Rule of Enough: Suze Orman on Why You Should Stop Chasing More Money

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Suze Orman, bestselling author and renowned personal finance expert, is famous for her tough-love approach to money management. While many financial gurus focus on strategies to dramatically increase wealth, Orman emphasizes something different: mastering the money you already have.

Her philosophy, known as the “Rule of Enough,” encourages people to stop chasing stuff like bigger houses or luxury cars, and instead focus on financial security and living within their means. Here’s why this mindset matters and how it can transform your financial future by following Orman’s advice.

Build Financial Security

According to the Federal Reserve’s Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households report, 37% of adults are unable to cover a $400 emergency payment and only slightly more than half of adults have three months of expenses set aside in a rainy day fund.

This is why Orman encourages people to focus on building financial security. She explained in an article for Oprah.com that she’s not immune to money mistakes herself. She described a time when she was younger, when she withdrew money from her 401(k) account to purchase an extremely expensive watch. 

Now, with a lot more wisdom, she helps people understand that living within their means and understanding how to manage their finances brings far greater peace and security than having the latest and most expensive items.

Live Below Your Means

Often, people purchase houses that are beyond their budget or take trips that are more expensive than necessary. Orman explained that it’s always a good idea to create a buffer to avoid overspending and keep an emergency fund.

For example, she explained on 24/7 Wall St. that she could have afforded a much more expensive apartment than she purchased, but she chose one that was below her means because it mattered more to her to always have financial space.

Redefine Success

Of course, Orman is a very successful financial personality. She is a proponent of building long-term wealth, saving for retirement and living a good life.

However, with her “Rule of Enough,” she’s also interested in helping people learn how to make intentional money choices, respect the money they do have, and work on redefining success in terms of security rather than external factors.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

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