change ? How avoiding money conversations became the deepest fracture in their relationship ? What happens when one partner is growing?and the other is standing still ? Ramit?s challenge to both: take action now, or risk losing everything Chapters: (00:00:00) ?At this rate, we?ll be co-parenting next year? (00:06:52) Can I actually afford a new vehicle? (00:20:46) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:30:43) ?We make $180K?but we still feel broke? (00:46:45) Uncovering their REAL spending habits (00:55:59) The money messages they?re passing on without realizing it (01:18:29) ?We?ll figure it out??reacting vs. being proactive (01:23:26) What we?ll uncover next week This episode is brought to you by: OpenPhone | Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/ramit. Notion | Try Notion for free at https://notion.com/ramit and experience the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today. Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping. Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit. LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT. Links mentioned in this episode ? If you've been waiting for "the right time" to start your business, join me on Monday, July 21, at 8pm ET / 5pm PT to learn how to start a business in just one hour. Reserve your seat at iwt.com/earnmore. ? Should you buy or rent? Get my 3-step guide to buying a house at iwt.com/house. Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Taylor (29) is a high-earning dentist with a strict savings plan and deep-rooted fears about financial instability. Hayden (25) earns $24K a year, has a history of gambling and financial dishonesty, and struggles with budgeting. They live together, but their vastly different money philosophies leave Taylor questioning whether marriage is possible. With trust issues, income imbalance, and emotional baggage on both sides, can they find common ground?or is it time to walk away? In this episode we uncover: ? Taylor?s strict financial boundaries?and why Hayden feels constantly judged by them ? The real reason Hayden hides purchases (and what it?s costing their relationship) ? Why Taylor resents being the financial provider, and how it?s creating a growing power imbalance ? A candid conversation about Hayden?s past gambling?and whether trust can be rebuilt ? How their radically different upbringings shaped two completely opposing money mindsets ? The unspoken tension around engagement?and what?s holding Taylor back from proposing ? Taylor?s biggest fear: ending up broke and alone ? Hayden opens up about insecurity, dependence, and feeling ?less than? ? What they really want from each other?and why neither feels safe enough to ask Chapters: (00:00:00) ?He gets to do whatever he wants with his money? (00:07:22) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:20:58) ?Why have all that money if you don?t plan to spend it?? (00:28:27) How childhood trauma shaped their views on money, control, and survival (00:37:44) A secret $35K loss?and the fallout that nearly ended everything (00:49:15) ?Most of what I do with money is to get her off my back? (01:01:12) Is change still real if it?s only for someone else? (01:03:56) A new plan, a new mindset?but will it stick? (01:13:36) Where are they now? Taylor and Hayden?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Upwork | Visit https://upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Netsuite | Download the free e-book 'Navigating Global Trade: Three Insights for Leaders' at https://netsuite.com/ramit Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Links mentioned in this episode ? Get my 4 simple rules for talking with your partner about money Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Athena (31) and Arie (30) are newly married and dreaming of buying a home, starting a family, and traveling the world. But their finances?and philosophies?don?t align. Athena?s upbringing was defined by instability and strict religious messaging around money; Arie?s was middle-class and frugal. Now, they're realizing that love alone isn?t enough?they need a shared plan. Can Ramit help them define their values, shift their dynamic, and start building a future as true partners? In this episode we uncover: ? The subtle financial tension that?s been building?and how it?s showing up in everything from gift-giving to debt. ? Why Arie is laser-focused on buying a home, while Athena worries about losing her freedom. ? The real reason Athena keeps her finances separate?and how her upbringing shaped that decision. ? How Arie?s savings mindset clashes with Athena?s more flexible approach to money. ? A surprising admission about holiday spending. ? What it really means to feel ?safe? with money. ? The power struggle hiding beneath their shared bank account. ? How financial shame from childhood still influences their present-day relationship. ? Their unspoken fears?and how Ramit pushes them to define their shared Rich Life. Chapters: (00:00:00) ?It?s a dream??but what if your partner doesn?t share it? (00:08:30) They don?t fight?but is that actually the problem? (00:21:19) ?I don?t know if I can say yes if I have debt? (00:24:44) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:37:36) Dreaming big while avoiding the details (00:45:32) ?What kind of person doesn?t own a house?? (00:55:33) The moral script keeping Athena stuck (01:14:39) ?If you want something for yourself, you?re greedy? (01:22:57) Getting honest about a future they can?t afford (01:33:15) Where are they now? Athena and Arie?s follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Leesa | During Leesa's 4th of July Sale, get 30% off plus an extra $50 off at https://leesa.com with promo code RAMIT. Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/RAMIT50OFF with code RAMIT50OFF. Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get Ramit?s 3 Step Guide to Buying a House Connect with Ramit ? Get my new book, Money For Couples ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Kate and Keith have spent years afraid to spend?until now. In Part 2 of this conversation, Ramit investigates the $5 million missing from Kate?s trust fund and uncovers decades of poor returns, excessive fees, and emotional avoidance. As the truth comes out, Ramit challenges them to rewrite the money scripts that have shaped their lives: Kate?s shame around wealth, Keith?s fear of being seen as dependent, and the confusing messages they?ve inherited about what money should mean. They imagine a future with travel, community, and purpose, if they can confront this question: What?s the point of having money if you never use it? This episode is brought to you by: Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Ramit Sethi is not a member of Facet, and has an incentive to endorse Facet as he has an ongoing fee based contract for cash compensation based on this endorsement. All opinions are his own and not a guarantee of a similar outcome. OpenPhone | Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/ramit. Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit. LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT. Superhuman | Get a free month of lightning fast email at https://superhuman.com/ramit. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get detailed breakdowns of my readers' spending every Saturday in my newsletter at iwt.com/podcastnewsletter ? Order my new book: Money for Couples Connect with Ramit ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Kate (45) and Keith (53) split their time between Maine and Hawaii, living what looks like a dream life. They?ve inherited wealth, run two small businesses, and have nearly $2 million in net worth. But with only $30,000 in annual income, they live in fear of spending?and cover their shortfall by dipping into savings. Kate, recovering from long COVID, handles the finances but feels unworthy of her money. Keith, who once filed for bankruptcy, avoids money conversations entirely and worries he?ll be seen as a freeloader. Their roles are clear?one over-responsible, one disengaged?and their financial anxiety keeps them stuck. They say they want to travel, be generous, and enjoy their Rich Life. But, how do you build a Rich Life when you?ve been taught to feel ashamed of the money you have? This episode is brought to you by: Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Ramit Sethi is not a member of Facet, and has an incentive to endorse Facet as he has an ongoing fee based contract for cash compensation based on this endorsement. All opinions are his own and not a guarantee of a similar outcome. Notion | Try Notion for free at https://notion.com/ramit and experience the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today. ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today. Upwork | Visit https://upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist. DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Links mentioned in this episode ? Get detailed breakdowns of my readers' spending every Saturday in my newsletter at iwt.com/podcastnewsletter ? Order my new book: Money for Couples Connect with Ramit ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Vanessa (48) and George (59) have been married for five years and run two businesses together, but still keep their finances separate, leading to recurring tension, resentment, and financial instability. Vanessa is a risk-tolerant entrepreneur who sees money as a tool for growth. George is nearing retirement, risk-averse, and clings to financial security. They split everything 50/50, even when Vanessa stopped drawing a paycheck from their business. Now, with $482K in debt and $28K in savings, George?s retirement is looming, making their financial foundation feel unstable. His fear-based money spirals derail productive conversations, while Vanessa feels alone, unsupported, and afraid their misalignment could threaten their future. Can they learn to trust each other, merge their financial lives, and build a shared vision before retirement kicks in? This episode is brought to you by: Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/ramit50off with code RAMIT50OFF. Rocket Money | Stop throwing your money away. Cancel unwanted subscriptions ? and manage your expenses the easy way ? by going to https://rocketmoney.com/ramit. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit. Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping. LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. This is a great way to try LMNT?s most popular flavors. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT. Links mentioned in this episode ? Order my new book: Money for Couples Connect with Ramit ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

In this rare and intimate episode, Ramit takes the hot seat alongside his wife, Cassandra, as they?re interviewed by their close friend Julie Nguyen. Together, Ramit and Cass pull back the curtain on how they navigate money behind the scenes?from prenup negotiations and separate finances to the regular money meetings that keep them aligned. They open up about the challenges they've faced as a couple and reveal how, despite Ramit's career, they?re just as susceptible to money issues as any other couple on this podcast. This conversation is an honest look at what it really takes to build a true financial partnership?and a marriage that lasts. This episode is brought to you by: Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Netsuite | Download the free e-book 'Navigating Global Trade: Three Insights for Leaders' at https://netsuite.com/ramit ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today. DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit. Links mentioned in this episode ? Order my new book: Money for Couples ? Follow Julie Connect with Ramit ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Clara (29) and Devin (34) are married with three young kids, trying to build a future while juggling debt, stress, and wildly different approaches to money. Clara racked up $20,000 in credit card debt, while Devin chooses to gamble instead of investing for retirement. They earn well and own two properties, but with zero savings, 75% in fixed costs, and no shared goals, their financial foundation is crumbling. Underneath the spreadsheets and the spending is a toxic parent-child dynamic, causing Clara to feel disempowered and ashamed, while Devin?s ?dreamer? mindset leads him to believe the next big win will fix everything. Can they dismantle these roles, get honest about their spending, and rebuild as true partners before it?s too late? This episode is brought to you by: Superhuman | Get a free month of lightning fast email at https://superhuman.com/ramit LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. This is a great way to try all 8 flavors. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Notion | Try Notion for free at https://Notion.com/ramit and experience the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today. Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you. Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit If you're enjoying the Money for Couples podcast, I'd love to hear more about you and what you think of the podcast. Take this five minute survey at https://iwt.com/audiopod. Links mentioned in this episode ? Fill out my listener survey ? Order my new book: Money for Couples Connect with Ramit ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Sunnie (29) and Jazmyne (30) are a queer couple trying to build their life together?buy a house, bring a child into their family, and create long-term financial security. But with just one primary income and a major surgery planned for next year, every decision feels high stakes. They earn a combined $180,000 and just bought their first home; but between rising costs, paycheck-to-paycheck living, and intense pressure on Sunnie as the breadwinner, their financial conversations often swing from optimistic to explosive. With no shared plan, no savings for a wedding, and looming fears about safety and stability, can they align on a vision for their future?and build a financial plan that supports it? This episode is brought to you by: Gelt | If you?re ready for a more premium, proactive tax strategy to optimize and file your taxes, check out Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist. DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 20% off plus free shipping. ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today. Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 30% off mattresses + Free Sleep Bundle (2 Free Pillows and Microfiber Sheet Set), PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code ramit, exclusive for my listeners. If you're enjoying the Money for Couples podcast, I'd love to hear more about you and what you think of the podcast. Take this five-minute survey at iwt.com/podcastsurvey. Links mentioned in this episode ? Fill out my listener survey ? Order my new book: Money for Couples Connect with Ramit ? Get Money Coaching with Ramit ? Download the Conscious Spending Plan ? Listen to my book?now on Audible ? Get my New York Times best-selling book ? Get my no-numbers journal ? Other episodes ? Instagram ? Twitter ? YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here. Produced by Crate Media.