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Allisonfaye · Jan 18th, 2009, 05:23 PM

I know that there are a lot of Suze Orman fans and we talk about isolated expamples but I thought we could start a thread to talk about her show each week.

I am hoping she has the lady with $230k in debt and $10k monthly shortfall on her monthly expenses again.

Did anyone see this week's show? She had a lady on who lost $5m with Bernie Maddoff and I thought it was really good. They talked about what she should do to secure her future. She is 53 and her husband is 75. Although they have a good income, she works for her husband who is a Psychiatrist and he is 75, so doesn't have a lot of earning years ahead of him. I liked how they talked about the emotional part of the whole experience and not just the lost money.

barcreperie · Jan 18th, 2009, 05:46 PM

Allison, I've thought this very same thing and I'm so glad you initiated it! I haven't watched this week's show yet (it's recorded and I'll watch it later tonight), but I too would LOVE to see that woman with the $10k monthly deficit come back on. Hopefully someone knocked some sense in her head and she sold the house, got a job, and followed Suze's other advice.

I'm a huge Suze Orman fan. I also sometimes watch Carmen's "On the Money" show, but that one is a little stressful to watch because she tries so hard to sound authoritative and the guests are all vying to talk over each other. Dave Ramsey is ok, but he seems bored with his own show, and his advice is a little thin. He doesn't seem overly knowledgable and is more of a grass roots kind of guy.

So Suze is my hero and I watch her religiously every week. I'd love to discuss her shows in a thread!

anitalilac · Jan 18th, 2009, 06:12 PM

Hey Allison,
Thanks for starting this thread!

I love her show and last night's was great..I always wonder if this Maddof thing will ever be on her show...
My dad in Malaysia follows her shows religiously too...

glamgirl84 · Jan 18th, 2009, 06:13 PM

Good idea for a thread! I'll have to stay DVRing Suze b/c she is on at a strange time. I love her show!

barcreperie · Jan 18th, 2009, 07:44 PM

I just watched this week's show and was impressed with the woman who lost $5M because of Madoff. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders and had her priorities straight. She must be scared to death in the financial situation she's in since her husband is 75, and like you said Allison, probably doesn't have a lot of working years left. I wish Suze had stated the value of their home, because that seems like it would be a good source of income (selling it) if need by later on if she ends up widowed or when her husband is no longer able to work.

You know, I'm surprised at the income these people who call in on the "Can You Afford It" segment have. It seems a disproportionate number have a take home pay of $10-20k/month. I wonder if it's a geographic thing - that they live in high cost areas where salaries are higher. Seems they have this good income, but not so much in savings or retirement. I think it was the woman who wanted the Hermes bag that had a net income of something like $20k/month, and it turned out in the call-back that a couple of thousand of this was income from a rental house. But the rental house had a mortgage that was about equal to the rent. I don't think I would have listed that as income.

Odette · Jan 18th, 2009, 08:07 PM

^If you think about it, $10k take-home each month is about $160-$170k/year (assuming a 25% tax bracket). If they are talking household income, that's really not that much money.

Florasun · Jan 18th, 2009, 09:34 PM

Allisonfay - good idea! I saw most of yesterday's show, but missed the first part. Everytime I watch her show, especially the "Can you afford it?" part, I am inspired to save money. Unfortunately that feeling wears off very quickly. Maybe by discussing it I can retain my motivation a little longer!

barcreperie, I also am surprised by the amount of monthly income a lot of these people have. When was the woman who wanted the Hermes bag on? I missed that. I did see the guy who wanted to pay 23K for 30 minutes in a Mig fighter. I wonder if that included a trip to Russia?

lorihmatthews · Jan 18th, 2009, 10:26 PM

I saw this episode, my DVR always tapes Suze Orman. I love the Can I Afford It segment too. Thankfully, DH and I didn't have the type of money that Madoff would have wanted, LOL!

I did notice that there were a lot of high earners in the episode too ... but I'mASadGiraffe is right, these days, $10K monthly does not go far in larger cities like SF.

I am SO glad that Suze didn't approve the guy for the $23K flight. That was ridiculous!

I started watching Dave Ramsey occasionally, but one episode right before the holidays really disturbed me. He had some sort of older clergy member on the show and in my opinion it was clear that his message was very "traditional family and values" ... but it came across as a thinly veiled non-tolerant point of view. If I were to read between the lines, this clergy member sounded extremely anti-gay which personally is unacceptable to me. As a result, I can no longer in good conscience watch Dave Ramsey anymore.

barcreperie · Jan 19th, 2009, 04:46 AM

Originally Posted by ImASadGiraffe

^If you think about it, $10k take-home each month is about $160-$170k/year (assuming a 25% tax bracket). If they are talking household income, that's really not that much money.

I guess it depends on how people calculate 'take home' pay. My husband and I have a lot of things taken out of our paycheck before it gets to us - 401k contributions, health insurance, dental insurance, $ for health care reimbursement account, disability insurance, life insurance, and probably one or two other things I'm not thinking of right now. And taxes...

As Lori points out, the area they live in is pretty important information as it relates to their income and expenses, but I guess that's too personal of information to reveal on the show.

Flora, the woman who wanted the Hermes bag was on a month or so ago, but that was more of a "Can I Afford It NOW" type call. She'd called in a year earlier and was denied, but when she called in the second time, she was approved.

barcreperie · Jan 19th, 2009, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by lorihmatthews

I started watching Dave Ramsey occasionally, but one episode right before the holidays really disturbed me. He had some sort of older clergy member on the show and in my opinion it was clear that his message was very "traditional family and values" ... but it came across as a thinly veiled non-tolerant point of view. If I were to read between the lines, this clergy member sounded extremely anti-gay which personally is unacceptable to me. As a result, I can no longer in good conscience watch Dave Ramsey anymore.

I've only seen 2 or 3 of Dave Ramsey's shows, and didn't see the one you're talking about Lori, but it doesn't surprise me he'd have someone like that on his show. He has that 'good old boy' air about him, and I agree that any anti-gay sentiments are intolerable. After having read his book and watching a few of his shows, I can't say that I can get on board with him. His financial advice is unrealistic and way too simplistic, not really sophisticated enough to be of use to many in this day and age.

chiquen81 · Jan 19th, 2009, 09:52 AM

I like Suze Orman's show. Many times I am just astounded by the people who call it. I love the segment of her show called "Can I Afford This".... it's funny to see her be blunt and shoot them down.

If you are in your early 20s, I would definitely rec her book Young, Fabulous and Broke. Even if you aren't broke, it's still a good beginner's book on personal finance. This book is definitely for people who don't really have a basic understanding of their finances, so if you're past that the book would be way too simple for you.

Sunshine Suz · Jan 19th, 2009, 10:03 AM

I really enjoy Suze but don't seem to catch her show regularly. We don't have a DVR, one of the ways we keep our monthly expenditures low, but oh how I would LOVE one! But I would spend even more time watching TV than I do now!

I love the Can I Afford It segment. It blows me away what people really want and then compare it to their debt. If you're calling to ask, you probably can't afford it, IMHO.

Okay, I know this is a Suze Orman thread, but I do need to chime in on Dave Ramsey.
Dave Ramsey is a Christian, so having a Conservative clergy member on wouldn't surprise me. I listen to at least part of his radio show almost every day and I appreciate his basic advice. I think the best advice he gives, which Suze doesn't, is that if you are in debt, particularly deep debt, you need to eliminate extra expenses, cut back so it does hurt. It is about changing behavior. As he says, "eat beans and rice, rice and beans" and get and extra job to pay down debt. I also think his target audience may have a lower socioeconomic level than Suze's.

Additionally, he handles debt paydown by going after smallest debt to largest as opposed to highest interest rate to lowest as Suze does. People do feel better marking things off a list, so that maybe more encouraging for many in debt.

As with all people offering advice, I take what I like and leave the rest!!

Allisonfaye · Jan 19th, 2009, 11:09 AM

I love the Can I Afford It segment too. I think it is the most popular part of her show. Yeah, it does seem like a lot of high income people are there, doesn't it? I too love how she just says 'ARE YOU CRAZY?" I tell you, the more I watch her, the more I love her. It used to be that she really bugged me but she has totally turned me around.

I laughed out loud when she had denied ALL the callers and then the next one came on and she wanted to pay $5500 for dog cataract surgery. Suze couldn't believe this call and she just hung her head thinking it was going to be another denial but she approved the lady.

I have never seen Dave Ramsey but if he interjects all that family values, conservative stuff, I know it would bug me.

Allisonfaye · Jan 19th, 2009, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by barcreperie

I wish Suze had stated the value of their home, because that seems like it would be a good source of income (selling it) if need by later on if she ends up widowed or when her husband is no longer able to work..

You probably just missed it. She said it was worth $2m and it was paid for so I am guessing you are probably right about what she will have to do. It's sad. My husband was saying at this point, there is no way she can afford life insurance on this guy. It is essentially going to cost a $1 for every $1 of insurance that they get. Kind of a dumb move.

lorihmatthews · Jan 19th, 2009, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Allisonfaye

I am hoping she has the lady with $230k in debt and $10k monthly shortfall on her monthly expenses again.

I too would love to see more on her but she's in such denial about her situation that the next time we see her she'll be watching the bank sending over people to clear out her house for auction.

She did say she was going to get a job to help with the shortfall, but who knows given the economy.

Jan 18th, 2009, 05:23 PM	#1
Allisonfaye OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,612	Suze Orman I know that there are a lot of Suze Orman fans and we talk about isolated expamples but I thought we could start a thread to talk about her show each week. I am hoping she has the lady with $230k in debt and $10k monthly shortfall on her monthly expenses again. Did anyone see this week's show? She had a lady on who lost $5m with Bernie Maddoff and I thought it was really good. They talked about what she should do to secure her future. She is 53 and her husband is 75. Although they have a good income, she works for her husband who is a Psychiatrist and he is 75, so doesn't have a lot of earning years ahead of him. I liked how they talked about the emotional part of the whole experience and not just the lost money.
Allisonfaye OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,612	__________________ If you can afford it, for God's sake, BUY SOMETHING!

Jan 18th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#2
barcreperie Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,538	Allison, I've thought this very same thing and I'm so glad you initiated it! I haven't watched this week's show yet (it's recorded and I'll watch it later tonight), but I too would LOVE to see that woman with the $10k monthly deficit come back on. Hopefully someone knocked some sense in her head and she sold the house, got a job, and followed Suze's other advice. I'm a huge Suze Orman fan. I also sometimes watch Carmen's "On the Money" show, but that one is a little stressful to watch because she tries so hard to sound authoritative and the guests are all vying to talk over each other. Dave Ramsey is ok, but he seems bored with his own show, and his advice is a little thin. He doesn't seem overly knowledgable and is more of a grass roots kind of guy. So Suze is my hero and I watch her religiously every week. I'd love to discuss her shows in a thread!
barcreperie Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,538

Jan 18th, 2009, 06:13 PM	#4
glamgirl84 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,703	Good idea for a thread! I'll have to stay DVRing Suze b/c she is on at a strange time. I love her show!
glamgirl84 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,703	__________________

Jan 18th, 2009, 07:44 PM	#5
barcreperie Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,538	I just watched this week's show and was impressed with the woman who lost $5M because of Madoff. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders and had her priorities straight. She must be scared to death in the financial situation she's in since her husband is 75, and like you said Allison, probably doesn't have a lot of working years left. I wish Suze had stated the value of their home, because that seems like it would be a good source of income (selling it) if need by later on if she ends up widowed or when her husband is no longer able to work. You know, I'm surprised at the income these people who call in on the "Can You Afford It" segment have. It seems a disproportionate number have a take home pay of $10-20k/month. I wonder if it's a geographic thing - that they live in high cost areas where salaries are higher. Seems they have this good income, but not so much in savings or retirement. I think it was the woman who wanted the Hermes bag that had a net income of something like $20k/month, and it turned out in the call-back that a couple of thousand of this was income from a rental house. But the rental house had a mortgage that was about equal to the rent. I don't think I would have listed that as income.
barcreperie Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,538

Jan 18th, 2009, 08:07 PM	#6
Odette Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,995	^If you think about it, $10k take-home each month is about $160-$170k/year (assuming a 25% tax bracket). If they are talking household income, that's really not that much money.
Odette Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,995	__________________

Jan 18th, 2009, 06:12 PM	#3
anitalilac Ibu to 3 Lovely Nurs Joined: Apr 2006 Location: eating Durian, Manggis, Dokong, Rambutan and Mempelam Posts: 893	Hey Allison, Thanks for starting this thread! I love her show and last night's was great..I always wonder if this Maddof thing will ever be on her show... My dad in Malaysia follows her shows religiously too...

Jan 18th, 2009, 09:34 PM	#7
Florasun Member Joined: May 2007 Posts: 5,819	Allisonfay - good idea! I saw most of yesterday's show, but missed the first part. Everytime I watch her show, especially the "Can you afford it?" part, I am inspired to save money. Unfortunately that feeling wears off very quickly. Maybe by discussing it I can retain my motivation a little longer! barcreperie, I also am surprised by the amount of monthly income a lot of these people have. When was the woman who wanted the Hermes bag on? I missed that. I did see the guy who wanted to pay 23K for 30 minutes in a Mig fighter. I wonder if that included a trip to Russia?
Florasun Member Joined: May 2007 Posts: 5,819

Jan 18th, 2009, 10:26 PM	#8
lorihmatthews Fall is here! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,036	I saw this episode, my DVR always tapes Suze Orman. I love the Can I Afford It segment too. Thankfully, DH and I didn't have the type of money that Madoff would have wanted, LOL! I did notice that there were a lot of high earners in the episode too ... but I'mASadGiraffe is right, these days, $10K monthly does not go far in larger cities like SF. I am SO glad that Suze didn't approve the guy for the $23K flight. That was ridiculous! I started watching Dave Ramsey occasionally, but one episode right before the holidays really disturbed me. He had some sort of older clergy member on the show and in my opinion it was clear that his message was very "traditional family and values" ... but it came across as a thinly veiled non-tolerant point of view. If I were to read between the lines, this clergy member sounded extremely anti-gay which personally is unacceptable to me. As a result, I can no longer in good conscience watch Dave Ramsey anymore.
	Last edited by lorihmatthews; Jan 18th, 2009 at 10:31 PM.

Jan 19th, 2009, 09:52 AM	#11
chiquen81 Member Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 362	I like Suze Orman's show. Many times I am just astounded by the people who call it. I love the segment of her show called "Can I Afford This".... it's funny to see her be blunt and shoot them down. If you are in your early 20s, I would definitely rec her book Young, Fabulous and Broke. Even if you aren't broke, it's still a good beginner's book on personal finance. This book is definitely for people who don't really have a basic understanding of their finances, so if you're past that the book would be way too simple for you.

Jan 19th, 2009, 10:03 AM	#12
Sunshine Suz Member Joined: Jul 2008 Location: in Texas but I am a Californian! Posts: 514	I really enjoy Suze but don't seem to catch her show regularly. We don't have a DVR, one of the ways we keep our monthly expenditures low, but oh how I would LOVE one! But I would spend even more time watching TV than I do now! I love the Can I Afford It segment. It blows me away what people really want and then compare it to their debt. If you're calling to ask, you probably can't afford it, IMHO. Okay, I know this is a Suze Orman thread, but I do need to chime in on Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey is a Christian, so having a Conservative clergy member on wouldn't surprise me. I listen to at least part of his radio show almost every day and I appreciate his basic advice. I think the best advice he gives, which Suze doesn't, is that if you are in debt, particularly deep debt, you need to eliminate extra expenses, cut back so it does hurt. It is about changing behavior. As he says, "eat beans and rice, rice and beans" and get and extra job to pay down debt. I also think his target audience may have a lower socioeconomic level than Suze's. Additionally, he handles debt paydown by going after smallest debt to largest as opposed to highest interest rate to lowest as Suze does. People do feel better marking things off a list, so that maybe more encouraging for many in debt. As with all people offering advice, I take what I like and leave the rest!!

Jan 19th, 2009, 11:09 AM	#13
Allisonfaye OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,612	I love the Can I Afford It segment too. I think it is the most popular part of her show. Yeah, it does seem like a lot of high income people are there, doesn't it? I too love how she just says 'ARE YOU CRAZY?" I tell you, the more I watch her, the more I love her. It used to be that she really bugged me but she has totally turned me around. I laughed out loud when she had denied ALL the callers and then the next one came on and she wanted to pay $5500 for dog cataract surgery. Suze couldn't believe this call and she just hung her head thinking it was going to be another denial but she approved the lady. I have never seen Dave Ramsey but if he interjects all that family values, conservative stuff, I know it would bug me.
Allisonfaye OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,612	__________________ If you can afford it, for God's sake, BUY SOMETHING!

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