Suze Orman’s Guide to Surviving Trump Tariffs and Holiday Pressure

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Suze Orman’s Guide to Surviving Trump Tariffs and Holiday Pressure"

Introduction

In this episode of The Chris Cuomo Project, host Chris Cuomo engages in an insightful conversation with renowned financial expert Suze Orman. As the holiday season approaches, the discussion navigates through the complexities of economic policies under the Trump administration, the tangible effects of tariffs, and the financial pressures that accompany the festive period. Additionally, the episode delves into practical advice for managing personal finances during times of economic uncertainty and heightened consumer spending.

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Understanding Tariffs and Economic Policy

Timestamp: 03:24

Chris Cuomo opens the dialogue by addressing the prevalent confusion surrounding tariffs, especially under President-elect Trump's administration. He poses a critical question about the dual perception of tariffs—seen as a tool to combat inflation by opponents, and as a mechanism to strengthen America's stance against China by supporters.

Suze Orman responds by highlighting the unpredictability of President Trump's approach to tariffs. She states:

"When you're dealing with President Trump, you can't just expect normal results because we don't really know, Chris, why he's using that, what he's really going to do."

Orman emphasizes that while tariffs typically lead to increased consumer prices due to higher costs from imported goods, the Trump administration's strategic motives might deviate from conventional economic principles. She cautions against simplistic debates on the direct impact of tariffs, suggesting that the real effects depend on the administration's broader economic strategies.

Impact on Everyday Americans

Timestamp: 07:07

Diving deeper, Orman shifts the focus to the real-world implications of these economic policies on the average citizen. She explores the dichotomy between a robust stock market and the struggles faced by those unable to participate in such financial gains. Orman poignantly remarks:

"But how many people is that that get to do that? What part of the United States of America can't participate in the housing market?"

She elaborates on the soaring costs of essential services like property insurance, using her personal experience in Florida to illustrate the financial strain:

"Do you know it is now $28,000 to insure. So in the state of Florida, even if you can get insurance now, many people are having to give up their home because they cannot afford a thousand percent or a 500% or even a 30% increase in just insurance."

Orman underscores the disparity between economic indicators that look positive on paper and the tangible hardships endured by a significant portion of the population, highlighting issues like medical insurance and the lack of retirement savings.

Tariffs as a Political Tool

Timestamp: 10:23

The conversation takes a critical turn as Cuomo points out the disconnect between the populist support for Trump and the potential beneficiaries of his economic policies. Orman responds by expressing concern that the policies may ultimately favor the elites rather than the populist base that supported the administration. She asserts:

"I just don't think they understood really why they were suffering, why things were going up, what was really going on."

Orman suggests that the lack of understanding among the populist voters about the intricacies of economic policies could lead to unfavorable outcomes for the very group that fueled the political movement.

Managing Finances During the Holidays

Timestamp: 19:53

Shifting the focus to the holiday season, Orman provides pragmatic advice on maintaining financial health amidst the pressures of gifting and increased spending. She cautions against falling into debt traps orchestrated by enticing discounts and sales:

"If you're only able to pay the minimum payment due and it's at a high interest rate, triple it. And ask yourself the question, would I pay $150 for what I'm about to buy?"

Orman advocates for honesty and transparency within families regarding financial limitations, emphasizing that sustainable generosity shouldn't compromise one's financial stability. She shares personal anecdotes and imparts wisdom on teaching children the value of non-material gifts, thereby fostering a culture of financial responsibility from a young age.

Teaching Financial Responsibility to the Next Generation

Timestamp: 32:00

Orman reflects on the importance of instilling sound financial habits in children. She recounts experiences from her Women and Money podcast, illustrating how genuine financial education can lead to responsible money management in adulthood:

"They have a 12 month emergency fund... fully funded my Roth IRA this year... I don't have any credit card debt."

She contrasts these responsible behaviors with the superficial satisfaction derived from material gifts, advocating for gifts that bring value without financial strain. Orman emphasizes that true generosity encompasses both giving to others and maintaining one's financial integrity.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 37:11

As the episode draws to a close, Chris Cuomo and Suze Orman reiterate the core message of financial prudence and the importance of aligning one's spending habits with genuine values and needs. Cuomo praises Orman's steadfastness and truthful guidance, while Orman underscores the significance of prioritizing health and financial well-being over material possessions.

The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners navigating the dual challenges of economic policy impacts and the financial demands of the holiday season. Through their candid and informative dialogue, Cuomo and Orman provide actionable insights aimed at fostering financial resilience and responsible stewardship of personal resources.

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Notable Quotes

• Suze Orman on Tariffs:

  "When you're dealing with President Trump, you can't just expect normal results because we don't really know, Chris, why he's using that, what he's really going to do." (03:24)

• Orman on Housing Market Accessibility:

  "What part of the United States of America can't participate in the housing market?" (07:07)

• Orman on Financial Teaching:

  "They have a 12 month emergency fund... fully funded my Roth IRA this year... I don't have any credit card debt." (32:00)

• Orman on Generosity:

  "A gift is truly generous when it's a gift, not just for the person you're giving it to, but for yourself as well." (27:22)

• Orman on Financial Honesty:

  "If you have to buy something and put it on a credit card... you cannot afford what you are about to buy." (19:53)

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Key Takeaways

1. Tariffs Under Trump: Suze Orman highlights the non-traditional and unpredictable nature of tariffs under Trump's administration, cautioning that their true impact remains uncertain and may not align with typical economic outcomes.

2. Economic Disparities: Despite positive economic indicators like a thriving stock market, significant portions of the population struggle with rising costs in essential services, revealing a gap between macroeconomic performance and personal financial stability.

3. Populism vs. Policy Benefits: The episode underscores a disconnect between the populist support base and the beneficiaries of economic policies, suggesting that well-intentioned policies may not effectively address the needs of the majority.

4. Holiday Financial Management: Orman provides actionable advice for managing finances during the holidays, advocating for mindful spending, debt avoidance, and prioritizing financial health over obligatory gifting.

5. Financial Education for Youth: Emphasizing the importance of early financial education, Orman shares insights on cultivating responsible money habits in children, preparing them for financial independence and stability in adulthood.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Chris Cuomo Project offers a blend of economic analysis and personal financial guidance, making complex policy discussions accessible and relevant to everyday life. Suze Orman's expertise provides a nuanced perspective on the implications of tariffs and economic policies, while her practical advice equips listeners with tools to navigate financial challenges, especially during the holiday season. Through their engaging conversation, Cuomo and Orman encourage listeners to approach finances with honesty, responsibility, and a focus on long-term well-being.

Transcript

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, I'm Ryan Reynolds. Recently, I asked Mint Mobile's legal team if big wireless companies are allowed to raise prices due to inflation. They said yes. And then when I asked if raising prices technically violates those onerous two year contracts, they said, what the are you talking about, you insane Hollywood. So to recap, we're cutting the price of mint Unlimited from $30 a month to just $15 a month. Give it a [e-mail] Switch $45 up.

[Susie Orman]

Front for three months, plus taxes and fees. Promote for new customers for a limited time. Unlimited more than 40 gigabytes per month. Slows full [e-mail] Ho ho, hold up.

[Chris Cuomo]

I'm Chris Cuomo. Welcome to the Chris Cuomo Project here as we enter the gifting season. I don't care what your tradition is. I don't care what your faith is. We all know what this is about. Balancing needs and wants and how we show people that we love them and how we show understanding. And look, I'm no different than you. I often default to just paying my way through the season and hoping that made everybody happy. And you know what? I know it's a mistake, and I'm among those who can afford that mistake. But what if you're not? Okay, here's another topic. What if you keep hearing the word tariff, but you're not really sure what it's gonna mean and whether it's a good thing or a bad thing? Ah, these are two very vexing issues. And I have one guest who can satisfy both. Susie Orman. You know the name. Have you been checking out her podcast about women and money? Oh, boy. I'll tell you what, I got to sneak in there myself every once in a while. It's such smart ideas about how to empower. We all know Susie. She's a brand in and of herself because of her ability to remind us what we need to know and how we need to be. Susie Orman on what's coming in terms of political, economic policy and what better not be coming with you and yours this holiday season. Susie Orman, you are a Christmas gift to myself. Thank you very much for joining me on the podcast once again.

[Susie Orman]

Oh, I love you so much. I have to. And I know people can see you, but I love how buff you are these days. Just love it.

[Chris Cuomo]

Thank you very much. Must be this special compression gear that holds all the muscles sewed into it, so I wanted.

[Susie Orman]

I have to get some of that gear.

[Chris Cuomo]

Nah, you look great. You look great. You're known for looking good. So I want you to help me with your economics and politics hat, and then I want you to put on your therapist hat and help me figure out how we're supposed to manage our finances at the time of year that pulls us to spend the most. So, first, everybody has used the word tariff as a buzzword. Okay? And if you're against President elect Trump, tariff means all our prices are going up. And if you're for President Trump, it means that he's gonna kick China's ass. How do you understand the use or abuse of tariffs and what do people need to know about whatever is to come?

[Susie Orman]

Well, truthfully, when you're dealing with President Trump, you can't just expect normal results because we don't really know, Chris, why he's using that, what he's really going to do. And this is not a typical situation. Typically, yeah, you put tariffs on, prices go up for everybody. But is he doing it as a political ploy to get them to give him something else? Who knows at this point what he's doing? So I think given the fact that it is now President elect Trump and that this is absolutely what the United States of America wanted and we should be willing to wait to see what he is actually going to put on and how it's going to affect everything. But I think it's very silly for all of us to be debating, well, it's going to increase this and it's going to do that. In normal situations. Tariffs are not friendly to the consumer, because in my opinion, there's not one major corporation or anybody who's transporting, importing, whatever it is, if their prices are raised, who do you think they're going to pass that down to? It always falls down to the consumer. Maybe it looks like more money is coming in for the economy, meaning the government and things like that, but it always falls down to all of us, in my opinion. But we'll see how he's going to use them.

[Chris Cuomo]

So people do say it's an indirect tax on the consumer. Now, here's how it could work. And it's been suggested by Trump in the past, not this time, that it would work now. It didn't work this way the first time, but here was the pitch. China doesn't allow enough of our stuff into its markets. This tariff will make them do that. There will be an offset of manufacturing energy that will place products in China where now we can't. And that will help all those people who are employing people in America, and they'll be able to hire more, and that will offset it. And he's gonna tell China they have to absorb the tariff and can't pass it on. Otherwise he'll make it even worse. And it worked the first time. That's why Biden kept the tariffs.

[Susie Orman]

So first of all, that's, I feel like, as you were saying all that, I felt like, oh, here we go again. But is that like telling Mexico they're going to have to build a wall and they're going to pay what we're going to build it, but they're going to pay for it? I think that a lot comes to play now that wasn't necessarily in play his first term. And that's really what is happening out there with China, North Korea, South Korea, with Syria, with Ukraine, with Russia. Nowhere did we have the political like warfare that's going on between all of those countries. And sure, it's not. We can say we're going to do this and then all of a sudden China becomes really good friends with Russia. There's a lot of ramifications here that weren't there before. Do you agree with that? Yes.

[Chris Cuomo]

The dynamic is different in terms of turmoil and players economically. I do still think that you have a one off with China because China is more of an attractive political target when it comes to economics than any of the other countries that you mentioned.

[Susie Orman]

So we'll see again. I, you know, my specialty obviously is not economics and all of these things. And will this cause that? All I really look at truthfully, Chris, is how are the everyday people doing today? And it is true, the economy is doing great. Real estate is doing great. The stock market is doing great. Gold is doing great. Bitcoin is really doing great. So everybody who has money, who owns a home has the ability to buy a home. Right now they are so happy. They're looking at their 401k plans and it has gone up tremendously. The Standard and Poor's 500 index just for this year alone is up 30%, Chris. But how many people is that that get to do that? What part of the United States of America can't participate in the housing market? They can't afford it. And even if they were able at one time to afford the price of a home, you know why? Now they're giving it up. Not because of their mortgage payment, not because of the interest on their mortgage, because they can no longer afford the property insurance rates that have skyrocketed. My own apartment in Florida used to be 4, $5,000 a year to insure. It's only 2,100 square feet. Do you know it is now $28,000 to insure. So in the state of Florida, even if you can get insurance now, many people are having to give up their home because they cannot afford a thousand percent or a 500% or even a 30% increase in just insurance. So when you start to look at the real problems that we're facing in the United States, in my opinion is what are you going to do about that? What are you going to do about medical insurance really? And I understand that there is Obamacare and everything like that is still out there, but there are still so many things. People have been going into Medicare Advantage thinking that they're, especially when they're older, thinking that they're going to save money because they don't have to have their medical B, you know, their Medicare B premiums, any of that deduct. And then all of a sudden they go and make a claim and Medicare Advantage won't pay. And there are big problems out there, Chris, especially for those that don't have a retirement account. They don't really have savings. They really don't know if their job's going to be replaced by artificial intelligence or not. And I can go on and on. So the mass people that maybe they'll be affected by tariffs and things like that, but the majority of people maybe don't even have the money to buy the thing with or without tariffs to begin with.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah, we have an upside down situation here where the people who were driving the election are probably not going to be the beneficiaries of the coming policies, which.

[Susie Orman]

No. And that's what's so funny.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah, it's a weird populist movement.

[Susie Orman]

I just, I just have to say this. So the main thing is we're not going to tax Social Security. Well, when you're not making any money, you're making under 35,000 or whatever it may be. If you're married or single, you don't pay tax on Social Security anyway. So who's going to win? Me. I'm not going to have to pay tax on Social Security. That's a big deal since 85% on my almost $4,000 a month, which really is a travesty if you think about it, is what is going to be now not taxed. And at my tax bracket that's a huge saving for me. But what does it do to the Social Security trust fund? Kris? Right now a lot of people who are paying taxes on Social Security goes in to support the Social Security trust fund, which makes it that we can last longer before it depletes itself. So everything has a ramification. But I have to say, I don't think that the people who, who really wanted change, they needed change. They felt like, oh, my God, they don't have any money to do anything. I'm not sure that they're going to feel the benefit of this administration, or maybe any administration, for that matter.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah, I was talking to somebody about, you know, that dynamic, but boiled down to the tariffs because, you know, you got to give it to Trump as a political win that he's boiled down everything about what to do with the economy on the problem being inflation. And then his solution is something that almost guarantees inflationary pressure. And the best pushback they have is, oh, yeah, if it's so bad, then why did Biden keep the tariffs? And, you know, that's a good question, but, you know, they would have to answer it, right, because they'd have to justify why they kept it. They took out a lot of other of Trump's executive actions. Do you think? Why do you think they kept him?

[Susie Orman]

Oh, I don't know why they did anything that they did, to tell you the truth. But here's the question. It's one thing to keep the policy going as, you know, Biden did, but remember, it went from here to here, all right? And now it's been stable at that level, and he kept it at that level. I don't know exactly what happens, Chris, when he goes from this level now and raises it 25% more now. I don't know, do we have an unbalance or do we not and what that causes. But I do think that right now it's like a political fighting match. Is it going to work? Is it not going to work? And here's the bottom line, and you know this, and I know this. He is going to do what he wants to do or he is going to do with one, with what one of his cronies says for him to do. I'm never sure when it's directly from him or somebody that he takes his information from. Either way, it doesn't matter. It's then his decision. So I think we're gonna have to wait to see really what does it do. If it were up to me, I would not be doing it.

[Chris Cuomo]

What do you make of the disconnect between the politics being a populist movement, but the policies benefiting people, not in that populist group that it will the policies largely benefit the elites, as they're called now?

[Susie Orman]

Yeah, I feel really bad for them, I have to tell you, because they voted with not really understanding that President Elect Trump wanted to keep in the tax cuts that really benefited people with a lot of money. Hopefully he'll keep in the estate tax and not let it sunset, which is $13 billion per person, which the majority of people out there aren't going to care about, but quite a few are. So I just don't think they understood really why they were suffering, why things were going up, what was really going on. They didn't really understand. They didn't understand, so they just kind of voted, in my opinion, as a rebellious vote. That very well could backfire on them. I hope it doesn't backfire on them.

[Chris Cuomo]

Support for the Chris Cuomo Project comes from Get Main Lobster. And I love that it does. It's Thanksgiving. Hey, everybody has the same things. Why not add something new to the table? Lobster. Imagine sitting down to your meal. You got all the classics there, right? And then all of a sudden you look and there is a fresh, sweet lobster from Get Maine Lobster ready to crack. The rich, buttery taste of Maine in every bite. Perfectly tender, just the right amount of sweet sweetness. Look, we all know when it comes to lobster, I'm a New York guy, but it's all about Maine. It's the kind of flavor that makes you savor each moment. And what's the holiday about? Making it a little more special. Whether you're going for lobster rolls, lobster tails, or a whole lobster feast, it's like having the fresh taste of Maine delivered straight to your door, right to the table. Add Get Maine Lobster to your feast. Visit getmainlobster.com use the promo code Cuomo and you get 15% off. Support for the Chris Cuomo Project comes from Factor. Days are shorter, but what you have to do, not shorter. You need to fuel up the right way. These days, everybody's got their gains in mind. Everybody knows they need their macros and they want to eat well and they want to eat tasty and they want to eat affordable. Well, guess what? Factor checks every box from breakfast to dinner, anything in between. Easy, nutritious options to keep you fueled and feeling your best. And the nice thing is, there's such variation. 35 different delicious meals every week, over 60 additional convenience options that you can add to your box. Like what? Keto cookies, pressed juices, smoothies. So don't let shorter days slow you down. And don't let meal prep become a boogeyman for you. Just use factor head to FactorMeals.com 50Cuomo and use code 50Cuomo. And guess what? You get off your first box plus free shipping. 50%. That's code [e-mail] and you get 50 off your first box plus free shipping. While your subscription is active, support for the Chris Cuomo Project comes from Get Maine Lobster. Oh, the holidays. It's all about making them special, right? Well, what's more special when it comes to looking down at that plate than getting Maine lobster? I'll paint you a picture. It's Christmas Eve and all through the house. No, none of that. Certainly not a mouse. Find a mouse in my house. You know where you're going to find it? On a glue trap. But I'll tell you, here's what you will find A table filled with people talking about why they love each other, talking about what's good, laughing about what's not, and enjoying food, especially to an Italian American family man, we love it. And I gotta tell you, you crack open a fresh, sweet lobster, especially like us, we're all water people. What's better than getting a taste that takes you straight to the coast of Maine? Get Maine lobster has everything you need. Lobster rolls, lobster tails, whole lobster feast. I feel like Bubba Gump. Plus, as a listener of the Chris Cuomo project, you get 15% off all orders store wide with promo code Cuomo. That's right. 15% off the freshest lobster you'll find anywhere. So this season, create new memories, make it extra special by by adding a touch of Maine to your holiday table. Visit getmainlobster.com use the promo code Cuomo and you'll get 15% off all orders today. Okay? Merry, merry, happy, happy. Here we are, Christmas time. Lots of deals. We show love by giving. We are nervous about not having enough in our budgets, but we have all these great financing deals coming now. Don't pay anything for five months, six months, one year. That sounds great. People have been making some money. People have been under a lot of stress if they haven't been making money. And you know what a great stress release is at the holiday times, buying things for those you love. What is your advice heading into the gifting season?

[Susie Orman]

Yeah, the saddest thing for me, always, when I was seeing clients personally, we would work all year to get them out of debt because you're never in a state of feeling financially free if you have debt, especially credit card debt, especially at these interest rates. And we would work so hard at it. And then came the holidays. And then all of a sudden they would Go into the mall and the people behind the counter would say, listen, whatever you buy today, you get 20% off. So even if they went in to just buy one item, in their minds, they thought, oh my God, I'm going to go out there and buy everything I can today because I want to take advantage of the 20% off. Of course, the only reason they were able to do that is that knowing they would probably only pay the minimum payment due and then the department stores would be making 30 some odd percent on them. So of course they could afford to give 20% off. They're still, you know, in the black on them. So I think it's really important that you ask yourself questions and that you stand in the truth. And that you stand in the truth not just with yourself, but with your family as well. Because if you have to buy something and put it on a credit card, knowing that when it comes due, you're only going to be able to pay the minimum payment due, you better double or triple the price of anything that you're buying to understand the true cost of it. So if it's $50, if you're only able to pay the minimum payment due and it's at a high interest rate, triple it. And ask yourself the question, would I pay $150 for what I'm about to buy? And chances are the answer is going to be no. And you have to stand in your truth that if that is what you have to do by putting it on your credit card and paying the minimum payment due, you cannot afford what you are about to buy. So not only is it a burden on yourself, chances are you're not going to be giving somebody a gift. They're going to feel guilty because they're probably going to have to do the same thing you're doing now. Both of you have gotten in debt to probably give you each other something that you don't even really like. So let's get honest. And in my family, from day one, after I was with KT and her little sisters and everybody, they had children from day one, we never bought a gift. We made gifts, we made cookies, we made toffee.

[Chris Cuomo]

Susie Orman. That's what I'm hearing. Cheap ass Susie.

[Susie Orman]

Big cheap ass.

[Chris Cuomo]

Everybody wants gifts. You look in the faces of those kids, your loved ones, and you, if they give them the gift, you see that you've done something right. And you are saying, don't do that just because of money. You only live once. And everybody lives on expensive credit in America. This is how we do it well.

[Susie Orman]

Think about the lesson you're teaching your kids that when they grow up and they don't have the money to do it, they're gonna keep repeating the same mistake. You know, recently on the Women and Money podcast, just a little bit ago, we had Barbara, KT's little sister, and she talked about what it was like growing up with Aunt Susie and the lessons that we put those kids through. And here those kids are, 25 and 27 now, so incredible with money saving. They don't care about the latest iPhone, they don't care about any of that. They care about saying to me, aunt Susie, I have a 12 month emergency fund. Susie, I have fully funded my Roth IRA this year, Susie. I don't have any credit card debt. What are you going to make somebody for Christmas? Oh, well, this year I've made them a little sweater that I sewn and I knitted myself. And they take such pride in that. One of them just is buying a house and they're doing all the work themselves to fix it up. Even though one of them, the other person that they're doing this with, they have the money to just hire somebody. But no. So you can go on and think that, oh, you have to buy them this, you have to do that. But a gift, Kris, is truly generous when it's a gift, not just for the person you're giving it to, but for yourself as well. And if you're going to financially suffer because of that, that's not true generosity. In your own way, you are being a financial liar. One quick story, which is Oprah. How many Oprah shows did I do? 30. How many houses did she have me go in to fix the financial problems of people who looked like they had a lot of money? And I would go in their closets and we would take out the stuff in their closets that were all stuffed with things. I go, what is all this stuff? Oh, well, this was a Christmas present from Uncle Joe. Oh, this was a birthday present from that. And I go, and why are they in here? Because I don't like them. And then could they afford it? Here's what you should do right now. I'll tell you what everybody should do right now. Go and ask your kids what they got last year for Christmas or Hanukkah or any holiday. Go on the streets and just stop a little kid and say, do you remember what you got last year for Christmas? Or better yet, do you remember what you got last year for Christmas? Do you really? I did that and I did that with the Today show cameras, everyone, we stop walking up fifth Avenue, they go, you know who did? Remember this one person whose wife gave him a foot massage? A little ticket that said, you get a foot massage. Chris, what did you get last year for Christmas? Do you remember?

[Chris Cuomo]

Bills.

[Susie Orman]

Bills.

[Chris Cuomo]

I pay for everybody. I am Santa. That's why my face is so red.

[Susie Orman]

Right? So, but think about that. Ask your kids, ask your grandkids, ask kids. Because once you become adults, usually all they want is money. Yeah, like give me $50, give me $100. Okay. But I do not have a place in my financial heart to justify giving gifts, buying gifts when you cannot afford it. I feel like every one of those gifts represents a financial lie.

[Chris Cuomo]

Support for the Chris Cuomo Project comes from Everyday Dose. Look, we all want to perform at mentally and physically. Sometimes habits don't set us up for success. Everyday Dose, it's coffee, but better than coffee. Since I started drinking Everyday Dose, I can get through my day and I get more consistent energy. I don't need the hits the way I did, you know, another cup, another cup, another cup. And there's not that roller coaster, caffeine, crash and gut. Health for me is everything. And the mushrooms, collagen, it's like a one, two punch for keeping me regular and feeling good. The taste is legit. It's smooth, rich. It's actually got more of a creaminess than drinking black coffee. And it's definitely coffee flavor. None of that dirt water stuff that I've tried with some others of the mushroom drinks. So head over to everydaydose.com Chris for 25 off plus five free gifts with your first order, including a YouTube USB rechargeable frother. Helps. It helps. Definitely thickens it up. I like it. Every month after, you're going to get an amazing free gift with your order, so go to everydaydose-o s e.com Chris. You get 25% off plus 5 free gifts with your first order. Support for the Chris Cuomo project comes from Shopify. Listen, my friends, success in selling success comes from a business and how often that business behind the business gets it done for that business. What does that mean? Means that you need people to help you get your wares where you need them to be. They work with untuck it. They work with Death wish coffee. So when you think about a business that sells through the roof, like Aloe Allbirds skims. Yeah. Yeah. They must have a great team. Yeah. What they have is the business behind them known as Shopify. My brothers and Sisters, upgrade your business and get the same checkout that Untuck it uses. Sign up for your $1 a month trial [e-mail] Chris C. All lowercase, if you please. Chris c. Go to shopify.com Chris C. Upgrade your selling today. Where? Shopify.com Chris C. I know it sounds scroogy to some because we have the imagery of the boxes and the bows and the transactions of emotional satisfaction of what the kids open and see, and parents want to give that to them. But you know, to your point, when you talk to parents about what they want for their kids, it's about giving them the life that they wish they had or opportunities that they think their kids need. They never talk about material things. Safety, security, happiness, opportunities to succeed or fail on their own merits. And I think that's what we. We lose sight of. But, you know, it's also cultural. I didn't grow up like that. You know, I grew up with parents who were depression babies, right? So. And my father was like, allergic to wealth. He was like the original organic, anti elitist. He was like, you know, my father would do anything for anybody as long as they didn't offer to pay him. And he would often say, when you'd be like, pop, what do you want for Christmas? He would say, what do I need? If I want something, I get it. What do I need from you? Be good to your wife. Be good to your mom. Be good to your sister. Give me a hug. And I used to think that he was being falsely modest until I became a parent and got a little older. And it always helps to go through some shit. Anybody who has any kind of health issue never wants anything material ever again.

[Susie Orman]

That's right.

[Chris Cuomo]

And all of a sudden this st. All cliches apply the older you get, right, Susie? So if you don't have your health, you don't have any. Everybody rolls their eyes at that shit until they get one bad blood test back.

[Susie Orman]

It's true, right? You know Barbara, KT's little sister is here, right? And she said, so what is it that you want? What's one thing that you really want? And I said, I'll tell you not only what I want, I'll tell you what I need, and that's my health.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah.

[Susie Orman]

Doesn't matter how much money I have. You know this, Chris. It doesn't matter when something happens and you have a chance really of not living. I've experienced this. All that you care about is your health. And from that day on, you watch what you eat, you Watch everything. And you know, you don't gain weight. You don't. You're healthy in every possible way. And you're even healthy how you spend money. So it's not healthy to spend money that you don't have, that you don't have. It's not healthy people, and it's not.

[Chris Cuomo]

Really showing somebody that you care about them. Because if you're upside down on something or you're paying an exorbitant amount, you know, there's another kind of gifter. It's different than the people you focus on, Susie. But you know, a lot of these people that I'm about to talk about, you've got the money and you spend exorbitantly on gifts that really are gifts to yourself of demonstrations of your opulence, because nobody gives a shit that you just bought them this watch that was this much money. They could have bought it themselves, maybe, or they don't value it that way and it was just you doing what they call these days, flexing. And that's not a good look either. And I always tell people if they have a lot of money, when they say things, you know, like, oh boy, let me know what I can do for you. I always would joke with them and say like, oh, yeah, want to do something? Yeah, why don't you pay for their kids college?

[Susie Orman]

If you want to go big, go big. Otherwise go big or go home.

[Chris Cuomo]

That's right. Or just do what Susie you're telling people to do, which is also remember the reason for the season. Right, of course. We haven't even mentioned that. Everybody's hyping their religion these days. Every time I get beat up on social media, the person seems to have a crucifix next to their name as a statement of what they're about. The reason for the season is to remember what really matters in life and what really is transcendent. And it's certainly not what's in your closet.

[Susie Orman]

Well, think about that. You have some of the movies of Jesus is all of a sudden going, and he sees everybody worshiping the golden calves and everybody again and boom, right? Or Moses, whatever. And so because I get all of it mixed up, what can you expect from me?

[Chris Cuomo]

But anyway, Hanukkah is the same thing. The ability to keep a candle burning when it shouldn't have anymore, you know, of. Of exceeding what was seen as possible, you know, that goes to what has real value and what you really have to account for in life as well. So no matter the tradition, you wind up in the same place that it is not what you have, it's what you give of yourself and don't think.

[Susie Orman]

That your kids don't know it. I'll never forget that I took the CNBC cameras and we went to, because I was on CNBC at the time, to this very exclusive kids school in a suburb of Chicago where one of my friends was the teacher. It was like $10,000 a year to go there. This was years ago for little kids, five years old, seven little ones, okay, So I go there with the cameras and they're all there, everybody has signed releases and I say to the kids, so you know, you can be anything you want. It's like, how do you feel about money? And this little five year old said, I don't know, I think I'm going to end up in the poor house. I said, what? 5 years old? And I said, why in the world do you think you're going to end up in the poor house? And he says to me, well almost every night before mommy and daddy go to bed, Mommy is screaming at Daddy, if you don't stop buying these gadgets, we're going to end up in the poor house. So now I'm thinking, all right, this was an isolated example, not a big deal. And there were like 20 kids, 5 years old, 6 years old. And I said, kids, do any of you relate to this? Chris? Every one of them had a story like that. Every one of them. So if you think that a temporary gift at a holiday is going to squelch what they feel about money and you, when they hear you upset about money, crying about not money, whatever it may be, you know all of that. If you think that you could do that with a gift that you can't afford and your kids don't know it in the long run, I'm here to tell you they absolutely do. It's temporary. It's a temporary satisfaction of a desire to open up something and try giving them something they don't want and watch how much they appreciate it. Really. Uh huh.

[Chris Cuomo]

I know that I got three little test labs in my own home. They're not that little anymore, but they're still test labs, call centers as I call them. Susie, you have been a gift to me. You were there whenever I need you and I appreciate that more than you may know. And I am always a call away for you, for whatever you need because of the gift of your friendship. Thank you very much and I wish you the best for this season.

[Susie Orman]

And me to you Chris, really. You know, I think the world of you. And all that matters in my life is how I feel and think about somebody, not how everybody else does.

[Chris Cuomo]

Well, good, because otherwise it'd be very hard to think anything nice about me. But that's what I sign up for. When you decide to be taking on controversy, all the best to you and kt. I wish you all good things. Thank you for being part of my life.

[Susie Orman]

Thanks, my dear. See you soon.

[Chris Cuomo]

Take care, Susie. I love Susie. I gotta be honest. Why? She does stand in her truth and it's time tested. She's been so successful so many times over by just telling people the real and we don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear. I didn't even want to hear it. And I got a lot of problems, but whether or not to buy a Christmas present isn't one of them. But whether or not to do it and how to do it and what it means and what it is to give and what we're really about and the idea of waiting to see what somebody actually does before you judge it. These are all important considerations. And I hope you enjoyed the conversation as much as I did. I'm Chris Cuomo. Thank you for subscribing and following here at the Chris Cuomo Project. I will see you on News Nation, 8P and 11P every weekday night Eastern. And if you love the pod but you don't love the ads, subscribe for five bucks a month to the Substack. You'll get it first. Okay. You will get a lot of exclusive content on Long Covid so you don't wind up all shiny and red with MAST cell activation as I do. And if you do have it, how to treat it yourself, It's a bargain at any price. But five bucks a month, get POD without the ads, get it first and get my walk and talks about what I've learned about life even if I don't practice it well myself so that you can. And my Covid doctor, with her expert guidance on long COVID vaccine injuries and longevity treatments, you can take care of yourself, my friends. The challenges are real, so let's get after it.