215. “He wants a house, I don’t want to go bankrupt.”

Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi

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

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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

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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.