Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi
Ramit Sethi, host of Netflix's 'How to Get Rich' and author of 'I Will Teach You To Be Rich,' presents raw, unfiltered conversations with real couples about money psychology. He helps them move past guilt, resentment, and fights over purchases to create a shared vision for their Rich Life. The podcast explores how money dynamics affect everyday decisions and long-term dreams, offering a new philosophy: spend extravagantly on what you love and cut costs mercilessly on what you don't.
Episodes
274. "We have a newborn and 89% of our income is already spent...Now what?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich speaks with Shelby and Calvin, 31 and 43, who have a new baby and feel trapped by their financial situation. Together they earn about $102,000 a year, but they have just $3,500 in savings, more than $20,000 in debt, and $0 currently going toward savings or investments.
Shelby wants more structure and transparency, while Calvin admits that talking about m
273. "We Spend 139% of our Income and still fund our adult kids"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich speaks with Mary and Harry, 57 and 62, who are approaching retirement while spending more than they earn every month. They have a blended family of seven adult children and continue stepping in whenever one of them needs money, housing support, childcare, repairs, or help managing another crisis.
Mary handles nearly all of their finances and feels overwh
272. "We own two houses, but can’t afford dinner out"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich speaks with Nicole and Drew, 39 and 40, who are expecting their first child in just two weeks. They split their time between Southern California and Maui, where they each own a home. Nicole bought her house after Drew made it clear that continuing to stay with roommates was not an option.
Today, they earn $296,700 a year, own $1.25 million in assets, and
271. "He hid $30K of debt a month before our wedding"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich speaks with Sana and Arhem, both 27 and newly married. One month before their wedding, Arhem revealed that he had hidden $30,000 of credit card debt. After they both lost their jobs, Sana discovered that he had fallen even further into debt without telling her.
Today, they earn $188,000 a year and have created an aggressive plan to tackle their $165,000
270. “We’re sacrificing our retirement to pay for our kids’ college”
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Mia and Jake, a couple in their late 30s and early 40s in a blended family with three children. Mia wrote in because she’s afraid paying for their children’s college will cause resentment in their relationship. With no idea how much they are spending, why, or what they truly want their money to do for them, Ramit helps them uncover the root of th
269. "I want to retire, but my wife is too scared"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Meg and Jo, a married couple in their 60s with more than $6 million in net worth, strong incomes, and a retirement problem that is not really about money.
Meg is ready to stop working. Jo wants to retire too, but feels terrified of making the wrong decision and carrying the responsibility for their investments alone. Despite having millions, spe
268. "We Make $150K… So why are we broke?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Lauren and Mick, a married couple in their 30s with two kids, $93K of debt, and a dream of moving into a bigger home. They earn around $150K a year combined, but with 89% of their take-home pay already going to fixed costs, just $5K in savings, and years of impulsive spending, their money is stretched far beyond what their lifestyle can support.
267. "She makes 2x more than me. I feel ashamed."
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Maria and Andre, a married couple in their 50s navigating a difficult retirement gap. Maria has built nearly $500K in net worth, a strong pension, and a clear path toward retirement. Andre, who moved from Brazil and only recently received his green card, is rebuilding his career in the United States with just $16K saved for retirement.
They earn
266. "We’re in our 30s fighting over $1000. Can we fix this?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Alexis, 29, and Edwens, 30, a married couple with a 10-month-old baby and two completely different ideas of what money should look like in a marriage. Edwens immigrated from the Dominican Republic less than two years ago, and personal finance is still new to him. Alexis has been trying to teach him, manage the bills, build the budget, and create
265. "We spend 179% of what we make. Are we screwed?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Melissa and Taryn, a married couple in their 40s living in Los Angeles with five children. They have a net worth of over $700K, nearly half a million invested, and a successful business, but their finances are on the edge.
After Taryn took a $75K pay cut and was later laid off from Netflix, they continued building a $200K pool, took on a $100K
264. "We’re worth $4M. Why is she so terrified to spend?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to J and Ana, a couple in their early 40s with three children who have built nearly $4 million in net worth through decades of hard work, saving, and real estate investing. On paper, they are in an incredible financial position. They have around $4.8 million in assets, more than $1.2 million invested, $136K in savings, and a net worth just under $4
263. "We spend 102% of what we make. Will we ever stop drowning?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Freya and Blake, a couple in their mid-40s with two young children who are facing one of the most urgent financial situations we’ve seen on the show.
Together, they earn around $143K a year, but their fixed costs are at 102%, they have $0 in savings, only $180 invested, and more than $96K in debt. Freya applied because she feared they were clos
262. "We make $167k. Why do we feel poor?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Drew and Amanda, a married couple earning around $167,000 a year with a net worth of over $800,000.
On paper, they look financially successful but behind the scenes, their fixed costs are dangerously high, their savings are low, and their spending decisions are causing tension in the relationship.
Drew admits he struggles with spending, while
261. "We’re in our 40s with nothing saved. Will we be ok?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Sebastien and Hope, a married couple in their forties who have been together for 20 years, married for 16, and have a nine-year-old son. They earn around $195,000 a year, have $674,000 in assets, $129,000 invested, just $11,000 in savings, and $437,000 in debt.
On paper, they are not broke, but emotionally, Sebastien still feels like they are c
260. "We’re in our 40s and forgot to invest. Are we screwed?"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Nicole and Shane, an engaged couple in their forties getting married in just 11 days. Together they earn $241,000 a year, have a net worth of $588,000, and hold $265,000 in savings, but their financial lives are still tangled.
Nicole has built a rich life around travel, dining out, and intentional spending, while Shane is a natural saver whose
259. "We’re worth $1.5M but I refuse to buy new pants"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Mikaela and Dave, both in their early thirties, parents of two young children, and earning an impressive $278,000 a year. Despite a net worth nearing $1.5 million, they struggle to spend money, even on necessities. Mikaela wears clothes with holes, and Dave sits in an uncomfortable chair, all rooted in a scarcity mindset developed from past chall
258. "We had $900K. Now we’re $100K in debt"
Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Kristina and Erin, a married couple who have been together for 10 years, raising two children in Toronto. They make good money, but they have no system for their finances, which has led to years of avoidance. They've accumulated $106K in debt and have only two weeks of savings. While Erin, the "stable one," has a full-time job, Kristina’s entrepr
257. "We really want a house - but have $0 in savings"
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
256. "We moved abroad for fun. Now we can’t afford to leave"
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 Conscio
255. "I’m 40 and work 2 jobs. How are we still broke?"
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
254. My $0 to $100k Playbook (full beginners guide)
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
253. "I’m 53, exhausted, and still living paycheck to paycheck"
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 Spend
252. "I’m 35, in debt, and spend everything I make"
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 co
251. "We own a $1M house but can’t pay for groceries"
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 h
250. "We spend 97% of what we make—and can’t stop"
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. Ra
249. "We have $2M. Why can’t we enjoy life now?"
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 o
248. "Her spending scares me. Should we get married?"
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 mone
247. "We’re in our 40s — with nothing saved"
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.
246. "We’re drowning in debt, but bought another house"
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 chi
245. "We make 6 figures. Why am I hiding fast food purchases?"
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
244. "I'm in $244k debt but give $500/mo to my church"
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 enc
243. "She inherited $171K…but it’s already gone."
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
242. "Our couples therapist couldn’t fix this. Please help."
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 a
241. “We invested our wedding money…in psychedelics”
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 fee
240. “We book $10K vacations, then panic about money”
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
Listener Favorite: "I'm almost 40 and still living paycheck to paycheck”
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 arou
239. "He quit his high paying job and didn’t tell me"
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 anx
238. "We’re in credit card debt again. Will this ever stop?"
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 des
237. “We bought our dream house. Then he lost his job.”
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
236. “She spent $5K behind my back. How can I trust her?”
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 photograp
235. "Can we pay off this debt faster?" (Part 2)
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
234. "We have $100k+ in debt. Will we ever enjoy life?" (Part 1)
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 eve
233. “I save while she spends on vacations. Is this fair?”
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
232. “My husband gives me an allowance. I feel like a child.”
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 con
231. “Our $200k in crypto is gone. Now we live with his mom.”
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 onl
230. “We spend 168% of what we make. What are we missing?”
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
229. “I’m almost 50 and have nothing to show for my life”
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 li
228. “I’m 30, broke, and tired of budgeting”
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
227. “We bought our dream house. Now we’re drowning”
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,
226. “She’s chasing FIRE. I want to enjoy life now.”
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—t
225. “We’re losing $5k/mo. Where is it all going?”
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 fi
224. “I took on debt to help my family. Now she won’t marry me.”
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 passiv
223. “We make $81k/yr in our 30s. Is that enough?”
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.
222. “My husband is my 4th child. Will he ever help?”
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 night
221. “I’m almost 40 and still living paycheck to paycheck”
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
220. “I carry the baby, the bills, and the stress”
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 incre
219. “He’s so cheap it’s killing our joy”
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
218. “Our childcare costs are about to quadruple. Are we screwed?” (Part 2)
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
217. “Are we broke…or just bad with money? (Part 1)
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 thei
216. I track every penny. He gambles. Should I marry him?
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
215. “He wants a house, I don’t want to go bankrupt.”
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
214. “I’m 45 but my parents still control my money”
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 d
213. “We have a $1M trust - but a $30k budget” (Part 1)
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 he
212. "He's terrified of losing it all—so she's losing him"
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 Va
211. Ramit and Cassandra open up: “Our real money fights (and what we learned)”
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 co
210. “We make $170k—but spend like we make $450k”
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
209. “We bought a house we can’t afford, now what?”
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,
208. “We make $157K at 22, but we’re afraid to spend money”
Javier (22) and Marco (22) are young, ambitious, and financially disciplined—but the future they dream about together is being challenged by how they handle money today.
They earn a combined income of $157,000, already have more than $60k invested, and live in New York City with shockingly low fixed costs. But despite their impressive financial habits, they’re stuck in a cycle of miscommunication
207. “I’m 40, burned out, and don’t know what’s next in my life”
Courtney (40) and Ray (41) have spent their entire adult lives in the structure of military life—but with retirement on the horizon, they’re about to face a future filled with choices for the first time.
For Ray, that means walking away from the rank, routine, and pension he’s built for over 20 years and entering a civilian job market he knows little about. For Courtney, it means finishing grad s
206. “I quit my job to care for our son, but can we afford it?”
Anna (33) and Will (37) are married with two kids, including a young son who was born with a serious heart condition. Between unexpected medical expenses, emotional stress, and inconsistent financial planning, their savings have steadily drained—and now, they're spending more than they earn just to keep up. Will brushes off concerns, saying “We’re fine,” while Anna feels like she’s the only one co
205. “I've been homeless before…I'm terrified to spend money”
Jennifer (37) and Steve (41) have been dating for over five years, but they’ve never spent more than $100 on a shared purchase.
Jennifer is a self-made business owner with a clear vision for the future, while Steve is cautious, financially conservative, and still haunted by a turbulent past that included losing both parents and living out of his car. Despite a solid income and nearly $200,000 in
204. “We make $226K—but our kids think we’re broke”
Lisa (37) and Marcus (38) have been married for 14 years, raising four kids and building a life together—but when it comes to money, they couldn’t be further apart.
Lisa homeschools their kids and dreams of more family travel time full of Rich Life experiences. Marcus shuts down in financial conversations, overwhelmed by anxiety and self-doubt—even though he’s a professional accountant. In today’s
203. “He makes 3x more, but wants to split everything 50/50”
Katie (28) and Robin (35) live together in Tennessee and are planning a wedding. They earn a combined $386K, but don't split bills proportionally—even though he makes three times more. She feels judged, lies about spending, and recently racked up credit card debt after secretly booking a ski trip for his birthday. He’s investing $8K/month while she’s barely breaking even.
As they discuss a prenup
202. “She racked up $50K in debt — why should I trust her with money?”
Emma (39) and Dave (39) make $258,000 a year—but they’re stuck in a toxic money dynamic. She built a financial plan during maternity leave. He didn’t believe her. Now, they’re battling over trust, $50K in debt, and whether they can afford a $700K house.
With conflicting money roles—she’s the anxious planner, he’s the passive skeptic—they can’t move forward. In this episode, Ramit breaks down thei
201. “I make $40k… but I own 100+ suits”
Today’s episode takes us to New York City, where I sit down with not two, but three couples live on stage at my Money for Couples event.
First, meet Antonio (23) and Devonta (23), a young couple who in their 20s are already ahead of the game—earning money while finishing their degrees, having real conversations about finances, and even purchasing a home together.
Next, we meet Pam (38) and Nic (40
200. “Should we pay off our massive debt? Or invest more?”
Wilson (46) and Shannon (35) have built a strong financial foundation—owning a vacation rental, maxing out Roth IRAs, and earning solid incomes. But when it comes to their next move, they’re at odds.
Wilson wants to tap into their home equity to invest in stocks, believing they’re too heavily weighted in real estate. Shannon, more risk-averse, worries about adding debt when they already owe $129K
199. “I struggle w/ cc debt but insisted on a Cartier wedding ring”
On today’s episode, we’re live from Boston for my recent Money For Couples book tour.
First, I talk with Robert (28) and Giselle (28) who appear to have it all together, but behind the scenes, they’re struggling to make intentional financial decisions. Instead of planning ahead, they make impulsive decisions like committing $7,500 of earnest money to a new home that they can’t afford. Now, they’re
198. “I work 7 jobs but can’t get ahead. Are we doomed?”
Juan (43) and Amber (40) feel behind on their retirement plans after years of prioritizing travel and expensive hobbies over investing.
Juan, who grew up poor, struggles with a scarcity mindset—undercharging for his work and financially supporting his family. Amber, now earning less, believes they should be doing better.
With financial pressure mounting, they’re considering merging finances but ne
197. “I thought he was the problem… but it’s me?!”
Live from the House of Blues in Chicago, Ramit coaches Evelyn and Mike (41).
Despite their successful careers, money is a constant source of tension. Evelyn scrutinizes every purchase, while Mike feels frustrated by the endless debates over small expenses. Can Evelyn let go of her scarcity mindset and start trusting their financial future?
Plus, stay tuned for a surprise visit from one of the past
196. “He used to help me with debt…Now he’s making it worse”
Frank (29) and Jill (33) are parents of two young kids and are trapped in a vicious cycle of overspending and debt.
With fixed costs eating up 107% of their income and $25,000 in credit card debt, they’ve been repeatedly digging themselves into a hole—and scrambling to climb back out. Frank solves panic with credit card balance transfers. Jill struggles with emotional spending rooted in childhood
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