My parents’ frugality once felt like deprivation. But when dementia struck, their paid-off home became our lifeline — funding care, easing stress, and giving us time to focus on love. Frugality isn’t stinginess; it’s foresight.

When it comes to personal finance, few names are as recognizable as Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman. Both have built careers helping millions of Americans make smarter money decisions. But when it comes to buying a home, their rules differ in important ways. If you’re considering homeownership in California in 2026, here’s a breakdown of what these two financial gurus say about down payments, mortgage limits, and loan terms — and how their advice plays out in one of the most expen