Money for Couples: No More Stress. No More Fights. Just a 10-Step Plan to Create Your Rich Life Together.

by Ramit Sethi

Million-copy bestselling author, podcaster, and Netflix star Ramit Sethi helps readers navigate the tricky waters of handling and talking about money as a couple as in this programmatic and definitive book.

From personal finance juggernaut Ramit Sethi, here is a definitive book about a defining challenge for tens of millions of navigating the tricky waters of money while in a serious relationship. Drawing on Sethi’s deep experience working with couples, this book will help readers go from frustration to joy as they get financially aligned with their partners.

Following Ramit's ten-week program, readers begin by identifying their own deeply instilled attitudes about money and how they affect their relationships. They then design a Rich Life vision with their partner and begin having the frank but essential real-talk money conversations we too often avoid or ignore until tensions are out of control, like paying off debt, signing a prenup, saving for a major purchase or home, and teaching kids about money. After crunching the numbers and assessing their financial health, readers create a practical financial plan to make their Rich Life a reality, learn to make financial changes along the way, and ultimately build a monthly money meeting that *gasp* you will even look forward to.

Packed with enlightening (and juicy) real-world stories, answers to the most common questions, helpful money planning templates, and step-by-step scripts for navigating touchy conversations, the book will help readers become competent both as financial managers and as kind, caring, and open communicators with their partners.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Personal Finance, Self Help, Money, Relationships, Audiobook

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2024

About the author

Ramit Sethi is New York Times best-selling author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich. His blog, iwillteachyoutoberich.com, hosts over 300,000 readers every month. He co-founded PBwiki and graduated from Stanford, where he studied technology and psychology. He lives in San Francisco, CA.

Reviews

[Melanie Piché Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a faithful listener of the Money for Couples podcast since episode 1, watched the Netflix documentary (with my husband!), and read I Will Teach You to be Rich. This book is a fantastic addition to Ramit's material. After reading IWTYTBR, I implemented most of these recommendations slowly with my husband over the last 2-3 years. I wish I had this book when I started, but I'm grateful for it now! We have our finances set up almost entirely how Ramit recommends, and we're well on our way to full implementation. I'm grateful for this guide and its reminders that money can be FUN and full of connection with my partner. I highly recommend this book - especially to those soon to be married. I wish I read this when we were engaged! Thanks for another banger, Ramit!

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t need a budget?! 🤯 This was a revolutionary concept to me and so freeing. Ramit is full of money ideas I’ve never heard or thought of before. Do I agree with all of them? No (and Ramit says he doesn’t expect you to)! But overall, his money rules are super helpful, and this is a must-read for anyone looking to strengthen their financial relationship with their partner.

My favorite part of this book is Ramit making money FUN! I listened to the audiobook, and it’s not only what he teaches you but also his energy that is contagious. Turning money into something to be celebrated instead of something to fight about is so encouraging.

Ramit repeatedly emphasizes the importance of open, honest conversations about money, and his approach fosters collaboration and understanding, allowing couples to feel like they’re actually on the same team when they talk about their finances.

While anyone can benefit from at least some of the advice in this book, I do think it’s more geared toward high-income couples who aren’t absolutely overwhelmed by a mountain of debt. He briefly touches on dealing with debt and admits a budget is necessary if your income is so low you have to mercilessly track each expense, but the majority of the book focuses on things that only people who are already privileged with money could afford to do. For example, he suggests setting a worry-free number below which each spouse can make purchases without question. He proposes $20 as the limit. That sounds great in theory, and maybe your husband stops nagging you about your Starbucks habit, but if someone spends that limit 15 times a month, that adds up to $300, which is no longer a worry-free amount.

Overall, there is a real sense of empowerment that comes from reading this book, as it gives couples the confidence to take charge of their financial futures together. I highly recommend it and would even give it as a gift!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC!

[Lana Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was super excited to read this after last year reading IWT by Ramit. That book really changed the game for me in how I approach money. After recently combining finances I was interested to see how this book would stack up. I think because I was an avid listener to Ramits podcast and receive his newsletter it didn’t feel as revolutionary for me. He reused a lot of content from the podcast but there are still some great tips.

If you’re more of a beginner to combining finances with your spouse and haven’t listened to the podcast it would be a good read.

[Mariah Akinbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't agree with his thoughts on tipping, but everything else is 💯💰

would recommend to every couple! and people before they get into a relationship!

he includes thoughts on a prenup, teaching kids about money, and more

[Skyler Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramit makes finance and money so accessible and easy to understand, so so so helpful

[Kirstie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying I really appreciate this book for his insistence on seeing money in a positive way and how having your spending reflect your values helps with this (ie defining your “rich life”).

Also, after reading the many stories about other couples, I am SO GLAD that finances in my marriage are transparent, generally uncomplicated, and drama-free.

I do plan on using some of Ramit’s questions on money dials for ongoing discussions and plans with our money moving forward.

As for what I didn’t like, I feel like there was such negative commentary on budgeting, but also insistence on defining a “Conscious Spending Plan,” which is really just a broader budget. (I don’t agree that budgeting is looking backward…not sure where he got this from.) For Ramit’s clients who are very high earners, this is great! For a greater portion of the population, I think fine-tuning things can be helpful. He also encourages having hour-long monthly meetings which feels way more time consuming than updating my spreadsheet for 5 minutes a week. (But I am also what Ramit calls an optimizer, so take that as you will - ha!).

Interestingly, he recommends having separate accounts for personal funds but also suggests a joint “worry-free number” one person can spend without asking their partner. For us, having a specific monthly amount that goes into the separate account allows for bigger purchases (or many small ones) without needing “permission.” What is the point of having separate personal spending accounts if you still need to review specific purchases over a set number? Felt over-complicated to me.

Anywho, my main takeaway from this book is that I’m really grateful my husband and I are on the same team with our finances. This is a decent companion to his first book (which I really enjoyed), but could be skipped unless you’re really needing to troubleshoot with your partner (which I’m not.)

[Ana Dias · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this reading as it gave me ideas on how to implement couple conversations about money with a new perspective, focusing on dreams and not only on frugality (as some of the books on the topic tend to focus on).

[Evie Bauman]

@Grace Pettey deserves commission!

[Taylor Galvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owe Ramit so much of my peace of mind lol while this was mostly a refresher since his other book is like a bible to me, there is sooo much sage wisdom around money and relationship psychology and it’s full of his signature actionable steps which I really appreciate. Combining finances with a partner is something many people don’t talk about in detail and thus have to figure out on their own, and this is such an approachable and positive blueprint to do that. Plus there’s so many valuable conversation starters in here. I want to gift this to every engaged couple!

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the conscious spending plan and his ideas for couple conversations about finances. Thought his simple organization system for accounts and shared expenses was also helpful. Not going to do everything he says but appreciate that the majority of it feels like very reasonable advice with a good balance between being motivating and being realistic.

[Max Sarmento · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5. Solid book in my opinion. This book did what it was supposed to do in the sense of being a game plan of how to talk about money for couples. There are plenty of action items, activities, talk tracks, etc, to make you feel like you have the proper resources to handle money with your partner. This book is good, but when you compare it to his first one, it falls short. No hate, just a bit underwhelming. Overall, worth the time. 💵

[G.M. Potter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. This is geared more for couples who can't/don't talk to each other in a healthy way.

[Megan Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Ramit's work. Great supplement for I Will Teach You To Be Rich. As a newlywed, I enjoyed the importance of having difficult conversations, and making them not so difficult after all. Be honest, set goals, dream big. Understand why the other person has the money beliefs they do (typically stems from their childhood). Explains types of people, and how that looks within a marriage or relationship.

[Aktar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

Engaging and relatable

Once again Ramit provides some quality and actionable insights. It was definitely worth a read. His previous book I Will Teach You to Be Rich had a profound impact on our financial life. It’s one of my all-time favorite personal finance books. It fundamentally shifted how I view money and wealth. I’m a big fan of his work.

I find I Will Teach You to Be Rich to be a more insightful guide. I recommend starting there for maximum edification. This volume felt like IWTYtBR lite targeted towards couples. If you can commit, experience both books. Otherwise, IWTYtBR should be prioritized.

In summary, a tailored reminder of his prior teachings intended for couples. An enjoyable book.

[Kyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramit my head hurts. 10/10 tho

[Annika Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend for anyone, not just couples. I really like how much he dives into the psychology around money.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very obvious book but my husband and I did this as an extended conversation on a long weekend drive and there were so incredible takeaways we are implementing right away which make it deserving of a high rating. Love the idea of looking forward and building a rich life rather than budgeting!

[Brendan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramit is a legend! “Money for Couples” is nice compliment to “I Will Teach You to be Rich.” He shoots it straight with a no-nonsense—but fun—guide to cutting mercilessly on things that do not matter so that we may spend on what does, and getting clear on what that is (the “Rich Life”). Ramit’s point about automating something, anything, to savings each month is a cornerstone habit all should adopt. Then you grow that amount in time.

If more couples read this book and got on the same page, there would be less animosity and, in turn, healthier relationships. This book is therapeutic and rewarding. Five stars!

[George Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as a gift. Picked it up yesterday only to make fun of it, reading cringy passages out loud to my fiancée. To my horror, it contained some useful stuff, and I actually learned.

[Caleb Dorsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read Ramit Sethi’s first book, “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”, so this was my first dive into his financial views. It was refreshing to hear someone with a different financial viewpoint than Dave Ramsey and Tony Robbins. I have a feeling Ramsey would disagree with Ramit on a lot of things but there is a lot of value in Ramit’s perspective.

I appreciated the beginning of this book being focused on how to set up “money meetings” with your spouse and the guiding questions that start with big picture goals and work their way down to a Conscious Spending Plans. The goal is to make talking about money with your spouse fun, which is such a simple yet great idea.

Another strength of this book is Ramit’s way of “labeling” different types of people and their financial approaches. It helped me realize that I went from conscious to hyperaware and my own over correction will prevent me and my family from “living our rich life” if I don’t slow my roll and re-evaluate how we manage our money…it doesn’t have to be quite so rigid. The goal of finding common ground of “What does your rich life look like?” is great.

Beyond that, the focus on money management is all about automation. I personally am working on a debt snowball right now and had been planning to automate after the debt is cleared, but I see the value in starting small and ramping automation up when the money frees up. I also love the idea of multiple “pots” or savings accounts as means for automating. I don’t fully agree with Ramit’s automation account setup flowchart but the important thing is that Ramit sends the message to do what works for you. This is just one way of doing things.

All in all, this was a great book (and Ramit reads the audiobook and is easy to listen to). I will definitely be checking out his other book.

[Shaili · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Solid Starting Point for Couples, But Not the Whole Picture - 4 Stars

Ramit Sethi's "Money for Couples" tackles the often-thorny subject of merging finances and financial philosophies within a relationship. For couples planning to get married or build a shared life, this book offers an important starting point and deserves a solid 4 stars for its focus on communication and shared values. It's definitely a recommended read for those embarking on this journey together. But it’s really great if you’re single too and want to be prepared!

One of the most practical takeaways is the emphasis on defining your shared "Money Rules," like focusing on things like prioritizing experiences (travel), security (safe neighborhoods), relationship investments, and even setting specific guidelines for spending and saving. This guidance encourages couples to consciously decide what their rich life looks like and align their spending accordingly, moving beyond just budgeting to value-based financial planning. The chapter dedicated to discussing money with children was also a standout, offering useful guidance for parents and how to have a positive conversation with your children about how to spend money instead of just saying “no”.

However, the book isn't without its drawbacks. For individuals or couples already well-versed in personal finance, much of the advice might feel introductory. The target audience is for those needing foundational guidance rather than advanced strategies. Sethi's conversational and direct style, while engaging, often feels like it would translate even better to an audiobook format; listening might be a more dynamic experience for many. (It’s a way better on audio)

There were also specific points of contention. While the principle behind "If we can afford to eat out, we can afford to leave a big tip" makes sense in encouraging generosity, the specific suggestion of tipping 30% feels overly prescriptive and potentially out of sync with many couples' financial realities or cultural norms around tipping.

Perhaps the most significant missed opportunity is the lack of a dedicated chapter on student loan management. For countless Gen Z and Millennial couples, student debt is a major financial hurdle and a frequent source of stress. A deep dive into strategies for tackling this specific type of debt together would have immensely increased the book's value and relevance for a huge segment of its likely audience.

This book is a valuable tool for partners needing to open lines of communication about finances and establish shared goals. Its strength lies in prompting important conversations, because let’s be real, we all struggle with confrontation!

[Meryem Durrani Calcuttawala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that this is a great book for anyone looking for help with their finances. It works for couples and even single people. I read this as part of a book club, and I don’t think I would have ever picked it up otherwise. However, it is a must read!

This book helped my husband and I to begin talking about our money psychology, and what our rich lives are. It pushed us to have a lot of uncomfortable conversations that before we both were avoiding.

I definitely did not agree with a lot of the views that Ramit presented, but I did agree with most of them. So let me list the things that I found helpful:

1.) Discussing what is our rich life - looking at our money psychology from childhood to understand our spending habits and others
2.) Dialing up on the things we love (rich life) and dialing down on the things that we don’t
3.) Creating a CSP (conscious spending plan) - he even provides templates to begin your own

Now there were a few concepts in the book I did not agree with, like the whole section on prenups, but overall this is a great book. I found myself in line with most of his views.

Highly recommend!

[Anoush Durrani · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book club pick and I was really apprehensive at first- it was a drag to go through to the point I had to listen to the audiobook instead of actually reading it However, somewhere between chapters 6-7 it got a lot better, I think mostly because Ramit was getting into the birth gritty of it and giving hard advice. At times I felt like Ramit was yelling at me like a true brown uncle and maybe that’s just what you need sometimes. I’m glad I listened to it and got through it- it wasn’t life changing mostly because I was familiar with the topic and style already but a decent pick that had me looking into my wider money psychology. I think it would be more helpful if I was a in a relationship but the best thing this book did was set me up to have confident financial conversations with a partner which is something as a brown girl you are just are never taught because it’s taboo. This book gave me the opportunity to reflect on what my rich life is and take that into my own hands based off my wants and needs and not what society has told me. As a female ethnic reader no matter how gruesome some of this book was to get through it was necessary - much like the pap smear we’ve all been avoiding.

[Danielle Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because my husband and I are a big fan of Ramit money system/philosophy and podcast. This book was a great intro into all the work he does with the couples on his podcast, so if you don’t have hundreds of hours to go back and binge all the episodes, this book is a fantastic place to start.

This book is for anyone that wants to get on the same page with their spouse about spending, saving, and investing, but also how to set up systems and money rules together to take the worry and stress out of household finances. If you’re already a follower of Ramit’s money philosophy, this book still acts as a great refresher/companion to his other work. Loved it, everyone should read his books!

[Mikayla Ockey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I loved the first half the most— especially when he gave specific examples of money conversations and how to do it tactfully. I do think there are a few holes in his tactics in the second half of the book but as a mindset/relationship/communication book— this book was amazing!

-get curious about why someone values something that you might not
-make sure I am making room for all of Dan’s desires in finances too
-turn the page/next chapter - let the story evolve
-avoid saying “never” and “always”
-no honor in pretending not to be rich
-so many exciting ideas about being generous

[Mikayla Stringfellow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Ramit Sethi, and Hachette Audio for providing me with this ARC of “Money for Couples” in exchange for my honest review.
As someone who is constantly looking for a way to save money and better improve my marriage while doing so, I got some very important, practical, and useful guidance out of this book.
While parts of the book are wordy and can be easy to get lost or distracted by all of that, the “meat” of the book is very well informative and very specific in how how you and your partner can better save and spend your money.

[Mitch Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as IWTYTBR, in my opinion. Maybe I was looking for more of an automatic system to implement, similar to what Ramit spelled out in his first book. It’s there (he creates a system to joining finances for couples), it’s just towards the end where most of the book is about psychological approaches to combining income and expenses (if you find yourself disagreeing or fighting). Definitely a great read if that’s the case.

[Abbie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following Ramit's advice from his first book gave me an in-depth understanding of how to get our finances in order, but this book took it to the next level. It motivates to action. The advancement in his expertise, not only in finance but in people, is so clear with this title. If applied, it WILL help. I can honestly say it helped us.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Not as strong as IWTYTBR, but it’s perhaps because I have mastered the skills in that one. Mostly, I wanted this book as a reference point for the most optimal way to set up accounts and credit cards for marriage. There’s one chapter on that - the rest is how to discuss money with your partner. Which I didn’t need.

Ramit is still a G though.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good! But I listened on audiobook and I need to read with my eyes. Jimmy is gonna read this too so we can make some PLANS! I like the focus on abundance and being intentional about spending out on things that matter to you, and then saving ruthlessly on things that don’t. Super practical as well.