I have been listening to Ramit Sethi‘s podcast Money For Couples recently. In it, he interviews a couple that has applied to his show for financial advice. Ramit digs into their current financial situation, debt, problems, financial education/background, family history with money, etc. Although on the surface it is a financial podcast, his advice often has more to do with each person’s feelings about money and how this is affecting their life and relationship.
Ramit’s advice is solid. I appreciate his direct approach, even if at times I disagree with him on certain specific financial strategies. I’m a frugal, low spending minimalist. He spends more lavishly. We share much in common, especially the idea that money should be spent intentionally to help us create our own version of a remarkable life (or in his words “your rich life“).
When he’s interviewing a couple, the reasons behind the problems come to the surface quickly. Many couples do not communicate about financial plans, feelings, strategies or goals – at all. Many partners have completely different ideas regarding spending, saving, managing, control, decision making, child rearing, goals and the many other parts of life that are impacted by finances.
I first read some of his blog posts back in the 2010s. At the time, I had fully embedded the FIRE movement philosophy and was aggressively reducing expenditures while paying down debt. I was so far behind the eight ball interns of money, that I was turned off by his messages of abundance.
Fifteen years later, I’m in a much different position where I can better appreciate (and afford) the parts of his message that include spending more in certain areas and not being overly frugal.
Funny how I couldn’t stand the guy in 2010 and now have much respect for him and his approach.
I won’t detail his approach here. You can read his books or listen to his podcasts, both of which I recommend.
I’ll be referring to some of his ideas and episodes in upcoming posts about money and relationships.