Podcast Summary: Suze Orman's Women & Money – "Get More Pleasure From Saving, Than From Spending"

Date: November 13, 2025
Duration: ~31 minutes
Episode Theme:
This episode centers around a transformative mindset shift—finding more pleasure in saving money than in spending it. Through listener questions and emailed success stories, Suze Orman and KT explore not only the technical aspects of personal finance (like annuities, HSAs, IRAs, and stock options) but also the emotional journey toward true financial security and empowerment.

Main Theme & Purpose

Suze Orman champions the philosophy that financial well-being stems from valuing security and saving over material consumption. The episode features real-life listener stories illustrating how this mindset fosters not only fiscal resilience but also personal health and happiness. Suze and KT then tackle a variety of specific, practical finance questions, providing actionable advice with their signature blend of straight talk and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Success: Gina’s Story

[01:43–04:14]

• KT reads an email from Gina, a listener who followed Suze Orman’s advice for 25 years.

• Gina’s achievements:

  • Paid off credit card debt (multiple times)
  • Survived a costly divorce
  • Paid off her house at 53 (now worth almost $1 million)
  • Paid cash for a car and kept it for 9 years ("But I would like all of you to keep your cars for at least 10." – Suze Orman, [03:04])
  • Opened a Roth and saved $200k
  • Accrued $1.8 million in her work 401(k) Roth
  • Saved $250,000 in liquid funds (emergency fund)
  • Retired from a disliked job at 56 with a pension
  • Can now afford a personal trainer, lost 35 lbs, and improved her health

• Core lesson: Gina gained more pleasure from saving than from spending.

• Suze: "When you feel less than everybody, you spend more than you want to be more, to have more, to feel like Gina and have security—because that is the goal of money." ([04:37])

2. Listener Q&A: Practical Financial Dilemmas

a) Understanding Annuities

[05:09–07:53]
Marietta’s Question: Is it possible to lock in a bonus interest rate on an annuity for the whole surrender period?

• Suze’s Response:
  • Generally, "I find it very difficult to find a situation where an annuity… makes sense."
  • Only consider annuities with a fixed interest rate matching the surrender period.
  • Be wary of "bonus rates" that drop after the first year; "My best advice… stay away from annuities." ([06:36])
  • For anyone getting an annuity, ensure no variable rates during the surrender period.

b) Adult Children & Aging Parents’ Finances

[07:53–12:54]
Kim’s Question: Parents (80s) bought a $200k deferred annuity with little transparency; how can their adult children become more involved?

• Suze’s Response:
  • Reminds listeners: Adult children should stop acting like kids with their parents.
  • Advocates for conducting a compassionate, but direct, family meeting.
  • "This is about your children being able to take care of you as you age. And the two of you are putting yourself in danger." ([11:04])
  • Urges transparency, family collaboration, and careful vetting of financial advisors.
  • Particularly cautions: Annuities generally are not suited for elderly clients.

c) Callable CDs

[12:54–14:45]
Emily’s Question: Why was my CD (certificate of deposit) "called" before maturity?

• Suze’s Response:
  • Explained callable CDs: Financial institutions can end higher-yield CDs early if interest rates drop.
  • "Never, ever, ever get a callable CD." ([14:01])
  • These tend to benefit the bank, not the consumer.
  • Recommends Alliant Credit Union, which does not issue callable CDs.

d) Taking Control of IRAs

[15:14–17:39]
Sylvia’s Question: Wants to manage her own investments at Schwab.

• Suze’s Response:
  • Empower yourself: "You pick up the phone, gather your courage, and say you no longer want the traditional IRA under an investment advisor." ([15:59])
  • Opportunity: Consider converting traditional IRA funds that are "down" to Roth IRAs, possibly before year end.
  • Encouragement to ask more questions—fear is the only barrier.

e) Moving Past Financial Regrets

[18:21–19:23]
Cecilia’s Regret: Passed on exercising stock options before a company acquisition due to risk.

• Suze’s Response:
  • “Look at what you have, not what you had or could have had.” ([19:23])
  • Don’t dwell on missed opportunities—focus on current financial health and avoid unnecessary stress.
  • Suggested researching "cashless" exercise options if faced with a similar situation.

f) 401(k) Rollovers & Roth IRAs

[21:58–22:40]
Susan’s Question: Leaving Walmart, what to do with her 401(k)?

• Suze’s Response:
  • Options: Rollover to a new employer’s 401(k), move to a traditional IRA, or leave at Walmart.
  • Rollovers to Roth: "If you roll it all over to a Roth IRA, then all $45,000 is going to be taxable… that year as ordinary income." ([22:40])
  • Suggests IRA rollover to Fidelity with gradual Roth conversions.

g) HSAs & Medicare

[23:38–24:59]
Listener Question: Does HSA (Health Savings Account) money get forfeited upon starting Medicare?

• KT’s Response: You do not lose it.
• Suze’s Additions:
  • You can use HSA funds to pay Medicare premiums (Parts B, C, D) and long-term care premiums.
  • Cannot use HSA for Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies.

3. Roth Conversions and the "Five-Year Rule" (Quizzy Time)

[25:15–29:18]

Darlene’s Quiz: If I convert to a Roth IRA at 67, can I withdraw funds before the five-year rule, and will I owe taxes/penalty?

• KT’s Guess: You might owe a penalty but not more income tax.
• Suze’s Breakdown:
  • Over age 59.5: No 10% early withdrawal penalty.
  • If you withdraw converted principal, no added tax (as you’ve already paid tax at conversion).
  • If you withdraw earnings before account is open five years, you owe income tax on the earnings only.
  • Suze: "Once you are over the age of 59 and a half… you will no longer, ever, ever, ever pay a 10% penalty…" ([28:07])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On redefining pleasure in life and money:
  • "She gets more pleasure out of saving than she does spending." – Suze Orman ([04:37])
• On financial empowerment:
  • "It is your money. What happens to your money directly affects the quality of your life." ([17:39])
• On family and aging:
  • "You have got to go to them, sit them down… This is not about how much money you have and how much money you’re going to leave to us. This is about your children being able to take care of you as you age." ([11:04])
• On regrets:
  • "There is a law of money that I have, which is: look at what you have, not at what you had or could have had." ([19:23])
• On taking ownership:
  • "Do not be afraid to pick up the phone and talk to whoever is in charge of that money." ([17:39])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:43 – Gina’s Success Story: Finding joy in saving
• 05:09 – Annunities: When (or if ever) they’re the right choice
• 07:53 – Talking with aging parents about money
• 12:54 – Callable CDs explained
• 15:14 – Taking control of investment accounts
• 18:21 – Moving past financial regrets and missed “upside”
• 21:58 – 401(k) rollovers and Roth IRA decisions
• 23:38 – HSA accounts and Medicare
• 25:17 – Quizzy Time: Roth IRAs, conversions, and the five-year rule

Episode Closing Wisdom

• Suze’s Signature Advice: "People first, then money, then things."
• Six Greatest Words in Life (as recited by KT, [30:26]): "I admit that I was wrong."
• Final encouragement: Stay safe, stay healthy—be unstoppable.

Overall Tone

The episode balances heartfelt celebration of listeners’ real progress with Suze’s firm, practical advice. Suze and KT’s banter adds warmth and humor, making even complex financial guidance feel accessible and encouraging.

For listeners, this episode is both a resource for specific money questions and an uplifting call to embrace the identity of a saver, prioritizing security and agency over comparison, regret, or short-lived pleasures of spending.