Ramit Sethi

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 million. But despite all of that, they still don’t feel free. J applied because he feels like they’ve had their foot on the gas since they were teenagers and don’t know when they’re allowed to cruise. He wants to relax, travel, and enjoy the life they’ve built. Ana wants that too, but her fear of debt, her desire to protect their kids, and her instinct to keep building make it almost impossible for her to stop. What looks like a conversation about rental properties, credit cards, cars, and spending is really about safety, identity, immigrant family scripts, and learning how to enjoy money after a lifetime of working. In this episode we uncover: • Why J and Ana still feel stressed despite having nearly $4 million in net worth • How decades of hard work and real estate investing shaped their money dynamic • Why J feels ready to slow down, but Ana struggles to believe they have enough • Why selling one house feels like both a financial decision and a family decision • How credit card spending, shoes, cars, and hobbies became recurring conflict points • Why J feels like he has to justify his spending • The parent-child dynamic that shows up in their money conversations • Why Ramit challenges them on changing the CSP numbers • How immigrant family history shaped Ana’s relationship with work, money, and worry • The question of whether multiple properties are still part of their Rich Life • How becoming more decisive may be the real work ahead Chapters: (00:01:44) Meet J and Ana (00:03:34) “Our foot is stuck on the gas” (00:04:28) Ana doesn’t know when it’s time to sell (00:05:21) Why they are never on the same page about money (00:07:11) The credit card statement fights (00:08:44) Ana’s dream: take away the card and pay off properties (00:10:14) Shoes, cars, and spending guilt (00:13:04) The parent-child dynamic in their money conversations (00:14:47) Looking at the Conscious Spending Plan together (00:18:08) Income, rental properties, and CSP confusion ( 00:30:32) The family house they can’t agree on selling (00:34:12) Why making more money hasn’t made them feel better (01:38:30) Ana’s challenge: learning to spend on herself (01:42:53) Ramit’s final warning: they need to become decisive together 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 checkoutNetsuite | Get the free guide “Demystifying AI” at https://netsuite.com/ramit Superhuman Mail | Turn your inbox into momentum. Sign up at https://superhuman.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 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). Connect with Ramit • Get my new book, Money For Couples<

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 close to becoming homeless. On the surface, their problem looks like debt. Underneath, it’s avoidance, guilt, lack of partnership, and years of “we’ll figure it out later.” Freya carries the emotional labour of the household and money decisions, while Blake admits he avoids the numbers and tries to solve problems by simply making more money. Ramit helps them confront the reality of their situation, stop tinkering around the edges, and build a radical plan that gives their family a chance to get stable. In this episode we uncover: • Why Freya and Blake are spending more than they make every month • How their fixed costs reached 102% of their income • Why having a $143K income still isn’t enough when there’s no system • The $96K debt number that forces them to face reality • Why Freya feels like she has to manage everything alone • Blake’s “ostrich” approach to money and avoidance • How trips, skiing, and everyday spending became symptoms of a bigger issue • Why being intelligent doesn’t protect you from bad money decisions • The emotional cost of having $0 in savings with two young children • How childhood, privilege, resentment, and guilt shaped their money habits • Why hustling stops working once fixed costs get too high • Ramit’s warning that they are weeks away from not being able to pay rent • Why Blake may need to aggressively increase his income • How they move from blame and panic into a shared plan • Their follow-up reflections on what finally felt doable Chapters: (00:01:20) Meet Freya and Blake (00:03:30) Why Freya applied to speak with Ramit (00:05:23) “Do you want to have a budget conversation?” (00:05:56) The skiing trip that became a money fight (00:08:22) The Mexico trip they couldn’t afford (00:13:52) Savings are gone and the safety net has disappeared (00:15:16) Freya carries the planning, groceries, kids, and money stress (00:21:54) Looking at the Conscious Spending Plan together (00:24:01) The real debt and net worth numbers land (00:31:24) Why 102% fixed costs means they are broke (00:32:04) Ramit warns they are weeks away from not paying rent (00:34:54) Childhood money lessons and blame (00:43:57) Borrowing money to avoid eviction (00:48:11) Blake’s belief that more income will solve everything (00:57:14) Guilt, family, and saying yes when they should say no (01:03:00) Defining a realistic Rich Life from where they are now (01:08:30) Childcare costs disappearing (01:15:03) Freya asks Blake to help with grocery planning (01:18:00) Why savings comes before debt payoff right now (01:34:00) Why the plan finally feels doable This episode is brought to you by: Grow Therapy | Visit https://growtherapy.com/ramit to find a therapist today. LMNT | Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT MasterClass | For unlimited access to every class and at least 15% off any annual membership, go to https://masterclass.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

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 Amanda finds it difficult to say no, leaving them stuck in a pattern where money feels stressful instead of empowering. In this episode we uncover: • Their household income of around $167,000 a year • Why they still feel financially stretched despite a strong net worth • Their surprisingly low savings compared with their assets • How fixed costs reached around 89% of their gross income • Drew’s struggle with spending and impulse decisions • Amanda’s difficulty saying no without feeling like the “bad guy” • The hidden relationship dynamic behind their financial stress • Why eating out 6–8 times a week became a major spending leak • The role of bonuses in justifying bigger spending decisions • Amanda’s childhood experiences with financial instability • Drew’s “you only live once” money mindset • How their daughter is learning from their financial behaviour • Ramit’s challenge for them to stop making emotional money decisions • Why vacations may need to pause while they rebuild savings • Their plan to create a family money philosophy and emergency fund ⏩ CHAPTERS (00:03:15) Why Drew applied to the podcast (00:07:00) The hidden decision-making problem (00:10:30) Why they don’t feel like a team with money (00:16:15) Their financial numbers revealed (00:21:15) The reality of their household income (00:29:25) Fixed costs are the real problem (00:33:10) The truth about eating out (00:35:50) How bonuses fuel spending (00:39:30) The couple who struggle to say no (00:45:30) Amanda’s childhood money story (00:56:30) Their inherited money beliefs (00:58:20) Starting their Rich Life vision (01:04:00) Pausing vacations to rebuild stability (01:10:00) Drew practices saying no (01:16:30) Amanda’s role changes (01:20:30) Cutting subscriptions and eating out (01:29:30) Redirecting money toward savings (01:36:00) Creating a family money philosophy (01:44:30) Ramit’s final advice THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.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 | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit and use promo code RAMIT at checkout 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 • <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moneyforcoup

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 constantly scrambling, while Hope believes their personal finances are in the best place they have ever been. Both recently became business owners, with Hope running an architecture firm and Sebastien running a wine importing business, but the risk of entrepreneurship, debt, low emergency savings, and under-investing for retirement has left them stuck between optimism, fear, and avoidance. In this episode we uncover: • Why Sebastien still feels broke, even though their finances are stronger than they used to be • How Hope’s optimism clashes with Sebastien’s fear about the future • Their combined income of around $195,000 a year • Their assets of $674,000, investments of $129,000, savings of $11,000, and debt of $437,000 • Why having only one month of emergency savings puts them in a risky position • How both Hope and Sebastien became business owners after buying existing companies • Hope’s architecture business and Sebastien’s wine importing business • Why Ramit says they are talking around the numbers instead of confronting them directly • How their current retirement projection could give them only around $35,000 a year • Why Hope’s $130,000 retirement dream requires a much more aggressive investing plan • Why their guilt-free spending and fixed costs are squeezing savings and investments • How one final credit card payment could drop their fixed costs from 67% to 52% • Why their grocery spending becomes one of the first practical areas to tighten • Ramit’s math mistake in the episode and why the overall lesson still stands • Sebastien’s need for a clear business runway and decision point • Hope’s realization that she was not being fully honest with herself about their finances ⏩ CHAPTERS (00:00:53) Introduction: is it too late to be successful with money? (00:02:40) Sebastien and Hope’s financial snapshot (00:04:11) Their annual “executive household planning retreat” (00:06:01) Ramit asks if their planning system is actually working (00:08:02) Sebastien’s fear about his wine importing business (00:11:31) How they each became business owners (00:15:31) Feeling broke vs actually being broke (00:16:47) Ramit reads Sebastien’s application back to Hope (00:20:08) Assets, investments, savings, debt, and net worth (00:21:21) Ramit pushes them to say: “It’s not enough” (00:23:20) Their projected retirement number (00:25:31) Ramit points out they only have one month of emergency savings (00:33:31) Their CSP: fixed costs, investments, savings, and guilt-free spending (00:34:24) Breaking down their $437,000 debt (01:01:22) The $45,500-a-year investment target (01:15:59) Sebastien’s business plan and runway (01:24:20) Ramit’s final advice: redo the CSP and lock in the numbers (01:25:46) Hope’s follow-up (01:27:40) Sebastien’s follow-up (01:29:22) Their updates: increased IRA contributions and Vanguard investing This episode is brought to you by: Netsuite | Get the free guide “Demystifying AI” at https://netsuite.com/ramit LMNT | Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Factor | Head to https://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 webs

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 job has covered most of his living expenses. As they prepare for marriage, a future child, and a major shift in Nicole’s income, Ramit helps them confront the messy reality of combining money, separating business and personal finances, investing more aggressively, and turning vague dreams into a real shared Rich Life. In this episode we uncover: • Why Nicole’s $10,000-a-month spending shocked Shane early in their relationship • How Nicole built a “Rich Life” for one through travel, dining out, and dedicated savings • Shane’s unusual work setup where housing, food, and utilities have been covered • The tension of combining finances just 11 days before their wedding • Why Nicole feels judged for her lifestyle, even though her numbers are strong • Their combined income of $241,000 a year and net worth of $588,000 • Why Shane has a higher net worth despite Nicole earning slightly more • Nicole’s concern that her income could drop by half after having a child • How Nicole’s business and personal finances became dangerously tangled • Their surprisingly low fixed costs and unusually high savings rate • Why having $265,000 sitting in savings may actually be holding them back • Shane’s habit of trying to time the market when investing • Why their projected $1.7 million retirement portfolio may not be enough for the life they want • Ramit’s advice on turning their messy numbers into a shared financial vision before marriage ⏩ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Teaser: “You spend $10,000 a month?” (00:01:02) Introduction: combining money before marriage (00:02:47) Nicole and Shane’s financial snapshot (00:06:53) Nicole feels judged by her lifestyle (00:08:50) Nicole’s Rich Life: travel, dining out, and $500 dresses (00:12:45) How marriage changes Shane’s living situation (00:15:38) Reviewing their Conscious Spending Plan (00:19:42) Their $241,000 household income (00:24:01) Ramit explains why letting the prenup discussion go was a mistake (00:27:20) Nicole’s business and personal finances are mixed together (00:35:00) The problem with saving 42% but under-investing (00:40:32) Nicole’s guilt-free spending doesn’t add up (00:45:26) Ramit explains the danger of tracking without understanding (00:48:53) Their retirement projection (00:50:13) Why $1.7M may not be enough (00:52:05) Reallocating savings instead of only cutting spending (01:20:12) Turning dreams into a realistic financial vision (01:47:11) Ramit’s final advice: use the time before income changes wisely (01:50:00) Follow-ups and closing thoughts This episode is brought to you by: Netsuite | Get the free guide “Demystifying AI” at https://netsuite.com/ramit LMNT | Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Factor | Head to https://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). DeleteMe | Get 20% off all consumer plans when you go to https://joindeleteme.

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 challenges and recent life events. Ramit helps them explore their money beliefs, encouraging them to redefine their rich life beyond just accumulating wealth. In this episode we uncover: • Their surprising net worth of nearly $1.5 million in their early thirties • Mikaela's struggle to replace workout leggings with holes, even when she can afford it • Dave’s discomfort with his office chair despite working from home • The recent health scares that have frozen their spending decisions • Why Mikaela still views money through a lens of scarcity despite their wealth • The shocking realization of their actual household income versus their perception • The invisible labor dynamics in their financial management • Mikaela's childhood experiences with financial stress and lack of fun • How past trauma and family loss continue to influence their spending habits • The challenge of transitioning from a "hoarder's mentality" to enjoying their money • Their vision for a Rich Life that includes travel and personal well-being • Ramit’s advice to ban the word "need" from their financial vocabulary ⏩ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Introduction (00:03:08) Why they struggle to spend money (00:06:08) The impact of past health scares (00:14:00) What it means to be "frozen" (00:16:32) The origins of their frugal mindset (00:33:51) The shock of their true income (00:40:00) Rebuilding financial foundations (00:46:08) Mikaela's childhood and money lessons (00:52:19) The profound impact of family loss (01:06:00) Building an amazing relationship with money (01:14:38) How to get help from Ramit (01:16:40) Reimagining the concept of "need" (01:19:15) The value of Mikaela's time (01:27:00) The invisible labor in financial planning (01:31:00) Ramit's challenge for Dave to initiate fun spending (01:35:10) Setting boundaries for family finances (01:37:00) Defining their rich life together (01:44:30) Ramit's parting advice 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 has been extended to 12/31/2026. #FacetAd 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 for life — at https://wildgrain.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

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 entrepreneurial journey has been marked by wildly inconsistent income, including a $50K loss on NFTs. They both admit they don’t trust each other or themselves with money. Ramit helps them confront their fears, redefine their relationship with money, and finally start working as a team. In this episode we uncover: • How Kristina lost $50K in NFTs • Why Erin struggles with "spending with emotion" • The cultural component of their Catholic guilt around money • How their childhood experiences influence their money habits • Kristina's fear that her income won't last • The surprising truth about their combined income • Why they avoid tracking their spending • Their identity as "coach collectors" who avoid real change • Ramit's "60-second truth-telling" exercise • Why they need to be aligned as partners to achieve their goals • The true cost of credit card debt • Why their "guilt-free" spending is holding them back • Ramit's radical advice on cutting fixed costs • How they can quickly pay off their debt Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:40) Feeling stupid about money (00:05:23) Unspoken financial conversations (00:08:44) Fear that money won't last (00:09:25) Lack of trust around money (00:15:16) Emotional spending and guilt (00:19:55) The surprising truth about their net worth (00:22:52) The impact of high fixed costs (00:27:00) "We work too hard to feel like we don’t have anything" (00:30:45) Why past coaching failed (00:34:54) Childhood money lessons and scarcity (00:41:46) The impact of Catholic guilt (00:49:30) Goals for debt and savings (00:54:30) Ramit's 60-second truth-telling (00:58:33) Fixing the Conscious Spending Plan (01:07:07) Aligning on a Rich Life together (01:17:35) How Kristina and Erin are going to get on the same page (01:21:40) Why they're afraid to talk about money with their kids 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 Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit LMNT | Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT Superhuman Mail | Turn your inbox into momentum. Sign up at https://superhuman.com/podcast . 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 • <a href="https://twitte

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

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

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 </

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 • Dow

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 • <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moneyforcoupl