Product Description

2009: The Year You Can’t Afford to Make Any Mistakes with Your Money.

The credit crunch, the stock market freefall, the staggering toll of home foreclosures and job losses: The economic crisis that struck in 2008 has left no one untouched and everybody reeling. Seemingly overnight, the financial landscape has undergone seismic changes that suddenly have you asking all kinds of questions: Are your savings safe? Should you continue to invest in your retirement account? Should you keep your home if it’s worth less than what you owe or should you sell it? How do you pay your bills if you’ve just been laid off?

The nation’s go-to expert on financial matters, Suze Orman, believes that 2009 is a critical year for your money. There are safeguards to put in place, actions to take, costly mistakes to avoid, and even opportunities to be had, so that you are protected during the bad times and prepared to prosper when things take a turn for the better. No matter what situation you’re in, you will find a plan of action and the answers to your questions about:

* Credit * Retirement
*Savings and Spending*Real Estate
*Paying for College* Protecting Your Family

SUZE ORMAN’S 2009 ACTION PLAN delivers honest, straightforward guidance—what to do, when to do it, and how to do it—as only Suze Orman can.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9339 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-30
• Released on: 2008-12-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 209 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780385530934
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
2009: The Year You Can’t Afford to Make Any Mistakes with Your Money.

The credit crunch, the stock market freefall, the staggering toll of home foreclosures and job losses: The economic crisis that struck in 2008 has left no one untouched and everybody reeling. Seemingly overnight, the financial landscape has undergone seismic changes that suddenly have you asking all kinds of questions: Are your savings safe? Should you continue to invest in your retirement account? Should you keep your home if it’s worth less than what you owe or should you sell it? How do you pay your bills if you’ve just been laid off?

The nation’s go-to expert on financial matters, Suze Orman, believes that 2009 is a critical year for your money. There are safeguards to put in place, actions to take, costly mistakes to avoid, and even opportunities to be had, so that you are protected during the bad times and prepared to prosper when things take a turn for the better. No matter what situation you’re in, you will find a plan of action and the answers to your questions about:

* Credit * Retirement
*Savings and Spending*Real Estate
*Paying for College* Protecting Your Family

SUZE ORMAN’S 2009 ACTION PLAN delivers honest, straightforward guidance—what to do, when to do it, and how to do it—as only Suze Orman can.

How to Prepare for the Unexpected

If in late 2007 you were told that over the next twelve months housing would crater to 20% below it's all-time peak, unemployment would rise from below 5% to nearly 8%, stocks would fall nearly 50%, and a gallon of gas would spike to more than $4 (and then drop below $2) you would probably have shrugged it off as just a whole lot of doomsday-scenario crankiness. But that's exactly what we all had to live through and continue to grapple with in 2009.

The lesson is that the unexpected can happen. In fact, sometimes a whole lot of unexpected happens all at once (see: 2008). No one can control external events, but you do have absolute control over the most powerful tool: your will to make the smart and right choices that will insure your financial security, no matter what happens. As I have said for years: Hope for the best, plan for the worst. If you plan for life's “what if's” there's no need to panic when the news turns bad. An emergency cash fund is your security when a recession causes rising unemployment. A long-term investment strategy that employs a mix of stocks and bonds makes it easier to get through scary bear markets; living within your means, rather than running up credit card and HELOC debt leaves you better able to weather financial storms.

My 2009 Action Plan is designed to make sure you are ready for the unexpected—this year and every year forward. I most certainly hope things get better for us all, but in the meantime I want to make sure you have a plan in place that will protect you no matter what “what ifs” lay ahead.

About the Author
Suze Orman is a two time emmy award winner and the author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers: Women & Money, The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom; The Courage to Be Rich; The Road to Wealth; The Laws of Money, The Lessons of Life; and The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke. The host of "The Suze Orman Show" which airs every Saturday Night on CNBC has garnered her more GRACIE awards than anyone in the 32 year history of that award which honors women in radio and television, Named in 2007 by Business week as the top female motivational speaker in the United States and in 2008 by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world Suze is also a contributing editor to O, The Oprah Magazine and The Costco Connection. Suze's name has become synonymous with money and is undeniably the most listened to personal finance expert in America today.

Customer Reviews

This book is for everyone - a quick way to learn a lot!!!!
I bought Suze's new 2009 Action Plan book and read it quickly. It is a small paperback book and it is one you'll have trouble putting down, once you start reading. The book's opening line of "I bet you are scared. Angry, too. And confused." probably describes most of America.
Before reading this book, I felt I had a pretty good understanding of the current financial crisis and how and why it happened. It turns out, I didn't understand it completely. After reading the 10 pages in chapter 2: A Brief History of How We Got Here - I really really get it now. Suze has the ability to explain years of history in a clear, concise manner. I am 100% certain my clearer understanding is going to allow me to make better financial decisions in the future.
I feel this book is a "must read" for everyone, whether you are young or old; have credit card debt or not; own a house or have recently had to let one go; have sizeable savings, 401k's, investments and such or little or none; have a secure job or are now unemployed, and so on.....the reality is that you HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN. This book is going to give you one. If you sit back and try and wait this financial storm out without a rock solid plan or continue to procrastinate even a little longer about making important financial decisions, your financial security is at risk. I believe that after you read this book, you'll feel like I do. You'll be inspired to take action and these actions will allow you to reach your long-term goals. Knowing that we are in for some tough times ahead and having a plan is going to be key.
Grab a cup of coffee, this book and set aside a few hours..you'll be amazed how much you learn and how good you will feel when you're done reading.

Very Little New Content
Suzie Orman offers financial advice for individuals based on personal accountability and sound money management. I support her approach and consider her advice indispensible to the average family rating her guidance very high.

The essence of her advice is found within the pages of this book in two outstanding quotes:

"Focus on what you can control" & "Always choose to do what's right, not what's easy"

Orman's books categorically will benefit the individual seeking financial direction; however, I rate this book dispassionately as there is little new content that is not already found among all her prior books (as well as website and talk show). If you are new to Suzie Orman, this book will offer value to you; if you are familiar with her guidance and in search of something new, you will be dissatisfied.

Orman discusses events over the last few decades that influenced the current economic turmoil. Her outline of events is enlightening, yet where was Orman two years ago warning us all of these dangers? Orman only came to the realization of these factors like most of us, in hindsight, softening the significance of her wisdom on the issue.

Orman spends a great deal of the book discussing credit cards, mortgages, and retirement planning. Intended to be a plan for 2009, Orman only offers brief comments regarding the lack of available credit in the marketplace to differentiate from all her prior advice. It is not obvious why an entire book was required to establish an awareness of diminishing available credit.

The structure of this book offers countless problem scenarios and answers them as if Orman is talking directly with you. This sort of Q&A approach enables anyone to focus in on their specific issues without the need of blasting through the entire book, with the added benefit of offering a versatile reference guide.

I find difficulty in giving Suzie Orman anything less than glowing reviews as her work and advice is an unquestionable benefit to society. Regrettably, I finished this book questioning its purpose, and contemplating if a full book was required considering the material presented. As a starter to Susie Orman, this book will be satisfactory; however, I highly recommend passing on this book and selecting one of her earlier works

Suze's Best Book Yet
This is hands down Suze Orman's best book. Upon reading every word and turning every page I felt confident that I am on the right track. Following Suze's advise over the years has provided me with the education required to be prepared for what lies ahead. The Expenses breakdown chart is a very helpful tool to see where you can cut back. I also loved the format in which this book was written, it can be used as a reference tool and you can read based on your area of concern be it credit, 401k, retirement etc. I think everyone should not only read this, but live by it!