Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi

Angela (52) and Brian (52) have been together since they were teenagers and have raised four kids. Now as they approach being empty nesters, they’re stuck in a sitcom-style standoff: Angela loves bargain shopping and dreams of traveling the world, but Brian clings to a decades-old belief that they need $1 million to retire and panics over every pantry purchase. Their net worth proves that they’re...

Last week, we met Dominique (33) and Chris (34)—a couple earning $180K a year, raising a toddler, and still living paycheck to paycheck. Dominique felt alone in managing their finances, while Chris stayed disengaged, assuming things were fine. In Part One, we uncovered the cracks: a lack of communication, zero long-term planning, and growing resentment. Now, as their childcare costs are about to q...

Dominique (33) and Chris (34) have been together for six years, engaged for two, and share a two-year-old son. While Dominique manages parenting, full-time work, and their finances, Chris shuts down when money comes up—and has no plan for what’s next. With rising childcare costs, growing debt, and a second home draining up to $2,000/month, their finances are on the brink. Dominique has paused thei...

Taylor (29) is a high-earning dentist with a strict savings plan and deep-rooted fears about financial instability. Hayden (25) earns $24K a year, has a history of gambling and financial dishonesty, and struggles with budgeting. They live together, but their vastly different money philosophies leave Taylor questioning whether marriage is possible. With trust issues, income imbalance, and emotional...

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...

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 de...

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...

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 Van...

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 coup...

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 i...

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,...

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....

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 sc...

Anna (33) and Will (37) are married with two kids, including a young son who was born with a serious heart condition. Between unexpected medical expenses, emotional stress, and inconsistent financial planning, their savings have steadily drained—and now, they're spending more than they earn just to keep up. Will brushes off concerns, saying “We’re fine,” while Anna feels like she’s the only one co...

Jennifer (37) and Steve (41) have been dating for over five years, but they’ve never spent more than $100 on a shared purchase. Jennifer is a self-made business owner with a clear vision for the future, while Steve is cautious, financially conservative, and still haunted by a turbulent past that included losing both parents and living out of his car. Despite a solid income and nearly $200,000 in s...

Lisa (37) and Marcus (38) have been married for 14 years, raising four kids and building a life together—but when it comes to money, they couldn’t be further apart. Lisa homeschools their kids and dreams of more family travel time full of Rich Life experiences. Marcus shuts down in financial conversations, overwhelmed by anxiety and self-doubt—even though he’s a professional accountant. In today’s...

Katie (28) and Robin (35) live together in Tennessee and are planning a wedding. They earn a combined $386K, but don't split bills proportionally—even though he makes three times more. She feels judged, lies about spending, and recently racked up credit card debt after secretly booking a ski trip for his birthday. He’s investing $8K/month while she’s barely breaking even. As they discuss a prenup...

Emma (39) and Dave (39) make $258,000 a year—but they’re stuck in a toxic money dynamic. She built a financial plan during maternity leave. He didn’t believe her. Now, they’re battling over trust, $50K in debt, and whether they can afford a $700K house. With conflicting money roles—she’s the anxious planner, he’s the passive skeptic—they can’t move forward. In this episode, Ramit breaks down their...

Today’s episode takes us to New York City, where I sit down with not two, but three couples live on stage at my Money for Couples event. First, meet Antonio (23) and Devonta (23), a young couple who in their 20s are already ahead of the game—earning money while finishing their degrees, having real conversations about finances, and even purchasing a home together. Next, we meet Pam (38) and Nic (40...

Wilson (46) and Shannon (35) have built a strong financial foundation—owning a vacation rental, maxing out Roth IRAs, and earning solid incomes. But when it comes to their next move, they’re at odds. Wilson wants to tap into their home equity to invest in stocks, believing they’re too heavily weighted in real estate. Shannon, more risk-averse, worries about adding debt when they already owe $129K...

On today’s episode, we’re live from Boston for my recent Money For Couples book tour. First, I talk with Robert (28) and Giselle (28) who appear to have it all together, but behind the scenes, they’re struggling to make intentional financial decisions. Instead of planning ahead, they make impulsive decisions like committing $7,500 of earnest money to a new home that they can’t afford. Now, they’re...

Juan (43) and Amber (40) feel behind on their retirement plans after years of prioritizing travel and expensive hobbies over investing. Juan, who grew up poor, struggles with a scarcity mindset—undercharging for his work and financially supporting his family. Amber, now earning less, believes they should be doing better. With financial pressure mounting, they’re considering merging finances but ne...

Live from the House of Blues in Chicago, Ramit coaches Evelyn and Mike (41). Despite their successful careers, money is a constant source of tension. Evelyn scrutinizes every purchase, while Mike feels frustrated by the endless debates over small expenses. Can Evelyn let go of her scarcity mindset and start trusting their financial future? Plus, stay tuned for a surprise visit from one of the past...

Frank (29) and Jill (33) are parents of two young kids and are trapped in a vicious cycle of overspending and debt. With fixed costs eating up 107% of their income and $25,000 in credit card debt, they’ve been repeatedly digging themselves into a hole—and scrambling to climb back out. Frank solves panic with credit card balance transfers. Jill struggles with emotional spending rooted in childhood....

Matt (34) and Eliza (32) have spent years prioritizing investments, setting themselves up for a secure retirement—but now, they struggle to enjoy spending money. Matt deprives himself when they go out, while Eliza avoids spending altogether. Their extreme frugality is keeping them from living the full life they could, and with their first baby on the way, the pressure is mounting. Can they shift t...