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.

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. Javier wants to be cautious now to make big moves later, while Marco wants to split everything 50/50, even if it slows down their long-term progress.

With their income gap and no shared plan for spending, saving, or investing, can they plan for a wedding and build their future together?

This episode is brought to you by:

Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.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

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.

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.

Upwork | Visit https://Upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow.

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.

Produced by Crate Media.

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 school, becoming a therapist, and finally stepping into her own career after 12 years as a stay-at-home mom.

With three kids, a cross-country move coming soon, and dreams of settling down for good, can they stop optimizing for retirement and start asking better questions on building their Rich Life?

This episode is brought to you by:

Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit

DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off.

Stamps.com | Sign up at https://stamps.com/ramit for a special offer that includes a 4-week trial, plus free postage, and a free digital scale. No long-term commitments or contracts.

Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 20% off sitewide PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners.

Upwork | Visit https://Upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow.

Links mentioned in this episode

• Get my no-numbers journal

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

• Order my new book: Money for Couples

• 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.

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 confronting reality. Now, they want to build a home and create long-term security for their family—but until they can get aligned, that dream may be out of reach.

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

Facet | For Money for Couples listeners who enroll with Facet, they will waive the $250 enrollment fee for new annual members and they’ll add $500 into your brokerage account when you invest and maintain $5000 in the first 90 days of membership for Core, Plus and Complete members (promo does not apply to Foundations members). Check out their membership options at https://facet.com/ramit

Notion | Try Notion for free at https://notion.com/ramit and experience the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.

Shopify | Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/ramit

ZocDoc | Download the ZocDoc app for FREE at https://zocdoc.com/ramit then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

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.

Produced by Crate Media.