Suze Orman

You have got to be the masters of your own financial future.

Financial advice needs to change according to what is happening in the economy.

Late payments also hurt your FICO score. And never, ever take out a cash advance on your credit card.

People have got to learn: if they don't have cookies in the cookie jar, they can't eat cookies.

It's not what you make, but how you feel about what you make and what you spend.

Who would you want to be giving you advice? Somebody who doesn't have any money?

If you're not staying on top of your money, you are putting your financial well-being at risk.

I have always advocated doing everything possible to pay off credit card balances; it's good financial management and the ticket to a strong FICO credit score.

So many financial dreams are thwarted by the failure to act upon good intentions.

The foundation of a financial fresh start actually has nothing to do with money or specific financial dos and don'ts.

When you are grateful when you can see what you have you unlock blessings to flow in your life.

The only way you will ever permanently take control of your financial life is to dig deep and fix the root problem.

Every portfolio benefits from bonds; they provide a cushion when the stock market hits a rough patch. But avoiding stocks completely could mean your investment won't grow any faster than the rate of inflation.

Cut back your spending now.

Credit card issuers and HELOC lenders are like fair-weather friends: They cozy up to you in good times, but when the economy heads south, they abandon you faster than Usain Bolt runs the 100 meters.

Even if you were to fall into extreme financial hardship and file for bankruptcy, you need to understand that your student loan debt will not be discharged in bankruptcy. It is the Velcro of all debts.

When it comes to tackling your financial goals, whatever they might be, there's no time like the present.

A pile of bills and statements - whether paid or not - is a sign that someone is clueless about what's coming in and going out.

Money is such an amazing teacher: What you choose to do with your money shows whether you are truly powerful or powerless.

Make this the year you tackle that credit card debt once and for all.

If you're saving for the long run, it's actually a good thing when the market is down because the more shares you have, the more you can potentially make when markets rise. And over time - decades, not months - the markets rise more than they fall.

In order to create lasting security you must learn to stand in your truth.

What I've learned is that the audience is constantly rotating. Just because it feels like I've said it, there are millions and millions of people that have still never heard of it.

We women know how to take care of everybody so well. But the one person we have written out of the equation is us.

To make the most of your money, I recommend sticking with mutual funds that don't charge a commission when you buy or sell.

There is no law saying you have to die before your assets can be passed to loved ones. In fact, gifting earlier can be a lovely way to witness how your money helps your family thrive.

I simply want you to give to yourself as much as you give of yourself. By taking care of yourself financially, you will truly be able to take care of those you love.

No one's ever achieved financial fitness with a January resolution that's abandoned by February.

Never cosign a loan. Once you have cosigned, you cannot get out of it - even on your deathbed.

If you're financially responsible, your children have a much better chance to grow up financially responsible.

I'm a big advocate of a work-for-pay setup rather than an allowance that isn't attached to chores - it's a great way to impart the value of money to your children.

If you are worried about job security and do not have an adequate emergency fund (ideally eight months' worth of living expenses stashed away in a federally insured bank or credit union), you need to focus more on saving money than paying down the balance on your credit cards.

If there is anyone dependent on your income - parents, children, relatives - you need life insurance.

I have never been a fan of bond funds. Unlike a direct investment in an individual bond that you can hold to maturity and be assured you will get your principal back (assuming no default), a fund has no finite maturity date and most funds are actively traded.

Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give your family. And setting up a smooth inheritance isn't as hard as you might think.

To enjoy a long, comfortable retirement, save more today.

The prenup needs to be drawn up months before the wedding, not days - it's not something you slap together and sign in the car on the way to the ceremony. A shotgun prenup might not hold up in court.

Money is kind of just like air - if you don't have air, you can't breathe. If you don't have money, I don't think you'll want to breathe - you won't want to live.

I think they've been baby bummers.

Your goal should be to pay off your credit card bills in full at the end of each month and set aside money toward your emergency savings.

Sometimes your mind lets you do things with your money that make no sense.

If you’re going down the street and you’re going the wrong way, remember – God permits U-turns.

The foundation of a financial fresh start actually has nothing to do with money or specific financial dos and don'ts. The first, and most difficult, step is to absolve yourself and your spouse or partner of any guilt.

Rather than saying, 'My checking account is a wreck,' change it to 'I will learn how to track my spending and balance my checkbook.'

True generosity is an offering; given freely and out of pure love. No strings attached. No expectations. Time and love are the most valuable possession you can share.

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.

When you lose something in your life, stop thinking it's a loss for you... it is a gift you have been given so you can get on the right path to where you are meant to go, not to where you think you should have gone.

It's fine to seek professional help, but I urge everyone - no matter how big their portfolio - to truly understand every suggestion they're given before acting.

They got married, they got divorced, and half their money goes out the window.

I get so frustrated when people tell me it's unrealistic to create an eight-month emergency savings fund, or have money saved for a home down payment, or pay off their $5,000 credit card balance.

Money you know you need or want to spend in the next few years is savings. Money you keep handy for an emergency belongs in savings. Money you hope to use soon for a down payment on a house belongs in savings. And all savings belong in a low-risk bank savings account or money market account.

Find $50 a month for savings. No excuses!

I love, love, love that you want to use your debit card. But to keep your credit score solid, you still need to keep a few credit cards and use them at least once every few months.

If you wait until your children are high school seniors to spring it on them that there's not a whole lot of money for school, they won't have too many options.

Learn how to prioritize all your debt. And did you know student loan debt is the most dangerous debt any of us can have?

Private student loans should be avoided at all costs.

The advantage of online banking is that you can pay bills superfast, and your account is automatically credited or debited for each deposit and payment, making it easier to stay on track.

The less you have to think about how to spend every dollar, the more likely you are to spend wisely.

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

The key to making money is to stay invested.

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

Grace is above praise and blame. I never read the bad stuff people write, but I never read the good stuff, either. Ever. I know who I am, and I know that God looks down on me and smiles. I know that - without a shadow of a doubt.

We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. Financial security requires facing up to the big picture assets minus debts.

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

The last thing family and friends want is for you to spend money on them that you don't have or that you can't really spare.

People often panic when the markets go down and sell off their stocks - but then they aren't in the game when the markets are doing well.

A wise woman recognizes when her life is out of balance and summons the courage to act to correct it, she knows the meaning of true generosity, happiness is the reward for a life lived in harmony, with a courage and grace.

If you make time each month to give your money some attention, you'll start the next year in fabulous financial shape.

The way to build your savings is by spending less each month.

Look everywhere you can to cut a little bit from your expenses. It will all add up to a meaningful sum.

Everybody in America started to define themselves by all these things they had around them. And all of a sudden it came tumbling down. So the old American dream has died, and that is a good thing.

Stop buying things you don't need to impress people you don't even like.

Make it a priority to have at least eight months of living costs set aside in a federally insured bank or credit union account.

The chances of a bank going out of business are extremely slim, but it's always a good idea to spread around major sums so every penny is backed by insurance.

Abundance is in crucial ways a state of mind.

Anything that gets people to think harder about their financial security and take some responsibility is a good thing.

The world does not need another credit card.

Once your kids are grown and you know that you're completely healthy, consider canceling your life insurance policy.

You should keep a copy of your tax return indefinitely, but you need to save supporting documents for only three years.

Pay off your mortgage before retirement, and that's one less bill you'll have to worry about when you're on a fixed income.

The new American dream is one of responsibility. What is the bottom-line number that you're going to be able to pay back toward a student loan responsibly if you're doing it yourself after you have a job? That dictates the amount of money you can borrow. That dictates the school you can go to, if you can even go to a four-year college at all.

Give to yourself as much as you give of yourself! This means you have to put yourself first.

Your credit score affects the interest rates you're offered on credit cards and loans, can be used to vet your job application, and in some states may influence your insurance premiums.

The world needs another vehicle to get people to pay in cash.

Never invest emergency savings in the stock market.

Every time you overhear something hurtful, I want you to do something kind for someone else.

I do not think I am successful just because I have money. I'm successful because I love who I am and I have no regrets, and I'm successful because I have a great heart and I have compassion and I care and I would be happy with or without money.

If a child, a spouse, a life partner, or a parent depends on you and your income, you need life insurance.

Don't let what others think or say get in your way; their actions reflect on them, not you.

If you're going to live in the house make it your goal to just pay off your mortgage.

Just because you can afford it doesnt mean you should buy it.

Those carrying a credit card balance should scale back to making the minimum payment each month so they have more money to put into savings.

Put your financial life on autopilot as a form of 'forced' saving.

While a reverse mortgage can indeed be a viable way to generate income, it is very important to understand that after you take out a reverse mortgage, you will still be responsible for paying the property tax, the insurance premium, and all the maintenance costs for your home.

It's easy to underestimate the real cost of home ownership.

Remember: If the IRS suspects you haven't reported income, it can challenge returns from the past six years. So if you are self-employed or have multiple income sources, hold on to six years of files to be absolutely safe.

We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. Financial security requires facing up to the big picture: assets minus debts.

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

Get rid of debt now.

There is nothing more beautiful than a confident woman.