Suze Orman

We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. Financial security requires facing up to the big picture: assets minus debts.

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

In January we start saving money, getting out of credit card debt, funding our retirement accounts, and we're doing wonderful. Then, every single year like clockwork, starting in November, all of you fall into this trap that says, 'I have to buy this gift... I can't show up at this party and not have something for everybody.

If you wait to see how much money you have left at the end of the month to put toward savings, the answer may be zero. So, set up an automated monthly transfer from your checking to savings account. Once you lock into that commitment, you'll be forced to scale back spending to make ends meet.

Understand and accept the cycles of money. The setbacks you may have today or next year will not keep you from financial freedom. If you hold on to your goals and dreams, you will get there.

Happiness is not a luxury. It is a necessity. When we are happy, we are in the best possible place to be good to ourselves and those we love.

People often panic when the markets go down and sell off their stocks - but then they aren't in the game when the markets are doing well.

When you give, give from the place of the heart because it is the right thing to do, not the easy thing to do.

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

The only way you will ever permanently take control of your financial life is to dig deep and fix the root problem.

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

Just because one of you earns the paycheck doesn't mean that person should lord over how the money is handled.

When you undervalue who you are, the world will undervalue what you do and vice versa.