'Divorce, Divorce, Divorce': Suze Orman's Advice That Turned One Couple's Finances Around

Suze Orman has never been one to mince words when it comes to financial advice, and one particular encounter on her former TV show proved just how powerful her direct approach can be. 

A recent episode of her "Women & Money" podcast featured a listener named Cathy, who had called into Orman's show more than a decade ago for guidance on her husband's troubling financial habits. Orman's advice at the time? "Divorce, divorce, divorce."

A Rocky Financial Start

Cathy, now 51, reflected on her financial journey with her husband, recalling that she had been just 36 years old when she appeared on Orman's show. At the time, she had discovered that her engagement ring had been purchased with a credit card and that her husband had a habit of missing bill payments. 

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Concerned about how this could impact their future—especially their ability to secure good interest rates on loans—she confronted him. His response, however, wasn't an apology or a plan to change; instead, he focused on the fact that she committed an illegal act by opening his mail. 

That's when Orman delivered her blunt recommendation: leave him. Cathy admitted she was angry at Orman for suggesting such a drastic move, but the reality of their financial situation could not be ignored.

A Public Wake-Up Call

What Cathy didn't expect was how much that public exposure would push her husband to change. Their appearance on the show meant that friends and family saw Orman's critique, and the embarrassment forced him to take his financial habits seriously. Rather than continuing to ignore bills, he became deeply invested in budgeting, tracking investments, and managing their finances responsibly.

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The results speak for themselves. Back when Cathy first called into the show, their net worth sat at around $600,000, largely tied up in home equity and retirement accounts, with little in the way of liquid savings. Today, their net worth has skyrocketed to $3.7 million. Their financial turnaround allowed them to purchase a home in 2015, which they aim to pay off in just 15 years. Retirement in their fifties like they hope to is now a real possibility—an achievement that once seemed out of reach.

The Power of Financial Truth

Orman reflected on Cathy's story, emphasizing that financial honesty—both with oneself and with others—is a crucial step toward financial success. She likened the experience to a "Suze smackdown," explaining that sometimes a public reckoning is what it takes to force real change.

"As long as you are able to live a lie," Orman said on the podcast, "as long as you’re able to make others think something about you…they think that you’re doing better than you’re doing, you continue to deceive yourself and others as soon as others know the truth."

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For Cathy's husband, that moment of reckoning came on national television. And while divorce wasn't necessary in their case, the wake-up call from Orman was the catalyst that led to their financial transformation.

Cathy's story is a testament to the power of financial awareness and accountability. While not everyone will face a public financial intervention, being honest about money—whether with a spouse, a financial advisor, or even just oneself—can make all the difference. And as Orman's advice continues to resonate, one thing is clear: sometimes, the hardest truths lead to the greatest financial turnarounds.

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