Suze Orman - The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom

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Starring: Suze Orman
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Tedd Tramaloni
Studio: Pbs Home Video
Release Date: 2003-09-02
Financial expert Suze Orman is changing the way America thinks about money. Orman outlines a revolutionary approach to the way we save money, handle debt, and plan for our retirement. By examining and understanding our earliest attitudes toward money, we can honestly confront where we stand financially and take the necessary action toward financial freedom. Orman deals with managing money responsibly, handling credit card debt, planning for our retirement, trusts versus wills and more.

2% good advice wrapped up in 98% of absolute rubbish
I wanted to like this, and there is some good 101 style advice in there about lump sum versus slower investing and trusts versus wills but this is basic info - the rest is baby boomer rubbish about "attracting money" with your beliefs, treating money as a "cherished friend" etc. She says it makes you "powerless" to help people out financially, that you should not help your kids pay bills, and that the only "powerful" way to give away money is to give it to your parents because you owe them for having you, and to give your money to a charity or church. So baby boomers if your gen x kids are swimming in debt from student loans hand more money to charities and places of worship and don't "lose power" by helping your kids. There is nothing in here for people under 40 and/or those struggling to start out in life under a mountain of student loan debt. Pass this one by.

I strongly recommend "Pat The Money" as the antidote to this book.

Great Financial Advice!!
Having just gone thru a divorce, Suze Orman gives you the financial down-to-earth motivation you need to move on. Her heart-felt honest advice gives you that feeling that you CAN and WILL be able to handle your money no matter how it is affecting your life.

Good reading! Learned a lot that will save me $$$$$$!
This book is simple to understand- well put! This is a must read for everyone--makes you look at your money in a whole new light.

Suze's mistake
As I have read many of Suze's books, I have tried to look for the common sense approach. While I have found this in many of her books, I have also seen a very broad blanket statement being told through out her books. That statement is to not trust Financial Advisors. While it is true that there are some financial advisors that are not honest. This is true of any profession. But this does not mean that every advisor is out to just make a commission.
I have been an advisor for quite some years now. I have my Series 7, 65, 63 and Series 6. I am licensed in Life, Health. I also have the designation of CFP. I specialize in estate planning and wealth accumulation strategies. One of the biggest issues that I have with my profession is when some one "whips out the Suze Orman Fan Club Card". She makes blanket statements that many people do not understand. It makes my job 10 times as hard to help my clients. When they do repeat a statement that Suze has said, I many times have to go back and re-educate them as to the meaning of what she said.
Now is Suze just spouting non-sense? Of course not. Some of her advise is very good for the very common, starting from the bottom person. But it does not provide good sense for everyone.
If you are going to work with an advisor, do your home work. Ask them what they are licensed in. Ask them to explain to you why this is the best option and how it's going to benefit you. Ask about what their commissions are. They legally have to tell you. Do the research on each one and if they don't pass the "sniff test", kick them to the curb.
But please, do not believe everything that Suze writes. Not all of it is true and much of it is taken out of context. Your best bet is to educate yourself with someone who has been licensed (Suze is not licensed in securities) and has written books.

An Excellent Book For Anyone to Read
The book has some very valuable information for everyone. From beginning to save with a 401K or any savings plan, to Wills and other necessary documents one should and must have drawn up, its very informative. Suze refers to situations in her experience which can show us why we do or do not prepare for retirement as we should and how emotions from the past cause us to deal with money. I recommend this book for everyone to read.