222. “My husband is my 4th child. Will he ever help?”

Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi

Fernanda (44) and Jorge (48) have been married for nearly 25 years, raising three children, including one with lifelong special needs. Despite earning $130,000 a year, they consistently spend more than they make, and only have $300 in savings.

Fernanda juggles multiple jobs and manages every detail of their finances, a responsibility that has left her physically ill from stress. Jorge works nights and picks up odd jobs, but avoids financial planning and defers almost everything to Fernanda. Fernanda dreams of a stable, less exhausting life where she and Jorge are true financial partners.

Can Ramit help them confront old patterns, create a sustainable system, and secure a future for their family—especially their son’s lifelong care?

In this episode we uncover:

Why Fernanda says she’s “physically ill” from the stress of managing their money alone.

How Jorge’s laid-back optimism turns into financial avoidance—and leaves Fernanda carrying the full weight.

The $13,000 air purifier scam—and what it reveals about their spending habits.

How Fernanda’s history of homelessness and working from age 13 shaped her need for control.

Why Jorge, who didn’t work until 25, still struggles to engage with financial decisions.

The emotional toll of raising three children, including one with lifelong special needs, while buried in $350,000 of debt.

What happens when Fernanda tries to share her complicated spreadsheets with Jorge—and why it never works.

Ramit’s challenge for Jorge to take concrete steps toward shared ownership of their finances.

Fernanda’s vision of a stable, less exhausting life—and the boundaries she’ll need to set to get there.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) “If nothing changes, I’ll end up in the hospital”

(00:19:41) “It feels like impending doom”

(00:24:18) “It pisses me off that money could break us”

(00:37:32) Ramit breaks down their numbers

(00:58:08) “It’s a joke in the family that I have four kids”

(01:15:59) “I want a partner, not just a paycheck”

(01:20:40) Red alert: only $311 in savings

(01:35:29) Where are they now? Fernie and Jorge’s follow-ups

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Links mentioned in this episode

• Get my Free Money Made Easy Mini Course at https://iwt.com/moneypod

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

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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.