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Financial Independence

Financial Independence After Divorce: First Steps

April 25, 20253 min read

Divorce can make money feel like a mountain—new bills, split accounts, and a future that looks foggy. The stress isn’t just about numbers; it’s about feeling unsteady in your own life. At Rebuilders International, we’ve spent over 40 years helping people take their first steps toward financial independence, not with spreadsheets, but with emotional strength. Our proven approach, backed by the Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale (FDAS), shows that confidence starts within. Here’s how to begin today.

Why Money Feels So Heavy Post-Divorce

After divorce, financial worries often carry deeper fears—of failing, of not being enough. Friends might push quick fixes like “make a budget,” but that skips the real work of rebuilding your sense of control. Our method, tested by thousands, focuses on the emotional roots of financial independence. The FDAS, with its .93 reliability, shows that tackling these feelings head-on builds lasting clarity. Let’s walk through the first steps.

5 Rebuilders Steps to Start Strong

These steps, drawn from our 10-week workshop, use our unique tools to shift you from fear to confidence, rooted in emotional resilience:

  1. Name Your Money Fears
    Fear grows in silence. Our Empowerment Triangle—caring, vulnerability, assertiveness—helps you say, “I’m scared I won’t make it alone.” In our groups, one woman shared this and felt lighter instantly. Try it: write one money worry down. It’s like our thinking-phase work, clearing mental clutter to focus on what’s next.

  2. Embrace “I Am Enough”
    Divorce can make you feel less-than, especially with money. Our core belief? You’re a “gem,” capable no matter the bank balance. Try this daily: say, “I am enough,” in the mirror. A dad in our support group said this eased his panic over bills. This practice, tied to our self-worth tools, builds a foundation for financial courage.

  3. Check Your Emotional Baseline
    Money stress often ties to deeper feelings. Our free self-test takes 10 minutes and shows where you stand—maybe grief or low self-worth is fueling your fears. A client saw her score and said, “I’m not stuck, just starting.” Knowing this, like our RIFT framework’s thinking phase, helps you prioritize what to tackle first.

  4. Take One Small Action
    Confidence grows through doing. Pick one money-related step—maybe checking your account, calling a bill company, or reading one article. Our program’s challenge behaviors teach that action shifts fear. A client said tracking one expense felt like “taking the wheel.” Choose one move that feels doable—it’s a signal you’re in charge.

  5. Lean on Our Community
    You don’t have to face this alone. Our online groups connect you with others sorting out their own money worries—like how to plan without spiraling. One member found calm sharing tips with a group pal. Swap stories, get ideas, and see you’re not the only one rebuilding. Our tools show support and fuels confidence.

A Foundation for Financial Freedom

Financial independence after divorce starts with believing you can handle what’s ahead—not because of numbers, but because of you. Our structured approach has helped thousands since 1974, with workshop completers since 2021 showing stronger self-worth via FDAS scores. You can take charge too, one brave step at a time.

Need a Hand? We’re Here

Money stress is real, but our programs—online, in-person, or self-paced—give you tools and a crew to build confidence. Visit our homepage or book a free clarity call. Want to start small? Join our free support group Tuesdays online.

You’re Stronger Than You Think

You’re built to take on this challenge. What’s one small money step you’ll try today? Share below—we’re cheering for you!

blog author image

Nick Meima

Expert Divorce Coach, Divorce Recovery Group Facilitator

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Divorce Support & Recovery

Welcome to the #1 most comprehensive divorce recovery program in the world.

Does the Rebuilders

System Really Work?

Below you’ll see that the Rebuilders International system really works, why it is unique, and what we do. We will let this information stand for itself! And yes, of course results will vary but with only a few hours a week you can have a life changing experience.

The Rebuilders Background:

40 Years Of Changing People's Lives.

Meet Dr. Bruce Fisher

The founder of the Rebuilders program was Dr. Bruce Fisher (1931-1998). He was born in Iowa but spent most of his adult life in Boulder, Colorado. He was a popular divorce therapist, author, teach and a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. As he worked with clients dealing with divorce he realized that traditional therapy didn’t work efficiently.

He began working with his clients in groups and eventually found that there are 19 “steps” that people must work through to effectively “Rebuild” their lives. From this work he wrote the book “Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends.” We still use this book as a reference in our classes. Since he wrote the book over 30 years ago we have learned a lot and the program has evolved considerably. Now we find that there are more “steps” and that there are some elements that Dr. Fisher wasn’t aware of or misunderstood. However, he still created a powerful foundation for the program that we run today.

See The Data...

"I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to have taken this journey with you and the class. It’s been very mind blowing and a real eye opener. It changed my life."

Mike

How our program works...

Head

Your thinking, mindset, beliefs, and values all influence how you respond to the traumatic experience of divorce. We show you how to step outside of the rumination about the past. Learn to step outside of the normal traps that keep people stuck thinking about the past.

Heart

Many people suppress, depress, or repress their feelings. Divorce brings so many “difficult” feelings. We give you tools to work through them, use them, and feel the “good” feelings again -like HAPPINESS, JOY, AND LOVE.

Identity

In marriages people “lose” themselves. When the marriage ends they don’t know who they are as a single person. We help you connect with yourself so that you can be comfortable being alone in your own skin.

The Program Works Regardless of Your Situation!

Considering Divorce?

Learn what you can do find the best path forward

It is a very difficult time in your life when you are facing the possibility of divorce. We offer a wide variety of tools, information and personal coaching to help you.

In the Divorce Process?

Divorce Resources – Support for All Stages of Divorce

When you are dealing with divorce there is a lot going on. There are legal issues, financial issues, emotional issues, parenting issues and more. When faced with all of these pressures we see that people that pay attention to the emotional effect of divorce are better able to navigate everything else much better.

Divorced?

The Papers are signed...

Whether you are recently divorced or it has been years, the wounds from divorce are real. Time does not heal all wounds, it just scabs over them. So if you are ready to learn more about what you can do to HEAL then click below.

Get guidance on how to best recover during this very challenging time in your life.

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Copyright © 2025 Rebuilders International, LLC, All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2025 Rebuilders International, LLC, All rights reserved.