Their relationship is affected by the $119,000 income gap between them.

A successful relationship cannot solely depend on love, as it is just one aspect of romantic connections.

Ramit Sethi, a self-made millionaire and money expert, was advised by Mindy, a 39-year old software consultant, on his podcast that love is great, but it has its limits when it comes to managing money as a couple.

"I want to be a functional team," Mindy stated. "I consistently remind him to improve because I don't want to bear the burden alone. We're a team; we must progress together."

During the podcast recording, Mindy was making approximately $148,000 annually, while Victor, the owner of a boxing gym, was earning $28,800. Although they share expenses, Mindy has been shouldering the majority of their financial burden. In two months, she has been informed that her company will be laying her off.

Mindy and Victor have been having disagreements about money, and they wanted to discuss this with Sethi to resolve their differences.

'The business of running a household'

Although Mindy's income is about to decrease, the couple is financially stable enough to handle a few months of expenses if she cannot replace her salary immediately. Together, they have more than $72,000 in savings and investments, including their 401(k)s.

Despite Mindy's careful planning and preparation, Victor has avoided financial conversations and learning more about money, leaving Mindy frustrated and tired of bearing the burden on her own.

Mindy said, "I wish he spent more time analyzing his finances and keeping track of his numbers on paper."

The success of the couple's long-term relationship, both romantically and financially, will depend on their ability to work together as effective teammates, Sethi said. He agreed with Mindy that love alone is not enough and emphasized that when it comes to money, individuals need to function more like business partners.

"Running a household involves managing various uncertainties such as buying a house, dealing with illness or death, or caring for elderly parents. We need to be practical and approach the situation with a business mindset."

Sethi stated that Victor doesn't have to match Mindy's salary, but he must be more involved in their financial planning.

"Sethi stated that Mindy is seeking more than just income in a relationship. Rather, she wants a partner who is willing to educate her about money and the language surrounding it."

Victor realized that although he enjoys living a simple life, he must overcome his reluctance to deal with money in order to become a better partner for Mindy and expand his business.

"She's 13 years older than me, so I feel like she already passed all her 20s and all that. I'm still trying to figure it out, which is not bad," Victor said. "I like the fact that I have a little bit like a fire under my ass...I want to get there for her and for me."

'Respecting money'

Sethi stated that both Victor and Mindy require different approaches to financial education - while Victor needs a general understanding of money, Mindy needs specific guidance on her financial goals.

If Mindy doesn't clearly communicate her expectations and consider real consequences if he doesn't follow through, their business partnership may not be sustainable.

To interact with money differently, you must start valuing it and treating it as an equal partner, Sethi advised.

Sethi stated that money is a crucial element in relationships, and it's essential to understand how it's being handled, not because of an obsession with it.

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