Renowned financial expert, author, motivational speaker, and self-made millionaire Suze Orman has established herself as a leading authority in the realm of personal finance. Her straightforward and candid communication style sets her apart from other financial advisers, allowing her to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. Ormans no-nonsense approach to financial advice not only makes complex topics more accessible but also encourages individuals to take charge of their financial futures.

In her latest insights, Orman emphasizes that financial literacy is crucial and should never be presented in a timid or overly cautious manner. Given the importance of financial stability, she offers six brutally honest tips that can help individuals build wealth and achieve financial independence.

1. Have a Huge Emergency Fund

While many financial experts suggest maintaining an emergency fund that can cover three to six months of expenses, Orman takes a more aggressive stance. She advocates for having a minimum of eight months of living expenses readily available to cushion against unforeseen costs.

Every family should have an emergency savings account that can cover at least eight months of living expenses, Orman wrote in a post featured on

3. Make Getting Out of Credit Card Debt Your No. 1 Priority

If you find yourself carrying credit card debt, Orman insists that addressing this should be your top financial priority. The strategy for tackling this debt will vary based on the amount owed and individual circumstances. I generally encourage people to make good on debts when they have enough money to repay them, Orman explains. But once a delinquency has been reported to a collection agency, paying it off wont help your FICO score. This statement underlines the importance of timely debt repayment and the impact of negative reports on ones credit history.