Dominique (33) and Chris (34) have been together for six years, engaged for two, and share a two-year-old son. While Dominique manages parenting, full-time work, and their finances, Chris shuts down when money comes up—and has no plan for what’s next. With rising childcare costs, growing debt, and a second home draining up to $2,000/month, their finances are on the brink. Dominique has paused their wedding plans—and admits she’s considering co-parenting alone. Can Ramit help them build a future together before it’s too late?

In this episode we uncover:

• The emotional burden Dominique carries as the default parent, planner, and financial lead

• How Chris’s we’ll-figure-it-out mindset undermines Dominique’s trust and long-term planning

• The real reason their wedding is on pause—and why Dominique’s preparing for life on her own

• Chris’s internal conflict: overwhelmed by adulthood, uncertain how to change

• How avoiding money conversations became the deepest fracture in their relationship

• What happens when one partner is growing—and the other is standing still

• Ramit’s challenge to both: take action now, or risk losing everything

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “At this rate, we’ll be co-parenting next year”

(00:06:52) Can I actually afford a new vehicle?

(00:20:46) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:30:43) “We make $180K—but we still feel broke”

(00:46:45) Uncovering their REAL spending habits

(00:55:59) The money messages they’re passing on without realizing it

(01:18:29) “We’ll figure it out”—reacting vs. being proactive

(01:23:26) What we’ll uncover next week

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Links mentioned in this episode

• If you've been waiting for "the right time" to start your business, join me on Monday, July 21, at 8pm ET / 5pm PT to learn how to start a business in just one hour. Reserve your seat at iwt.com/earnmore.

• Should you buy or rent? Get my 3-step guide to buying a house at iwt.com/house.

Connect with Ramit

• Get my new book, Money For Couples

• Get Money Coaching with Ramit

• Download the Conscious Spending Plan

• Listen to my book—now on Audible

• Get my New York Times best-selling book

• Get my no-numbers journal

• Other episodes

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If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

HoS Pod: Michelle Beadle

House of Strauss

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