1 00:00:28,819 --> 00:00:35,770 Suze: December 31st 2023. Can you believe it? This is the 2 00:00:35,779 --> 00:00:42,110 Suze: last time that we're all gonna be saying 2023. If 3 00:00:42,119 --> 00:00:47,569 Suze: you think about it, it's 123123. 4 00:00:48,770 --> 00:00:55,990 Suze: Oh, that's kind of interesting. Right. December 31st 2023. Anyway, 5 00:00:56,000 --> 00:01:00,049 Suze: besides that, welcome everybody to the Women and Money podcast 6 00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:04,300 Suze: as well as everybody smart enough to listen, Suze O, 7 00:01:04,309 --> 00:01:07,429 Suze: here with the very last podcast 8 00:01:08,110 --> 00:01:11,250 Suze: of 2023. 9 00:01:12,089 --> 00:01:16,470 Suze: So what does one say as we bid goodbye to 10 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:17,309 Suze: one year 11 00:01:18,379 --> 00:01:20,518 Suze: and we say hello to another? 12 00:01:21,260 --> 00:01:24,789 Suze: And I know that it's a celebration and it will 13 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:28,599 Suze: happen tonight with fireworks and watching the TV. And everybody 14 00:01:28,610 --> 00:01:31,360 Suze: else celebrating if you can't be there yourselves. 15 00:01:32,019 --> 00:01:34,830 Suze: But life in itself, 16 00:01:35,690 --> 00:01:38,150 Suze: especially the life of money 17 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,458 Suze: always has to be a celebration. 18 00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:47,529 Suze: So to that end, I just want you to listen 19 00:01:47,879 --> 00:01:52,010 Suze: to some of my final words for this year. 20 00:01:53,260 --> 00:01:56,589 Suze: You might want to take out your Suze notebooks. 21 00:01:57,660 --> 00:02:02,120 Suze: You know, it's no secret, this world of ours that's 22 00:02:02,129 --> 00:02:04,919 Suze: driven by innovation and change. 23 00:02:05,690 --> 00:02:12,500 Suze: So there's one big idea I have for 2024 that 24 00:02:12,508 --> 00:02:19,380 Suze: in my heart, I honestly believe could potentially transform our 25 00:02:19,389 --> 00:02:21,910 Suze: lives and our relationships. 26 00:02:22,669 --> 00:02:27,809 Suze: And what is that big idea? That idea is breaking 27 00:02:27,820 --> 00:02:30,649 Suze: the silence around money. 28 00:02:31,449 --> 00:02:35,089 Suze: So as we all go into this new Year, I 29 00:02:35,100 --> 00:02:38,990 Suze: want all of us to set our sights on really 30 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:44,799 Suze: fostering candid conversations about the truth of our finances so 31 00:02:44,809 --> 00:02:48,619 Suze: that we can empower ourselves. And really, I want all 32 00:02:48,630 --> 00:02:53,309 Suze: of you to empower those around you. Because when you 33 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:57,690 Suze: think about it, money is so often seen as this 34 00:02:57,699 --> 00:02:59,109 Suze: taboo topic. 35 00:02:59,508 --> 00:03:04,448 Suze: But this topic of money, I promise you has the 36 00:03:04,460 --> 00:03:08,198 Suze: power to shape our lives and to shape our lives 37 00:03:08,210 --> 00:03:14,049 Suze: in just the most profound ways it can impact your choices, 38 00:03:14,059 --> 00:03:18,580 Suze: it can impact your dreams and even your well being. 39 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:24,448 Suze: Yet for many of you discussing money remains such a 40 00:03:24,460 --> 00:03:28,050 Suze: source of discomfort and avoidance. I can't even tell you. 41 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:35,139 Suze: So as we go in to 2024 it is time 42 00:03:35,300 --> 00:03:38,000 Suze: to change this narrative. 43 00:03:38,830 --> 00:03:44,619 Suze: I want every single one of you to really prioritize 44 00:03:45,270 --> 00:03:48,679 Suze: open conversations about money 45 00:03:49,610 --> 00:03:54,589 Suze: in this coming year. Can you do that? Do you 46 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,929 Suze: want to do that? You might not want to do it? 47 00:03:57,940 --> 00:04:00,449 Suze: So let me tell you why you should, 48 00:04:01,750 --> 00:04:08,660 Suze: when you have financial understanding about money, meaning the more 49 00:04:08,669 --> 00:04:12,750 Suze: you talk about money, the better your understanding, not only 50 00:04:12,759 --> 00:04:18,349 Suze: about money becomes, but you learn more about your relationship 51 00:04:18,359 --> 00:04:21,859 Suze: with it as well. And as you have learned on 52 00:04:21,869 --> 00:04:26,250 Suze: all the podcasts, all the TV shows every book I've 53 00:04:26,260 --> 00:04:27,268 Suze: ever written, 54 00:04:28,690 --> 00:04:32,250 Suze: you and your money are one and you have to 55 00:04:32,260 --> 00:04:37,450 Suze: know the relationship you have with yourself to really understand 56 00:04:37,510 --> 00:04:41,200 Suze: the relationship that you have with your money. 57 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:46,100 Suze: When you start sharing your truths and your fears and 58 00:04:46,109 --> 00:04:49,308 Suze: your knowledge and experiences about money, 59 00:04:50,339 --> 00:04:55,589 Suze: it can help everyone, not just yourself but everyone to 60 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:59,359 Suze: be more so that they can have more when you 61 00:04:59,369 --> 00:05:03,118 Suze: start to talk about it, others will want to join 62 00:05:03,130 --> 00:05:09,220 Suze: in the conversation. When you avoid the conversation, most others 63 00:05:09,230 --> 00:05:12,320 Suze: won't have the courage to start it. So it all 64 00:05:12,329 --> 00:05:13,799 Suze: begins with you 65 00:05:14,190 --> 00:05:17,799 Suze: and sharing your truth and your fears and your knowledge 66 00:05:17,809 --> 00:05:20,649 Suze: and your experiences about money. 67 00:05:21,309 --> 00:05:23,890 Suze: And when you do that, believe it or not, it 68 00:05:23,899 --> 00:05:27,570 Suze: can reduce the stress that you have in your life 69 00:05:28,309 --> 00:05:33,299 Suze: because money related stress, I'm telling you everybody is a 70 00:05:33,309 --> 00:05:37,349 Suze: leading cause of anxiety. It's a leading cause of your 71 00:05:37,359 --> 00:05:41,380 Suze: strained relationships that you have with your spouses, with your children, 72 00:05:41,390 --> 00:05:45,428 Suze: with your boss, with your friends. If you can have 73 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:51,079 Suze: open and honest discussions about everything to do with money, 74 00:05:51,910 --> 00:05:57,390 Suze: these discussions can help alleviate this stress because when you 75 00:05:57,399 --> 00:06:00,160 Suze: keep it inside, when you don't speak it, when you 76 00:06:00,170 --> 00:06:01,010 Suze: don't share it, 77 00:06:01,660 --> 00:06:06,440 Suze: then it causes stress on you and others. So as 78 00:06:06,450 --> 00:06:09,480 Suze: individuals and couples 79 00:06:10,359 --> 00:06:13,579 Suze: and even if you're all by yourself, the conversation you 80 00:06:13,589 --> 00:06:17,179 Suze: can have just with yourself. I want all of you 81 00:06:17,190 --> 00:06:19,368 Suze: in 2024 82 00:06:20,049 --> 00:06:23,220 Suze: to just start to talk about money 83 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,779 Suze: and then you will be able to start to work 84 00:06:26,790 --> 00:06:30,019 Suze: together to find the solutions to maybe some of the 85 00:06:30,029 --> 00:06:32,178 Suze: financial problems you've been having 86 00:06:32,869 --> 00:06:38,828 Suze: and also just maybe establish common financial goals between the 87 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,399 Suze: two of you that are living together, want to spend 88 00:06:41,410 --> 00:06:44,730 Suze: your lives together. And it's in that commonality, 89 00:06:45,769 --> 00:06:50,589 Suze: that success in relationships really can thrive. 90 00:06:51,309 --> 00:06:57,290 Suze: And again, when you openly discuss money, you empower others 91 00:06:57,299 --> 00:07:00,929 Suze: to talk about it as well. And I can't say 92 00:07:00,940 --> 00:07:05,640 Suze: this enough because you have to learn not only to 93 00:07:05,649 --> 00:07:08,609 Suze: share your successes and what you bought and your new 94 00:07:08,619 --> 00:07:11,829 Suze: car that you have or whatever that is, I want 95 00:07:11,839 --> 00:07:12,329 Suze: you 96 00:07:13,049 --> 00:07:18,709 Suze: to share your failures, the truth about money. Because when 97 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:22,309 Suze: you do that, you will see that you will start 98 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:27,869 Suze: to change the paradigm of financial insecurity and shame. And 99 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:32,869 Suze: what have I said to you? Fair shame and anger 100 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:36,619 Suze: are the three internal obstacles to wealth. But if you 101 00:07:36,630 --> 00:07:41,130 Suze: just start talking about money, all of it, 102 00:07:42,660 --> 00:07:46,130 Suze: all of those things go away because you don't give 103 00:07:46,140 --> 00:07:48,519 Suze: them a home to live in. 104 00:07:49,630 --> 00:07:54,579 Suze: So you're to build trust, you're to have honest conversations 105 00:07:54,589 --> 00:08:00,010 Suze: about money because honest conversations about money are essential in 106 00:08:00,019 --> 00:08:06,059 Suze: building trust, whether it's in a personal relationship or within organizations. 107 00:08:06,179 --> 00:08:10,420 Suze: But please remember what I'm about to say that trust 108 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:16,220 Suze: is the foundation of true success and everlasting relationships. 109 00:08:16,649 --> 00:08:20,630 Suze: So you're thinking all right, Suze, that's great. Keep going, 110 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:24,890 Suze: keep going. But Suze, how do we make this big 111 00:08:24,899 --> 00:08:30,100 Suze: idea happen in 2024 Suze? I listened to you and 112 00:08:30,109 --> 00:08:32,390 Suze: I know what you're saying is right. I can feel 113 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:35,630 Suze: it in my heart but I don't even know where 114 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,109 Suze: to start. 115 00:08:37,919 --> 00:08:40,898 Suze: All right, everybody, I want you to start at home. 116 00:08:41,539 --> 00:08:45,780 Suze: I want you to start to initiate discussions about money 117 00:08:46,020 --> 00:08:53,478 Suze: with your family. That means your parents, your children, your spouse, 118 00:08:53,489 --> 00:08:57,320 Suze: your in-laws, whatever it is. I want you to all 119 00:08:57,330 --> 00:08:57,969 Suze: talk about 120 00:08:58,580 --> 00:09:03,488 Suze: your financial goals and savings plans. I want you to 121 00:09:03,500 --> 00:09:08,510 Suze: encourage your Children to ask questions and learn about money 122 00:09:08,580 --> 00:09:12,229 Suze: from a young age. Don't make it so that money 123 00:09:12,239 --> 00:09:15,929 Suze: is a topic that should not be discussed. It needs 124 00:09:15,940 --> 00:09:20,250 Suze: to be discussed and it needs to be discussed by you. 125 00:09:21,150 --> 00:09:26,010 Suze: You really think your teachers of your children are people 126 00:09:26,020 --> 00:09:29,320 Suze: that can discuss and teach your children about money. 127 00:09:29,950 --> 00:09:33,140 Suze: It has to come from you and you have to 128 00:09:33,150 --> 00:09:38,020 Suze: believe me when I say to you kids do what 129 00:09:38,030 --> 00:09:41,130 Suze: you do. They just don't do what you tell them 130 00:09:41,140 --> 00:09:45,929 Suze: to do. So you have to live your truth about money, 131 00:09:46,239 --> 00:09:48,049 Suze: not just at home, 132 00:09:48,710 --> 00:09:52,978 Suze: but in the workplace as well. If you're an employer 133 00:09:52,989 --> 00:09:58,130 Suze: out there, you need to create a more open environment 134 00:09:58,349 --> 00:10:03,320 Suze: by offering benefits that your employees need and want, 135 00:10:04,039 --> 00:10:07,570 Suze: which is why everybody I helped co found my new 136 00:10:07,580 --> 00:10:12,099 Suze: company called Secure Save. And if you don't know about it, 137 00:10:12,109 --> 00:10:13,619 Suze: you should go to Securesave.com 138 00:10:16,599 --> 00:10:21,119 Suze: because I have found that what employees really need right 139 00:10:21,130 --> 00:10:26,700 Suze: now and want right now is an emergency savings account 140 00:10:27,179 --> 00:10:31,299 Suze: that they can access at any time that you employer, 141 00:10:31,309 --> 00:10:37,059 Suze: you match that contribution. Maybe they put in $25 a paycheck, 142 00:10:37,070 --> 00:10:39,539 Suze: you match it and put in $3 143 00:10:40,039 --> 00:10:42,718 Suze: then you do it out of their plan so that 144 00:10:42,729 --> 00:10:45,718 Suze: they don't have to go to their hr person. They 145 00:10:45,729 --> 00:10:49,590 Suze: get to do it and access it whenever they want. 146 00:10:49,599 --> 00:10:51,940 Suze: And if they leave, they get to take it with them, 147 00:10:52,390 --> 00:10:55,219 Suze: empower them to do that. 148 00:10:56,109 --> 00:11:01,728 Suze: And if you can encourage employees to also seek financial 149 00:11:01,739 --> 00:11:07,960 Suze: advice and discuss financial challenges that face them without fear 150 00:11:07,969 --> 00:11:12,609 Suze: of judgment, you could transform the culture 151 00:11:13,669 --> 00:11:21,349 Suze: at your place where you have employees and what's always important. 152 00:11:22,070 --> 00:11:24,020 Suze: You have to lead by example. 153 00:11:25,090 --> 00:11:28,950 Suze: Again, you have to be open about your own financial journey. 154 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:32,309 Suze: You know, if you read my book starting at the 155 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,859 Suze: nine steps to financial freedom, as well as the courage 156 00:11:35,869 --> 00:11:39,189 Suze: to be rich, you'll read about the days when I 157 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:43,979 Suze: didn't have $40 to my name when I had $250,000 158 00:11:43,989 --> 00:11:46,830 Suze: in credit card debt when a waitress had more money 159 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,369 Suze: than I did. That was waiting on me at a 160 00:11:49,380 --> 00:11:51,840 Suze: Denny's that I was having breakfast at, 161 00:11:52,450 --> 00:11:56,449 Suze: I was such a financial faker and liar. It wasn't 162 00:11:56,460 --> 00:12:01,270 Suze: even funny and it wasn't until I was willing to 163 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:07,280 Suze: be open about my own financial journey, both the successes, obviously, 164 00:12:07,299 --> 00:12:14,710 Suze: but especially my setbacks. When you do that, your transparency 165 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,189 Suze: can inspire others to do the same 166 00:12:18,950 --> 00:12:23,919 Suze: and then you can break the stigma surrounding money. 167 00:12:25,210 --> 00:12:32,349 Suze: So as I end my final podcast for 2023 I 168 00:12:32,359 --> 00:12:37,570 Suze: ask all of us every single one of us to 169 00:12:37,580 --> 00:12:41,099 Suze: step in to 2024. 170 00:12:41,809 --> 00:12:46,869 Suze: And let's make it a year of positive change. How 171 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:51,858 Suze: do we do that by encouraging open conversations about money 172 00:12:52,549 --> 00:12:57,609 Suze: and by doing so you can unlock a world of 173 00:12:57,619 --> 00:13:04,929 Suze: healthier relationships and empowerment for yourselves and those around you. 174 00:13:05,500 --> 00:13:11,049 Suze: So from KT Robert Colo and of course myself, 175 00:13:11,849 --> 00:13:16,429 Suze: we wish you a happy and a healthy New Year 176 00:13:16,979 --> 00:13:23,179 Suze: and I can't wait to start 2024 talking with all 177 00:13:23,190 --> 00:13:28,718 Suze: of you as I love to do about money. And 178 00:13:28,729 --> 00:13:33,229 Suze: I can promise you if you take this big idea 179 00:13:33,239 --> 00:13:38,429 Suze: to heart and you start doing it tomorrow morning, 180 00:13:39,409 --> 00:13:44,900 Suze: I promise you you will be unstoppable.