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Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny
Achieve financial peace of mind with the million-copy #1 New York Times bestseller, now revised and updated for 2018, featuring an entirely new Financial Empowerment Plan and a bonus chapter on investing.
The time has never been more right for women to take control of their finances. The lessons, revelations, and shocks of the past few years have made it clear that standing in our truth is the only way to care for ourselves, our families, and our finances.
With her signature mix of insight, compassion, and practical advice, Suze equips women with the financial knowledge and emotional awareness to overcome the blocks that have kept them from acting in the best interest of their money--and themselves. Whether you are single or in a committed relationship, a successful professional, a worker struggling to make ends meet, a stay-at-home parent, or a creative soul, Suze offers the possibility of living a life of true wealth, a life in which you own the power to control your destiny.
At the center of this fully revised and updated edition, Suze presents an all-new Financial Empowerment Plan, designed to get you to a place of emotional and financial security as quickly as possible--because the most precious commodity women have is time. Divided into four essential components, the plan will teach you how to
- Protect yourself
- Spend smart
- Build your future
- Give to others
Also included is a bonus chapter on investing--for those who are living by Suze's unbreakable financial ground rules and ready to learn how to invest with confidence.
Women & Money speaks to every mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, and wife. It gives readers the opportunity to tap into Suze's unique spirit, people-first wisdom, and unparalleled appreciation that for women, money itself is not the end goal. It's the means to living a full and meaningful life.
The time has never been more right for women to take control of their finances. The lessons, revelations, and shocks of the past few years have made it clear that standing in our truth is the only way to care for ourselves, our families, and our finances.
With her signature mix of insight, compassion, and practical advice, Suze equips women with the financial knowledge and emotional awareness to overcome the blocks that have kept them from acting in the best interest of their money--and themselves. Whether you are single or in a committed relationship, a successful professional, a worker struggling to make ends meet, a stay-at-home parent, or a creative soul, Suze offers the possibility of living a life of true wealth, a life in which you own the power to control your destiny.
At the center of this fully revised and updated edition, Suze presents an all-new Financial Empowerment Plan, designed to get you to a place of emotional and financial security as quickly as possible--because the most precious commodity women have is time. Divided into four essential components, the plan will teach you how to
- Protect yourself
- Spend smart
- Build your future
- Give to others
Also included is a bonus chapter on investing--for those who are living by Suze's unbreakable financial ground rules and ready to learn how to invest with confidence.
Women & Money speaks to every mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, and wife. It gives readers the opportunity to tap into Suze's unique spirit, people-first wisdom, and unparalleled appreciation that for women, money itself is not the end goal. It's the means to living a full and meaningful life.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 2005
810 people are currently reading
4434 people want to read
About the author
Suze Orman
162 books419 followersSuze Orman (born Susan Lynn Orman) is an American financial advisor, writer, and television personality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews
October 5, 2018
I received a free copy of Women & Money by Suze Orman from Goodreads for my honest review.
First off, I have followed Suze Orman and her writings, CD's for creating your own will, and even a blue suitcase to keep all my financial information in in case anything happens to me. My children always know where the blue suitcase is.
I am always gaining knowledge from Suze Orman in regards to becoming a smart, financially safe and strong and secure woman. Knowledge is power my Grandfather always taught me. This book is a revised book of her original and is updated with new information everyone can gain from. Notice I said gain. LOL!
She breaks her book down in several parts so you can take them a step at a time.
You've Earned it, Don't Lose It
The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
The Courage to Be Rich
The Road to Wealth
The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Live
The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke
Suze Orman's Action Plan
The Money Class
The Adventures of Billy & Penny
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to improve their financial wealth. It will benefit you if you are trying to get out of debt, make smarter money choices, save more money, or just become wealthy. Gain financial power!!
First off, I have followed Suze Orman and her writings, CD's for creating your own will, and even a blue suitcase to keep all my financial information in in case anything happens to me. My children always know where the blue suitcase is.
I am always gaining knowledge from Suze Orman in regards to becoming a smart, financially safe and strong and secure woman. Knowledge is power my Grandfather always taught me. This book is a revised book of her original and is updated with new information everyone can gain from. Notice I said gain. LOL!
She breaks her book down in several parts so you can take them a step at a time.
You've Earned it, Don't Lose It
The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
The Courage to Be Rich
The Road to Wealth
The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Live
The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke
Suze Orman's Action Plan
The Money Class
The Adventures of Billy & Penny
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to improve their financial wealth. It will benefit you if you are trying to get out of debt, make smarter money choices, save more money, or just become wealthy. Gain financial power!!
July 27, 2020
i’m definitely not qualified to leave a review based on the quality of financial advice given. relatively easy read, but the target audience seems to not be women, but rather middle class, cis, straight white women who faces the expectation of not holding financial responsibility in a household.
November 19, 2008
A few montsh ago, I saw an episode of Oprah and Suze Orman was on to discuss money and women. I knew at the time who she was a bit, but had never paid much attention to her or her work. During that episode, she had it set up that you could go onto Oprah's website for the hour that the show was on and download her newest book, Women and Money, for free. So I did.
I forgot I had it saved to my jump drive for the longest time, but then I stumbled across it a few days ago. I decided to give it a read through since I've been having some hard times financially of late, partly because of the economy and partly just because I'm not the best at saving money and I know it.
I was astonished to find that I actually enjoyed this book. I thought it would be boring as hell--and to be honest, there were some parts that WERE boring--but each and every single section was so useful. I learned a lot about finances and was rather pleased with myself that I've already been doing some of the things she suggests. My mom taught me.
But there was sooooo much I didn't know, which I expected. What I didn't expect was that Suze would make it something that was easy to understand. She seems so passionate about making sure women know about their money and are able to take care of themselves. I really appreciated reading this because now I know that there are a lot of things I need to do to make myself the truly independent woman I see myself as. Some things I had heard of, many I'd considered but haven't addressed, and others I had no clue about and think they're a great idea.
I was really worried about my finances because these are not easy times. But I am going to make the effort to follow the five month plan outlined in the book and see how I do. Maybe it will take a long time to get as much money saved up as I'd like, but I feel much better equipped now to tackle the issue.
I would highly recommend this book to ALL women, married or single, mothers or not, wealthy or struggling. I bet there is at least one thing in here that you hadn't considered that will help you.
I forgot I had it saved to my jump drive for the longest time, but then I stumbled across it a few days ago. I decided to give it a read through since I've been having some hard times financially of late, partly because of the economy and partly just because I'm not the best at saving money and I know it.
I was astonished to find that I actually enjoyed this book. I thought it would be boring as hell--and to be honest, there were some parts that WERE boring--but each and every single section was so useful. I learned a lot about finances and was rather pleased with myself that I've already been doing some of the things she suggests. My mom taught me.
But there was sooooo much I didn't know, which I expected. What I didn't expect was that Suze would make it something that was easy to understand. She seems so passionate about making sure women know about their money and are able to take care of themselves. I really appreciated reading this because now I know that there are a lot of things I need to do to make myself the truly independent woman I see myself as. Some things I had heard of, many I'd considered but haven't addressed, and others I had no clue about and think they're a great idea.
I was really worried about my finances because these are not easy times. But I am going to make the effort to follow the five month plan outlined in the book and see how I do. Maybe it will take a long time to get as much money saved up as I'd like, but I feel much better equipped now to tackle the issue.
I would highly recommend this book to ALL women, married or single, mothers or not, wealthy or struggling. I bet there is at least one thing in here that you hadn't considered that will help you.
January 15, 2021
This is my second time checking out this book from the library. It's not a perfect financial book by any means (It's a update from her 2007 edition) and I don't agree with everything the author says. However this book is finance explained in perfectly digestible short chapters and that is really useful for me. One, because I can skip to the chapters I need to read instead of having to read 300 pages of financial stuff to find them and two, because the author is really good at taking complex money matters and breaking them down into easily understood paragraphs. Her chapter on investing really helped explain and clarify things for me that were a bit murky. And she has sections on rent vs. own, car buy vs. car lease, life insurance vs. none in which she asks readers questions that let them make the best decision for them and their current stage of life. I appreciate that over other financial books that make broad, sweeping generalizations that may not be the best choices for every individual.
And yes, there is a bit of "empowered women, hear me roar" in here that might be off putting to some individuals but growing up in a household where my dad was mostly in charge of the finances and the biggest arguments my parents had were ALWAYS related to money I will say that I am all for women being in charge of their finances and/or equally partnered with their partners. It's your money, it's important to know where it is going and what it is doing or not doing for you. Would recommend.
And yes, there is a bit of "empowered women, hear me roar" in here that might be off putting to some individuals but growing up in a household where my dad was mostly in charge of the finances and the biggest arguments my parents had were ALWAYS related to money I will say that I am all for women being in charge of their finances and/or equally partnered with their partners. It's your money, it's important to know where it is going and what it is doing or not doing for you. Would recommend.
May 29, 2012
Money management applies to everyone - not just women, but I understand how she wanted to target the female audience to try to get more women involved in the family finances. Some of the information is outdated, since it was written before the huge bank bailouts and housing bubble collapse in 2008.
Some of the information offered is inaccurate since legislation has changed a lot for credit cards, mortgages, and other things. The first few chapters are her usual touchy-feely chapters to attempt to have you dig for emotional reasons behind your spending or your way of handling your money. It is much more effective in her first book. I did however like the Action Plan she has in the book, it is a great checklist for things to do to get your finances in order or even just do a mental checklist to see if you are on track. She claims it as a 5 Month Plan, but you could easily do all of it in 6 weeks or so if you put aside the time
Some of the information offered is inaccurate since legislation has changed a lot for credit cards, mortgages, and other things. The first few chapters are her usual touchy-feely chapters to attempt to have you dig for emotional reasons behind your spending or your way of handling your money. It is much more effective in her first book. I did however like the Action Plan she has in the book, it is a great checklist for things to do to get your finances in order or even just do a mental checklist to see if you are on track. She claims it as a 5 Month Plan, but you could easily do all of it in 6 weeks or so if you put aside the time
September 11, 2020
I think this book was written for women who don’t have any idea about how to handle their finances. The author‘s first chapter is about making sure you have an emergency savings account. Then she goes into making sure you have some sort of budget. There are also a lot of innuendos and assumptions in the book that infer that people -sorry women -are wives who make less than what their husbands, kept out of the financial conversations in their relationships, taking care of children, and have no financial starting plan. As a millennial woman, (black) I could tell this wasn’t written for me. This is more of a financial empowerment book and should be titled finances 101. This is disheartening because she is a woman herself and instead of coming at us with esoteric financial strategies, she’s giving a lot of pep talks and watery basic financial advice. Is that how she sees her demographic? Not sure, but I know this book wasn’t for me.
July 3, 2011
The book contained a lot of helpful ideas and information, but I found parts of it condescending and annoying, but perhaps it's a generational thing. There were portions of the book directed towards women who have secret shopping addictions that lead to credit card debt and there were suggestions on how to begin to understand your finances if you've been relying on your husband to do it for you for years. I'm a woman and I'm married, but I don't rack up credit card bills for shoes and I don't leave the family finances up to my husband, so I found it curious that Orman proceeded as if her main audience consisted shoe-hoarders who don't have their own savings accounts. I found that Young, Fabulous, and Broke seemed to be more directed at readers like myself who are capable and eager to control their finances but just need some direction.
Want to read
December 20, 2008Holy hell, I saw this woman on television tonight at the gym, now I'm fucking obsessed with her. I just absolutely love her insanely amazing glowing white jaws. I'd seen pictures of her before, but I had no idea how her teeth are shaped, and how cool they look when she talks -- I finally get the whole hyper-bleached look! She's great. Plus according to Wikipedia, she used to be a social worker! I am going to read this book, and see what she has to tell me about woman and money, not to mention my destiny....
I'm sorry, Rachel Maddow. Yes, we had something, but you are no longer my number-one televised lesbian.
I'm sorry, Rachel Maddow. Yes, we had something, but you are no longer my number-one televised lesbian.
February 9, 2026
read the updated and revised 2018 version in one sitting, not a lot of applicable advice to me at this moment in my life but the chapter where she says to be able to say your name and own it and be proud made me cry dude idk why. she really aptly points out how and why most women hate taking control of or even openly discussing their money and all the excuses she laid out have been echoes of what the vast majority of my woman friends (and I!) have said, almost verbatim. that being said, I just felt more stressed after reading it and was even more anxious about if I was handling my money correctly and now I just want to avoid it more so she hit the nail on the head too hard. shoutout Aunt Rita for this gift, not really what I meant when I said I wanted books for Christmas but I respect the game
August 12, 2020
I listened to this as an audiobook. This book was good but would probably be a better fit for a woman who is just starting out and needs some encouragement to look at her finances. Suze spends a lot of time in this book empowering women to take control of their money and have tough conversations with family and friends who they may be supporting. If someone was having trouble in those areas they probably got a lot out of this book. The financial advice was a little redundant from her other books. I liked her other books better because I thought they were more helpful to where I am currently. But if you’re just starting out with finances this is a good read.
January 4, 2019
This is by far the best personal finance book I have read. Her advice is practical, would be easy to implement if you have the motivation and personal discipline (I admit I struggle with that) and this book definitely helped me re-prioritize a few goals and gave me some concrete actions to take.
I recommend this book over Smart Women Finish Rich (written in the 90s so none of the advice factors in the internet and seemed appallingly out of date) and Total Money Makeover (which was really preachy - both in a religious sense and overall had a condescending tone).
I recommend this book over Smart Women Finish Rich (written in the 90s so none of the advice factors in the internet and seemed appallingly out of date) and Total Money Makeover (which was really preachy - both in a religious sense and overall had a condescending tone).
April 15, 2022
Did this book actually help anyone? I didn't finish because I felt like she was just yelling at me and not giving any practical advice. Actually, one of her comments was to clean my house - how does cleaning my house help me to better manage my money? She makes broad sweeping generalizations that women spend too much, which surprises me coming from a woman. Not for me, but happy for you if you found this book useful.
September 15, 2018
Best advice from the queen.
October 1, 2018
Thank you Goodreads, for a great book! This was a very concise, inspiring book. It caused me to re-think my current situation and make a few changes for my betterment.
April 4, 2017
highly recommend! !!! This gives lots of information and advice for putting your financial affairs in order. My mom loves using getting your ducks in a row as an analog. . and this gives you a list of things to consider doing and reasons its important. I try to be prepared for things that could go wrong .. but this opened my eyes to areas I hadn't considered. and im shocked how many of my adult friends ... have no will.???
September 5, 2022
From one side it has pretty good psychological advice (especially for those women who never dealt with their money before). From the other side, there are a lot of things missed even for high-level book: taxes, medical insurance, retirement planning for self-employed women or for business owners... Other alarming part is categorical statements: i.e. Roth plan is always better. Gal, it is better ONLY if tax brackets in retirement are higher than the current bracket, which is not true for all high income earners or for those who live below means, save a lot, and plan to keep the same cost of living in retirement.
January 2, 2024
This book is a little dated as it was published on 2007; however, it offers solid advice on getting on top of your personal finances. It also does a fantastic job in explaining key finance concepts to the average person with little to no education or knowledge about the subject. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to start having control of their money. I really wish this base level information was taught in our regular school system.
December 9, 2019
It took me an embarrassingly long time to get through this book. I am just starting to take over my finances and this book was just what I needed. I especially liked the info on buying home insurance, and how to change your relationship to money. I was going to buy the new edition but several commenters mentioned it did not match this edition for useful information.
February 4, 2023
Very easy to read and informative! I feel much more in control of my finances and know what to look for and what questions to ask to get to where I need to go! Her resources are helpful and I even laughed at a few points!
May 4, 2025
highly recommend this book for any woman, wanting to take control of their finances and work on building either an emergency fund, growing their retirement nest egg, paying off credit card debt, or paying off mortgage. This book is the answer you have on all things financial and Suze has those answers.
February 13, 2023
she’s so aggressive and repetitive but super crucial information! not a huge fan of the structure of this book it’s very textbookish
August 19, 2021
I don't know how ever they could name her as an author of BEST SELLER BOOKS, she kept rambling about general ideas and anonymous women stories and didn't get to the point until chapter FIVE, for GODs' sake!
Definitely a boring, tasteless book that really didn't help or trigger me to continue reading after chapter 6.
Definitely a boring, tasteless book that really didn't help or trigger me to continue reading after chapter 6.
July 19, 2016
4 stars.
A great book for women who have no clue abut finances and want to take charge. While this is definitely geared toward women in their 40s (and up) who are wives/mothers, I still benefited greatly from Suze Orman's great no-nonense advice. She lays out a 5 month plan for getting out of debt and beginning to save and she breaks down finance concepts that were foreign to this humanities major in clear language. Basically, if you're f the female persuasion and you feel anxious about money, this is a great first stop as you begin to take charge.
My two criticisms are: this was published in 2007 (at least mine was) and is dated. Her website has lots of updated info, but some of the recommendations in the book might not translate exactly. And, this really is geared towards moms. As a single, childfree young progressional, lots of the appeals to modeling good behavior for children was obnoxious. I'd love to see a spinoff for young single women specifically.
Still a good and accessible read.
A great book for women who have no clue abut finances and want to take charge. While this is definitely geared toward women in their 40s (and up) who are wives/mothers, I still benefited greatly from Suze Orman's great no-nonense advice. She lays out a 5 month plan for getting out of debt and beginning to save and she breaks down finance concepts that were foreign to this humanities major in clear language. Basically, if you're f the female persuasion and you feel anxious about money, this is a great first stop as you begin to take charge.
My two criticisms are: this was published in 2007 (at least mine was) and is dated. Her website has lots of updated info, but some of the recommendations in the book might not translate exactly. And, this really is geared towards moms. As a single, childfree young progressional, lots of the appeals to modeling good behavior for children was obnoxious. I'd love to see a spinoff for young single women specifically.
Still a good and accessible read.
September 4, 2010
This is an excellent book for women who need to know all the basics of taking care of their finances. I really like Suze's approach to the book, which is that knowlege about your finances leads to more power and control over your life as a whole. She encourages women, whether they are single and just starting out (like me), married and used to letting their husbands deal with the finances, or even stay-at-home-moms, to develop a healthy relationship with their money in order to take more control of their own destinies. She lays out a step-by-step plan for all those important financial decisions, such as paying off credit card debt, building an emergency fund, saving for retirement and even setting up a will and life insurance. It's a very comprehensive book and while she doesn't talk down to her readers, she doesn't assume that they know everything either. She makes sure to cover all the basics and I feel much more confident about dealing with my money after reading this book.
January 15, 2008
I have this as an audiobook- and I use to think "she was highminded? But that was when I didn't know any better. This woman knows her stuff. What I am learning is that learn from those who can give you sound advice who has a proven record of failures to successes. She came from a "poor" background. Find out how she can show you simply money management steps and investments tools where ever your budget may be. She was featured in the Essence magazine in 2007 appealing to the African Amercian and Hispanic culture. Telling us "stop buying" all those "name brands" and start investing in your future. Someone else's name is not going to pay your bills, retirement or make you rich. But your own money, with wise investments tools, will help you connect and communicate to a different arena of people. Time to EXHALE and be what God created you to be "wealthy!"
February 23, 2012
*Women & $elf-worth*
Believe it or not, this book is a book about women and relationships. That is, the relationships women have with their money. In her characteristically direct, clear, and here's-what-you-need-to-know style, Suze exposes (in a no-shame/no-blame way) the dysfunctional relationship women have had with money, and then provides a step-by-step five-month plan to help set the stage for a lifetime of financial security.
Whether or not you follow all the steps now, this book provides an amazing guide to the essentials of financial planning--from setting up a checking and savings account to investing in stocks and bonds to creating wills and trusts. The overriding theme of the book is quite an empowering and inspiring one: it's time that women realize the value of what they are truly worth...and protect themselves accordingly.
Believe it or not, this book is a book about women and relationships. That is, the relationships women have with their money. In her characteristically direct, clear, and here's-what-you-need-to-know style, Suze exposes (in a no-shame/no-blame way) the dysfunctional relationship women have had with money, and then provides a step-by-step five-month plan to help set the stage for a lifetime of financial security.
Whether or not you follow all the steps now, this book provides an amazing guide to the essentials of financial planning--from setting up a checking and savings account to investing in stocks and bonds to creating wills and trusts. The overriding theme of the book is quite an empowering and inspiring one: it's time that women realize the value of what they are truly worth...and protect themselves accordingly.
March 18, 2014
Ever notice how in each of Suze's books, she writes, "This is the most important book I've ever written," but they all invariably suck? Same story here. Sexist, condescending, low on useful guidance and bursting with self-promotion. Weird mantras and lots of forced teaming. I have to wonder how many of the little anecdotes are even true. It was also written and published shortly before the Depression, so some of the advice is a little quaint (1% interest on a checking account and 5% on a savings account, for example) or a flat-out relic of the pre-Dodd-Frank era. She does, surprisingly, admit to being a paid shill for Fair Isaac and Company in this book.
Her eight qualities of a wealthy woman are : Harmony, Balance, Courage, Generosity, Happiness, Wisdom, Cleanliness, and Beauty.
I'd give it one star, but the section on essential documents makes it worth another one.
Her eight qualities of a wealthy woman are : Harmony, Balance, Courage, Generosity, Happiness, Wisdom, Cleanliness, and Beauty.
I'd give it one star, but the section on essential documents makes it worth another one.
December 14, 2018
Some books you read once, then you return it to the library or it stays in your online library. This is not that kind of book. I plan on ordering a hard copy so that I can go back and reread and revisit information. This is a great book to get yourself back in control of your money rather than the other way around. I wish I would have read it many years ago and been able to focus on the knowledge within. But--I'm here now and going through the right steps. And my husband and I can hopefully impart this knowledge to our own daughters so they don't make as many of the same mistakes we did.
Thanks, Suze, for all the insights.
Thanks, Suze, for all the insights.
April 7, 2019
typical somebody who has money fails to understand those without would love to do her plan but by decreasing and already tight budget and taking away any type of entertainment value or self treats Is actually advised against for health reasons. Also somebody with money advising those without money is great if they understand that budgets are already tight and by asking to give 10% to retirement is actually financially unsound. It is a good book for those starting out but all these financial books failed to take an account that the majority of people buying them are so poor they can't do half of these suggestions because even banks will save pay your bills first before you save.
April 20, 2022
I give this book five stars because of its usefulness. She said it well and specifically about the unique relationship between women and money. We have a long history of battling our role in society, family, and family finance responsibility. Growing up I have always been taught to better my potential of earning, to save more but not much about investing. Suze touch on this saving subject with clear guidance and recommendation.
In many other aspects, women's mental with money is more entangled than their male counterparts. I like that she calls that stigma out and proposes a counter to those issues.
In many other aspects, women's mental with money is more entangled than their male counterparts. I like that she calls that stigma out and proposes a counter to those issues.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews