Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Mike and Noel, a young couple who are both 34. They married just 6 months ago, but financial fights have become a daily occurrence, even after receiving a $170K windfall. Mike blames Noel for overspending, but admits they both struggle with money, while Noel views the windfall as "guilt-free" spending. With $244K in debt, zero savings, and 82% of their income going to fixed costs, Ramit helps them uncover the root of their money woes. Will they finally get on the same page, create a financial system that works, and learn to trust each other with money? In this episode we uncover: • How Mike’s money anxiety leads him to check his bank account 20 times a day • The shocking truth about their $170K windfall • Why Mike’s anxiety worsens when he makes more money • The one money rule Mike and Noel both broke • How Mike’s upbringing shaped his money habits • Why Noel feels like she's "drowning" and has no control over their finances • The spending categories that reveal their money psychology • Why Mike's "money is mine" mentality is holding them back • Noel’s struggle to “hand over her paycheck” • The credit card debt that keeps piling up • Ramit’s radical approach to cutting fixed costs • The “Glade Plug-in” budget that explains everything • Noel’s difficult decision about tithing and faith • Why benchmarking against past mistakes is a recipe for disaster • The truth about their approach to money ⏩ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) “We just kinda like get whatever we want whenever we want it” (00:07:02) “I was stressing more than ever before” (00:14:04) The one money rule they both broke (00:24:29) “You treat me like a child” (00:32:39) Ramit identifies their “money leaks” (00:39:34) “I don’t want to hand over my paycheck” (00:47:30) “My goals are not being met” (00:55:38) The “Glade Plug-in” budget (01:00:03) “I do wanna have a Glade budget” (01:06:50) How Mike’s upbringing shaped his money habits (01:15:10) Ramit shares his radical advice (01:21:10) Preview for part two 💡 RAMIT’S PODCAST NEWSLETTER * I share new ways to think about money every Saturday. Get the emails here: https://iwt.com/podcastnewsletter 🙌 GET HELP FROM RAMIT SETHI * Order my new book: Money for Couples: https://iwt.com/moneyforcouples * Take control of your money with the Conscious Spending Plan: https://iwt.com/csp * Optimize your credit cards with the 1st chapter of my book: https://iwt.com/chapter1-pod * Join my Money Coaching program for monthly help: https://iwt.com/moneycoaching * Listen to my book — now on Audible: https://amzn.to/48zko28 🤳 CONNECT WITH RAMIT SETHI * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramit/ * X: https://twitter.com/ramit ✅ SUBSCRIBE SO YOU DON’T MISS ANY EPISODES https://youtube.com/user/ramitsethi/featured/ THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Bilt | Join the loyalty program for renters at https://joinbilt.com/ramit Wispr Flow | Try Wispr Flow for free at 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 Netsuite | Get the free guide “Demystifying AI” 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 If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here: https://iwt.com/apply