I agree - and wil "goggle" this as you suggested. I think just about "everyone" is running in shear panic and her kind of sarcasim is not helpful. Sissy 1988

Amybee: Based on your post, you don't seem to be a stranger to the "poor little me" syndrum! Those "spoiled rotton, rich people" WORKED to earn their money to invest! They are now loosing it because they "didn't do their homework"??

My question to you is, since you are now facing foreclosure, did you do yours before signing on the dotted line? And why is everyone in your house unemployed? There are no free rides in this world!

People in glass houses..............

Hello Everyone!

I happened to be in the Monday audience and I must say, my impression couldn't be further from those who had a negative comment. I heard Suzy Orman impart a sense of urgency in regard to the couple from Palatine, IL. It is a jungle out there! Time is of the essence and information can no longer be dispensed sugar coated. Perhaps we should look at content over context. Sometimes we have to hear what we don't want to hear. Women have to be willing to take control of their personal and/or familial financial situations and listen to what might be thought of as painful.

What I heard was Suzy telling it like it needs to be told. We should always appreciate an opportunity to grow beyond our comfort zones -- whether it be intellectual, emotional, spiritual, mental or financial.

We turn into shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show for education as well as entertainment. Let's continue to keep the ceiling of our thoughts lifted and our minds wide open!

Thanks for taking a moment to read my comments.
vh/

It is interesting to see that Oprah's audience is becoming perceptive enough through these New Earth courses to see when Oprah's show is off level (as great as it often is) - from the ridiculous and mischaracterized show on the supposedly pregnant man, which is anything but helpful to society, to Oprah's unquestioning silent acceptance when Suze Orman made ignorant, coldhearted, and racist statements right in front of her.

Oprah's response to Suze looked like the cult stare someone gets when they put their unquestioning faith in one guru or spiritual teacher and have to turn off their usual discernment to be a good follower and propagator and make everything that one teacher says fit into their beliefs, which then translates to other areas in the cultist's life, like putting your unquestioning faith into someone like Suze Orman and guiding your followers to do the same. As Oprah would say, "Wake up people!" And wake up Oprah.

While I agree that times are desperate for almost all of us, I couldn't DISAGREE with you more. You may have been sitting in the audience, but your view must have been obstructed and the acoustics rendered Suze silent! Either that, or you're from a city where everyone treats each other like that. As you can see by the number of posts that objected to her tone, most Americans in other areas of the country would have been offended. We don't do that in my "neck of the woods". There was no need.

Jean Chatzky doesn't sugar-coat anything either, but she also doesn't treat me, or anyone for that matter, like a freaking 3-year-old. I don't need to have Suze Orman (aka Mommy Dearest) scold me like I've done something wrong. Like most educated Americans, I'm actually capable of grasping the difference between "need" and "want", and live my life and handle my finances accordingly. Are we struggling these days? Sure. The party's over - I get it. But no one had to bully me into believing it! And I can assure all of you that the folks who really needed a "wake-up call" weren't sitting at home watching Oprah.

The couple who asked a question of her was asking for advice. Suze actually had the audacity to shake her finger into the screen and scold them for not "doing their homework". She had the nerve to tell them that they were wrong and that they couldn't possibly know as much about their finances as she does. Yet, if you had bothered to read some of the posts at the beginning of this discussion, you would see that the couple had indeed done their homework, and that Mommy Dearest was wrong. Do you think the inflated ego that is Suze Orman will ever admit that? I wouldn't hold my breath! I turned the show off after she treated that couple in that way. Apparently, I missed out on the REALLY offensive statement she made afterward about minorities and lending. I don't think the television audience "imagined" her rudeness.

I personally attended the Oprah show on Monday (3/31) when Suzie Orman was the guest. I myself like Suzie & feel that she hit the nail on the head with regard to why we are seeing this mortgage crisis. Thanks to a bill that was passed & put into law back in 2002 with our current President. I feel the most profound thing that was said during this show was by Oprah herself....she said that a vehicle/car is not an extension of who we are...it's simply transportation. While I enjoyed being at the show and was thrilled having the opportunity to see Oprah live & in person, I was disappointed that once the show was over...it was over...I thought there would be a little time for her to come back off the air & talk with the audience...I'm drawing a blank as to what it's been called..."after the show" or something like that. If anyone ever has the opportunity to get tickets to a show, by all means do so. Monday may have just been an off day as far as the shows go. Oprah...if you ever see this post, I'd like to mention that your staff was exceptional...everyone was so nice & seemed excited to work at Harpo. Your gift shop is awesome!!!!!

I believe Suze has a "I'm better than you attitude." I used to love watching her on CNBC (or MSNBC). That was when she was not "so big." Her big fake smile and attitude is totally different now than it was then. The one thing that I don't think anyone caught from the show was when she stated that the reason for the housing market woes was because in 1990 Congress created certain laws so that more minorities could afford to buy homes. After stating that, Oprah had a sort of funny look on her face. While it may be true that Congress passed such laws, she made it sound as if minorities are the reason so many homes are going into foreclosure. While I'm sure there are plenty of minorities losing their homes, I do believe that there are just as many from other races as well.

Uh, have you read the prospectus? Class C shares are actually more expensive than class A shares if you're invested long-term. WIth class A shares you do pay the up front load of 5.75%, BUT the fee drops the more money you invest AND the management fee is LESS than 1% - significantly less. (like .65) In the long run, it's less expensive to do A shares. Here's why: If your $10,000 investment grows to $40,000 and you have C shares, you're paying 1% on $40k EVERY year. If you did A shares, you paid the 5.75% on $10k but are paying about .65% rather than 1% or more. Open your prospectus to the page that discusses the fees. I'm looking at it. If you invested $10k, after ten years you'll have paid significantly more in fees with C shares than with A shares. I agree with you though; I have American Funds and I've been thrilled with them. If I told you to give me 5% and I'd give you back 15% vs. giving me no fee and I give you 5%, which would you choose? The fees are incidential if your advisor is doing a good job and if you're making money. The American Funds, I just read in Kiplingers, are the largest mutual fund in the industry.

I'm assuming you withdrew it (and didn't take a loan against it). First, if it was an emergency, it MAY qualify for a qualified withdrawal, so talk to an accountant. As far as recovering, does your employer match anything? Are you contributing to your 401k still? I'd increase the amount you're contributing up to the employer match and then start a Roth. Key thing: START SAVING NOW, even if it's $100 a month, you need to save to recover. Save what you can. Go through your budget and cut back a little ($10 on your weekly food budget, $5 less on gas, $2 less on that cup of coffee) each week and before you know it, you've got $100 bucks to put in your401k or Roth. Read Dave Ramsey's book, Financial Peace (Skip Suze Orman's books, they're a waste).

If you're invested for long-term you should have Class A shares. You pay an upfront load, but you then pay a significantly reduced management (ongoing fee). Avoid class B shares and especially C shares unless you're invested short-term.

While I appreciate Ms. Orman's emphasis on self-reliance and Ophra's anti-materialist sentiments, the simplistic, punative message that "we did this to ourselves" ignores some very real political realities.

We didn't do this to ourselves just by living beyond our means or buying into a "buy now, pay later" mentality. We did this to ourselves by voting in a Republican president and Congress that, through horrendous decisions on both the domestic and international front, is responsible for $3.50 gas, the housing bubble, the plummeting dollar, a record deficit, and a grossly under-regulated investment banking system.

We did this to ourselves by thinking that our votes don't matter. By thinking that whether or not you want to have a beer with someone is a valid criteria for choosing a President. We did this to ourselves by believing any line of patriotic horse$#@! that's fed down our throats, rather than actually reading a newspaper for ourselves and thinking critically.

Yes, no one can save you but you... but blame placed on average Americans for the rampant 19th century robber-baron behavior of modern corporations and the inept, corrupt goverment they largely pay for is a serious misplaced.

Next time you think of blowing off an election because your vote doesn't really matter, remember the sinking feeling you have about the ecconomy now, educate yourself, and act.

make that "is seriously misplaced." Oops

Hi Oprah,

I think you should have Suze Orman back on the show to clarify her false claim that the current mortgage meltdown is a result of minorities buying houses. This claim is totally false and I am deeply offended by it. I am a minority homeowner who didn't have a big savings account or 20% to put down. But guess what - I've been in my home for over 9 years and have never been late on a payment. I'm sure there are others just like me. You see, Suze believes that if you can't play by the rules that were set up prior to Bush's legislation - that you can't afford to buy a house - therefore don't do it. Her underlying beliefs are rooted in this theory we now call entitlement (but I won't go there).

In reality, the current mortgage meltdown is the result of many factors and has many players: The economy, lending institutions and Americans in general. People are losing jobs. People were tricked into adjustable mortgages because mortgage people would tell customers - "go ahead and get the adjustable with a low interest rate - save money - then when it is time for it to adjust - simply refinance". Many people fell victim to this not just minorities. Then when it came time to refinance the economy was in a credit crunch and people found that they couldn't refinance. Even people with jobs found themselves in this situation.

Suze was totally wrong and how dare her put this big mess on the backs of minorities. I think she needs to know what she is talking about before she prances around on your show like she is such an expert. Who can't tell people to cut spending, save money for retirement, sell the house and cars you evidently can't afford. According to Suze - we should all just stop living today and wait to live until we're 65. That's when all the fun will and should begin right! Hey I can't wait until I'm 65 thanks to Suze!

Oprah, please have her back on to clarify her statement about minorities. The last thing we need is people who can't think themselves or do their own research going out in the world and spreading this lie about minorities. It's simply garbage and unfair. I had to write in about this because it has been on my mind since watching the show.

Oprah, let's set the record straight!

Loyal viewer and successful minority homeowner,
Mike

This is my first posting and I really felt strongly about the comment made by Suze Orman on Monday, March 31, 2008 show. I was also again concerned with the facts she is on Oprah and blamed minorities for the housing problems in America. Suze having blamed the minorities is like blaming the rape victim. It like blaming the children for being born into a home where they are not loved. You really need to know that this whole thing with lending money to people who can not aford a house has been going on for years and years. There are many reasons for why people loose their homes. No one wants to loose their home. No one wants to be made to leave their American Dream. No one want to be mis-lead. All people can not afford attorneys to look over their loan papers. No one expects the lending institutions to appraise their homes 25 to 100 percent more then it's worth. I myself know of people that had their homes appraised up to one hundred thousand dollars more than it was worth. People that bought homes with the equity from the home they sold and are learning becasue of the inflated appraisal have no equity in their homes now. Some are loosing equity every day. They can not afford to sale and certainly can't afford to buy today. Some have been told they don't qualify for almost any kind of loan. My husband and I were not able to purchase a home on VA but they would have gladly given us a flexible loan. So Suze you really are not as informed as you would like to make the world feel you are when it comes to those minorities being the problem. Being a woman and person of color I found your comment inappropiate and demeaning to all people of color. We are hard working Americans and feel very proud to be able to hold our heads up despite people in positions like you that blame us for all that goes wrong in America. People like you really need a reality check when it comes to delivering your message and Being A Person Of Privilege Like You Are And Entitled To Riches You Really Don't Care About Those That Don't Get To Benefit From What You Are Born Into. I hope everyone that reads this feels blessed to get my message to Suze. We are in a time of change and change is a good thing. Suze it's good people like you are few and fewer of you are in positions of power to impact us personally in our lives. Since people you value don't tell you your all wet maybe you will not harm too many people with your words. Bless us all.