Listener Favorite: "I'm almost 40 and still living paycheck to paycheck”
12/19/20251 hr 27 min
Today, we’re revisiting one of our favorite Money For Couples episodes of the year.
Update: Romy and Travis recently shared an update on YouTube about where they are now. You can watch it here.
Romy and Travis’s story struck a chord with listeners because it shows what really happens when a couple is earning good money…but operating with completely different expectations, habits, and fears around money.
This episode is a perfect example of how old patterns can quietly shape a relationship—and what it takes to break them. If you missed it...
Clips
Showing 10 of 12Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRamit Sethi· Host0:00
If you or your partner has fallen for a scam, I wanna help, especially if you've recently fallen for an email or text scam, or you've gotten bad financial advice from someone who did not keep their promises, or maybe you just have not even told your partner because you are embarrassed. If this is you, I wanna talk. Apply for free coaching with me by being on my podcast. Apply today at iwt.com/apply. That's iwt.com/apply.
Romy· Guest0:29
I'm, like, almost 40 and I'm in the situation still. [laughs] I'm going to tap my card and there's nothing there, and it says insufficient funds.
Travis· Guest0:36
I think because we've always been able to work, I've never worried about it.
Romy· Guest0:41
My parents were always worried about money, like always worried about money. And then 10 years ago, my dad died, and my mom was left without even $1. That caused a lot of anxiety.
Ramit Sethi· Host0:52
Romy, you've said you're carrying the full financial and emotional burden. Do you feel like you are in a true partnership?
Romy· Guest1:00
No.
Travis· Guest1:01
I'm upset. I'm upset hearing it spelled out to me, and I'm upset that my wife feels that way.
Romy· Guest1:07
I think lately I've become a bit, like, almost, like, hopeless.
Ramit Sethi· Host1:10
You don't know your own income. You fight about $5 expenses. And by the way, your investments are $45 off of $130,000 income. This is a major problem. Listen to what this couple wrote in their application: "We don't have much savings, and I often lie awake at night worrying. When I try to sit down with him, it often ends