Suze Orman's 5 Rules for Financial Happiness

For the first seven years after college, I made $400 a month as a waitress—and even back then that was bubkes. Then I landed a job at a major brokerage firm as its first female financial adviser. Talk about intimidating! I needed a compelling truth to help me through my fear. My mantra became I am young, powerful, and successful, and I make at least $10,000 a month. Not an ounce of that was true. But I was determined to focus on my future as I wanted it to be. There was no "I hope" or "I wish" in my truth. In moments of fear, your truth should be just as compelling. Keep it short so you can easily remember and recite it. And avoid limiting yourself. Notice, I said at least $10,000.

In my years of talking to thousands of people who've had no money, some money, and heaps of money, I've found that it doesn't create or sustain happiness. That's not to say that money isn't an important factor in our emotional state—if we can't pay our bills and support our families, we carry a great deal of stress on our shoulders and in our hearts. But it's seriously flawed logic to jump from a position of "money is important" to "money is the key to happiness."

It reminds me of how some of us have a screwy relationship with food. When we're unhappy, we gorge on comfort foods that we believe, either consciously or subconsciously, will make us feel better. Sure, that hot fudge sundae might give us a nice temporary lift, just like buying a great new handbag or outfit—but it's temporary.

The truth is that no one can afford to lend a buck if it means going into debt. Even if you do have money to spare for relatives who ask you for funds, consider it a loan, not a handout. Letting the borrower know that you expect repayment—and working out a plan that sets boundaries for both of you—may make him or her reconsider asking in the first place.

[December] is the time of year to roast chestnuts over an open fire...to kiss under the mistletoe...and, if you're like many Americans, to shell out more money than you can afford on family and friends. The right amount to give is what you can spend today without compromising your own needs. The bottom line: Under no circumstances should you incur debt you can't immediately pay off in order to give a gift. That means no credit card balances rolling into January.

I am a big believer that orderliness begets wealth. A pile of bills and statements—whether paid or not—is a sign that someone is clueless about what's coming in and going out. When you consciously open, read, and file away your bills and statements, you are connecting with your money and taking control of your life. Being organized also makes it infinitely easier to give yourself the financial health screenings I advocate month in and month out.