Suze Orman is my idol.
No, really.
She’s smart, fabulous, and a good dancer. :
Suze Orman dances to Lady Gaga from Kim Prince on Vimeo. (With Shawn from the production company, see below.)
And, oh yeah, she’s wildly successful. If you don’t already know who she is, allow me. Suze Orman is an expert in personal finance. She’s all about saving, buying only things you can afford, and putting people before money.
People First! from Kim Prince on Vimeo.
In addition to several bestselling books about personal finance, a hit weekly show that is celebrating 8 years on the air, a packed calendar of appearances and guest starring spots on television, Suze has a suite of financial tools available on the internet at her website and at TD Ameritrade. I myself have used her estate planning guide (to plan my vast estate, because it’s very very vast) and the Save Yourself Savings Account at TD Ameritrade. Now she’s kicking it up a notch with the Save Yourself Retirement Program.
I got these interview clips my very own self because I was invited to visit the set of Suze’s taped demo for the program. It was a surreal experience, given my day job, and also because my mom came with me! The production crew was tickled pink by the fact that I, the mommy blogger, brought my own mom and thus we were the mommy and the blogger. Aha!
I was ticked pink because Suze is one of the few celebrities I’ve been dying to meet. She’s smart and interesting and she’s on Twitter! In fact, when we were first introduced on the set, I asked her why she hadn’t been tweeting much the last few days and she told me that she likes to concentrate on one thing at a time. She had been out in Los Angeles for the week to do some TV appearances, and she wanted to give her full attention to them. When she tweets, she really puts her attention in her tweets, because she uses Twitter to respond to financial questions from her fans.
Of all the things I learned from Suze that day, it was the attention to one thing at a time that really struck me. Here is a very, very successful woman – it would make sense to pay attention to her.
Along with my friend Elizabeth Peterson, Suze was all mine for about 30 minutes. We talked about the new program and I got to ask her, once and for all, what the heck is the difference between a Roth IRA and a regular plain old one?
Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA from Kim Prince on Vimeo.
And here’s something else I didn’t know about them, AND the good news for those of you who have a traditional IRA:
Roth IRA conversions in 2010 from Kim Prince on Vimeo.
The Save Yourself Retirement Program
In the Save Yourself Retirement Program, you pay a $39 annual fee to open a retirement account on TD Ameritrade’s website. You get two commission-free trades a month, which allows you to buy – for free – exchange traded funds (ETF’s) which are similar to mutual funds but Suze prefers them because you are not stuck with a fund’s end of day value, you can trade in real time with them. You also get professional advice about the market. That’s a pretty good deal.
Why the Save Yourself Retirement Program? from Kim Prince on Vimeo.
Minimum investment of $100 from Kim Prince on Vimeo.
SYRP offers professional investment advice from Kim Prince on Vimeo.
And here’s a random bite about Kathy Griffin. I first fell in love with Suze when she appeared on “My Life on the D-List.” Hey Suze, how’s about the three of us get together for lunch? Call me!
Kathy Griffin from Kim Prince on Vimeo.
It was a pretty great day.
I wasn’t compensated for this post, unless you count the opportunity to corner Suze Orman for a half an hour and get my questions answered, and the awesome cupcake I snagged from craft services.



I guess this is Kim’s website. Thanks for sharing the video’s from
Kathy Griffin’s interview with Suze Orman. First, who is Kathy Griffin
and how did she land an interview with Suze? Are they really friends?
Anyhow, I am a retired banker with one of the ( if not the largest)
larger banking institutions in the U.S. I have always agreed with Suze
particularly with a Roth IRA. It’s never too late to start. You must pay yourself first, just as a monthly bill payment. You will never miss the money if you do. In addition, if your company offers a retirement plan, (401k,etc., rare these days) jump on it. It’s FREE
money for you. If it’s free, it’s for me!
I watched the video explaining the difference in the Tradional and the Roth IRA. I liked the “plain english” approach and I fully understand it now.
Thanks
i am saving money for my retirement because i want to enjoy most of my time as an old man.,.”
This is so great. OK, I just learned that I need to convert to ROTH IRAs (seriously NEVER understood all that!), and I am reminded that I have GOT to finish my will… UGh! How fun that you got to meet your idol. I love Suze Orman too. I love that she is so smart, strong, and caring all at once.
Thanks for all this, Kim!
when i get a retirement, i would like to spend it on a tropical island with a very relaxing atmosphere’-*
when i do get my retirement, i would really love to relax near the beach and enjoy a home on a tropical country *’.
“I got these interview clips my very own self because I was invited to visit the set of Suze’s taped demo for the program. It was a surreal experience, given my day job, and also because my mom came with me! ”
Oh my, you’ve got yourself a deal! How i wish i could have the same experience as you. I always love to meet the person behind good books.
lol
thanks
leanne
my blog:Luminess Air Makeup
it seems like you have a suze orman crush
my blog
reverse cellphone search
Before seeing this post my only exposure to Suze (just how do you pronounce that?) was on the Today show–and frankly, I didn’t like her. However, after seeing her dance I realize that even experts have human frailties, too. Thanks for sharing.
It is always good to have people inspire you.
And this woman is definitely inspiring. So full of energy.
Very nice.
Brenda
Austin, Texas
Hey, she provides good, solid information that applies to just about everyone.
She may not always be liked for her style, but then again don’t shoot the messenger.
Ever since my exposure to Suze Orman when she was a guest on Oprah, I was hooked. Many times, I’ve identified with callers on Suze’s show, where people are simply in over their heads, and I like how simple Suze’s advice is. Scale back, budget properly. Seems so simple!
Oh, and I must mention that Kristen Wiig’s impression is pretty spot on.
Nice video Kim! Must be a treat to interview Suze! I’d me nervous wreck if I was in your shoes! 🙂
“She’s all about saving, buying only things you can afford, and putting people before money.”
Pretty powerful words when you think about it, kind of simple, but if one practices buying what you can afford, we’d all be a lot better off.
I had been living paycheck to paycheck until I happened to catch a bit of an episode of Suze’s show, and it was a real wake-up call. To me, budgeting was just a headache, but my feeling now is that it is essential!
Hi,
“She’s all about saving, buying only things you can afford, and putting people before money.” It’s so true. The important and valueable things in life are the things that don’t cost you a dime, like spending time with your loved ones.
I love seeing Suze in that first video, rocking the monster claws. Naturally, since she’s dealing with serious issues, her public persona is pretty serious. But that clip is proof that she can let loose!
I wonder if she helped Gaga manage her millions…
These questions about IRA accounts underline the need of PF education in schools and colleges. Wouldn’t it help if all these concepts were taught to children early on, so that they can turn out to be financially adept adults?
Suze Orman is my savior! I know it’s a profound statement, but I really did need financial help. I was running a small business and I was in over my head. Her advice is always spot on.
I love Suze Orman, my husband and I have followed her advice after we fell into some financial trouble. With out hard work and her sound advice we made it and I’ll be forever grateful for that.
Marry
My husband always handled our finances, but when I caught Suze’s show one day, I was inspired to collaborate with him and make common sense choices. She really offers an invaluable service to anyone with a bank account.
Great interviews… Suze is outstanding at helping others face their financial truths
After reading this.. Suze has become my idol too !
Really enjoyed reading your blog and website.