Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to Becca (35) and Nikki (31). They are planning their wedding, but they’re already struggling with how to merge their money. Becca, a rock climbing guide with a variable income, has thrown herself into personal finance after years of scarcity thinking and now tracks every dollar. Nikki wants to feel more empowered but often defers to Becca’s lead — and sometimes hides financial stress, like credit card debt.
Together they net around $80,000, but with high fixed costs, student loans, and uncertainty about investing, their dream of building wealth feels out of reach. They want a clear, intentional financial plan that lets them invest confidently and step into marriage as equal partners. Can Ramit help them overcome ambivalence, balance their roles, and create a structure that supports both their dreams and their future together?
In this episode we uncover: * Why Becca tracks every single dollar * Nikki’s tendency to “not overthink” spending * The power dynamic of one partner leading on money while the other defers * How Becca’s deep dive into personal finance turned her into the household CFO * Why high fixed costs and seasonal income keep them from investing the way they want * The emotional tug-of-war between wanting to combine finances and being afraid of what that might mean * How their childhood money lessons still show up in every conversation * What they imagine for their Rich Life together, and why ambivalence keeps them from making clear decisions * Ramit’s challenge to build a financial structure that balances empowerment, responsibility, and trust
⏩ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) “I don’t want to steer us wrong” (00:17:09) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:26:21) Childhood money scripts that carry into adulthood (00:39:41) “Why are you playing so small?” (00:49:22) “The freedom is in the commitment” (01:06:12) Redesigning their Conscious Spending Plan (01:26:23) Where are they now? Becca and Nikki’s follow-ups
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