How To Live a First-Class Life Without a Millionaire Budget, According to Ramit Sethi
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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If you’re delaying enjoyment in life until you hit an arbitrary savings goal or income milestone, you’re needlessly missing out on living a “first-class life,” according to finance expert, author and influencer, Ramit Sethi. “You’ll work, save, stress out and then look back wondering, what was it all for?” he said.
Instead, in a recent video, he said it’s possible to live a first-class life without a millionaire’s budget through a concept he calls “money dials.”
He explained what this could look like for the average person.
Luxury Doesn’t Mean Yachts or Lamborghinis
When people hear the word “luxury,” they often picture the trappings of extreme wealth like yachts, fancy cars or “infinity pools.” Sethi said luxury can be much simpler (though he’s happy to help anyone achieve that level of wealth, too).
“Luxury can be as small as seeing two appetizers on the menu that both sound good and saying, ‘I can get both of them,'” he said.
In his view, luxury is more of a process of taking control over small, meaningful choices that make life feel expansive rather than a specific material desire.
The Money Dials Framework: Spend Big on What You Love
At the core of Sethi’s philosophy is a system he calls “money dials.” The idea is simple: Identify the areas of life that matter most to you, then intentionally spend more there, without guilt.
“You identify the thing that you love spending on. Then you turn that dial up.” For example, if fine dining makes you feel wealthy, eat out at a fancy restaurant once a year but really savor the experience, he said.
The way you afford the thing you’re dialing up is to mercilessly cut costs on things that matter less.
“Most people nickel and dime themselves … They cut back on lattes. They cancel Netflix. They get the cheaper bread at the grocery store. That’s not living a rich life. That’s living small, scared and restrictive.”
Dialing Up: Basic, Upgraded, Maxed
To turn abstract goals into action, Sethi recommended creating spending tiers for each money dial, such as “basic, upgraded and maxed.” This makes luxury feel concrete and manageable rather than overwhelming.
For example, if you value eating well, he said, the “basic” level might look like trying a new recipe every couple of weeks from a new cookbook you buy. The “upgraded” level might include dining out at a new restaurant every other week. The “maxed” version might include a Michelin star meal every few months, or maybe even hiring a private chef for special occasions
You don’t have to live in the max level for everything, he pointed out.
Real-World Examples of Intentional Luxury
Sethi emphasized that a rich life does not mean you have unlimited money, but that you spend with clarity and intention on things that matter. He pointed to people who unapologetically prioritize what matters most to them, whether that’s dining out, travel or education.
“One of my readers spends $21,000 a year going out. Zero guilt, because that is what they love to do.” Others prioritize travel and build their entire year around their vacations, paying for them with points. Yet another pays for private school for their kids.
What works is to make concrete intentional choices over vague financial rules.
How Sethi Gradually Upgraded His Own Lifestyle
Sethi himself upgraded his life in small, deliberate steps. For example, what began as affordable subway trips eventually became cab rides and hired cars. Flying coach eventually evolved into business-class, but only after his income supported it.
The key is incremental change: testing upgrades, keeping what adds value and dialing back what doesn’t.
The Hidden Budget Killer: Paying For Things You Don’t Use
Before spending more on what you love, Sethi warned that many people are already wasting money on things they might not need or use.
“How many times have you signed up for a free trial, forgot about it completely and then realize you’re paying $19.99 a month for six months for something you don’t even care about?” he asked.
Eliminating these expenses creates room for intentional upgrades without blowing up your budget.
How ‘Invisible Scripts’ Keep People Stuck
One of the biggest obstacles to spending intentionally isn’t money, it’s mindset. Sethi described how people often run on “invisible scripts,” which are inherited beliefs that dictate how people think they’re allowed to spend.
“The danger of these negative scripts is very simple. You delay joy forever,” he said.
Even high earners often cling to outdated habits that no longer reflect their financial reality. “On my podcast, I talk to people who often have lots of money, and they still will not order the thing they want at a restaurant,” he said.
Stop Winging It
Once you figure out what feels like luxury or what wealth means to you, Sethi urged, “Stop winging it. Start designing it.” Don’t take last-minute trips that you haven’t budgeted for — start automating saving even small amounts in a realistic time frame.
Pick “one or two money dials you want to turn up this year,” he said. Then block the time on your calendar so you have a target goal. Estimate how much it will cost and start saving for it.
That’s how your best ideas “become real experiences instead of someday wishes.” He called this proactive, not reactive.
Sethi closed with a blunt truth: A rich life doesn’t happen by chance. It requires planning, clarity and follow-through.
“You will never trip and fall accidentally into a rich life. A rich life is constructed.”
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