Posted by Cricket – Guest Contributor

On March 15, 2011, I had the opportunity to hear Suze Orman at The Louisville Free Public Library, thanks to SIABC! I admit I am not a loyal follower of the well-known author/speaker/financial guru and I think dread is probably the emotion I felt going in. My thought process was something like this:

“Oh great. Someone else telling me how much I have screwed up my finances.”

“Just what I want to hear, a lecture on investing and saving for the future, when I would just like to be able to put gas in my car for the week.”

“That’s nice for people who have  a lot of money to do something with, but I barely get by as it is.”

So going in, I pretty much thought I wouldn’t take home anything but a bunch of guilt! I was SO WRONG!

Suze Orman was talking to real people like me. Some of her more significant messages that I took home were: 

• There is a NEW American Dream. This isn’t the same world or economy that my parents were basing their hopes and dreams on. 
• You need to go ‘back to class’ in terms of your money. 
• Be REAL about what is coming in and going out. 
• It’s ok to rent a house if it provides more security for your situation. That was such a relief? How many of you have been taught all your life that home ownership makes your life more valuable? 
• If you are living in order to just pay the mortgage and nothing else, SELL YOUR HOUSE! 
• Most importantly: STAND IN YOUR TRUTH!  Be honest with yourself about your financial situation and go from there. 

It was so eye opening and I have been giving a lot of thought to what she said.

She had a great Q/A session with the crowd of over 500 people and gave some really great advice to questions about money and marriage, saving for retirement, other Financial Advisors and so much more. I admired how she was willing to take whatever questions were thrown her way and some of them were pretty challenging! She also talked with great affection about her Mama which was so sweet to hear!

Suze Orman is on tour promoting her new book: The Money Class (www.suzeorman.com) BUT she advised everyone to check it out of the library if they don’t have the money to buy it!

So what about you?

• Do you listen to Suze Orman or someone like her? Why or why not?
• Are you scared to stand in your financial truth?
• How do you and your partner/spouse/roommate discuss financial issues?
• How much did your parent’s financial situation influence how you manage your own money?

Now would be a great time to join the 6 MONTH MONEY CHALLEGE going on at SIABC!