Suze Orman...what do you think?

[justplaintired]

I like her attitude and she seems like a very smart lady. I have watched her show. Honestly though, I don't watch it much. The reason, she makes me feel sort of guilty for being in debt. I mean I know we shouldn't be, that doesn't change the fact we are. I would love to go another route to get out of this hole, but I can't find one. If I could come up with $33k someway to not be here I would. If suddenly we could get great jobs making tons of money, that would be great. But that isn't going to happen. So for me, she just adds to my guilt. So even though I think she is very smart, I don't think her advice will help us.

Far as having money to invest, well, that is not my life, doubt it ever will be. We are part of the dying middle class, and the way things are going, paying our bills is about all we will ever be able to do. That's one reason I never want another cc. Living simply is all I want.

[jetset]

On the whole, she gives pretty good advice.

But, you really need to parse the context in which she gives her advice.

I watched recently where a caller asked about a garnishment and her response was basically, why would you skip out on your obligations.

She gives good financial advice for those that are in a "good" financial position. But for those that are struggling, she tends to over-emphasize the importance of credit and the "moral" obligation to make good on debts.

I remember that - on the other side though, just recently there was a lady calling in who had been sued some time ago for an auto accident that was her fault (8 years ago I think) for an outrageous amount, I believe it was $200,000. She never had the money so she really was never pursued for it. Now, she has inherited $500,000 and is concerned she is going to have to hand it over to the victim. Suze's advice was, sit tight for two years, and they cannot legally come after you because of statute of limitations laws. I thought that was a slimy response - here this woman could have injured or killed someone in a car accident, and left the victim or the victims family with the bill. What a bunch of crap.

I like her, and watch her show every week. Sometimes I wonder about the people who call into her Can I afford it? segment, even I know when you have a ton of debts and no savings then that means you shouldn't be buying anything that isn't a necessity.

I feel like such a hypocrite when I see this segment. Mainly because people call in and think they can afford something that they obviously cannot, and I just can't help but think how stupid they are. And then I think to myself, that was me 3 years ago. It's easy to feel that way when you've been there, and have learned from your mistakes.

jetset

[susan1215]

I like her, and watch her show every week. Sometimes I wonder about the people who call into her Can I afford it? segment, even I know when you have a ton of debts and no savings then that means you shouldn't be buying anything that isn't a necessity.

[HHM]

On the whole, she gives pretty good advice.

But, you really need to parse the context in which she gives her advice.

I watched recently where a caller asked about a garnishment and her response was basically, why would you skip out on your obligations.

She gives good financial advice for those that are in a "good" financial position. But for those that are struggling, she tends to over-emphasize the importance of credit and the "moral" obligation to make good on debts.

[jetset]

What do you think of Suze Orman's advice? A lot of people say her advice is just a bunch of common sense. I have to disagree. I watch her show religiously, and true, while some of her advice is just obvious common knowledge, she mixes it with pretty good information.

So, what do you all think of her?