A stay-at-home mother from Florida has issued a stark warning about the perils of financial dependence on a partner after her husband's abrupt decision to file for divorce left her facing a terrifying future with 'no money'.
The Terrifying Reality of Financial Dependence
Courtney, a 37-year-old fitness content creator from Delray Beach, shared her story in a now-viral TikTok video that has resonated with millions. She described the moment her husband pushed for a formal divorce, revealing she was left with 'no income' to support their two young children, aged five and seven.
Her anxiety reached a peak last month when her husband informed her he would cut off her credit card, cease paying household bills, and demanded she handle all payments herself. After a decade dedicated solely to managing her home and raising her children, Courtney found herself without the means to cover life's basic necessities. "I have no income, I have no money. I use my husband's credit card and I use my husband's money," she explained in the emotional clip.
A Lifestyle Unravels Online
Courtney had built an online community of over 74,400 followers on TikTok, documenting her weight loss journey, workout routines, and tips on hormonal health. However, from November onwards, her content took a more personal turn, detailing her mental health struggles and marital issues she was addressing with a counsellor.
By December, she delivered a dramatic update: her husband had decided to proceed with an official divorce. "Terrifying. I mean, I feel like a little girl who needs their mummy because I don't know how to take care of myself," she confessed. The primary financial blow was the loss of her American Express card, her main method of payment for everything, despite it being in her name.
"He told me he's going to cut it off, and I have to move all the automatic payments and stop using it," Courtney said. "What card? I don't have a card. That is my card!"
A Warning Echoed by Thousands
Courtney's videos quickly amassed millions of views, sparking an outpouring of similar stories from other women. She expressed shock at how common her situation was, connecting with hundreds through Facebook divorce groups. "I thought these stories were rare. They're not. Different women. Different states. Same words: I have no money. I'm trapped," she captioned a follow-up video.
She highlighted the modern trend of the 'tradwife' lifestyle, often glamorised by social media influencers, where women sacrifice their careers for home and family. Courtney warned that this appealing online image can mask a harsh reality, potentially leaving women with no recent work history, no financial safety net, and struggling in poverty as single parents.
In her captions, Courtney stressed her goal was awareness, not blame. "No one warns women what can happen when you give up your income to raise kids," she wrote. "You're not crazy. You're not weak. You're not failing. You just weren't prepared - because no one prepared us."
The mother is currently thankful her husband is allowing her and the children to remain in the marital home, though she noted the property is in his name alone. Her immediate, pressing concerns are more fundamental: "How do I feed my kids? How do I feed myself?"
