Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi

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 [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 [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 [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 [https://meetfabric.com/ramit]. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit [https://masterclass.com/ramit] Links mentioned in this episode • Get my 4 simple rules for talking with your partner about money [https://iwt.com/partner] Connect with Ramit • 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://amzn.to/3HGwbkK] • Get my no-numbers journal [https://amzn.to/3j6Tmuf] • Other episodes [https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/podcast/] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moneyforcouples] • Twitter [https://twitter.com/ramit] • YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/ramitsethi/featured] 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].

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 [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 [https://leesa.com/] with promo code RAMIT. Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/RAMIT50OFF [https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF] with code RAMIT50OFF. Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit [https://rocketmoney.com/ramit] Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit [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 [https://iwt.com/house] Connect with Ramit • 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://amzn.to/3HGwbkK] • Get my no-numbers journal [https://amzn.to/3j6Tmuf] • Other episodes [https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/podcast/] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moneyforcouples] • Twitter [https://twitter.com/ramit] • YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/ramitsethi/featured] 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].

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 [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 [https://openphone.com/ramit]. Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit [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 [https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT]. Superhuman | Get a free month of lightning fast email at https://superhuman.com/ramit [http://superhuman.com/ramit]. Links mentioned in this episode • Get detailed breakdowns of my readers' spending every Saturday in my newsletter at iwt.com/podcastnewsletter [https://iwt.com/podcastnewsletter] • Order my new book: Money for Couples [https://iwt.com/moneyforcouples] Connect with Ramit • 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://amzn.to/3HGwbkK] • Get my no-numbers journal [https://amzn.to/3j6Tmuf] • Other episodes [https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/podcast/] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moneyforcouples] • Twitter [https://twitter.com/ramit] • YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/ramitsethi/featured] 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].

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 [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 [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 [https://zocdoc.com/ramit] then find and book a top-rated doctor today. Upwork | Visit https://upwork.com [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 [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 [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 [https://iwt.com/podcastnewsletter] • Order my new book: Money for Couples [https://iwt.com/moneyforcouples] Connect with Ramit • 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://amzn.to/3HGwbkK] • Get my no-numbers journal [https://amzn.to/3j6Tmuf] • Other episodes [https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/podcast/] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moneyforcouples] • Twitter [https://twitter.com/ramit] • YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/ramitsethi/featured] 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].

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 [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 [https://rocketmoney.com/ramit]. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit [https://masterclass.com/ramit]. Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit [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 [https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT]. Links mentioned in this episode • Order my new book: Money for Couples [https://iwt.com/moneyforcouples] Connect with Ramit • 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://amzn.to/3HGwbkK] • Get my no-numbers journal [https://amzn.to/3j6Tmuf] • Other episodes [https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/podcast/] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moneyforcouples] • Twitter [https://twitter.com/ramit] • YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/ramitsethi/featured] 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].