4 Ways Ramit Sethi’s YouTube Series Will Improve Your Relationship With Money AND Your Partner

I can’t miss episodes, because it’s teaching me so much.

1. Couples Talk About Money

Okay, conversations around money typically aren’t as light and happy as this image depicts, but I’m working with what I see on Unsplash.

But how often do you see other couples talk about money? It’s seen as distasteful in so many cultures, mine included, to discuss money in front of company.

If you have it, you’re flaunting it. If you don’t have it, then you’re making others stressed out. Keep your money, politics, and religion to yourself is the culture.

These couples agree to go on Ramit’s YouTube Show. This requires them sharing their expenses via a few tools he shares. They talk about how much they earn and their fears about money.

2. They Talk About More Than Money

If there’s a money concern, there is likely a deeper unresolved issue. Watching these episodes reminds me of when I first started going to therapy because of an issue I was having with graduate school. My therapist ended up uncovering unresolved issues with my mother. Does anyone else have a similar experience?

Well, these couples also explore how their relationship with money is often parallel to the issues their parents had with money. Ramit carefully asks questions to help guide their thinking.

One of my favorite questions is, “What phrases do you remember hearing about money?”

Those phrases unconsciously become a part of their money DNA. The good news is that once identified, changes can happen.

3. Figure Out a Plan

Ramit is a financial expert who hates budgeting. Weird? He created a conscious spending plan that is more sustainable than the traditional budget plan. Essentially, you allocate specific percentages of your income to be utilized for whatever expense.

Obsessing over small expenses can do a lot more harm than good. The conscious spending plan allows you to zoom out.

I created my own conscious spending plan farely quickly and automated accounts to ensure I actually followed through.

On this show, real couples look at their real income and expenses. Oftentimes, there is money being spent frivolously. Ramit is not the kind to be shy about what he sees.

$700 on Animal Farm?? Okay, I haven’t seen an episode highlighting that expense.

The tough questions about what one can afford are real and vulnerable. He guides them to the light.

4. Spend. Spend. Spend.

What do you want to spend money on? Really? What matters to you? Ramit walks couples through this amazing process to figure out what their dream life can look like.

So many financial advisors I follow talk about conserving and investing and when you’re 70, you’ll be a millionaire. Cool but not cool.

I want to live now and be calculated.

Ramit asks what categories are important to you. You can’t say everything matters equally. That’s not true and certainly not a focus.

For me, traveling is central. So, I’ve cut down on my cellphone bill by switching to Mint. I’m not affiliated. I’ve also called around to get lower rates on other services that I need/want but don’t care about who provides it so much.

Couples can struggle with this area because maybe they really can’t afford to put all of their kids through private school and travel the world first class. Where is the priority?

The reality is, in America, you can do both and end up in a mountain of debt. His goal is to empower people to get out of debt and own their money story.

Ramit’s YouTube channel is the same as his award-winning book, “I Will Teach You To Be Rich.” It is not “I Will Teach You HOW To Be Rich,” and he promised he was sober when he came up with that title. Check him out if you haven’t already. Again, I’m not affiliated with his work.

Hi, I’m Jasmine. Thank you for spending a moment of your time with me today. I’m new to Medium, and I’m looking to build a community of positive people. Please consider following my journey.