Suze Orman and Finacial Advice

There's a reason Suze Orman was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2008. Frankly, the American economy has not seen a financial crisis like the one it's going through now since the Great Depression. And Orman, who is currently the host of The Suze Orman Show on CNBC, is just the person to help. Since stepping down as the director of the Suze Orman Financial Group in 1997, she has served as an accomplished author, television personality and financial advisor for millions of Americans looking to cope with debt. She has used positive thinking to help them overcome their battles with financial issues, start savings plans and set themselves up for a better future. But much of her success stems for her ability to capture simple sentiments about finances in her powerful quotes. Continue reading for a breakdown of some of her best.

Video: Suze Orman Speaks on America’s Financial Crisis

The Best Suze Orman Quotes On Finance

1. "After you marry, every asset either of you acquires is jointly held. That's why you both need to be in sync on your long-term financial goals, from paying off the mortgage to putting away for retirement. Ideally, you should talk about all this before you wed. If you don't, you can end up deeply frustrated and financially spent."

For Suze Orman, planning is a huge aspect of saving and spending money. This is especially true when it comes to marriage. Many people do rush right into a marriage and fail to properly plan for the future. If you are intent on buying a home in the next year and your spouse is content to continue renting, you will inevitably run into problems. Therefore, Orman accurately predicts that those wishing to marry should be sure to make finances a priority before the big day arrives.

2. "A big part of financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life."

When it comes to saving money, spending money and thinking about money, many Americans simply spend too much of their time worrying about what "could happen." There's nothing but wrong with preparing for the unknown, but many people are constantly worrying about how much money they have their bank accounts, why they don't have more and what could happen if life dishes out an unexpected event. Orman's quotes encompasses the meaning of true financial freedom—the ability to do your best when it comes to saving money, not the ability to continuously worry about why you do or don't have enough of it.

3. "In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential.. it's no different in the financial realm."

Anytime you attempt to do something new in your life—ride a bike, skydive, start a new business or put your child through school—there's a certain element of uncertainty involved. You simply have to work at it and trust in your ability to handle any situation. Orman understands this and applies it to finances. There are no sure things in life and this is especially true in the financial realm. Expect to take risks when you save money, spend money, put money into the stock market or do anything involving money. Her quote expresses the need to have the courage to do this and to do it to its fullest. Don't be afraid but also be aware that things do not always go your way.

4. "Owning a home is a keystone of wealth...both financial affluence and emotional security."

So many of us put so much stock into equating happiness with material goods. From the car you drive to the brand of clothing you wear to the school your children attend, so much emphasis is placed on material items and the perception of wealth. However, owning a home is the best way to put yourself into a good place financially. By owning a home, you're establishing a steady foundation for you and your family and making a real statement to the rest of the world. You're letting them know that you're serious about your financial situation and ready to be secure. Her quote enables people to realize this fact and adequately explains the sentiment very clearly.

5. "I have a million dollars in the stock market, because if I lose a million dollars, I don't personally care."

Wow. It's that easy, Miss Orman? Yes, it is. The stock market, as you've no doubt noticed this year, can be very volatile at times. It can be extremely beneficial for you but it can also be a scary thing if you're squeamish about losing money. Therefore, you need to plan adequately but also be realistic when you put your hard-earned cash into the stock market. Only risk what you can and never rely wholly on the stock market. Part of the benefit of something like a 401K is that you're putting up money every month or every paycheck and over time, you will get used to this and look at that money as an investment, not cash constantly being taken out of your pocket. This is not one of Orman's typically positive quotes, but it is useful for those looking to understand how to properly use the stock market to their advantage.

6. "We never had it as rough as the kids have it today. Look at the price of a gallon of gas or a piece of real estate or a college education."

Many of the Baby Boomers today criticize the younger generation for inadequately preparing for the future. With all of the video games on the market and all of the other ways to spend disposable income, teenagers today simply do not have a firm savings plan in mind, right? Well, while that may be the case, Orman also brings up a very valid point. The price of nearly everything in America has risen dramatically over the last several decades. Though gas prices lowered dramatically towards the end of 2008, the cost of almost everything else remains high. From the price of college to the price of a gallon of milk, establishing a savings account and dispensing money into it regularly is not always an option. Orman's quote reveals that there is more than just irresponsible spending at hand—something that parents should keep in mind when they talk about saving with their children.

7. "Opposites may attract, but I wouldn't put my money on a relationship of financial opposites."

So, you're saying there's more to a marriage that picking out curtains that you both can agree on and leaving the toilet seat down? All too often, couples wishing to get married so not consider their spending habits and attitudes towards money before tying the knot. Orman accurately points out the fact that two people who see money in very different ways cannot coexist together. Through communication, they can learn to survive, but money is often a central figure in tension between couples. What Orman is saying here is that this should be considered before marriage to avoid any problems later on.

8. "If you have debt I'm willing to bet that general clutter is a problem for you too."

Admit it: If you're behind on credit card payments or trying to scrape together money for your mortgage, you may not be doing it simply because you do not have the money. You're probably doing it because you're disorganized. So many people spend money every month without considering how it will affect them later. They fail to balance their checkbooks consistently, leave bills lying around and generally do not have a good sense of where their money is at all times. Similarly, those who struggle with clutter around their home or office don't have a good sense of where things are. Orman's observation points out the obvious: You need to stay organized in order to beat debt and survive financially. And if you're the type of person who struggles with clutter, consider this the next time you find yourself struggling with debt. A few simple changes and organizational skills could make all the difference. There are also many different financial advisors out there to help you revamp your financial status by changing your methods once you've gotten organized.

9. "People first, then money, then things."

One of the really powerful things about almost anything Suze Orman says is that she keeps it simple for you. There's no dissection needed for many of her quotes and this is a prime example of that. People who get so wrapped up in money or material items that they fail to treat others right or even just hang out with their family often end up struggling to keep their finances together in the end. Everyone needs a solid support system and it's important to remember them, regardless of how focused you are on keeping your finances tight. This may seem silly and even a little too simple but Orman is right—there's no sense in having all the money in the world if you've got no one to share it with. This is certainly one to keep nearby at all times.

10. "Just because one of you earns the paycheck doesn't mean that person should lord over how the money is handled."

Many marriages suffer as the result of financial squabbles. There's not enough money, not enough organization with the money, not enough accountability with the money or, in some cases, too much money. But one really common problem with couples occurs when one person makes more money or even all the money to provide for the family. Regardless of how the money is coming in, a marriage is built on love and trust, not some sort of hierarchy that revolves around who brings home the bacon. If you're in a relationship where this occurs, Orman suggests you find a way to fix this. It could be devastating to your relationship later so be sure to keep an eye out for this sort of situation.

11. "Money is a topic that touches all races, all religions, all sexes, all ages, all tax brackets. It's a universal language that truly has been held up to us in society as a thing that determines whether we are successful, worthy, whether we have contributed something to life or not."

The power of a dollar is mighty strong, especially with the current state of the economy. Who has it, who doesn't, who's trying to get it and who simply can't make enough of it is often a reflection of society as a whole and determines where certain people fit in. Money is very powerful and Suze Orman realizes that and wishes to change the perception of that. It's a very tall task. Unlike some of her other quotes, this one is very matter-of-fact and frankly does not do much to the self-esteem of those without money. But it's important to investigate her words more in order to find out what she's really trying to say—sometimes we put too much emphasis on money and not enough on the more important things on life.

12. "When it comes to money, if you have it, you may feel that you don't deserve it—guilt. If you don't have it, you may feel that you should have it—guilt."

Guilt is something that comes attached to money naturally. Ask anyone who holds down a job and chances are he or she will tell you that they deserve more money. However, walk those same people down any street in any town where a homeless man is sitting on a corner or a poor child is out looking for a meal and chances are they will have a very different reaction about the amount of money they have. What this quote by Orman does is allow people to realize what they have and helps alleviate a little bit of that guilt you feel about your money. Everyone is going through the same thing when it comes to money so try not to worry so much about it.

13. "Financial freedom requires not just insights but also actions, and to carry out these actions you must learn about money and how it needs to be treated. True financial freedom is not only having money, but having power over that money as."

Most people wouldn't mind knowing the secret to making more money. But if you actually gave it to them, how would they treat it? This quote from Orman investigates this and clearly states one thing—those who have the most freedom with money are those who know how to treat it and use it. Elsewhere in her teachings, Orman observes that most people live lifestyles that they simply cannot sustain. So if you're banking $1 million more than the next guy, but you're spending $900,000 a year on material goods while he has a clear savings plan in mind, who is really making money and controlling it properly? When it comes to money, it's not always about how much you have but how you choose to use it, save it and control it over time.

14. "I was just like most people who finally had money. Rather than act responsibly with my newfound cash flow, I felt I was entitled to make up for lost time by eating out every night, hitting the clubs, taking nice vacations, and filling my life with whatever gadgets I wanted."

A very common mistake! Suze Orman brings some of her personal background into this quote, which makes it particularly effective. Many people work too hard for too long to sit back and consider how to spend their money. After all, if you're working everyday for a year, don't you feel entitled to spend, spend, spend on whatever you want, whenever you want? But you need to sit back, analyze your financial situation and make the best decision for you. By bringing her own struggles into the mix here, people should feel confident that anyone can suffer with money issues.

15. "If you show money the respect it deserves today, and carry it through in all your actions, then one day, when you can no longer take care of it, your money will take care of you."

Thinking long-term, especially for a teenager or someone with their first or second real job, can be particularly challenging. Few people truly understand how important it is to save for their later years when they're young. But respecting your money by saving it, spending it wisely and considering the future is the first step to allowing your money to work for you. Learning how to save your money effectively is an important skill. This sort of quote from Suze Orman relays a need to respect money today in order to have it work for you later, which is something that many financial analysts may not do, especially in these hard times.

16. "I have found that when negative emotions control the purse strings, money will not flow purely and evenly. When it comes to money, emotions can speak louder than reason or necessity."

Your cell phone bill, that electricity bill you've been putting off, your student loans—many dollars are spent every year and done so under less than ideal circumstances. People are angry about spending money on certain things and this certainly reflects. Rather than getting upset when you have to pay a bill, consider what that money is doing for you and think of ways that you can pay that bill off more effectively. Budgeting is good but it also constrains your thinking when it comes to money and can make you hate to pay certain bills. What Orman is saying here is that you need to truly consider every purchase you make, reason it out and get some real control over your finances.

17. "If shame, fear, or anger is at the wheel, then I can promise you, you are not on a course toward richness. By having the courage to face and overcome your inner obstacles, however, you will change the outer trappings of your financial life forever."

Most people in America have a very really fear of failure. And that often carries over into their financial life and makes them anxious about every dollar that they make and spend. While it's certainly important to be careful with your money, you also cannot be afraid to take some calculated risks from time to time. But this cannot be accomplished without looking at your life as a whole and analyzing what you can do to change yourself in order to be more courageous when it comes to anything in life. Orman's quote is not as specific or clear-cut as some of her others but there's a realness to it that extends to aspects of your life beyond just money.

18. "Most of us believe, or deceive ourselves into believing, that we need about $1,000 to $1,500 a month less than we actually do need to go on living the exact same way we live right now. Surprisingly, this figure seems to vary only a little bit regardless of income levels."

Wow, an inspirational quote for anyone who has ever struggled with money, courtesy of Suze Orman. There are more than a few people who live from check to check and do not actually have enough money left over at the end of any given money. And that doesn't just mean those struggling single parents out there or the guy working the minimum wage job. What Orman does here is lump everyone into the same category, which is very effective. Those who may not make much at all can say, ‘I have the same problem as some millionaire out there,' while the millionaire thinks, ‘I'm not really as successful as I think I am, am I?' She effectively brings all income levels together, which balances the power of power and makes people realize that we all suffer with different problems when it comes to money but it's also all universal.

19. "If you're not powerful with your money, you are not powerful."

People often associate power with those people who have the most money. They can do anything, right? But the truth is that people need to know how to treat their money in order to make it work for them, which is the truest sense of power. One of the essential things to keeping the power is treating your money right and understanding how to do that, even if you only have a little bit of money. Learning effective ways to save money is one way to start. Orman, again, makes a very simply but powerful declaration here that can help anyone in any income bracket to feel good about what they're doing with their money.

20. "Be careful not to let the money you spend become a badge of your success."

Ultimately, money is one of the most important things in the world. It determines what you can do, where you can go and, sometimes, even who can marry and how you can provide for and raise your family. It's undoubtedly one of the most important things in your life. But Suze Orman is a believer in living your life for more than just the money. It's one reason her financial advice has been so successful for so many people. She understands that money is important to people but also does not want them to think that it's so important that they can't live without showing it off. This is one of Suze Orman's most powerful quotes to date.

Video: Suze Orman Examines Personal Finance

Video:

Suze Orman teaches you how to manage your money through the stock market and understand exactly what you're doing. Click the video for more information.

How To Cut Debt Out of Your Life and Start Saving More

In order to start cutting debt out of your life or learn how to start saving more money, speak with a financial analyst today who can put you on the right path. Below are telephone numbers that will put you directly in touch with some of the best financial advisors in the business who can advise you on a savings account, stock market options, a 401K or and other basic financial advice.

Bank of America
(800) 822-2222

Bear Sterns & Co Inc.
(866) 299-9331

Citi Smith Barney
(800) 221-3636

Deutsche Bank AG
(212) 250-2500

Goldman Sachs & Co.
(212) 902-0300

JP Morgan Chase
(800) 242-7324

Merrill Lynch
(800) 637-7455

Morgan Stanley & Co.
(212) 761-4000

Robertson Stephens
(800) 766-3863

Wachovia
(866) 588-9606

Wells Fargo
(877) 493-4727