Alex (34) and Jackie (33) have been married for 11 years, raising four young kids while navigating a financial dynamic that’s been strained for nearly as long. Alex is meticulous and cautious — he’s tracked every expense since 2016 — while Jackie follows her instincts and believes God will provide. But when she secretly enrolled in a $5,000 coaching program and later pushed for a $16,000 photography course, Alex’s trust shattered. Now he feels like he’s carrying the entire financial load, while Jackie feels discouraged and untrusted. Their arguments spill into daily life, even in front of their kids. Can Ramit help them rebuild trust, confront their conflicting money beliefs, and finally create a system that brings peace instead of panic?

In this episode we uncover:

• Why Alex has tracked every dollar since 2016—and how control became his default coping strategy

• Jackie’s belief that “money will come” and the role faith plays in her financial decisions

• How a secret $5,000 coaching purchase shattered Alex’s sense of safety

• The emotional toll of raising four young kids while constantly feeling financially behind

• How Jackie’s childhood of scarcity and inconsistent money messages shaped her impulse-driven spending

• How Alex’s upbringing around saving, stability, and tithing taught him to equate control with security

• Why relying on miracles and unexpected windfalls creates a fragile financial foundation

• Jackie’s desire to feel heard, supported, and validated—instead of managed

• Why Alex feels lonely and burdened in the role of financial gatekeeper

• How a shared money system can shift them from crisis-mode to long-term partnership

• The first steps they take toward rebuilding trust, financial clarity, and a plan they can both commit to

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “Do you trust each other?”

(00:17:40) “We had $300 and no plan”

(00:29:15) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:37:15) “If we just made more, everything would change”

(00:50:52) “I wasn’t taught to dream — just to survive”

(00:58:53) “Hope isn’t a financial strategy”

(01:07:33) “I want the positive behavior without the crisis”

(01:16:36) “The house is on fire”

(01:29:07) “That changes everything”

(01:36:56) Where are they now? Alex and Jackie’s follow-ups

This episode is brought to you by:

Gusto | Try Gusto at https://gusto.com/ramit and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll

Leesa | Go to https://leesa.com for 30% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code RAMIT, exclusive for my listeners

Factor | Go to https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF and use code RAMIT50OFF to get 50% off your first box, plus free breakfast for 1 year

Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit

Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping

Links mentioned in this episode

• If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching.

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Imani (52) and Michael (65) return for Part 2—and this time, Ramit pushes them to find out how fast they can turn things around.

After years of miscommunication, mounting debt, and emotional exhaustion, they’ve finally started tackling their finances together. But when Facet’s retirement scenarios reveal how long their money will really last, they’re forced to confront new tradeoffs: spend less now, retire later, or change their lifestyle entirely. Can Michael step up and lead? Can Imani release control and start dreaming again? Or will their old habits slow their progress before it even begins?

A special thanks to Facet for sponsoring this episode. Right now, Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members. And if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days, they’ll add $300 to your brokerage account. Head to facet.com/ramit to see which membership—Core, Plus, or Complete—is right for you.

(Ramit is not a member of Facet, and he has an incentive to endorse Facet as he has an ongoing fee based contract for cash compensation based on this endorsement. All opinions are his own and not a guarantee of a similar outcome.)

In this episode we uncover:

• Why Michael finally decides to take ownership after decades of financial avoidance

• The moment Imani says she’s “tapping out” if things don’t change

• How they discover Michael’s electronics obsession is more than clutter—it’s avoidance

• The shocking realization that their debt payments eat up one-third of their take-home pay

• How selling off $7,000 of electronics became the turning point for their marriage

• What it felt like for Imani to finally let go of control and let Michael lead

• Why teamwork and a clear plan helped them pay off $6,000 in just four weeks

• How both partners confront what “enough” really means

• The couple’s new shared dream: retiring abroad and living a simpler, freer life

Chapters:

(00:00:03) “I’m angry at Michael, I’m angry at myself”

(00:18:03) “I’ve lost the ability to dream”

(00:34:45) “It’s gotta work”

(00:40:17) “I got the fever to start selling stuff”

(00:51:47) “I could see the cloud starting to separate”

(01:06:29) “I feel excited, inspired, energized”

(01:22:39) Where are they now? Imani and Michael’s follow-ups

This episode is brought to you by:

Wispr Flow | Voice-to-text AI that turns speech into clear, polished writing in any app. Try it for free at https://wisprflow.ai/ramit

Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist

MasterClass | For unlimited access to every class and up to 50% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit

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

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

Links mentioned in this episode

• If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Imani (52) and Michael (65) have been married for 24 years—and they’re drowning in nearly $126,000 of consumer debt despite earning over $250,000 a year.

Imani, a disciplined attorney who tracks every dollar, feels trapped by Michael’s unchecked spending on electronics and his laid-back approach to money. She dreams of travel, freedom, and a life that finally feels generous, while he insists everything’s fine as long as the bills get paid.

With resentment growing and Imani nearing her breaking point, Ramit challenges them to face the truth: Can they pay off their debt, rebuild trust, and start enjoying life again—or are they too stuck in old patterns to change?

A special thanks to Facet for sponsoring this episode. Right now, Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members. And if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days, they’ll add $300 to your brokerage account. Head to facet.com/ramit to see which membership—Core, Plus, or Complete—is right for you.

(Ramit is not a member of Facet, and he has an incentive to endorse Facet as he has an ongoing fee based contract for cash compensation based on this endorsement. All opinions are his own and not a guarantee of a similar outcome.)

In this episode we uncover:

• Why Imani regrets combining finances after 20 years of marriage

• How Michael’s promise to “put the money back” reveals a lifetime of avoidance

• The stark contrast between Michael’s military discipline and total lack of structure at home

• What happens when one partner outgrows the other in ambition, discipline, and self-development

• Why Imani admits she’s embarrassed to be in massive debt at her age

• Michael’s habit of buying cars and electronics to celebrate milestones

• How their $268,000 income still leaves them feeling broke, anxious, and behind

• Why Imani clings to control and spreadsheets while Michael tunes out completely

• How both partners confront the question: Can they rebuild trust and create structure before it’s too late?

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “Did you go to Best Buy again?”

(00:17:34) “I don’t think I’ve ever planned anything in my life”

(00:24:43) “Every time we had a kid, he bought a car”

(00:36:48) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:44:33) “We make way too much to be this stressed about money”

(00:56:21) “I don’t want to do life by myself”

(01:10:51) Can a couple this far apart still find common ground?

This episode is brought to you by:

Gusto | Try Gusto at https://gusto.com/ramit and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll

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

Notion | Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at https://notion.com/ramit

Wildgrain | Get $30 off the first box — PLUS free Croissants in every box — at https://wildgrain.com/ramit

LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any LMNT order at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT

Links mentioned in this episode

• Join my Money Coaching program for monthly help: https://iwt.com/moneycoaching

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Samantha (36) and Kevin (41) have been together for seven years, but their financial lives couldn’t look more different. He’s a high earner with $800,000 in investments and a paid-down mortgage. She’s still carrying student loans, car payments, and lingering shame about being “behind.” While Kevin saves methodically for the future, Samantha prefers to spend on experiences—especially travel—leaving him questioning whether their financial priorities will ever align. Beneath the surface, neither of them has truly learned how to talk about money without shutting down. Can Ramit help them move from avoidance and resentment to shared goals and real plans for the future?

A special thanks to Ultraspeaking, who worked with Samantha and Kevin to help them communicate more effectively as a couple. Ultraspeaking is the fastest and most effective way to become a great communicator. Learn more here.

In this episode we uncover:

• Why Samantha believes she’ll never be “financially good enough” for Kevin

• How their shared avoidant tendencies have allowed them to avoid financial planning for years

• How their unspoken expectations around “fairness” create tension

• Samantha’s logic for not paying rent or mortgage

• How Kevin’s quiet resentment built up after Samantha didn’t use the housing savings to pay down debt

• The real cost of their “guilt-free” spending, including $15,000/year on vacations

• Why Samantha still feels broke, despite earning $148,000 a year

• Samantha’s fears about not meeting Kevin’s expectations in retirement

• The stark contrast between their savings: Samantha has one month of expenses, Kevin has six

• How Samantha inherited a “spend it if you have it” mindset from her parents

• Kevin’s fear of loss from divorce and why he avoids fully committing financially

• The role of therapy in helping them rebuild communication and trust

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “I’ll never be financially good enough for Kevin”

(00:13:39) “I feel like I have no say because he owns the house”

(00:27:08) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:37:44) “I still feel like I’m only making $50,000”

(00:43:59) “Money burned a hole in my pocket”

(01:03:09) “That’s the bed I made and I will lie in it”

(01:08:25) “Closing doors is hard…but staying stuck is harder”

(01:15:59) “It’s not about catching up — it’s about building together”

(01:37:50) Where are they now? Samantha and Kevin’s follow-ups

This episode is brought to you by:

NetSuite | Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://netsuite.com/ramit

Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit

Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist

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

Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you

Links mentioned in this episode

• If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Edward (38) and Ellen (30) live in Hawaii with their young daughter and a new baby on the way. With a net worth of over $2 million, their finances look strong on paper, but behind the scenes, their marriage is strained by control, fear, and trust issues around money.

Edward manages every dollar, while Ellen has to ask for “permission” to spend, even on basic everyday items. He believes tight control protects their future, making her feel more like a child than a partner. As Edward grapples with his deep fear of losing everything, Ellen wants to step into her own financial power. Can they learn to trust each other and build a partnership where both voices are heard, or will control and fear continue to drive their financial decisions?

In this episode we uncover:

• Why Ellen calls their financial dynamic “like asking my dad for permission”

• How Edward’s fear of poverty leads to hyper-control over their money

• Why Edward compares their finances to the top 1%

• Ellen’s $8,000 home birth decision

• How Ellen avoids learning their finances to sidestep arguments

• The emotional legacy of Edward’s childhood poverty and Ellen’s early financial security

• Their definition of a “traditional marriage”

• Why they fight about $20 face cream despite earning $28K/month

• The weight of Edward’s “provider” identity

• Their Hawaii “dream home” vs. the financial pressure it created

• Their shared craving for safety and control

• Ellen’s realization that she’s been playing financial defense instead of building real skills

• Edward’s hope to teach their daughter financial independence

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “It feels like I’m asking for permission”

(00:16:10) “I’m in charge of the budget”

(00:23:09) “I had just come into a million dollars”

(00:34:29) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:51:41) “I don’t think he trusts me at all”

(00:56:49) “I will never be poor again”

(01:07:01) “When do we get to live like we’re wealthy?”

(01:17:38) “I shrink myself to please him”

(01:39:10) Where are they now? Ellen and Edward’s follow-ups

This episode is brought to you by:

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

Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF with code RAMIT50OFF

Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you

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

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

Links mentioned in this episode

• If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you make good money but you haven’t taken a real vacation in years, I want to talk to you. I'm casting couples for a special episode of the podcast. Apply this week only at iwt.com/apply.

Angela (31) and David (34) thought they’d built a future on $200,000 in crypto. Instead, they lost it all—and now they’re living in David’s childhood home with his mom. Angela dreams of traveling to Colombia to be with family, while David quietly panics about their finances. She sees every course and trip as a step toward freedom, but he sees their savings shrinking with no plan in sight. With only $4,000 in the bank and a 5-year-old to support, can they stop improvising and finally create a stable financial life of their own?

In this episode we uncover:

• How David blew through $200,000 in crypto

• Living rent-free with David’s mom

• The “get rich quick” approach to debt: bankruptcy talk, unrealistic timelines, and skipped planning

• Why improvising instead of planning is their default financial strategy

• A $3,000 retreat vs. moving out: how conflicting priorities reveal deeper issues

• The moment they see the truth in their spending

• How David’s mom ended up in credit card debt from supporting them

• Angela’s scarcity and rescue narratives from childhood

• Why David avoids stress and Angela absorbs it

• The cost of being “Dreamers” (big visions with no real plan)

• Signs their daughter is already noticing financial stress

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “We have no space to breathe”

(00:25:05) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:35:12) “Our vision isn’t aligned to our actions”

(00:52:42) “Like mother, like daughter”

(01:03:09) “Do you want major changes or minor changes?”

(01:15:26) “We’ve never created a plan”

(01:36:53) Where are they now? Angela and David’s follow-ups

This episode is brought to you by:

Trust & Will | Protect what matters most in minutes at https://trustandwill.com/ramit and get 10% off plus free shipping.

Wildgrain | Get $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box at https://wildgrain.com/ramit

SonderMind | Go to https://sondermind.com to get matched with the right therapist in less than a week

Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist

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

Links mentioned in this episode

• If you want help with your finances, join my Money Coaching program at https://iwt.com/moneycoaching

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Amy (32) and John (40) are raising two young kids in Canada, earning a solid $155,000 a year. But with $768,181 in debt and fixed costs at 168% of their income, every month feels like a losing battle. Two years ago, John hid hundreds of thousands in business tax debt from Amy—what she calls “financial infidelity.” Since then, trust has been fragile, money is tight, and they often feel like they’re fighting on “two separate life rafts.” Amy’s trying to rebuild their future, but when more than HALF of their monthly income goes immediately towards debt, they’re struggling to find a path forward. Can Ramit help them bridge the gap between good intentions and hard numbers—and finally get on the same team?

In this episode we uncover:

• How their fixed costs rose to 168% of their income

• Why John hid his business tax debt, which shattered Amy’s trust

• How years of financial strain forced Amy to shoulder household finances alone

• How Amy’s volatile income and John’s shrinking business payouts created a $4,000 deficit

• John’s Dreamer attitude collides with the harsh math of his monthly debt payments

• The emotional impact of having no safety net

• Amy’s plan to launch a new business vs. John’s struggle to keep his afloat

• Why managing risk isn’t about optimism

• Amy’s frustration with carrying the mental and emotional load of finances while John “focuses on income”

• Ramit’s direct call for decisive leadership and clear planning to get out of financial free fall

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “He spent two years hiding his debt from me”

(00:18:03) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:26:27) “I was humiliated driving that Tesla”

(00:39:52) “We’re flying blind”

(00:54:47) “I feel like I’m carrying this weight alone”

(01:02:13) “Hope is not a strategy”

(01:24:56) “This is what happens when we finally get specific”

(01:42:25) Where are they now? Amy and John’s follow-ups

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Join me Monday, October 20 to learn How To Nail Your Dream Job Interview. Reserve your spot at https://iwt.com/interview

This episode is brought to you by:

LMNT | Right now, LMNT is offering 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. Get yours at https://drinklmnt.com/RAMIT

Rocket Money | Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster at https://rocketmoney.com/ramit

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

Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you.

Fabric by Gerber Life | Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/ramit

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Christine (47) and Thad (57) have been together for more than six years, but instead of building wealth, they’re buried under nearly $340,000 of debt.

Christine, the self-appointed “CFO,” is exhausted from tracking every bill, while Thad avoids the details and spends freely. Their conflicting money mindsets (Christine craving stability, Thad living for the moment) have stalled their big dreams like buying a home or taking Rich Life vacations that Christine longs for. With almost no savings and retirement looming, Christine fears she’s approaching 50 with nothing to show for her hard work, while Thad insists a single plan will solve everything.

Can Ramit help them break the cycle of avoidance and control, align their priorities, and finally start acting like teammates?

In this episode we uncover:

• Why Christine feels she’s approaching 50 with “nothing to show” for her life

• Thad’s $17,000 student loan that ballooned up to $125,000

• How Christine became the household “CFO” while Thad continues to avoid responsibility

• Their real numbers—and why Christine feels so stressed

• Christine’s frustration over micromanaging bills

• Thad’s upbringing in poverty

• The invisible power of shame and fear, and why they can’t see what’s right in front of them financially

• Christine’s childhood lessons from parents who bought an unaffordable home

• Thad’s stark admission: if nothing changes, he’ll be homeless

Chapters:

(00:00:00) When a worrier and an avoider meet…

(00:02:59) “We have a plan… don’t we?”

(00:15:52) “Where is all the money going?”

(00:19:54) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:33:46) “I never expected to live past 30”

(00:48:30) “I wish my dad was able to say no”

(00:56:33) “I don’t believe he’ll follow through”

(01:05:11) “We need to be playing way bigger”

(01:22:38) “I don’t feel like I have the power”

(01:36:54) Where are they now? Christine and Thad’s follow-ups

This episode is brought to you by:

Doola | Go to https://doola.com.ramit and use code RAMIT for 10% off LLC formation and bookkeeping.

Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist.

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

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

Netsuite | Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://netsuite.com/ramit

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Kristen (30) and Josh (36) married just last year, but their honeymoon phase is buried under $40,000 of debt and a sense of being “trapped.” Kristen is meticulous, tracking every dollar and carrying deep guilt around spending—even on herself. Josh, meanwhile, shrugs off the stress with a “we’ll figure it out” attitude, though his impulse purchases and nicotine habit don’t help.

With 82% of their income tied up in fixed costs, they’re left with almost nothing for fun, savings, or their dreams of a bigger space for pets and cars. Kristen is exhausted from budgeting every penny, while Josh wonders if more discipline is really the answer. Can Ramit help them break free from the cycle of guilt, fear, and deprivation—and finally learn how to enjoy life while paying off debt?

In this episode we uncover:

• Why Kristen describes her daily life as feeling “trapped” by debt and second-guessing over small purchases

• How Josh’s role as the “ignorant reassurer” undermines their partnership

• The moment Kristen admits she feels like the “manager” of their household finances, while Josh feels like an “employee”

• Why 82% of their income goes to fixed costs

• How Josh’s nicotine habit consumes nearly all of their guilt-free spending

• Kristen’s pride in maintaining her cars and what it reveals about her resourcefulness

• The trade-offs Kristen faced leaving a toxic job for lower pay

• How Josh’s childhood poverty and lessons in “patience” continue to shape his money mindset today

• Kristen’s upbringing in a family of secrecy and mixed financial messages

• The deep guilt Kristen feels about spending and the quiet fear Josh carries that he’ll “never get ahead”

• How Ramit challenges them to imagine freedom beyond budgeting and debt payoff

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “I feel trapped by $50”

(00:19:44) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:36:45) “Zero interest… but still stressed”

(00:43:45) “We packed coolers instead of eating out”

(00:51:54) “When money gets hard, I just work harder”

(01:06:08) “I want a partner, not an employee”

(01:13:31) Turning side hustles into new income

(01:19:45) “What do we do with too much money?”

(01:28:44) Choosing how to design their Rich Life

(01:36:03) Where are they now? Kristen and Josh’s follow-ups

This episode is brought to you by:

SonderMind | Go to https://sondermind.com to get matched with the right therapist in less than a week

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

Factor | Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box at https://factormeals.com/ramit50OFF with code RAMIT50OFF

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

Facet | Facet is waiving their $250 enrollment fee for new annual members, and for my audience, Facet is offering $300 into your brokerage account if you invest and maintain $5,000 within your first 90 days. Head to https://facet.com/ramit to learn more about which membership option is best for you

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

• Instagram

• Twitter

• YouTube

If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

Jason (38) and Katie (36) thought buying their dream home in Minnesota would be the start of a new chapter. Instead, they’re buried in debt, daycare bills, and the pressure of raising a new baby while working demanding creative jobs in an industry threatened by AI.

Despite earning $246,000 a year, they’ve been trapped in a decade-long debt cycle, and every dollar is already spoken for. With $30,000 in debt left to go and no clear plan for what comes next, can they finally break free of survival mode and build the life they truly want together?

In this episode we uncover:

• How Jason and Katie’s “dream home” quickly became a financial trap

• Why their money talks happen every single day—and why that constant communication leaves them exhausted

• The pattern of paying off debt, only to fall right back into it

• The hidden costs of homeownership

• Jason’s obsession with “cashflow”—and why Ramit calls it a red flag that blinds them to the bigger picture

• How Katie’s childhood lessons of “we can’t afford it” show up in her marriage today

• Jason’s upbringing of scarcity and mixed money messages

• The constant fear of job loss in an industry disrupted by AI

• Why their meticulous tracking of every penny isn’t working

• The moment Jason admits he’s “done” with the cycle

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “We talk about every transaction”

(00:22:05) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:36:18) When “cashflow” becomes a red flag

(00:39:39) When “asking for permission” follows you into marriage

(00:45:58) “We couldn’t afford the pool, but a new TV showed up”

(00:56:23) “I’m repeating a cycle”

(01:21:02) “You have more money than you realize”

(01:26:33) Where are they now? Jason and Katie’s follow-ups

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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.