Suze Orman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know my financial planner says she is a nut.

She is definitely an oddball, but does your financial planner think that she gives bad advice?

He thinks she gives bad advice.

[Anonymous]

Buy the book, keep the receipt -- if you read a bit and don't like her suggestions, return it. In this economy, I think you'll find people that will love or hate just about every financial advice provider out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or Michelle Singletary!

I read Michelle regularly, but sometimes I wonder if she enjoys her life. OK, I know she most likely she's happy, but it seems like she's totally against spending money (even with cash) to do any of the "extra's" that make life more enjoyable.

[Anonymous]

Try something by Ric Edelman.

[Anonymous]

You, my friend, are DENIED!!! i just love her show. I've also just bought her 2009 financial planner. I figured, since I can't afford a financial planner this year, I might as well invest $9 in her book. I think she gives very sound advice. I also like the lady who does Color of Money, personal financial advice on the washington Post; Michelle Something. I think that both emphasize that all debt is bad debt. You're always better off not owing anything to anybody, and hence the advice of decreasing debt and increasing savings in case something happens. Basically, I think Suze is not only hysterical, she although knows her stuff. My husband and I are debated how much we should put into house projects this year, and we know that for any of it, Suze would say:YOU ARE DENIED! No need to call the show ;o)

[Anonymous]

These advisors all say the same things--it is so simple. Cut costs, save more. You must spend less than you earn. Pay yourself first. Decide what is a "want" and what is a "need." I keep reading them, hoping I'll learn something new and ultimately end up with the same (good, but same) advice.

[Anonymous]

OP here, Thanks for all the input. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline to download the book for free from Oprah's website, I'm going to try and get it from the library. It sounds like one piece of advice she has is to move money out of money market funds that are at mutual fund companies--that's where we keep our emergency stash, so I'm wondering if that is a good idea. (I know the money is not FDIC insured, but the rates at banks are so low...especially since we don't have a huge amount)

[Anonymous]

Suze Orman, Michelle S. and other money celebs offer advice that is good enough for beginners...but it tends to be oversimplified and shallow. If you're beyond that and need something with more meat...try Kiplinger's, Smart Money, the personal finance section of the Wall St. Journal. A PP mentioned Ric Edelman, and he's pretty good, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, Thanks for all the input. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline to download the book for free from Oprah's website, I'm going to try and get it from the library. It sounds like one piece of advice she has is to move money out of money market funds that are at mutual fund companies--that's where we keep our emergency stash, so I'm wondering if that is a good idea. (I know the money is not FDIC insured, but the rates at banks are so low...especially since we don't have a huge amount)

Have you looked into an online bank, like Emigrant Direct, ING, or HSBC? In my experience recently, those accounts pay more than either money market funds or brick and mortar banks, and they are fully FDIC insured. Money markets funds can technically lose money because they are a form of mutual fund investment, but it's extremely rare (of course we're in new economic territory all the time these days, so having a bank deposit that is FDIC insured isn't a bad thing).