Here’s what she says about saving money for your future:

“We need to give [women] more of an incentive to work, to save, to invest, to create a true future for themselves.” ~ Suze Orman

Are you motivated to create a financially secure future — one that doesn’t revolve around a man? If not, what’s holding you back? If you think fear of success is holding you back — don’t laugh, it’s more common than you think — read The Courage to be Rich: Creating a Life of Material and Spiritual Abundance. And, here are eight tips for basic personal finance for women…

8 Smart Ways Women Can Save Money – Suze Orman

1. Figure out what you’re saving money for. Don’t just save money for your kids’ college education or to pay off your mortgage. Save money for fun stuff! For instance, I save money for my overseas vacations – I want to go on a cruise for my fifth wedding anniversary in October, and a two week vacation to Maui in January. A smart way for women to save money (and — even better — achieve financial independence) is to find compelling reasons to save money! Why do you want to be financially free? What are your goals?

2. Write your money saving goals on your forehead. If you want to stay motivated to save money, you need to go beyond deciding that it’s time to save more money. You need to keep your goals front and center! The beauty of writing your money saving goals on your forehead is that they’ll wash off when you shower. Every time you rewrite your goals, you’ll be newly motivated to achieve them.

3. Make two days a week “No Spend” days. “Unspend,” advise the financial gurus at DailyWorth. “No Spend Days are powerful budget-balancing tools. By simply not spending money one day a week, you give yourself more wiggle room in other areas.” I think one day a week is too easy – I challenge you to make two days a week your “No Spend” days! No fancy lattes, no DVD rentals, no 7-11 slurpees (my personal weakness), and no restaurant meals. This is one of the smartest ways women can save money.

4. Keep a running tally of how much money you save. Every time you choose to take your lunch to work instead of buying it, or choose a regular coffee instead of a fancy frappuccino (this is one of my personal favorite ways to save money because I get a coffee out, but I don’t pay $5), write down how much money you saved. At the end of every week, tally up your savings. I guarantee that you’ll be shocked at how easy it’ll be to save money!

5. Figure out how to make money savings tips stick. You hear money saving tips all the time: cut grocery store coupons, stop eating out at restaurants, shop for second hand clothes, don’t use premium gasoline for your. But, do you actually apply those money saving tips to your life? One of the best ways to save money fast is to learn how to make good money saving tips stick.

6. Figure out why you spend money. You can read about the best ways to save money until the cows, sheep, and pigs come home! But if you don’t understand and perhaps even change your underlying financial beliefs, you’ll never get your personal finances in order. Are you in financial debt for emotional reasons — are you an emotional spender? A compulsive shopper? Do you have faulty money beliefs? You can’t achieve financial independence — or save money — unless you deal with your money issues.

7. Stop buying DVDs and CDs. How many times do you really need to watch your favorite movies or listen to your favorite songs? I own and love the movies Chicago, Mr and Mrs Smith, and Thelma and Louise…but there are only so many times I can watch them! “I know someone with a massive DVD collection,” writes Pat Foran in The Smart Canadian’s Guide to Building Wealth. “He takes the bus because he can’t afford a car, but he does have every episode of The Twilight Zone.”

8. Become a library lizard. My husband and I don’t just borrow books from our library, we take out magazines, CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks. I rent Pilates, Yoga and other workout DVDs – which is a great way to save money on fitness. When was the last time you visited your local library? It’s a great place to save money!

“In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential. It’s no different in the financial realm.” ~ Suze Orman.

To attract wealth and get real about your personal finances, read 6 Steps to Financial Independence for Women.

Related posts:

1. Dealing With Different Money Personalities as a Couple – Suze Orman
2. How to Get Money to Start Your Business – Suze Orman
3. 10 Ways to Save Money on Food – Rachael Ray

First, the bad news:

“Opposites may attract, but I wouldn’t put my money on a relationship of financial opposites,” says Suze Orman.

But don’t fret, my friend! Just because Orman wouldn’t bet her money on a couple with two different money personalities doesn’t mean that couple is headed for relationship breakdown or serious financial problems. (phew, what a sentence that was!)

Here are several ways to deal with different money personalities as a couple. For more info, read Financially Ever After: The Couples’ Guide to Managing Money by Jeff Opdyke.

Dealing With Different Money Personalities as a Couple – Suze Orman

The two basic money personalities are savers and spenders. If you’re a saver married to a spender – or a spender married to a saver – you’ll run into different relationship challenges than two spenders, or two savers.

Know your FICO score. “If you forced me to pick one single bit of advice that would have the biggest impact on turning around your financial situation, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second,” writes Orman in The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, & Broke. “You have to know your FICO score.” Before you tackle your “saver versus spender” money personalities, learn about your credit score. Do you need to do some damage repair?

Separate your finances. Consider having two separate income streams and bank accounts. This way, if you’re a saver you can invest your money any way you want. If your partner is a spender, he can spend his earnings any way he wants. You can divide the household bills and other sources of debt, and pay for those equally but separately.

Learn how to talk about money objectively. Whether you’re deciding how to invest a $10,000 windfall or struggling to pay off medical debt – you need to talk about your financial problems or perks rationally. This means accepting your different money personalities without blame, resentment, or bitterness. For help, read Tips for Talking About Money for Couples.

Talk about your money personalities before marriage. “After you marry, every asset either of you acquires is jointly held,” says Suze Orman. “That’s why you both need to be in sync on your long-term financial goals, from paying off the mortgage to putting away for retirement. Ideally, you should talk about all this before you wed. If you don’t, you can end up deeply frustrated and financially spent.”  For help, read Figuring Out Your Finances for Engaged Couples.

Consult a financial planner. Dealing with different money personalities as a couple can get difficult – and those difficulties can affect other parts of your relationship. To solve your financial problems, consider talking to a financial planner who can help you see the big picture. He/she can help you set your general financial goals (eg, retirement planning), as well as determine the details that will help you achieve those goals (eg, a monthly budget).

“In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential,” says Suze Orman. “It’s no different in the financial realm.”

Are you a saver — and is your partner a spender? How do you deal with it?  If you have any comments or questions on these tips for dealing with different money personalities as a couple, you are welcome below….

For more inspiration from Suze Orman, read How to Successfully Change Careers! 

Related posts:

1. How to Get Money to Start Your Business – Suze Orman
2. 8 Smart Ways Women Can Save Money – Suze Orman
3. Is This a Risky Financial Investment? Money Tips for Women