Suze Orman Calls Eating Out a Major Waste of Money

Financial expert Suze Orman, known for her decades-long career as a best-selling author and television host educating the public on financial management, views dining out at restaurants as one of the most significant wastes of money. Orman, who has amassed a personal net worth in the tens of millions, continues to prioritize home-cooked meals. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, she stated that she and her wife "still to this day eat at home," with her wife having prepared congee rice for lunch and meatloaf for dinner at the time of the interview. While the couple does dine out on occasion, Orman clarified that these instances are typically driven by social obligations rather than personal desire. Even when dining out with friends, Orman expressed concern about the financial impact of restaurant bills on those with less financial means. She stated, "If we go out to eat, the deal is we have to pay because I am not going to let people, who I know don’t have the kind of money that we have, waste their money on food eating out." This philosophy has been reinforced by escalating restaurant prices. According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index, prices for "food away from home" increased by 4.1% between December 2024 and December 2025. In contrast, the cost of food purchased for home consumption rose by a more modest 2.4% during the same period. Overall consumer prices saw a 2.7% increase. Orman highlighted the perceived exorbitant costs at fast-food establishments, questioning prices like $23 to $30 for a meal at McDonald's. Orman's frugality extends beyond sit-down restaurants; the 75-year-old also refuses to spend money at coffee shops. She revealed in 2024 that she drinks Cafe Bustelo coffee at home each morning, stating, "I would drop dead before I bought a coffee. I do one cup a day and that’s it." Her reasoning is that small, recurring purchases, such as daily coffee, can accumulate into substantial sums over time, funds that could instead be allocated to investments, such as a Roth IRA. This approach underscores her long-standing financial advice: to maximize savings and investment potential by minimizing discretionary spending on non-essential items and services.