Despite paying off $77,000 in credit card debt, the couple's money problems persisted.

Six years ago, before getting married, Antonio, now 29, was responsible in managing debt. He used credit cards but always paid them off in full each month.

He bought his wife a $3,000 ring after their marriage, which he admitted was the first purchase he couldn't afford to pay off immediately. He shared this with self-made millionaire and money expert Ramit Sethi on his "I Will Teach You to be Rich" podcast.

Antonio couldn't even tell Sethi how long it took him to pay off the debt because it snowballed.

The couple's debt cycle spiraled out of control, with them accruing thousands on credit cards and resorting to personal loans and other financing options to pay them off, only to find themselves back in debt shortly after. They were able to pay off $77,000 in credit card debt using Emi's emergency savings.

"Emi stated that the debt cycle never stopped feeling bad, and we never managed to move past it. We have been talking about finances, stressing about finances, and praying ever since. It has been a snowball effect."

By the time they spoke with Sethi, the couple had made significant progress in improving their financial situation. Although they had paid off their credit card debt, they still owed $60,000 in student loans and had only $1,500 in savings.

How did they end up in a years-long battle with debt, and what steps are they taking to prevent future financial turmoil?

Emi has a 'blind spot' for money

Emi and Antonio struggle to communicate about money, with Emi admitting she was previously uninvolved in managing their finances while Antonio handled all the bills and budgeting.

Although I am a therapist and have a strong grasp of psychology, I struggle to understand my own behavior when it comes to money. I am unable to self-analyze and cannot determine why my relationship with money is the way it is. There is a blind spot in my understanding of this area.

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Emi's spending habits worsened their financial problems because Antonio was solely responsible for managing their finances.

Antonio opened up to Sethi about wanting her to be a partner in their finances, and in response, Emi committed to educating herself to feel more empowered about money.

Antonio can't say no

Although they don't spend on travel or luxury cars, Emi and Antonio's overspending problem stems from small expenses, such as eating out and buying things for their daughter, in addition to high fixed costs.

Antonio admitted that he finds it difficult to refuse when his family requests something or he desires to do something for them.

"Our track record speaks for itself," he said. "Despite being in charge of the finances, we still ended up in debt due to my overspending or not making enough."

The couple came to the realization that Antonio lacked knowledge in financial decisions that could have been detrimental to their family, such as refinancing their home to pay off credit cards and auto debt.

Sethi stated that after reducing their fixed costs to the minimum possible, their "easy options" have been exhausted. However, both individuals possess the ability to increase their incomes, which Sethi emphasized should be their primary focus in order to pay off the remaining debt and increase their savings.

'My parents aren't good with money'

Despite their efforts to reduce their debt, Emi and Antonio worry they may slip back into their old habits, as they have done before. Breaking their pattern of overspending has been challenging because it has been subtle in the past, Sethi pointed out.

He stated that he sees a sequence of routine choices made by individuals because they are simple and they lack the comprehension to link today's decision to its future outcome.

He added, "if the stakes are high enough," that they can make a change.

Antonio imagined their daughter would think that they are not good with money if they don't break their debt cycle.

"Emi stated that she would tell herself she's not skilled at it, bury her head in the sand, evade it, and say, "That's for my partner, dad, not me." However, she didn't want that for her."

Sethi was left with plans to tackle their student debt and boost their emergency savings by the couple.

"No more avoiding," Emi said.

Check out the full episode here.

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