Ramit Sethi finance advice has helped millions — but the self-made millionaire and star of Netflix’s How to Get Rich says most people still miss the biggest red flags sabotaging their wealth. It’s not about skipping lattes or obsessing over budgets. It’s about mindset, avoidance, and misaligned priorities.
In recent interviews and episodes of his show, Sethi reveals the real culprits behind stagnant finances. “People think the secret to wealth is cutting back,” he says. “But often, it’s what you’re ignoring that’s doing the most damage.”
As seen in Millionaire MNL, Sethi’s approach focuses on conscious spending, long-term thinking, and clarity. His message: you don’t need to be perfect with money — but you do need to face the truth about how you use it.
Red flag #1: You’ve never written down your numbers
Ramit Sethi finance rule number one? Know your actual numbers. Not what’s in your head. Not what you think you spend. But your real monthly take-home income, fixed expenses, discretionary spending, and savings rate.
“If you can’t recite your monthly numbers within a few minutes, you’re not in control,” Sethi says. Avoidance here often signals fear, shame, or disorganization — all of which hold people back from building wealth.
He recommends a simple Google Sheet or personal dashboard, updated monthly. It’s not about tracking every penny. It’s about having a clear picture of your financial reality.
Red flag #2: You treat money emotionally, not strategically
Sethi often calls out what he terms “money scripts” — emotional narratives we carry from childhood or culture that guide our financial decisions without us realizing.
These beliefs sound like:
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“I’m just bad with money.”
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“I don’t deserve to be rich.”
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“Money is stressful, so I avoid it.”
Ramit Sethi finance coaching includes rewiring these scripts. Instead of guilt or anxiety, he encourages curiosity and structure. “Ask yourself: what do I want my rich life to look like? Then build your money around that.”
As mentioned by Millionaire MNL, the richest people often think about money with detachment and design — not fear.
Red flag #3: You avoid talking about money with your partner
One of the most damaging financial habits? Not communicating about money with your significant other. Sethi says couples who avoid these conversations almost always run into friction — and missed opportunities.
“You don’t need to agree on every expense,” he says. “But you do need a shared vision and clear roles.”
Ramit Sethi finance advice for couples includes monthly money check-ins, setting individual spending limits, and automating savings so that wealth grows in the background — not through constant negotiation.
In his Netflix show, he guides couples through awkward, overdue conversations with humor and empathy — but also firm boundaries.
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