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The Earnings Test


Whenever I'm told that someone is fearful of money, I know something else is going on: Money fears are a symptom of a deeper, underlying fear. I asked Ellen specifically what it was about money that was eating at her. "It's not the mechanics that worry me," she said. "The real nut of it is that maybe I don't feel like it is mine."

She and Nick both worked full time, and they shared all money decisions as equal partners. But the investment property was bought with an inheritance Nick received, which also funded a retirement account that passed to Ellen. Having that money, let alone making decisions about how to handle it, didn't feel right to her.

"We didn't earn it together," she told me. "I was raised to believe that you have to work for everything." "But you did earn it," I told her. "You earned Nick's trust over 15 years. You earned his love." And Nick made it absolutely clear that he wanted her to have every penny. He died with both a will and a trust in place, and in both documents he specified that Ellen was to be the sole beneficiary. I encouraged Ellen to think of the will and trust as Nick's instructions to her: I love you. What was ours is now yours. Feeling guilty or unsettled by this money is in no way honoring the love that Nick expressed through his last wishes.

To move forward on her financial path—with love and courage—Ellen needs to confront her fears and strengthen her confidence. My first piece of advice to widows, or anyone who's experienced a life-shattering event, is to not make any major financial decisions while you're still in emotional turmoil. Unless there's a truly pressing money matter, it's better to put your decision making on pause while you regain your footing.

That was Ellen's situation: She didn't have to decide in the next six months or even the next year when to sell her home or relocate to her lake house. But there are some smaller money moves that I thought would help her feel more secure. I encouraged Ellen to pay off the remaining $4,000 on an old student loan as well as the final $38,000 on her mortgage. Both moves make sense financially, but there is an even more important reason to do them now: Ellen will feel better and stronger emotionally if she finally feels in control of her financial life.

Fear Not


Our next step was to begin tearing down Ellen's fears. I told her about an incredible teacher I studied with years ago, who taught me a simple method for measuring the integrity of my actions. Imagine three gatekeepers standing between you and the actions you want to take or the things you want to purchase, or even the things you want to say. Each of these gatekeepers represents one question: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true? To this day, I check in with these gatekeepers when I'm unsure about my course of action. And if it doesn't pass one of the gatekeepers—if the purchase isn't really necessary or the word isn't kind or the action true—I know I need to stop and rethink what I'm doing.

Ellen acts as if she hasn't earned her money and so shouldn't take responsibility for it. I asked her to judge her thoughts against the three gatekeepers. We agreed it was in no way kind to Ellen (or to Nick's memory) for her to feel uneasy about taking charge of her finances. Was it necessary to think that this money was not hers? Absolutely not. And was it true that she did not deserve the money? Her husband put his wishes down in writing. The truth doesn't get clearer than that.

I asked Ellen to keep the gatekeepers on her shoulder for the next few months. When fears and anxieties arise, these three questions can show her the way forward.

Suze Orman's latest book is The Money Class: How to Stand in Your Truth and Build the Future You Deserve (Spiegel and Grau). To ask Suze a question, go to oprah.com/omagazine_talk.

Big Changes and How to Deal with Them
Please note: This is general information and is not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with your own financial advisor before making any major financial decisions, including investments or changes to your portfolio, and a qualified legal professional before executing any legal documents or taking any legal action. Harpo Productions, Inc., OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery Communications LLC and their affiliated companies and entities are not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your financial or legal decisions.

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