Sister Wives star Kody Brown has a history of making impulsive financial decisions. Unfortunately, his actions produce a ripple effect throughout his polygamist family, bound by his “where we go one, we go all” beliefs. Throughout 19 seasons, viewers watched as Kody made one bad judgment call after another, but one dumb financial decision set the wheels in motion for his family’s dissolution. The Browns were never the same thereafter.

What was Kody Brown’s dumbest financial decision?

Sister Wives documented many of Kody Brown’s not-so-thought-out financial choices. The dumbest was his idea to leave Las Vegas for Arizona.

After almost two years of renting in Sin City, the family homes were complete. Four homes, located on a cul de sac, gave the Browns the connection their clan needed and autonomy for the wives.

Just seven years later, Kody decided to uproot their family again to move to Flagstaff, Arizona after Robyn’s son, Dayton, was accepted into Northern Arizona University. Kody insisted the wives would reap the financial benefits of the move and their homes would sell for a high price. However, the homes did not fetch the big payout Kody hoped for.

Once in Flagstaff, the Brown family quickly purchased a plot of land for $820K and began renting and purchasing homes. These decisions further eroded their financial situation.

Kody admitted his family was at its best during their time in Las Vegas

Kody Brown admitted the Brown family was at its best and most functional when they lived together in Las Vegas. He said during a season 19 episode that living in Las Vegas “was the best time of his life.”

However, as the family’s head, the wives were supposed to fall in line with Kody’s wishes. But only one person always appeared to be on board, Robyn Brown. It was later revealed the entire family moved so she could helicopter parent Dayton while he attended college.

In Vegas, each wife had her own home within the same cul-de-sac, allowing for a balance of independence and unity. In Flagstaff, the family struggled to secure permanent housing. Some wives were forced into rentals while others held out hope for their ill-fated Coyote Pass project.

The move also coincided with growing tensions between Kody and his wives, ultimately leading to Christine, Janelle, and Meri’s departures. Kody’s decision to move cost him everything.

‘Sister Wives’ fans weigh in on the family’s biggest financial mistake

Longtime viewers of the TLC series weighed in on the subject. They agreed that Kody Brown never thought things through before jumping into a decision with both feet.

Kody uprooted an entire family for the wishes of one of his wives. This move cost them thousands, their peace, and added to the cracks already evident within their family.

Reddit users couldn’t contain their ire. One fan wrote, “They were stable and each living peacefully. Kody needed that to change so he could become the center of their worlds again. He needed them to need him.”

A second viewer wrote, “Janelle started so well, reminding Kody about how poorly her children did with the move to Vegas, refusing to let it happen again. And then, off camera, she did a complete 180 and got with the program by the next episode.”

“It’s like Kody can’t help but do things in the worst, most chaotic fashion ever,” a third Reddit user deduced.

Sister Wives is currently on hiatus. The series will return in spring 2025 with new twists and tell-all episodes.