'You need to talk': Woman leaves husband over massive betrayal

Disclaimer: The names in asterisks (*) were changed for privacy purposes.

Navigating the financial waters can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to marriages and managing household finances.

While it takes two to tango, a cautionary tale highlighted the perils of leaving financial management in the hands of just one person.


Sharee* was about to buy a new business.

This purchase was meant to be a culmination of decades of hard work, dedication, and grit.

However, days before this milestone, an unexpected phone call turned her world upside down.

The current business owner had a bizarre request.


compressed-couple arguing (2).jpeg
Sharee was about to unlock a new milestone when her husband made a strange request. Image Credit: Pexels/Vera Arsic


Sharee's husband requested that the business be delayed for six more months.

'I think you need to talk to your husband or perhaps call your bank,' the seller stated.

Confused and alarmed, Sharee immediately went to her bank, only to discover a financial nightmare.


According to the bank, Sharee's husband had emptied all their accounts—years of savings vanished into thin air.

The mortgage defaulted due to six months of missed payments.

To make matters worse, her husband opened new joint credit cards under her name and had accumulated $40,000 in debt.

This harrowing experience should be a stark reminder for couples to be involved in financial affairs.

It's particularly crucial for women, who historically have been left out of financial decision-making processes.

Sharee's ordeal was not a one-off; it reflected a broader issue that affected many Australian women.


A recent Finder survey among 1,096 respondents revealed that 21 per cent—equivalent to 4.2 million people—believe that lying about finances to a partner is a more severe betrayal compared to physical infidelity.

Furthermore, the research uncovered that 1.6 million Aussies have a secret bank account.

While the existence of hidden bank accounts could be a cause for concern, it could also be a lifeline for those in abusive situations.

Easy access to money should empower people to make choices, especially during life's most challenging moments.

In Sharee's case, her husband's gambling addiction and subsequent financial ruin led to the end of their marriage.

After separating, Sharee had to rebuild her life from scratch.


This cautionary tale underscored the need for financial literacy and open communication about money within relationships.

Whether you're single, married, or in a partnership, it's vital to understand finances.

Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your finances:
  • Educate yourself: Take the time to learn about personal finance. There are books, seminars, and workshops related to the topic.
  • Open communication: Have regular discussions with your partner about your financial goals, budget, and any concerns you may have.
  • Joint review: Always review bank statements, bills, and investments together. This ensures transparency and shared responsibility.
  • Emergency fund: Build an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This could prevent the need to dip into savings or rack up credit card debt.
  • Professional advice: Seek advice from a financial planner or adviser. They could provide personalised strategies to help you maximise your wealth and secure your financial future.
Financial freedom is not just about wealth; it's about having control over your financial destiny.

By staying informed and involved, you can protect yourself from potential financial disasters and pave the way for a secure and prosperous future.
Key Takeaways

  • A woman named Sharee* discovered that her husband drained all their savings and racked up significant debt, jeopardising her potential purchase.
  • Sharee found out her husband secretly delayed the sale of a business she was about to buy without her knowledge.
  • A Finder survey revealed that 21 per cent of Australians believe lying about finances to a partner is worse than physical cheating. About 1.6 million Aussies have a hidden bank account.
  • The incident indicated the importance of being financially aware and involved, especially for women in potentially abusive situations.
Have you ever faced a financial betrayal, and how did you handle it? What strategies do you use to manage your household finances? Share your stories and tips with us in the comments section below.
 

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the family law court is actually known as the women's court...its the last place a couple should go to settle their affairs...the court is really the only one who wins along with the lawyers, couples are far better settling outside the court...it certainly is NOT anything to relate to justice
 
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This brings back awful memories. Whilst separated from my husband he had approached the bank to get a second mortage on our house. The first I knew about this was a call from the bank to ask why I hadn't been in to sign the paperwork. When I told the person from the bank this I also told them there was no way I would agree to a second mortgage on our house. I had been paying off the first mortgage myself with no contribution from my husband although the house was in joint names. I worked at a solicitor's office at the time and believed the fact that the property was in Joint Names was a safeguard against either party doing anything with the property without the other party's consent. When I asked my boss he agreed with me and said if the property had been purchased as Tenants in Common, it would have been a different matter in which case either party could sell or otherwise dispose of their half of the property without reference to the other party. The Bank Manager then rang and told me he was going to allow my husband to take out a second mortgage on the properrty and there was nothing I could do about it. That's when I found there was a loop=hole in the Joint Names ownership of the property. So, BEWARE! property owners, check the deeds of your property before you get stuck like I did.
 
This brings back awful memories. Whilst separated from my husband he had approached the bank to get a second mortage on our house. The first I knew about this was a call from the bank to ask why I hadn't been in to sign the paperwork. When I told the person from the bank this I also told them there was no way I would agree to a second mortgage on our house. I had been paying off the first mortgage myself with no contribution from my husband although the house was in joint names. I worked at a solicitor's office at the time and believed the fact that the property was in Joint Names was a safeguard against either party doing anything with the property without the other party's consent. When I asked my boss he agreed with me and said if the property had been purchased as Tenants in Common, it would have been a different matter in which case either party could sell or otherwise dispose of their half of the property without reference to the other party. The Bank Manager then rang and told me he was going to allow my husband to take out a second mortgage on the properrty and there was nothing I could do about it. That's when I found there was a loop=hole in the Joint Names ownership of the property. So, BEWARE! property owners, check the deeds of your property before you get stuck like I did.
The Divorce Laws in Australia are disgracefully UNJUST... especially to men with children, in most cases!!!
 
My bank won’t renew my credit card without my husbands permission because he has Mr in front of his name, even though I opened the joint account. How can they allow anyone to open an account for someone else without their permission? Banks need to do better.
Change banks! Don't have a joint card.
 
I can't believe this woman was going to buy a business yet was unaware of her bank balance, this story doesn't make sense.
 
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Been there....done that!

Cost me $85000 of my superannuation which was supposed be a deposit on a house and ended up being frittered away on absolutely nothing of note.

It ended up that this whore had numerous default notices from the likes of Telstra, Optus, Vodaphone, AGL, Origin Energy and QBE Insurance to name a few for unpaid accounts.

Now this bitch is on a full disability support pension while working full time at a medical practice. Of course the head doctor falsified medical reports so she could reap the benefits of both the pension and full time employment.

The sting in the tail was that I had to pay over $13000 in tax to the Child Support Agency to my ex wife as the $85000 was deemed as income when it was withdrawn since my youngest child was 17 years and 10 months at the time.

A lovely way to say goodbye to almost $100000! 👿
I know who I'd be calling !!!
Even if you do it anonymously.
 
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the family law court is actually known as the women's court...its the last place a couple should go to settle their affairs...the court is really the only one who wins along with the lawyers, couples are far better settling outside the court...it certainly is NOT anything to relate to justice
I agree , but try getting vindictive people to agree out of court . Especially when her Mother "loads the bullets for her daughter to fire" .
As Princess Di was famously quoted , and it applies to my son's situation ..
There were 3 of us in this marriage !
But in my son's case it was him , his ex and her nasty , toxic , controlling , helicopter mother .
 
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I know who I'd be calling !!!
Even if you do it anonymously.
The ATO and Services Australia. I have contracted both government departments anonymously (which you can) but unaware of the outcome.

Knowing this slimy worm, she would have wriggled her way out of any penalty and probably apportioned the blame to me!
 
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The ATO and Services Australia. I have contracted both government departments anonymously (which you can) but unaware of the outcome.

Knowing this slimy worm, she would have wriggled her way out of any penalty and probably apportioned the blame to me!
I know this will sound like a watered down compliment however being the better , much better person.....might not feel like you're a winner ...but .... YOU ARE & in my books that's a good thing . Hopefully Karma is real.
Re hearing back from those depts ...
I know of a person who dobbed in a neighbour and like you they didn't find out how it panned out.
 
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A credit card has a primary card holder who owns the account, the additional card holder is just that. Its not because of the Mr its whoever the main cardholder is. Back in my day I was the secondary because I was at home with the kids and he had the income that was used to assess for the card. Even though I managed all the accounts and finances
Why didn’t they make me the primary card holder if I opened the acc. Anyway the bank told me that the man was always made the primary card holder. Their words.
 
  • Wow
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