Most people feel stuck when it comes to money.
The bills don’t stop. Budgets feel tight. And saving? It seems impossible.
But what if the problem isn’t your income or expenses—but the way you’re looking at things?
Ramit Sethi, author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich, learned this after helping countless people with their finances.
Here’s what he found:
Most people aren’t struggling because they’re lazy or bad with money.
They’re stuck because they’re still living with financial decisions they made years ago.
The Old Way: Focusing on Tiny Details
Ramit used to sit with people and dissect their budgets line by line.
Here’s what he’d often see:
- A $1,200 car payment.
- $1,600 on groceries.
- $948 on gym memberships and streaming services.
When he’d ask, “Where can you cut back?” people would throw their hands up and say, “I can’t. I need all of this.”
It was overwhelming. And it didn’t solve the real problem.
The Game-Changer: Starting Fresh
Then Ramit tried something new.
He said, “Let’s erase everything and start fresh.”
He gave people a clean slate and asked:
If you had this much money coming in today, how would you want to use it?
The answers were transformative.
With a blank slate, people stopped clinging to old decisions and started thinking strategically:
- They saved money first.
- They cut back on unnecessary expenses.
- They realized some “needs” weren’t actually that important anymore.
This fresh perspective gave them clarity—and freedom.
Why Starting Fresh Works
When you think about money the same way you always have, it’s easy to feel trapped.
Old financial decisions—like buying an expensive car or signing up for countless subscriptions—become mental baggage.
But starting fresh is like cleaning out a messy room.
You take everything out, decide what to keep, and rebuild intentionally.
Suddenly, things feel lighter and clearer.
How to Reset Your Finances
Want to take control of your money? Here’s how to start fresh:
# 1. Erase the Past
Pretend your income is brand new. Where would you want it to go today? What truly matters to you now?
# 2. Question Big Expenses
Look at your biggest costs. Do you still need them? For example:
- Is that $1,200 car payment really worth it?
- Do you use all those subscriptions?
# 3. Think in Percentages
Instead of obsessing over exact amounts, focus on percentages:
- Save 10% of your income.
- Invest 15%.
- Spend the rest on things that genuinely matter to you.
# 4. Automate Everything
Once you’ve made a plan, let systems handle the heavy lifting.
- Automate your savings, bills, and investments.
- This removes the stress of remembering—and keeps you on track.
# 5. Revisit Often
Life changes, and so should your money plan.
- Check in every few months to see if your priorities have shifted.
Why It Matters
Starting fresh with your finances isn’t just about crunching numbers.
It’s about letting go of the old decisions that no longer serve you—and building a plan that fits your life today.
Here’s the big question:
- Is your current money plan helping you build the life you want—or is it just dragging you down?
The beauty of starting fresh is that it gives you permission to rethink, rebuild, and refocus.
The Big Takeaway
Small sacrifices, like skipping coffee, won’t change your life. 
But focusing on the big decisions—like saving for retirement, investing wisely, and cutting unnecessary expenses—will.
Take control of your money.
Start fresh.
Build a plan that works for you.
This post was inspired by Ramit Sethi's video 26 Minutes of Brutal Financial Advice (from a Millionaire).
