Quotes by Suze Orman

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

"Never, ever invest money that you will need prior to three to five years - minimum."

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

"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."

"I always say, 'People first, then money, then things.'"

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

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

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

"The key to making money is to stay invested."

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

"People first, then money, then things."

"Many people are in the dark when it comes to money, and I'm going to turn on the lights."

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

"Like your home's closets, your financial clutter needs an overhaul every now and again, and the payoff will go far beyond the psychic satisfaction of neatening up."

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

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

"Take free money. No matter how in debt you are, if your employer offers a matching contribution on a 401(k) or other retirement vehicle, you must sign up and contribute enough to get the maximum company match each year. Think of it as a bonus."

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

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

"You must recognize, embrace, and be honest about what is real for you today and allow that understanding to inform the choices you make. Only then will you be able to build the future of your dreams."

"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."

"The most important loan to pay is your student loan. It's more important than your mortgage, car and credit card payments. You cannot discharge student loan debt in the majority of cases."

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

"A wise woman knows how to summon her courage and do what is right, rather than what is easy."

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

"When you're happy you find pure joy in your life. There are no regrets in this state of happiness - and that's a goal worth striving for in all areas of your life."

"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."

"Here's my gift-giving rule: Respect your current financial situation."

"The less money you owe, the less income you'll need and the less you'll have to save for tomorrow."

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

"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."

"In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential... it's no different in the financial realm."

"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."

"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."