Aug 18, 2025
Ellie from Dallas, Texas, knew something was off in her marriage. After years with a financially controlling spouse, she’s finally ready to leave.
The problem? She doesn’t have access to the family’s money despite earning $40,000 a year as a part-time nurse.
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Feeling trapped, she called The Ramsey Show for advice. “He’s gotten so financially abusive,” she said in a recent episode. “He transfers what he wants — my allowance — to my account. I can’t see the other accounts.”
Hosts Dr. John Delony and George Kamel didn’t hold back. “I can tell you right now: he sucks,” Delony said. “That’s not a way to be married to somebody.”
But after hearing all the facts, they encouraged her to put her anxieties aside and take a real step toward getting out of this situation.
Financially trapped?
Despite raising concerns with her husband — even saying she no longer feels safe in the marriage — nothing has changed.
Ellie has tried to talk to her husband about their joint financial situation. She’s gone so far as to tell him that she doesn’t feel safe in the marriage. But even these relatively drastic measures haven’t made a crack in the ice.
After hearing Ellie’s story, Delony didn’t mince words: “He has left you so long ago. He just never filed papers.” He urged her to grieve the reality of her marriage, then shift focus to what comes next.
Her biggest question: “How do you get out when you have no access to any of the finances?”
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Ellie earns $40,000 working as a part-time nurse, but her paychecks are deposited into a joint account — which her husband controls. Once the money hits, he transfers most of it into an account she can’t access.
“But you have control, you have say in the joint account, right?” asked Kamel.
Technically, she does. But Ellie’s afraid to withdraw more than he “allows,” fearing retaliation. She worries he’ll cut off essentials like her phone or car insurance if she pushes back during a potential divorce.
“Is this real?” asked Delony.
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Taking ownership of your finances
The hosts believed Ellie’s fear of financial uncertainty during and after divorce was keeping her stuck.
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“You make $40,000 bucks a year, and you could turn a switch on and make $65,000 starting tomorrow… you could have an apartment tomorrow if you wanted one. Period,” Delony said.
Instead of dwelling on obstacles, the hosts urged Ellie to focus on solutions.
Kamel recommended a first step: redirect her paycheck into a new individual account only she controls. While her husband may retaliate, it’s a necessary move toward financial independence.
“You’re going to take ownership of the things you have control over — and there’s more in control than you think,” said Kamel.
With access to her full income, Ellie could afford her own one-bedroom apartment and start covering her own bills.
As for legal help, Delony advised finding a divorce attorney who accepts payment on the back end — a common option in situations like hers. If a retainer is required, regaining control of her paycheck could help her save for it.
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Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make optimal financial decisions for their situation. She loves digging into the nitty-gritty details of financial products and money management strategies to root out the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her goal is to help readers find the best course of action for their needs.
