{
  "id": 5115041,
  "title": "Despite being a multimillionaire, Suze Orman still cooks at home whenever possible—and says eating out is one of the biggest wastes of money",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/despite-being-a-multimillionaire-suze-orman-still-cooks-at-home",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-02T15:03:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/09/02/personal-finance-expert-suze-orman-eating-out-waste-of-money-cooks-at-home-as-multimillionaire/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Suze Orman, a successful author and TV host, is a notable exception among the wealthy—she still prefers cooking meals at home. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Orman stated that she and her wife frequently prepare homemade meals, such as congee rice for lunch and meatloaf for dinner. Though the couple does occasionally eat out, these outings are usually due to social obligations rather than personal desire. Orman herself is concerned about the financial impact eating out could have on her friends, especially if they have limited disposable income.\n\nOrman's stance on eating out has only grown stronger, as the cost of restaurant meals has risen rapidly. According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index, \"food away from home\" prices increased by 4.1% between December 2024 and December 2025, compared to a 2.4% rise in prices for food purchased at home. Orman laments the exorbitant prices at fast-food chains, stating that she would \"drop dead\" before spending $30 at McDonald's or Taco Bell.\n\nOrman's financial prudence also extends to coffee shops. She refuses to spend money at places like Starbucks, claiming she \"would drop dead\" before buying a cup. Orman argues that even small, seemingly insignificant expenses can accumulate significantly over time. She believes investing that money instead, such as putting $100 a month into a Roth IRA, could potentially yield hundreds of thousands of dollars over several decades. In 2019, Orman warned CNBC that spending $1 million on coffee over a lifetime would be a \"waste of money.\"\n\nWhile Orman's financial habits may seem extreme to some, she is not alone in prioritizing savings over occasional restaurant meals or coffee shop visits. Millionaire investor Kevin O'Leary has echoed her sentiments, cautioning against frivolous spending on everyday items like sandwiches or lattes. He highlights how working-class Americans, particularly those just starting their careers, can easily lose hundreds of dollars annually on discretionary purchases.\n\nCritics argue that avoiding these small expenses might seem excessive, but Orman and O'Leary emphasize the importance of aligning spending with broader financial goals. They argue that if a coffee or meal aligns with personal preferences and fits within an individual's budget, there's no need to cut it out entirely. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring these expenses are compatible with one's overall financial plan. Orman herself admits to indulging in luxury experiences, such as private air travel and owning properties abroad, which further underscores her philosophy of enjoying life's pleasures within the context of sound financial planning.",
  "summary": "Suze Orman has millions in the bank—but she still remains frugal by refusing to eat out or go on a Starbucks run.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}