Sorry - I speld financial rong.
Personally, I enjoy listing to Suze Orman advising people who are living off $4300-$6800 a month incomes how to hold onto their money. Or, whether or not they can afford to buy a new sports car, take a vacation or hook their mom up an internet package deal, after they have divulged that they have $500,000 in a bank acocunt plus a house worth scads of dollars and an IRA the national gold reserves would envy. Who are these people and who the heck makes $4300 plus dollars a month? With that kind of income I could do very well for sure, with or without her advice. But Suze isn't making money off anyone, when you think about it-you can check her books out of the library for free, thereby cutting into any profits she could possibly realize. She is a self-proclaimed lesbian and maybe that's why she calls everyone girlfriend. Don't hate the messenger.
Hogwash, there is always someone that has to shoot down the good souls sent by God to help us.
and there's just as many selling us swampland in Georgia
She is just one of many "experts". She has some good ideas, and some that are simply not applicable in the "new" economy. Read them all but buy into none of them without considering your own circumstances and preferences. It's going to be a rough year, and none of the know-it-all's are better than your own common sense and thrift. Expect and prepare for the worst, then step away, take a deep breath ... and don't forget to smell the flowers.
I am sticking to my guns on this one. Still looking for
"calm-ents". I just could not tolerate listening to her "coach the rich" and likewise, P and M about her meager beginnings (or more like yesterdays). Had no idea about her sexual preference, but that doesn't change or alter my opinion of her, for sure! (I have several gay friends) I could not fathom one iota of her "advice" and I just think it's about time her gravy train stopped. (she makes millions in combined book deals and speaking engagements) The fact that Oprah found her services valuable, says more than enough to us average bears. That's what my message is about, but thanks MarketM for your wise words. And as far as "sent from God" - please excuse me from the room....
Yes, MarketMama. I have read at least 3 of Suze Orman's books, all of them checked out from the library. I have never bought one of her wills, IRA kits, nothing.
She does make sense on a lot of levels. The one and only basic truth about how to get rich is very very simple.
Spend less than you earn. That's it! When you get into what you are supposed to do with that money that you didn't spend--there's the problem. I don't hear Suze recommending any funds that cost you money-she always goes for no-loads, she avoids annuities like the plague, and she is always talking about paying down your debt and for God's sake, don't get a home equity loan! Pretty basic, common sense advice.
Educate yourself! Find out about loaded v no load funds, bonds, etc. Then maybe you can do some basic investing on your own. You don't need a whole bunch of fancy stuff. Fidelity, Vanguard, American Century, T Rowe Price -- all of these funds have a variety of funds that are little or no cost -- you don't need a broker or any of that. Just spread out your money in a variety of investments--and to keep it simple, stick with one family of funds until you are comfortable.
And don't forget about cash. "Experts" recommend no more than 2% of your assets to be in cash. Hogwash. I don't feel comfortable with that small of an amount. I actually have about 35% of my money in cash. And I did it when the stock market was really high. I am very conservative...so I am very very happy that I have my cash.
Do what makes you comfortable.
I think Suzy is a Ding-A-Ling.
very profound, dodger -- thanks for your input. :)
There is a little bit we can learn from everyone we run across in life. In books, on Tv, on the radio etc. You take what you can use and discard the rest. Doesn't mean any of us are completely wrong or right. Would be a pretty damn boring world if we all had the same opinion.
