My Husband Wants To, But I Don’t

Summary

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Suze Orman's Women & Money (And Everyone Smart Enough To Listen)

Episode: "My Husband Wants To, But I Don’t"

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Suze Orman
Co-Host: KT

Brief Overview

This episode explores the importance of financial self-awareness, empowerment, and digital security, particularly for women (but, as Suze always says, for "everyone smart enough to listen"). Suze and KT answer listener questions around investment decisions within families, cybersecurity risks concerning TreasuryDirect, the importance of estate planning, and whether (and when) to hire a financial advisor if there’s illness in the family. The episode is filled with practical advice, relatable stories, and Suze’s signature blend of tough love and encouragement.

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Key Discussion Points & Themes

1. Downsizing and Life Changes

• Suze and KT reflect on their own move from a sprawling estate to a cozy condo, emphasizing the emotional and financial freedom found in downsizing.
• Timestamps:
  • [03:19] KT: “We have a calendar that is just like a social animal. Unbelievable.”
  • [04:47] Suze: "More than finding KT... I just want to tell all of you who maybe are afraid to downsize. You're used to all the space around you, and you like that. You get used and start to love what you do have around you. And we couldn't be happier, really, if we tried."

2. TreasuryDirect Account Fraud

• A listener, Cheryl, shares her traumatic experience of having her TreasuryDirect account looted due to cybercrime, compounded by poor customer support from TreasuryDirect.
• Suze dissects the systemic weaknesses of government financial platforms and emphasizes digital best practices to protect against cyber-attacks.
• Timestamps:
  • [07:04-09:48] Cheryl's letter describing the hack and governmental inaction.
  • [09:48] Suze: "TreasuryDirect is run by the government. It is not a commercial bank or a credit union with 24/7 fraud teams and instant reversals."
  • [10:38] Suze: "Your financial security is not just about where your money is. It's about how well you protect access to it."
• Key Recommendations:
  • Use a unique password for TreasuryDirect.
  • Never click on TreasuryDirect links in emails—type the URL directly.
  • Secure your email with two-factor authentication.
  • Regularly check linked bank account settings.

3. Investing in an Employer’s Private Fintech Company

• Victoria asks if her husband should invest more in his employer’s unprofitable, private fintech firm. They’d already converted a $50k loan to stock, and now he wants to invest another $100k. She’s nervous.
• Suze’s advice is firmly against this “double concentration risk”—where a family’s livelihood and investments hinge on the same employer.
• Timestamps:
  • [16:00] KT: “This is a tough one.”
  • [16:44] Suze: “Most fintech companies... operate at a loss for years and years. Many never go public ... Employees often overestimate the value of their stock."
  • [18:42] Suze explains double concentration risk.
  • [19:22] Suze: "If this company goes under, they have lost it all. He loses his job, his stock, everything. And that's how families get absolutely obliterated."
• Notable Rule:
  • Suze and KT’s household rule: If both don’t agree on an investment, they don’t do it.

4. When Not to Hire a Financial Advisor Despite Family Illness

• Mary’s husband Mike, always the financial manager of their $2M portfolio, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She asks if she should transition to a financial advisor now.
• KT says "yes," but Suze says "not yet." Let Mike stay engaged—his involvement safeguards dignity, and paying 1% (about $20k/year) is only justified when truly needed.
• Timestamps:
  • [35:19] KT: “I definitely hand the money over ... she’s preparing for the future.”
  • [35:44] Suze: “Your husband is still capable of doing this. And part of what will keep him going is to stay involved intellectually ... The advisor will always be there ... But don't do it yet."
  • [36:32] Suze: "Don't you dare think that you can't do this. You absolutely can."
  • [37:39] Suze: “1% is a lot of money ... Maybe eventually, when time comes, you give a smaller amount.”
• Memorable Encouragement:
  • Suze: “Use this time now to put a bet while you’re in Las Vegas on yourself and be a true winner with your husband." [38:32]
  • KT: "Put a bet on yourself. Bet on yourself!" [38:40]

5. Estate Planning and “Must Have” Documents

• Several listeners ask about trusts, wills, and why merely “adding a name to an account” isn’t enough.
• Suze reiterates the importance of estate planning, especially for real estate and incapacity.
• Timestamps:
  • [24:29] Suze: “If all Mommy has is bank accounts... no big deal. However, if mom has real estate ... and becomes incapacitated ... you could avoid all that simply by having a revocable living trust ... It's $99."
  • [25:54] Suze: "It's very dangerous in many situations to have a child's name on the property."
  • [27:00] Suze describes a cautionary real-life scenario when a beneficiary predeceased the owner.

6. General Investment Principles

• On keeping money out of stocks unless you won’t need it for five years: Suze clarifies the “five-year rule” applies from when you need the money, not from when you initially invest.
• Timestamps:
  • [14:58] Suze: “It's five years from when you think you might actually need it. Not from when you start investing.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cybersecurity:
  • “Your financial security is not just about where your money is. It's about how well you protect access to it.” — Suze [10:38]
• On Family Investment Decisions:
  • “If both parties do not agree... we do not do it. That has made us a lot of money—and saved us a lot of pain.” — KT & Suze [16:36]
• On Women’s Empowerment:
  • “Don’t you dare think that you can’t do this. You absolutely can.” — Suze [36:32]
• On Estate Planning:
  • “There’s nothing wrong with double protection... If you trust what I say, then get a trust.” — Suze [27:30]
• On Adapting and Downsizing:
  • “You get used and start to love what you do have around you.” — Suze [04:47]
• On Betting on Yourself:
  • “Use this time now to put a bet while you’re in Las Vegas on yourself and be a true winner with your husband.” — Suze [38:32]
• Podcast’s Core Mantra:
  • “People first, then money, then things.” — Suze and KT [39:14]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:04–12:48] — TreasuryDirect cyberfraud segment
• [14:17–14:58] — Five-year rule for investing clarification
• [16:00–19:37] — Family fintech company investment caution
• [24:29–28:26] — Estate planning essentials and listener’s family dilemma
• [32:49–38:45] — Parkinson’s, family financial management, and financial advisor timing

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Closing Notes

Suze and KT warmly encourage listeners to take action—not just with their investments, but with their digital security, estate planning, and personal empowerment. The episode underscores that values, not just money, are at the heart of financial well-being:
"People first, then money, then things." [39:14]

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For Further Engagement

• Listeners are invited to join the Women & Money Community via the dedicated app or to submit questions for future episodes, especially for guest episodes with Keith Fitzgerald (“Fitzy”).
• Next episode will feature Fitzy answering listener questions about money and markets.

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This summary skips all advertisements, promotional segments, intro/outro music, and legal disclaimers, focusing only on core content.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, everybody. KT here and I have something exciting to share with you. Alliant is offering a jumbo savings account. Don't miss it. Susie, tell them what it's about.

[B]

All right, listen to me, everybody. You have been asking for a safe place to keep your money. You're not sure about the market. You want to know that it's insured. Alliant Credit Union has created a jumbo savings account. Minimum is $100,000 or more, obviously a 3.35% APY. And if you open it up before March 31, you have to do that. And you keep a $100,000 average daily balance for at least 12 months. You'll get a $250 bonus. You gotta check it out. Go to myalliant a l l I a n t dot com. February 12, 2026 welcome, everybody. To what KT? To what?

[A]

The Women and Money podcast and everyone smart enough to listen.

[B]

And what are we doing today? It's the ask. What?

[A]

Ask KT to ask Susie anything.

[B]

So here we go, everybody. Here's what you need to know. If you have a question, just send it into asksusypodcastmail.com and if KT chooses it, oh, we will ask and answer it on the podcast. However, as many of you know, I do go through those emails, and if I feel like it because it strikes a chord in my heart, I will answer it.

[A]

Wait, you gotta tell everybody about Super Bowl. For those of you that missed Super Bowl Sunday podcast, go back and listen to it. It was one of the very best and one of my favorite that Susie's ever done.

[B]

Now, why did you like it?

[A]

It was really, really educational. It was informative. You were calm. You were great. You were great.

[B]

Wait, are you saying that I'm not calm?

[A]

It was Super Bowl Sunday, and I was worried that she was gonna give all of you, like, this really big rah, rah rah podcast. But it was unbelievably wonderful. I listened to it twice.

[B]

Come on.

[A]

I did. I did.

[B]

You did?

[A]

I did. And so did my sister. We really loved it. It was one of your best.

[B]

But I have to tell you, I love the thing about patience versus impatience.

[A]

Well, don't. Don't give it away. Those of you that didn't listen, go. Listen, Katie, I can give anything away.

[B]

I want to give away.

[A]

Just tell them that. I won't. KT was for Seahawks, baby, and they did a great job.

[B]

I have to tell you, I couldn't have been more disappointed.

[A]

I know Susie was a little depressed.

[B]

With her patience, I wasn't depressed. It was. I have a strange feeling that the quarterback who had had an injured shoulder still did. But anyway, the. The Seahawks so deserved to win. So congratulations, kt. Tell everybody what a party animal I've turned into.

[A]

Oh, my God. Ever since we. Ever since we left the island, Susie has looked at me. She said, I'm making up for lost time. I said, we were not stranded for 14 years. It's not like, you know, we were on an island with. Without being able to leave. I said, we chose to be there. But she came back to Florida. And she has booked every theatrical event, every concert, every performance, all kinds of live. She hasn't gone to live events in years. So we have a calendar that is just like a social animal. Unbelievable.

[B]

Especially.

[A]

She's not a butterfly. She's a social.

[B]

Especially from somebody who very seldom even left the house. Right, Kheeg. For all those years.

[A]

If I had a house like that, I wouldn't leave.

[B]

You used to. You don't now. But you want to know what's great, everybody? We went from a seriously sprawling estate that we had built in the Bahamas to really a tiny condo.

[A]

We have a little condo here on the beach, which is great, but tell.

[B]

Everybody how much we're loving it.

[A]

We love it. We've told them this before. Susie has such joy knowing where I am all the time. And in this little condo, she can hear me, she can see me, she can say kt. She doesn't have to call me or ring bells.

[B]

But more than finding KT egotistical woman over there. No, but seriously, more than finding her, I just want to tell all of you who maybe are afraid to downsize. You're used to all the space around you, and you like that. You get used and start to love what you do have around you. And we couldn't be happier, really, if we tried.

[A]

You know what also really did it for me is that we obviously sold our estate turnkey. So we left everything. But we did take personal belongings, photographs, art, and anything that was special for us.

[B]

And we put it up here.

[A]

As soon as I brought those back into this little space, I felt. I felt surrounded by my love and comfort buttons. And it made it all very easy to make the transition. So think about that. It makes it. You can make it really easy if you just do what feels natural.

[B]

And what do I enjoy more than anything? Not having to pay all that money to live on a private island. Anyway, that's besides the point.

[A]

Let's get started.

[B]

Wait. But tell Everybody, where you're going tonight.

[A]

Oh, the social calendar.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Okay. We're doing something that I'm really very excited about. I love.

[B]

This is her early Valentine's Day, everybody.

[A]

We both love Andrea Bocelli, especially since I'm an Italian girl and he's one of my most favorite Italian artist. I can't wait to hear him sing. And Susie got us great seats right up front. And I'm very, very. I'm looking forward to it. I said, he can't see me, but he'll feel me. He'll feel me, Susie.

[B]

Right? I love that. Let's begin. Now, we're going to start with an email that I'm asking KT to read. And this is a very serious problem, if you ask me, that is happening with Treasury Direct. So I want you to listen to this email closely because don't think it can't happen to you. Go on.

[A]

Are we ready? I did not edit this, people. So listen up. This is from a woman by the name of Cheryl. And Cheryl said, Susie. I purchased a US savings bond from Treasury Direct in 2022. In July of 2025, my account was fraudulently accessed. My bank information was changed and my money liquidated, all without my authorization. They did not notify me until October when they reported fraudulent activity on my account. The money was long gone. I immediately called and they refused to connect me with a fraud investigator. They have refused to provide any. Any information, blaming me for not protecting my information. So this is. She's talking about Treasury Direct to everyone. So Cheryl said. However, my loss of funds was not unique. I've discovered 16 other people who lost their money in the same manner and almost at the same time frame. When we attempted to access our accounts, we received hundreds of spam emails, had our bank information changed. Our accounts were liquidated without any. Any authorization. Our accounts were locked, preventing us from seeing what happened. When we were finally allowed access to our accounts months later, our money was long gone. All accounts had their money transferred to pathword NA into an account named Checking. What's pathword, Susie?

[B]

It's a financial.

[A]

Another. Another company. Okay.

[B]

That people are using to do this.

[A]

Okay. The money was then transferred to Broxil and a prepaid Visa card. All money is lost. We have received no help whatsoever from TreasuryDirect and PathWord. We have asked our congresspeople, the OIG, the FBI, the CFPB, and others for assistance. Thus far, TreasuryDirect is stonewalling everyone. We have also filed complaints with the SD Department of Consumer affairs seeking Redress from pathword, all to no avail. And to add salt to an open wound. Listen up, everybody. You won't believe it. Treasury direct mailed us a 1099 form requiring us to pay taxes on the money that was lost. When I called td, they told me to call the irs. The IRS told me to call td. You can't make this stuff up.

[B]

So everybody listen up. The reason that I wanted KT to read that is I have been going back and forth with Cheryl about this. Giving her exact things. Do this, do that, do this, do that. And it breaks my heart that Cheryl and others that she knows of now, they're having to go through this. But there's something I need you all to understand. TreasuryDirect is run by the government. It is not a commercial bank or a credit union with 247 fraud teams and instant reversals. So if ACH instructions are changed and the money is moved, I'm telling you, investigations can take time. KT has a look on her face like, what is an ACH instruction? ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. And it's electronic network that moves money. That's it. Between bank accounts in the US and that's how money usually moves. All right? That's bureaucracy, everybody. Not conspiracy. But here's what matters to you. If you have a treasurydirect account, I want you to use a password you use, no else. Nowhere. You are to never click a Treasury link from an email. That's how this happens. You get an email and you think it's from the treasury and you click on the link. Gone. You need to type the website directly into your browser. So when you are going to contact treasurydirect, do it directly into your browser. I want you. I know it's a pain, but I want you to secure your email with two factor authentication. And you just got to do this. You gotta check your linked bank account settings regularly. If you don't, something can happen and you don't even know that it's happened. And you have to get that. Cybercrime today is so sophisticated. And if someone gets into your email, they can reset everything. So I need you to listen to me. Your financial security is not. Didn't I just sound like Kristen Wiig there? Listen to me. Anyway, I want you to listen to me. Your financial security is not just about where your money is. It's about how well you protect access to it. We can't control everything, but we can control our digital discipline. I need you to be smart, be proactive, be powerful. Because Nobody should lose $11,000 or any amount of money due to a preventable cyber crime. All right, kt, next question.

[A]

So this is from Fred and Dorothy. I like this because it sounds like a dance team. Like Fred. Fred Astaire. So. Dear Susie, do you know everybody that.

[B]

KT has said, why don't we go take dance lessons?

[A]

I've been wanting to dance with Susie all my life. We're not good together dancing. She's a little taller.

[B]

Guess what we did the other day.

[A]

No, no, no. Don't tell her.

[B]

I'm gonna tell.

[A]

Don't tell.

[B]

So. So.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

So I'm about five, four. Five, four and a half. Okay. That's how tall I've been. That's how tall I am, in case you didn't know. KT was 5:2.

[A]

Wait, the key word was right.

[B]

And so the other day we were at the doctor's and for a checkup, and they.

[A]

You know those scales they have that have the little thing on the top that you put on top of your head, measures your height? Susie said, step on that kt.

[B]

So KT is barely five feet right now.

[A]

No, that's not true. I'm a five one.

[B]

Katie, don't you dare lie. It's like her weight. She's always lying by one or two or three pounds. She's barely five feet right now. Yeah, a little bundle of love. But wait, what's so great about that? Is her sister Lynn, who's her twin, said, susie, do you know I'm not even 5ft anymore? So I told KT that and said, she's that short? And I said, you're that short.

[A]

She made me measure my.

[B]

And that's how it all started. Anyway, go on.

[A]

So Dorothy wrote, dear Susie, when you say not to invest in the stock market with money you will need in five years, do you mean from the time you start investing or until the time you feel you might actually need it? Such a cute question. And then she said, There is about $750,000 in retirement accounts, plus 200,000 in CDs. 1. Our house is paid off and we have no debt. Our Social Security combined will be over 6,000 per month. And currently we spend about $5,000 per month. Thank you for clarifying.

[B]

Dear Fred and Dorothy, here's the very simple answer to your question. It's five years from when you think you might actually need it. Not from when you start investing, but from when you think you will actually need it. Just that simple. All right, Katie.

[A]

Okay. This next email is from Victoria, she said, my husband wants to buy shares of stock in his employer's company. It's a fintech company that is not publicly traded. Now, the company's been around for six years. We have already loaned his company $50,000 at 8% interest, which I am told is. Is now being converted to stock. He wants to invest $100,000 more. The company is still in the red. Victoria said, susie, I think this is a bad idea, but I don't know anything about this sort of thing. Please help. This is a tough one.

[B]

No, it is not a tough one. All right, what makes it a tough one for you?

[A]

Well, because she thinks it's a bad idea. He really wants to support and believes in his company, kt.

[B]

Now, let me ask you something. You be honest. How many times have I come to you and I said, oh, let's do this, and you said, no?

[A]

I don't say I don't. I say no.

[B]

And the times that I haven't listened to you, what's happened? We've lost the money. Yeah, we've lost the money.

[A]

But the times that we both said.

[B]

Yes, we made a lot of money. We made a lot of money. So here's what I've learned.

[A]

That's a great rule. That's a great rule.

[B]

Yeah. So here's what I've learned. First of all, this is what you should understand, my dear. Most fintech companies in general operate at a loss for years and years and years. Many never go public. Many raise repeated funding rounds. And when they do what you and your husband need to understand, it does dilutes the equity of the shareholders. So actually, it's worth less. As time goes on, Employees often overestimate KT the value of their stock. There's also an ego thing involved, which is, oh, look, I invested in the company that I work at and things like that. The company is six years old. She said, it's in the red. They already did a $50,000 loan at 8%. But now, and you and I have just experienced this again with another company that we both decided to go invest in, that we had lent them money at 8%. But then the time came. Should we or should we not take our money out plus 8% or convert it to stock? And we decided to convert it to stock because they are profitable now. They are making money. They are distributed everywhere. So in another year or two, they'll be fine. They don't need to raise any more money, and they had the money to pay us back. So the problem is now that they have converted it into stock. There's a risk here, and I want everybody to understand this. And it's called double concentration risk. Have you ever heard about that, Katie?

[A]

No, I never heard that term.

[B]

So here's where the risk comes. Her husband has a salary from this company. His career is in this company. Their health insurance is from this company. His bonus. And now if he puts an extra $100,000 into it, there will be $150,000 of their capital at rent risk. Now $50,000 of their capital is at risk because it converted to stock. So it would be all tied up in the same company. If this company goes under, they have lost it all. He loses his job, his stock, everything. And that's how families get absolutely obliterated. Now, I could go on and on and on and on, but here's what I would tell you. I wouldn't do this if I were you. Trust me on that one.

[A]

All right, kt, this is from Stacy. Hi, Susie and kt, quick update and a big thank you. After purchasing the must have docs on January 15, 2021, finally printing them out only a few months ago, everybody, we finally did the thing we should have done a long time ago. Now she's giving me all these big dates. Susie On January 28, we gathered our witnesses, went to the bank, had everything notarized. It is done. Look how long it took her to do this.

[B]

I don't know why it takes people.

[A]

No, it's not a big deal. So she said, better late than never. I'm honestly so relieved and proud. I love that she's proud to have it handled now. She said, susie, you've made a real difference for our family. Also, thank you for turning me on to Keith Fitzgerald Fitzy, as you call him. So there you go. Tell everyone they're going to hear him. So Sunday.

[B]

So here's what I need all of you to do today because we may have to record it on tomorrow on Friday, right. Rather than Sunday because of his schedule. But anyway, is if you have a question that you want me to ask him, you better post it or send it in asksusypodcastmail.com or right away. Right away. And I'll look at it and see. All right.

[A]

I love Fitzy, everyone. Susie and Keith talk almost every day. They become really good pals, but they all talk about money. And I love to listen because it's fascinating.

[B]

And we're going to meet him and Noriko for the very first time in May in Japan, where Noriko is obviously from so we're so excited. We've never Met Personally, we FaceTime almost every day.

[A]

Every day. They're like brother and sister. So much fun. Okay, first we want to congratulate you on getting those must have docs done. But it took you five years. Listen, do it everybody. It's so easy. An hour, maybe an hour, two hours at the most of your time.

[B]

And so for those of you who don't know, the must have docs happen to be documents that you need. So you must have them just that simple. And they are a living, revocable trust, a will and an advance directive, a durable power of attorney for health care and a financial power of attorney. And the reason that they were created over 20 some odd years ago was that all of you needed those documents but you couldn't find a way to get them for a price that you could afford because lawyers are going to charge you $5,000, $10,000, whatever it may be. So it was decided by let's give everybody a way to get state of the art documents in all 50 states for a price that they can afford. And currently they are $99 for over $2,500 worth of state of the art documents that you can share with as many family members as you want. And you share it by simply giving them the activation code because you all have your own private passwords that you yourselves create. Next question. Katie.

[A]

Well this is.

[B]

Oh by the way, you get them by going to must have docs dot com. All right now Katie.

[A]

And in keeping with that, this is from Joy. Joy said, Hi Ms. Susie. I'm 48 years old with cerebral palsy and I lost my dad in June. He was good to me in every way and I never worried about finances because he supplemented my income all the time. I never pressured him to do it and he always said that is why he did because I never asked and he wouldn't let me say no. Now he is gone and I realize how I didn't prepare. I am not where I need to be in retirement, but thanks to you I am now maxing out on my employer match. I need your help though. Convincing my mom how important it is to have a trust and a will. She thinks it's not necessary because she has my name on all of her accounts. Mom is 75. We're caring, ready for this for my 97 year old grandmother. Help me to get her understand the importance of a will and trust. So there you go. And then she wrote in brackets at the end of this, she said my mom Trusts what you say, Susie? Please help me to get her to do a will and a trust. So tell Mama Hall, Joy's mom, to just do it, Susie. It's really easy.

[B]

So Joy, here is the truth. If all Mommy has is bank accounts, no real estate, just bank accounts and things like that, and it's held in both of your names, your name and her name, not you as a beneficiary, but you where you actually own the account with her. All right? If she didn't have a will or a trust, truthfully, no big deal. I know you're not expecting me to say that, but it's true. Because as long as you can sign for her, as long as you can write the checks, pay the bills and do all of that, okay? However, if mom happens to have real estate, anything like that, and then all of a sudden, the two of you own it in both of your names. Listen to me closely now. And now she becomes incapacitated. You need to sell the house for whatever reason, and she thinks it's fine because it's in both of your names. Now you have trouble because if you go to sell a piece of real estate that is held in both of your names as joint tenancy with right of survivorship, and she becomes incapacitated, she can't sign. And it takes both of your signatures to sign to sell something, even to take out a home equity line of credit or whatever it may be, then you're going to have to have her declared incompetent. Depending on the state that you live in. Let's say it's California, that'll cost you $5,000. And get a conservatorship assigned to her. It will be a serious mess. And you could avoid all that simply by having a revocable living trust that has an incapacity clause in it. Something happens to Mama, you can immediately sign for her, Mama could sign for you, and all that trouble could be avoided. Also, I'm just going to say this. It's very dangerous in many situations to have a child's name on the property. Because if you are in a car accident and you seriously hurt somebody, and it is your problem, there are people who could come after that house then known as lawyers, and there goes Mommy's house. All kinds of things can happen. And last but not least, and I know I'm going on about this, kt, but it's important. And this happened to somebody. I read this email before about an aunt who signed everything over to her niece and the niece died before the aunt and the niece left everything to the boyfriend and now the aunt. Remember this? So what happens, Joy, if all of a sudden you die before Mommy, and now here's Mommy with nobody to take care of anything, and she hasn't thought about that. So it's not a lot of money. It's $99, as I said just a little bit ago. And there's nothing wrong with having double protection. Nothing. So, mom, if you trust what I say, then get a trust. There was obviously a reason that 20 years ago, I put so much energy into making sure all of you had one. And you need to protect yourself, because it's not just about the trust. Do you have an advanced directive? Do you have a durable power of attorney for health care? Do you have all of those things? So those things are very, very important. So just why not do it?

[A]

All right, KT So, Susie, this is a question that came in from one of our Alliant customers. She said, I've been a client of Alliant for years now, and I love them.

[B]

Oh, good.

[A]

My monthly expenses are $10,000 a month. So I keep about $120,000 in an emergency fund in the Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account. Can I change that to the Jumbo Savings? That's the new Jumbo Savings we just told everyone about.

[B]

Yeah. So wait, let me answer that. So, first of all, what's great about the Jumbo Savings Account that Alliant is currently offering is, number one, it's a savings account. Therefore, it is liquid. You can get at it at any time. Also, it's giving you a 3.35% APY. Great. You keep it for at least one year, 12 months, an average daily balance of $100,000. At the end of that time, you get a $250 bonus, which comes out to be about a 3.6% return. If, in fact, they keep the 3.35% APY, which they probably will for the entire year. Time will tell. So can you do that? If you already are a customer of Alliant Credit Union and you transfer from the Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account that's only making 3.01%, which is an incredible rate for any amount of money, by the way, to this new one, you absolutely can. So this is not just for new money. You can transfer it. Just know you have to do it before March 31st of this year.

[A]

But, Susie, wait. Tell them how to get the Jumbo Savings Account.

[B]

How do you think you get the jumbo savings account?

[A]

Myalliant.com.

[B]

So that's M Y A L L I A N T dot com. By the way, the $250 bonus is only available to those of you who come in through the Suzy URL.

[A]

Suzy fans. All the Suzy listeners and fans. This is just for you.

[B]

You. So that's why you have to go to mymy A L L I A N t dot com. If you forget that, just go to susiorman dot com, my website, and you'll see a banner right there. Just click on it and go for it.

[A]

Okay, so this is. No, it's the same. Same person from alliance, she said or same customer. I also have gotten part of my inheritance of $45,000. Do you think I should put that in the Jumbo Savings as well? I will need it for a down payment in about seven months.

[B]

Now in this particular situation, if I were you, I would put the $120,000 in the Jumbo savings account. The $45,000, given that you'll need it in about seven months, then take advantage of the the 3.9% APY for what? The six month certificate that a Lion happens to be offering. So then that gives you the money that you'll need in seven months, but it also gives you a higher interest rate. Do you see? So that's what I would be doing in this particular situation. So 3.6%, 3.9% maybe. If you don't need it and they offer that again, then you'll average about a 3.75% return, possibly. So we'll see what happens there. But that's what I would be doing if I were you.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Also one other thing, Katie, people have been asking, and this was asked on the Women and Money community app wall, which I've been hesitant to answer because of the scamming that's going on with my name, my pictures and everything like that. So the interest rate of 3.01%. Somebody asked did I think it was going to stay at that rate. I absolutely do. I would not be worried about them lowering it. Okay, go on.

[A]

So Susie, my last question is a long one, but I think a very valuable one. Susie, this is from Mary. Thank you for your wonderful podcast and newsletter which we receive via email. I have one question for you, by the way.

[B]

All of you can sign up for that. If you go to susie orman.com you can sign up for that every single week. Go on.

[A]

Okay, so Mary has a question. Should we get a financial advisor? A year ago, my husband Mike and I took a seminar on retirement at the University of St. Thomas where we lived at the time. This is in St. Paul, by the way, everyone. It was fantastic. Even though we had been retired since 2021, Mike has always been a wizard with our finances. And our portfolio grew over the decades to nearly $2 million. And she said it's even still there after taking out 80,000 last summer. And then this is very sweet. Mary said, I'm thrilled that I married a man so savvy with money, not to mention a kind, patient, and loving man. We live on dividends and Social Security. We're not frivolous people, but we've definitely been able to do things. We love and help out our children over the years. Now, this is where the what ifs come in, everybody. Mary said. Susie, last May, Mike was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Since last June, we now live in Las Vegas. We which is where he's getting treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. I told Mike that we really should get a financial advisor. My thinking is that anything that we can hand off to someone else, we should, so that we can focus on doing what he needs to keep the Parkinson's at bay for as long as possible. So Mary then goes on to tell us that, is it worth handing over our money for 1% every year to a financial advisor? Mike is only going to get worse, and I think that we should move to a financial advisor while he is still able to know what's going on. So Mary is asking, should she maybe contact the guy that she and Mike took their course from back in St. Paul that they really liked? And because it's likely she'll be moving back to the Twin Cities in the future.

[B]

What are their ages?

[A]

He's 69 and Mary's 73.

[B]

So what would you do, Katie?

[A]

I definitely hand the money over to the financial advisor that Mike really liked. They both did. And I would hope to trust him and for 1%, because what she's doing is she's preparing for the future. Yeah, the what ifs are already there. All right, so now what do I do?

[B]

I hear you, kt, and I knew you were going to answer that way. Right. However, I would not answer that way. Mary, I want you to listen to me and listen to me closely. Your husband is still capable of doing this. And part of what will keep him going is to stay involved intellectually, whether his brain is slower or whatever happens until he really can't. And you'll know when he can't. But don't take it away from him before he can't. The advisor will always be there. You can hand over the money to the advisor at any time. But don't do it yet.

[A]

That's true.

[B]

Because it's something that he loves, he's great at, and it's how he can continue to feel like he's the man that. That he became, intellectually speaking, at least. Okay, number one. Number two, don't you dare think that you can't do this. You absolutely can. So rather than just saying you liked this guy, you did that. Why not like your money? And what do I mean by that? Sit down with your husband. Have him teach you now. Get involved with it now, because what happens if you turn it over to this one advisor? All of a sudden, something happens to this one advisor or that advisor leaves or whatever? Are you kidding me? No. You have what it takes to at least get involved and learn about the stocks and the investments that you already have. Talk to your husband about. Something happens to you. Which stocks do you think we should keep forever? Because there are stocks you should keep forever. There are dividend players that you should probably keep forever. And maybe you don't have to give up 1%. 1% is a lot of money. Girlfriend of $2 million. Just so you know, it's at least 20,000 a year just to have somebody else manage the money that may or may not need to be managed. And maybe not all of it needs to be managed. And maybe some of it stays where it happens to be. Maybe eventually, when time comes, you give a smaller amount to that financial advisor. But before you give anything to anybody, you give yourself the time, the credit, and the ability to know you have what it takes to take care of your own money. So you use this time now to put a bet while you're in Las Vegas on yourself and be. And be a true winner with your husband. Now.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

I did. Okay.

[A]

I, like. Put a bet on yourself. Bet on yourself.

[B]

All right. Okay, everybody. So until Sunday. And you know what Sunday is. Fitzy's going to be joining me. So send in your questions today. Today. All right? And maybe I will ask Fitzy your question. But until Sunday, there's only one thing that we want you to remember. Can you sing it like Andrea Pacella?

[A]

I was just gonna say I'm gonna sing it. No, I'm not gonna sing it.

[B]

Come on. Try Katie.

[A]

People first, then money, then things. Now you stay.

[B]

Oh, she just got so. She just got so shy. All right, see you Sunday. Bye. Bye.

[A]

We are strong, we are wise we.

[B]

Will not apologize we are here we.

[A]

Will thrive Together we will rise we're the little bit of faith and everything it takes.

[B]

We are strong, we are wise.

[A]

Together we will rise.

[B]

Hi everybody. Suzie O here and I have to tell all of you, there is one benefit that I know all of you need and your corporations need to offer and it comes from a company that I helped co found over five years ago by the name of Secure Save. So whether you're an employee or an employer, I want you to go to securesave.com Suzy S U Z E and take a look at what I have for you there. I promise you you're gonna like it.

[C]

All right now, neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman is acting as a Certified Financial Planner Advisor, a certified Financial Analyst, an economist, cpa, accountant or lawyer. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman make any recommendations as to any specific securities or investments. All content contained in this podcast is for informational and general purposes only and does not constitute financial accounting or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your particular situation. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman accepts any responsibility for any losses which may arise from accessing or reliance on information in this podcast and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for loss damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of this information. The must have documents discussed in this podcast are legal documents created by a lawyer and distributed by Hay House. Thanks for listening.