Good evening Anderson and everyone. Sounds like it's going to be another busy night.

Evening bloggers,
today seemed like a relatively calm day, or was it just me... sure hope it was not the calm before a storm!

Hello, Anderson and everyone. I guess we just sit and wait til tomorrow...

Dear Anderson,

Hopefully it doesn’t come to this.

A good way is for the government to give the banks money and it is repaid (not from the tax payers).

Thank you for keeping me up to date with the news.

Sincerely,

Lisa L
Sydney, Australia

Good Evening,

I have a question. Two weeks ago it was first mentioned that AIG needed to be bailed out. How did it become almost two-hundred companies?

Hellooo Anderson, Randi, and best bloggers!!!!!
I can't wait both senators to vote tomorrow night!!!!

I guess all this meltdown has really highlighted just how much Congress has become a modern day Hatfield and McCoys. Bitter party rivals aren't going to help solve this crisis. They must try!

Never before have I emailed a tv talk show host or member of congress before this week. I cannot tell you how incensed and disgusted I am, as are many other Americans, with this whole financial market situation. I am disgusted with Congress' failure to exercise political courage and deal with this problem before it became a crisis. If I, as an average american, knew that these subprime loans and predatory lending practices were going down, and unbridled greed was the norm in the mortgage industry, how can Congress claim ignorance and suprise? They cannot, with any type of credibility. Even more disheartening has been the partisan bickering and Congressional members' adolescent-like behavior of late. Do they not get it? Are they that arrogant? Americans are mad, and unwilling to tolerate continued petty antics, from either side of the aisle. Every American should seriously entertain voting out the incumbent and clean house. It's time.

will the economic crisis effect college students and their ability to receive student loans, and grants?

Why all these add ons... just to pick up more votes? I wish they would vote on the bailout based on its being needed or not.

Quick Question,

If the banks can't make money on these poisoned securities, why does everyone think the government can?

Suze,
I am 34 ready to contribute into a SEP IRA an amount close to 20,000.
I have always put my retirement into Index funds primarily VFINX. Should I do it this time as well? With the time I have on hand to avail my retirement it seems like a great time to buy into the market as I have been doing till now. What do you think?
Thank you
PS. I just have a 15 yr fixed rate mortgage with 12 yrs left and no other debt.

It's amazing that the congress would take the time off in such trying time's.Not that i have any thing against the Jewish Holiday.Tomowrrow will be the Moslem end of Ramadan celebration and a Moslem holiday.Will it be another day off for Congress?

Yes the calm before the sorm. The only reason the market was stable today was confidence in action on a plan for Thurs.

Good evening... I went to the bank today and asked them to bail me out by reversing $120 in fees they assessed for wire transfers and overdraft fees. Guess what the answer was?

$120 is a lot less that $700 billion.

If this plan and the consequences of not passing it were explained to the average American in terms they could understand, more ppl would be for it instead of against it.

Anderson, I know I called my senators and reps and told them to vote against the bill and many people I know did the same.

It seems that all the major issues with the original bill were met in some way to protect the American tax payer, put a reasonable limit on golden parachutes, and the formation of two independent oversights. We all need this help immediately. We lost over a trillion $ in one day, credits are frozen, more job losses are on the way. 700 billion, for the long term, meeting the basic concerns is worth the risk. Taking no immediate action is not a risk, but immediate loss for main-street. Both sides of the house need to grow up.

evening everyone...

I still don't understand why the amercian people are not behind the bailout...don't they get it....if they want to borrow money the banks need money to lend out!!!

aaahhhhh....conservatives!!!

What I want our representatives to understand is that WE CAN’T WAIT HERE ON MAIN STREET WHILE CAPITAL HILL GETS THEIR ACT TOGETHER. We need help and we need it now. I don’t think they really understand how desperate the situation is for AVERAGE AMERICANS. I can't get a home loan and I have customers who can't pay me (my business) because of the economy and because they can't get loans.

Does the economic crisis effect university endowments; are they a risky investment?

What about the majority of the Americans that live paycheck to paycheck, pay rent with no money saved nor invested in retirement? How will this bailout help them?

Suze: I have my IRA's in mutual funds. I am 65 and just retired. I'd like to roll them over into something safer. I don't want to pay taxes. It's over $100,000. I take the income from the interest, but I can live on a smaller income. What kinds of programs are there for roll overs?

Thanks. Joanne

Anderson,

I hope the senate passes the bill tomorrow? Also, How long will this crisis stay, before going away? Can someone answer that qustion please.

Thanks,
Danijel

My wife is retiring next month, what should she do with her IRA. What should she rollover it into?

Hey Suze,

We followed your advice over the last few years and paid off 40k in credit card debt finally last month. My wife and I are hoping to buy a home in 18 months or so – what should we do to help ensure our credit will be good when we go to buy a house, especially given the credit crisis? Should we keep the cards with large available balance, or close them to improve our FICO score?

Yay! Suze! I love her, she explains everything so well..she needs to have a national press conference so everyone can hear what she says.

If the problem is a credit crunch for mainstreet, rather than bailout for wall street, why doesn't the government use its $700 billion to open a national bank to extend credit with interest to worthy applicants? This would not cost anything (no money is "given" away) and the money loaned would be returned with interest. If credit is so tight, the government should be able to lend at great rates and make some decent interest that could reduce the national debt..

how come we could never invest 700 billion into natural gas conversion? and build a better info-structure? Im on board with that more so the bank stuff and im sure Americans are for it to...

Suze, I work for a Fortune 100 Insurance company. We were told that this market "wild ride" will not affect our jobs but it will affect our annual bonus and company profits. Should we be worried? Thank you.

Finally, it was good to see Glenn Beck talk about how all this financial fiasco originated. He talked about how in 1999, even printed in the New York Times, that Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama, ACORN, and the POTUS at the time Bill Clinton; got Fanny Mae to give mortgages to people they would normally reject, due to being unable to meet the mortgage payments with the threat of being called ‘racists’.

Even today ACORN is embraced by Sen. Obama & Barney Frank and many of the organizers in the Obama camp were taught by Obama to be ‘community organizers’

For Susie

I have $30-40,000 in cash in my SEP and Roth IRA retirement accounts. Should I buy (federal) government bonds with this money, rather than keep it in IMMA, (insured money-market accounts)?

So, on Thursday morning, if the plan doesn't get passed, will there be another "run" on the banks? And will it be a "depression" type run?

There is a need to restore confidence, however, not supporting a deeply flawed bill filled with sophisticated loopholes that mitigate taxpayer protection is not a failure to lead. It is saying we can and must do better.

Is it possible that perhaps part of the problem is too much Shock Media about the state of the economy as well as its effect on the global market is lowering the confidence of local and foreign investors?

I am in my mid thirties. I don't haves any debt, house paid off and have a 20 – 30 K in a 3 % savings account. Is now a good time to invest in the stock market? What would you advise I do with my money? Thanks.

PLEASE, will people stop telling us about the connection between Wall St. and Main St. - we know. What we don't know is exactly how and why the bailout will work and what is in the plan to ensure this will actually be a long-term fix. THAT's what we want to know.

Thank you,
Jill Six Pack

IF the senate passes the bailout bill (by attaching it to another since the house didn't approve it and send it to them) could those in the house against it file a challenge of it's legality to have been voted upon as technically they hadn't passed first a bill that the senate voted on prematurely?

I'm a 2nd year law school student with over six figures in debt. What is the probability of this affecting my ability to get a loan for my last year in school if my credit score is not excellent?

Is FSLIC as reliable as FDIC?

Why doesn't the government use that $700 Billion to create more Jobs instead of bailing out the people that tanked our economy? We are trying to treat the symptoms when we should be looking for the problem.

Sheila
The more important question is what happens to those people if it isnt passed. A credit crunch means higher costs on absolutely everything from food, energy, rent, etc.

A crunch will impact those kind of people more than anyone else

Question for Suze: My husband and I just sold our classic car for $25K. Should I invest the money during this downturn, save it in the bank in case I lose my job, or pay down debt?

I keep hearing about this $700 billion. Where is it actually coming from and how will it be distributed throughout America?

I have a question.

Why can't the government simply start giving credit to business that need it and were NOT involved in creating the problem? Credit where credit is due. They could also act as a mediator to get lenders and home owners on the same page.

Anderson there was a member of congress on Larry Kudlow tonight and he said he did not vote for the billout Bill because foreign banks would be able to transfer bad debt to their US subsidiaries and have it be part of the bail out bill. Why is there not more discussion on the details of the Bill ?

Suzie,

I currently have no credit card debt and pay all my pills on time. Without the bail out, Will I be able take another student loan next year? I have 20 grand in Student Loan debt– 

Anthony

It was all manipulation.That's how the mess grew! I say break out the chrome bracelets for these geniuses!

I think the ups & downs of this financial crisis are giving me a fever. I don't know why because I don't have any money to lose.

Hello. I would like to know if I should change my 401k contribution from "before tax" to "after tax". I prefer to remain a conservative investor and therefore am concerned about inflation. Also, how does making after tax contributions affect tax deductions?

Suze,
Most of us out here are not on "Main Street", we are on "the rest of us street". We can't afford to buy a house, buy a car or even get new credit. We are living paycheck to paycheck and don't have $100,000 in the bank. That's why I think we don't want this bail out to occur - it doesn't seem to benefit us at all. What are the ramifications of this not passing? The "every day " people out there don't want this at all.

Evening Anderson and everyone,
Market recovered 50% today but the impact of Monday hasnt been seen yet–how long until we begn to notice?? Everything is so unsettling latly....

What we should do if our money is on the stock market? we will sell everything and get the cash or we'll better wait?
thanks

Good evening, anderson. Have a question for Suze. I was very surprised to see Suze keep mentioning yesterday about losing a trillion dollars in the stock market. I think there is a difference to losing stock value ( which to me is a perceived value of a stock – speculation ) to bailing out Wall street. Why shouldnt the Fed directly be the lender to small businesses or home mortgages on an interim basis and let Wall Street suffer for their mistakes ?

Thx

– pady

Suze Orman,

1st of all, you are my hero. I'm a junior at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and I'm trying to go ahead and put some money away. Yesterday I opened up at $1000 6 month CD with Citibank. I'd like to put some more money away (around $2,000). What should I do with it? Should of put it in the CD? I want it out of my savings, because I WILL SPEND IT!

Again, you rock SUZE!

B-PAX, Dallas, Texas

I am 63, just lost my job...when should I take my pension? I need some of it to help pay my bills including a mortgage.

I'm so glad everyone id behind this $250,000 FDIC. We need all of our branches now behind this revised "investment(Bailout) plan.

Why not point out that the banks can't borrow money because the funds loaning to them has lost confidence in the banks decision making. The bank made bad loans and now their credit rating is horrible. The banks are too leveraged bottom line. They should not be bailed out. Where are the alternatives?

As a 21-year old new college graduate about to start a career starting next year, what should my investment goals be? Should I stick with the 20% in 401(k) plan that has been popular advise from most of the experienced people I have talked to. If so, how aggressively should I invest whatever I put in that investment account? If not, what other savings options do I have?

I am so fed up with politicians! None of them are leading and no one is telling the truth with the exception of Ron Paul and others like him. I am going to switch my vote for Obama to a 3rd party candidate and vote out all incumbents. It's time to clean house Anderson!

I have a contract on a house (going through a divorce). Should I wait to tie down an interest rate in hopes of rates going down should a bail out pass?

Suze:

What about people with no debt to pay off, living frugally, have the 8 month emergency fund and make too much for a Roth IRA?

Shall we just keep funding our 401K's and IRA's to the max?

Suzie @ Andy!! LOVE YA BOTH!!,

I currently have no credit card debt and pay all my pills on time. Without the bail out, Will I be able take another student loan next year?

Hey, phil from boston, ma: you think Obama will do better? Have you seen which corporations are funding him? Time for third-party or independent candidates!

Suze,

Is SIPC insurance at Fidelity safe? I have a cash reserves
account there and wonder if it is safe like FDIC insured?
Thanks!

We hear that FDIC covers bank deposits of up to $100k. Can you please explain what that means? Does that mean that you should not have more than $100K in total in any bank, regardless of the number of accounts you have in that bank ? Or does that mean that you can have as many accounts as you'd like at the same bank as long as each account has $100k or less in it?

Thanks,

Cindy Neumann

Why can't the 700 billion be divided amongst the American people to stimulate the credit market (economy) instead of giving it to Wall Street? For a family of five this would be over $11,000.

from what i have heard from Mr. Velshi, the credit freeze will only prevent those with bad credit and no down payment from borrowing, so the bailout will enable credit institutions to loan to the ones that put us in this mess to begin with by borrowing money they has no business borrowing to begin with?

Suze,
There is still so much public resistance to a Wall Street bailout...it seems that many people think that we can weather this without a bailout. Is that possible? Not everyone is maxed out on credit cards, over their heads with a mortgage or living beyond their means...

Suze, I have a tax deferred compensation plan through my employment with the State with about a 70K balance. I lost about 2000 in the last few days. I currently have 60%of my deferrals in the stable income fund, 20% in large cap mutual funds and 20% in balanced funds. My question is should I change my future deferrals to 100% in the stable income fund? I have a pension which will probably give me 60% of my income in retirement and I have six years to retirement. Thanks.

Will the current crisis cause credit cause credit card interest rates to increase? Thanks.

hi suze,

my mother passed away a month ago in wisconsin. my siblings and i are now in the process of dealing with her estate. among other things, she has willed us several mutual funds made-up of stocks and bonds. apparently we have to deal with this within a year. i'm concerned that the oveall portfolio value is going to shrink significantly if we don't take some sort of action. is there anything we can do to safeguard this money?

joe
tapei, taiwan

AC,
I was on the tour bus today in NYC, next to a couple from UK. They said if the US economy sneezes, the UK catches a cold. How has the past two days affected the World's economy? How are banks in other countriesperforming?

FLOW DOWN?? There is little to flow after the guys at the top of the business are allowed to skim of what they want first and it is FRAUD! I am so, so sick of hearing this philosophy. Obviously a lot of people don't realize how prevalent greed is in this country. What a shame.

I am on the inbetween on the whole bailout subject. I am for it because it will help our economy, but I really dont want my hard earned money going to greedy CEOs. I work with individuals who have Cerebral Palsy, all of them different levels of severity, but the majority have never worked a day in their life and they rely on social security and other government funding to keep them going, and knowing that this affects them, I want the bill to go through. I just dont want this to be a 'safety net' that these companies use when they mess up.

What about low income people. Everyone talking about middle class and Rich what about low income. People who make 40,000 a year and dont have a house? Why should we have to pay

What is the most important thing current college students should be worried about? Getting loans, interest rates, or entering the job market?

@@ Lori (Canadian living in Japan) evening everyone…

I still don’t understand why the amercian people are not behind the bailout…don’t they get it….if they want to borrow money the banks need money to lend out!!!

aaahhhhh….conservatives!!!

Lori, Americans (both sides) don't want to bail out Wall Street.

Suzzie, with millions of American's losing a significant portion of their savings, when will the Government raise the $3k dollar exemption for losses to $15-25K dollars?

Do you think the banking industry is the only industry the government needs to bail out?

Is this bill going to help the housing market and auto industry?

what would make me support this bailout :
1. execs involved in companies taking federal funds are sacked, new hires salaries and benefits kept at a moderate rate
2. if you want the taxpayers money, you must bring all outsourced jobs back to US and hire our OWN talented workers
3. bipartisen oversight, and regulations with teeth

QUESTION FOR SUZY ORMAN-

We have one year left on our ARM and are looking at refinancing to a 30 year fixed. Our current rate on the ARM is 5.625%. With the uncertainty of rates moving forward, should we lock in now at the best rate we can on the 30 year fixed? Or wait to see how everything plays out?

Thanks so much!

Jennifer in Illinois

Why are the American people not being represented in this bill?
Why are they attaching a mental health bill?

Question for Suze,

I just started a new job 6 weeks ago. I had to invest in a pension with AIG. I have a choice to invest in a 403b should I do that now or wait?

Anderson, I have watch CNN almost all day, for the last two and a half months, and I haven't heard anyone addressing the goverment's thrift savings plan. how safe it has been during this stormy weather? where would it be the safest place to put our money? I'm a postal supervisor, I still have 12 yrs. to go before retirement.

By the way continue to keep them honest!!!

Nelson

Why is their legislation in the bill allowing the Treasury Secretary to bail out foreign central banks?

Hi Suze,

I'm 27 yrs old, and self employed. Right now I only have and IRA, but haven't contributed for the past year. Is it a good time to contribute a big chunk of money since stocks are down and I'll get more for my money?

thanks,
John
Los Angeles

Suddenly millions of Americans who never bought stock are going to be the owners of insurance firms, brokerages and mortgage companies. They broke it, we bought it — so we might as well enjoy it.
Ron Paul would have never accepted this.

JZ

It is a shame that the members that voted the will of their constituents are being criticized of playing politics and giving into the pressure being put on them by voters.

Will this bailout make the U.S. dollar fall even lower against the Euro and other currencies?

why can't the govt just give the 700 billion to the people? wouldn't that help the economy?

Suzie,

My mortgage balance is over $800,000.00 and I had the home appraised at fair maket value by a real estate agent and it appraised at $385,500. because of all the foreclosures in my neighborhood. I am currently 2 months behind and in April 2010 my mortgage payments will jump to 6200 a month. I currently have the house on the market as a short sale. Not sure what to do...I do not want to walk away from my home. My investor is not working with me.

Any suggestions?

Good evening,

What is this other bailout plan, seen earlier on Lou Dobbs, where there would be no taxpayer money used? Is it something to consider and why isn't it?

Question for Suze Orman.....My husband and I are 67 and 69 respectively. We have 80% of our money in a money market fund thru an investment company which is not FDIC insured. Should we rollover that money to a FDIC insured IRA plan in a bank, or is it safe in the money market fund thru the investment firm?

Why can't these bailout meetings be open and televised to the public. The republicans are saying it's the democrats fault and the dems are blaming the republicans. If the media can dedicate the court tv channel to the OJ Simpson trial, why can't they televised these bail-out meetings so the American public can decide for themselves who is doing what.

An FDIC question-

Presently, if an account in a given bank is insured to $100K, am I mistaken to think that if I have multiple accounts, joint accounts, POD/ITF accounts, IRAs, etc can increase the insurance at the same bank to much more than $100K by several hundred thousand if the assets are distributed properly?

A question for Suze-

What is the best advice for consumers who have "dangling" credit cards?
That is, credit cards that are open, but not active?
Can closing nonactive cards harm your credit score?

Thanks!
Deneen
(Pittsburgh, PA)

Why don’t they include Fico score reform or add an amnesty type bail out for Americans and lower interest rates on credit cards and mortgages? There are many people that have money to spend but are excluded from helping the economy because of a flawed credit rating system.If this was included in the bailout bill would it pass?

I have a adjustable rate mortgage that will reset in 4 years. Should I refinance now while the rates are low.
Ken.
Albany, NY

Why are putting a bandaid on a broken leg? We should be fixing the credit problems properly. The stock market will rally, and bailing the banks will only put money in the pockets of those who have enough. Give the money to the people, the hard working american taxpayers. It will trickel down and help alot more than giving money to banks, ect to bail out the rich.

I was just curious why the 'Bailout' money can't be used to fund new projects to improve our economy in the future. We were always the first coming out with new technologies and sciences, but now we're slipping.

My question really is why not invest a lot of this money into a corporation who is trying to push green energy and make a killing on the profits in the future. We need to win the environmental game to stay on top of this changing economy.

To Suzie:

I have inheirted a collection of valuable coins,silver and gold and have been told I need to do something with it to avoid capital gain taxes..Is now a good time to liquidate

I hope nooone wants bailout the bill for vote....

Whew! We just got out from under two mortgages last Fall. Our credit suffered horribly but we were able to get a new mortgage recently when we downsized in order to get our cauffers back up. Now we have a low mortgage and cash at the end of the month ready to replenish our emptied savings. Question: we have $40k in cash from the proceeds of the sale. What do we do with the cash? We have no credit card debt and no student loans. We have a generous family member who loaned us $120k to be paid back "whenever". Do we invest the $40k to earn money for the payback or do we give her a check now? Thanks!!

The problem was predatory lending AND speculators. Like trying to get oil and water to mix. Not to mention all that house flipping going on.That drove up property values that were unrealistic.

The CEOs at the tops of these failing business should be required to foot the bail out of their own companies.. they must have had something to do with the poor practices that caused them to fail. I did not cause the failure.. why should I have to pay to save a company that will simply keep rewarding the ones who are stealing the public blind.

If Ali Velshi is correct and it's the Credit Markets are the real issue why is it we keep refering to this as the Wall Street Bail out?
The way I understood what Ali said was that Wall Street is not a good barometer of financial solvency, it's all about the credit markets.
I admit I know little about how these credit markets operate. Anyone got any info for me to study?
Dan

For Suze
Me an my wife are in our 30's our savings are gone and we run the risk of losing our home because her credit lines were cut and I am in the Mortgage Industry and I do not make the same amount of money any more. Should I stay in the Mortgage business were I have been succesful until late last year and what is the best direction to go with our house. I have tried to get other jobs but no one has answered my resume. I don't want to give up on myself but I need advice

Can someone please explain to me why the government doesn't just give 2 million dollars to every man, woman, and child in the country? This would cost only 600 billion dollars, it would eliminate our individual debt, remove all issues associated with the housing market (everyone in trouble could pay off their mortgage), no one would care about the credit crunch, and it would serve as a monumental economic stimulus.

Dear Suzie,
I have a $186K varible rate home equity loan (interest only payments) and a fixed $150K rental home loan (interest only payments). How should I prioritize paying these down?...start paying off principle on the equity loan?...convert the home loan to a fixed P&I?...other?

Qustion for Suze: Now that Citibank is going to buy Wachovia, will my Wachovia car loan stay at the same rate as when I bought my car or is subject to a new interest rate with the new bank?

Why are you still covering McCain? I thought McCain told the country he is suspending his campaign till this credit crisis is fixed? All McCain can do is lie,lie, and more lies

For Susie Orman.
I am already retired What kind of saving should I shift my 401K.

Where shold I shift it to out of the market?

Why do our elected representatives vote with regards to getting re-elected and not according to what they know ,and many experts say is the right thing to do for our economy that will help everyone including "main street"? What is wrong with our government and our political system?

Would it be possible to turn this BAILOUT into a longterm STIMULUS package?? Could the Treasury buy 60 month (or so) term share certificates in the various financial institutions in equal amount and under the name of each and every American taxpayer amounting to the 700 billion... Giving the institutions the short term capital they need and at the end of the term the Treasury can recover the original funds and the taxpayers will receive the long-term dividend in the form of a stimulus payment and as thanks for doing their part in (hopefully) righting the ship....??

Suze I lost my job have abt $2000 in 401k. BUT I owe 1500 in back taxes... Do I cash out 401k and pay or roll over to IRA?

Thanks,
Beth

Why does the proposed Bailout not contain help for Main Street with a mortatorium on foreclosures, a stoppage of interest rate increases and a restructuring of home loans to make them affordable? Would this also not help Wall Street?

Suzie:
I want to know if the state retirement systems, especially STRS in California is solvent?
And I have a 403B REIT, real estate trust and a 403B LIRA with an insurance company. How are they in terms of this economy?

I have $42,000 a year coming for life from Calif. and 100,000 in 403Bs. I am 61. I have no debt. This is enough money for me to live on now, but is it safe to retire? I hope to leave the 403Bs in for ten years without touching them.
suz

Question: So we take the bad loans and give them(Wallstreet) 700 billion, our taxes then go up to pay for their mess and we(the consumers) have no money to spend. How is this going to fix the economy? When we stop buying companies lay off and people loose their jobs. I think this will just protect the people who stole in the first place!!! I know I will not vote for anyone backing this bailout!!

Why do they have to have add ons to the Bail Out Plan. Can't the bail out pass on its on?and if not maybe they should get a new plan.

I have $30-40,000 in cash in my SEP and Roth IRA retirement accounts. Should I buy (federal) government bonds with this money, rather than keep it in IMMA, (insured money-market accounts)?

Generally speaking, if you have the money in a money market account, is this a good time to pay off a mortgage (that has a 6 3/8 % interest rate)? Does the current economic situation affect this decision at all?

Suze, with millions of Americans losing a significant portion of their savings, when will the Government raise the $3k dollar exemption for losses to $15-25k?

Hi,
I just turned 62 and filed for SS. My husband is almost 65 and still works. We have about $150,000.00 is savings in addition to IRA's and 401K's. We own our home and have no debt, We think we can get by without drawing on our retirements funds for at least 5 years. What should we do with our 401 right now?

Anita

Anderson,
I am writing as a small business owner in Lexington, Va. Obviously, I do not know all the ends and outs of how Wall Street works but I do know how business works. I believe that CEO's and business owner should be held acountable for the corporate actions.
I recently made a Bad business decision that has left my business in need of cash. I made educated decisions. Supported by other respected business leaders in our community. I do not expect the federal goverment come to bail me out. I do not expect my dollars to bail out multimillion dollar Wall Street companies. Let them manage their way out of their hig risk whole just like the rest of us.

SUZE,

I'm 23 and have about 25,000 in a 401(k). If I'm wanting to keep a moderate risk with my money, what percentage or ratio should I have in Stocks, Bonds, Money market....etc?

And what percentage amount should I limit in putting in one company/fund?

Hi Anderson & Suze! With Adjusttable Mortgages would this be the time to refinance to a fixed rate or should we see where things go? I have an ARM that can go from 4.875% to 6.875& in June. Thanks!

Why is Obama being criticized for reading his speeches from the monitors while you McCain always looking down to read his speeches? To me, Obama at least appears to speaking to his audience while McCain is not. Just curious on your thoughts.

Thank you!

Jeff

Hi Suze,

I'm 43yrs old my company matches my 401k up to 6% and I'm currently contributing 10%. I have no credit card debt just student loan at locked in 3% interest. Should I pay off loan and only contribute 6% to my 401k or leave it as is?

Looking at things from Canada .... both presidential candidates are pushing for more spending, tax cuts and the "bailout". This is not fiscally responsible and we wonder how the USA can continue to stack debt on top of debt and hope to keep the American dream alive?

Hi Suze,

I am 49 years old. For the past several years my 401(k) has been in a very aggressive mix, which has done very well for me. However this year to date I am down $90,000, thus, I move everything to a conservative mix, and increased my contribution from 10%, to 12%. Did I do the right thing?

JR
Kansas City, Missouri

Both the candidates are wrong to support this bailout. Larry's guest was right, the government is blowing this way out of proportion. If it was really so bad they would have put a stop to it a lot sooner. I do not trust them.

Question for Suze: is this a good time to pay off an equity loan on a house with no mortgage? or a good time to refinance an existing mortgage on a house that is now worth less than what it was bought for?

my wife will be 66 in 4 years we have lost $9,000 since July of 2007.
We have very little money ,what should we do?

With the credit crisis how is someone who is just starting out and has no credit establish credit?

Explain to me why, if the FDIC is doing its job, there should be any cap at all on bank deposits????????

Anderson I have heard no one comment on stopping the credit card solicitation thru the mail to people that should absolutely not have credit cards. The responsible people and the banks get punished for the dead beats not paying back and nor do they care.

Jim Justus

Seth: the credit freeze will also prevent ppl with good credit, scores of 700 or above, from getting a loan of any kind either. No one will be able to get a loan. Though I don't know why ppl who normally couldn't afford a 300K house (like me) would think they coul afford a 300K house with a low interest rate and be able to stay above water....those ppl are the reason this happened..and the banks who told them they could.

I bought 16,000 shares of Freddie Mac on 16 Sept when they were 0.25 cents, was that a good investment?

Anderson,
I have a question for Suze Orman: I have heard you describe the protection given to bank deposits by the FDIC. Is this similar to the protection given by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) to Credit Unions insured under the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF)? Which insurance is better, FDIC or NCUA?

The talk at work is if this bail out bill for the fat cats on wall street passes are to vote all the incumbents out office in November.

why can't businesses pay as they go? Why do they have to always borrow? There are some businesses who have no debt? Shouldn't this be a lesson not to borrow and instead for businesses, as you advise people, have a stash for a rainy day ie., now? If we don't do anything won't they learn?

Suze......hello!
I would like to ask you, please, a very serious question.
Can you tell the American Middle Class People right now, in detail, as no one else really has, what exactly would happen if the "bailout" was passed, regarding the Middle Class only, and what exactly would happen if the "bailout" did not pass, regarding the Middle Class? In honest terms, is it that big a deal for the Middle Class? Really? Or, is it that the wealthy only want this because they are losing some of their millions? Is too much being made of this, I guess is the question, trying to "frighten" the Middle Class people in particular?
Thanks, Suze.

Alex/Boston, Mass.

Hi, I am 38 with no debt, 25k on-hand and some other savings invested in 401(k) and IRA's. I did have a few credit problems, but where all resolved/paid for in the past. I have a good job and excellent income(75-100k'). I am looking to purchase or lease a new vehicle. Given the credit crisis what do you recommend? do I stand a chance? should I wait, attempt?

Thank you,

My 401k with Vanguard does not have any federal insured funds. The safest thing they have is there money market fund and you can loose with this. What can I do? I don't want to pay taxes to take the money out I am under 59 years old.

Guy Pavey

What's new with the FBI investigation into all of this? That story sort of disappeared. Please resurrect it?

Is now a good time to invest in stocks of those companies that have taken a big hit on the market? Perhaps financial companies that may turn around if the bailout goes through?

Putting the whole bail-out aside, is this a good time to be in mutual funds in mt 401K, considering I have 5-7 years to retire? Given the weekness of the dollor, a market slowdown, a 6 Trillon dollor deficit, and large trade imballance I'm very leary adout any involvment is stocks.

Question for Suze Orman: If the bail out doesn't happen....does that mean deflation? So that people on fixed incomes may have a better chance of making their money go a little further?

Hey AC – how come we don't see anyone talking about how the market gained over half a trillion dollars today? Yesterday it was all about the 1.2 trillion lost. But we gained HALF of that back in ONE DAY? Come on man, we don't want this "rescue" bill. Let 'em go under. That's called capitalism.

Hello Anderson and Suze
My mother is 70 and she doesn't know if she should cash in her 401k, she doesn't want to have to pay high tax's cashing it in but she's afarid to keep it where it's at because it keeps going down. What would you advise her to do.

How long can we go on with out a "bailout plan" before we really start to feel the effects?

Anderson, please get to the bottom of this mess and shine a light on all the rat politicans stealin from the U.S. tax payers. The F.B.I. should take over congress and the senate and arrest them all !!!! 1783

The Question i have if you have $700-$800K in Cash at the Bank is it a Good time to Buy Munibonds that are General Obligated to be Safe and Conservative? or what else Could you do to be Safe with your Investment Beside the Failing Stocks?

Love your Show,

Thanks,

This bail out to me sounds like a consolidation loan for debt in the market. Everything I've been told is never consolidate your debt because that could make you feel like you have buying power and end up deeper in debt.

If we take this toxic debt as it is so called to free up the market to give out more loans for more debt – isn't that just taking us deeper into debt. Or will the credit still only be for the very best score (rightly so). But if this is to free up the credit so that people without a good score can once again get loans doesn't that just create more toxic debt.

Suze, I am 52, live on disability, and attend college online. What impact does this market mess have on my student loans and disability payments?

The major question I have about this "bailout" is what will happen to the value of my dollar if they decide to print all this money?? Please answer this because I never hear this side of the story for anyone.

I have heard on some radio stations that we should allow the people on "Main Street" who have these bad mortgages to go bankrupt and be turned out into the street. What exactly would happen to the economy if this was allowed?

I'm hoping the investigation into Fannie Mae exposes the root of the problem which started in 1999.

What's to prevent banks from taking the bail out money, shoring up their balance sheets and calling it a day (after the CEO gets his/her bonus)? What's to guarantee that they will "pay it forward?" What's to guarantee that the credit markets will get unfrozen? Banks are made whole, politicians are re-elected, Wall Street's happy, and the average American is still in debt, out of work, and in no better position than when the crisis started.

The key to the bailout is to bail out the taxpayers. Put a 1 year moritorium on foreclosures and mortgage payments. Use the bail out money to catch up those behind. Give companies who don't lay off people operating money and tax breaks. People with no mortgage payments will spend, save, invest, or catch up on bills, all of which benefits Wall Street tremendously. Much cheaper than the current proposal, and all the money wont go out at once. this way everyone at the table eats, and this will be much easier to sell to the public.

Bye bye Miss American Pie. It appears that the elite is going to subvert the law to get their New World Financial Order in place. I ask our founding fathers to forgive us all..Vote No

Dear Suzy,

I am 44. My retirement is in TIAA/ CREF. I have 70% in traditional, 20% in stocks and 10% in Real Estate. My boss suggested I am too conservative and this may be a good time to increase the percentage in stocks. I lost retirement money years ago due to a bad investment by a financial advisor in the stock market. This is why I am conservative. Thank you for your advice.

Hi Suze,
I've been considering a move to South Korea for a while. I would have a job lined up. With the markets going wild around the world, is it a safe move financially right now?

My main concern is my ARM which is going to adjust in about a year to a higher rate. With property value down and wages effectively lower than when we got the mortgage and higher cost of living, I know we will not be able to afford a higher mortgage. Is there any plan to freeze existing interest rate on these loans.That will be the bailout that will get my vote and give me peace of mind!! Main street will want that stipulation in the bailout plan and will perhaps get behind the plan.

Susie; Iam 48 and contribute about $700.00 per month to my 401k. Should I cut back on this amount and put the extra money towards my mortgage

Thanks
Pat

I'm 59 and retired. I have a pension for life from IBM that covers my current expenses. I also have 12% savings in cash/money markets, 12% in taxable bonds, and 76% in mutual funds. The objective of the savings is to cover cost of living increases and travel. Should I keep my money in the same distribution, or move it? Since April, my savings have decreased 15%

SUZE,

I’m 23 and have about 25,000 in a 401(k). I gross roughly 46K a year. I put 10% of my pay toward the 401(k) and my employer contributes 4%. Should I increase my contribution percentage, leave it the same, or lower it?

My 401(k) portfolio is within a moderate risk with some in stocks.
If I’m wanting to keep a moderate risk with my money, what percentage or ratio should I have in Stocks, Bonds, Money market….etc?

And what percentage amount should I limit in putting in one company/fund?

Hey Suze, I realllly need your help. I am a 25 yr old and I recently lost my job. I am 4 mths behind on my mortgage and I am having trouble finding good tenants to rent my multifamily house to. I am tempted to use my 401k which has about $3000 in it. Do you recommend this. What should I do? Help me Suze!

Would it be unreasonable to expect a cut in student loan balances as part of the bailout package? As salaries go down the payments (in my case 420.00 month interest only), become more burdensome. Yet the Washington gang wants to bailout Wall Street greed and still leave those citizens with student loans at 7, and and 9% interest. I believe there should be a little "give and take" on the part of Congress rather than bail out Wall Street so Mainstreet can obtain student loans!! Give me a break.

Don't you think some of these crook's should fail so that hard working
AMERICANS like me and so many others can servive,

Why not give the $700 billion bailout money directly to the American people to pay off their mortgages instead of loaning it to corporations?

Question for Susie - I am 56 years old and owe $150,000 on my house. I sell real estate and nothing is selling. Should I cash in my life insurance policies and mutual funds and pay off my house and get ride of a house payment and life insurance premium payments?

Susie

What's the best strategy for cash in this environment? Pillow? Savings Account?

I have a question for Susie. I am a bond investor, layering bonds so that I get interest for my retirement expenses. One of the bonds was a Washington Mutual bond. When I got it, it was a A rated bond. Now that the FDIC took over, the bondholders were wiped out. How do I invests in bonds now? I thought I had a relatively safe investment, and laddering of bonds is a prudent way to invest for retirement income.
Thanks

Suze, I heard you say the other day that if you have money in a brokerage firm that we should get it out now! That scared me because I have an IRA and about $ 20,000 in a CMA account at Merrill Lynch. Should I be worried?

Question for Suzie Ormond:
My son has just graduated from college and has an entry level job that pays $650 per week. He has $400 per month that is not earmarked for bills. How much should he be putting in a savings acct for a rainy day fund?

Dear Suze, I know you say not to use retirement money to pay credit cards, but my husband is 66, but still working and our separate ficos are each above 720 so is it worth it if the economy decreases our income.

Hello Suze & Anderson,

I hear a lot of adivce to keep your money in your 401k's and ride out the storm; however, what would your advise be for those of us that haven't yet put into our 401k's?

I was just hired and was going to begin putting into my 403b. Should I just deposit into higher interest online banks?

What is the single most important thing an individual American can do during these financially uncertain times?

Who will benefit the most from the current way the bailout is structured?

Is it really that America does not have the money or is it that American politicians mismanaged our annual budget of 14 trillion dollars?

Thanks for your time and effort Miranda

With all this talk about banks and keeping your money safe, would you be looking to make deposits in the highest yeilding bank or the safest bank? If the money is FDIC insured, and you're under the 100K FDIC limit, what could be wrong with searching out the highest yield?

Suze,i am in middle class America,have some money put back,and husband in Iraq....I'd like to buy start buying some stock,is this an good time?thanks

Suze – Do you still recomend Treasury Bonds as a good place for safe investments.....and if so, how & where do you recommend safely purchasing them (without paying high fees) for people with little or no experience with bonds? Also do TIPS have a better return than ordinary bonds?

Hi Suze, I'm living on a very small pension (from my deceased husband who worked at Ford) and a small check from Social Security. Do I have to worry about them? I have a small amount of savings, yet not very much...and live in my own home which is paid for...with it's value falling. I'd like to sell it in maybe 5 years & move into a smaller place. Do you think the values will ever go up..& if so, when??

us savings bond, i dont have much but i do have us bonds series i, r they safe?

How does the bail-out help the average American? Once again the average American seems to be left behind. Why don't they explain how this bail-out is going to help the country rather than Wall Street crooks?

Hi Suze- My husband had a good job with great pay and could not find anything comprable in pay- we are now facing foreclosure. Have not heard much about the house rescue bill that goes into effect Oct 1st- what is going on with that? We also have a total of $15000.00 personal debt which includes our cars, and are continuing to pay that down. Next year, we intend to start saving money AFTER we pay off this debt- good way to go? I can then open a 401 K but I think I want to avoid stock- should I just invest in CDs, bonds? Would love your suggestions and how I might contact you. Thank you very much

Where is "A Government of the people, by the people, for the people?" I feel like our desire are largely ignored by our representatives and once they are elected thier only concern is being popular with lobbyist and special interest groups willing to throw money at them. NO BAIL OUT. Let the fools who created the mess on Wall Street clean up thier own mess. Americans will survive despite our lack of leadership and the greed of the mega rich.

Where is the Special Prosecutor? These corporate crimes need to be investigated and prosecuted...put that in the bill....demand it.

If senators reject vote the bill bailout tomorrow night....... are we going lose our money or broke (bankrupt)?

I have some aggressive fund selection in 401(k) ... in average have lost 30% of my investements in the last 1yr ... should I switch to safer funds now? I am worrying about losing more money if the market continues to go down but also worried that if the market reboounds we will make less money back via the safer fund!

For Suzie, i have 5k saved and i owe 5k in debt and want to buy a house here in Southern CA...should i pay off the debt or use it for downpayment?

I am 55 years old have no debt aside from our home. Kids gone all educated and have $100K saved...what would you suggest....?

I live in Alabama and all the people i talk to don't wont to give loan to wall street they dont think it that much of a problem just think its more lies and from the last 8 years they could be wright, I myself have a large 401K that i dont want to loose, I say bail them out and get on with the program.

We couldn't trust the government to monitor the economic situation all of these years why should we give them $700 billion dollars to spend any way they see fit? That would be reckless of us and voters.

Howdy Anderson.

Suze, I am an eighteen year old college sophomore, and am planning on traveling abroad on my own this February. It is going to cost me around 3500 to complete my trip. Should I just NOT GO and keep my money in my wallet rather than go out and spend it? Or do you think it'd be alright if I did make the investment and find a way to pay it back if I decide to get a loan? Not only that, but I guess this means getting APPROVED for a loan will only become A LOT harder. Something I just don't need right now.

Thank you.

I also agree with Ron Paul Rick from NJ. He has been warning of this for a long time. We need to look at solving the problem not prolonging the inevetible.

Hi Anderson

Please have your coworkers find out the details of the Bill. If the people do not know what is being truly voted for then they are not truly informed.

@George Huger...I agree with you completely, but I can't hold out hoping that financial institutions will figure it out. Virtually none of them are in a position to make fixes because they can't even figure it out. In theory I'm against this "bailout," but as a practical matter, I don't see a choice.

Is Pimco (PHK) owned by a hedge fund and will it continue to shrink in value at the current rate? Should we sell part of it now or continue to stand fast and hope for a recovery?

My wife owns over 4000 shares and isn't sure whether to hold, or sell all, or part.

Thanks for any advice you can provide. charles

Dear Suze,
If we wanted to sell our "free and clear" home for top dollar by today's standards, within the next six months (assuming there is still a tight loan market) would it be wise to "carry the papers" and play bank with 15 to 20 percent down, run a credit check and verify ability to pay?

Suzy,
I am 44. My retirement is in TIAA/ CREF. 70% in traditional, 20% in stocks and 10% in real estate. A friend suggested this is a good time to increase my stock percentage. I prefer to have something at my retirement rather than nothing. I lost retirment money several years ago due to a bad investment by my financial advisor. Am I too conservative with my retirement money? I appreciate your advice. William.

I have the resolve for the bail out...just give every tax payer making less than $500,000 a year a $500.000 check.. the people will pay up their morgages, pay all their bills, buy new cars. remodel their house. and go shopping...tell me that would not be the best way to make the economy grow and take most everyone out of debt. and its cheaper than bailing out wall street. And afterall we are talking about the taxpayers money. who better to make it work than the taxpayer themselves.

AC this is a question for Suze Orman, I hope I am on the right blog. As most Americans, I am concerned even more today. I have stocks in money market accounts and continue to lose money. I just don't know what to do. If I transfer this money into cd's...will I be penalized? Will I have to pay taxes on it? I just want some solid advice.

I bought a house i could afford, and now i will end up paying the mortgage of the guy who bought a nices house than i, that he couldnt afford! Owning a home is not a right! i lived without many things for years so that i could save a large downpayment.

Suze,

What is your take on the idea floating around of changing the mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Teir II bonds/mortgages? First of all what exactly is that rule, and how would changing it help the markets? Thanks for your time.

Lisa

Why do we need the gov to send more money to the firms that recklessly bet them on "stuff" they never understood? They ought to fail! Let the gov lend money to ordinary people and small businesses that need help directly. What is wrong with that?

Evening AC, 360 staff, and bloggers,

Well at least we rode the rollercoaster on the way up today. Wow, what a wild ride this market is.

Looking forward to see what Suze has to say tonight.

Would it be smarter to pay off my house since I'm paying 5.78% and my savings is only earning 1.5%? I have no debt except the house ($139K). Savings about $123K not including 401K & IRA (an additional $200K). I'm a widow, 59 y.o., work F-T, annual income about $65K.

Hello Suze,

We have been hearing a lot about banks and FDIC. But what about brokerage firms such as Charles Schwab? Millions of people, including me, keep our 401Ks in brokerage firms. What kind of protection do we have there?

Thank you.

Suze,

I am working full-time and returning to school full-time to change careers. I recently took out a student loan to pay for my graduate education and already have prior student loans from my undergraduate years. What should I do now with any residual monies I may have left over?
Tonya

Did anyone see the price of oil dropping? Did anyone see the price of gas go down? What is next...the price of food going back down?

Who wants to bail out Mr. Oil?

Suzy,

If the credit card companies pull back on our credit limits, will that affect our FICO scores?

Thanks.
Alex

Hi Suze, What would happen if we lowered everyones % rates on the arm as well as fixed to be all the same say 4.75%? wouldnt that keep everyone in a home and give more money back to those that are paying now more breathing room for more spending? I think most companys could handle a 4.75% back on an average price of a home of $200,000.00 over 30 years! I dont know if I am way out of the park on this one or not but a small gain is better than no gain! Thanks from Jim in Minnesota

Hi Suze,

I just turned 25, earn just under 70K, and contribute 6% (max employee match) each pay period. I have almost 10K in credit card debt and 80K in student loans. Given the current market situation should I stop contributing to my 403b an use the extra money to pay bills until the market stabilizes?

Suzie Today I changed my contribution in my 401k down to 1% until the market begins to turn around. I am going to put what was going in my 401k in our money market account. I have 6 years before retirement. Have I made the right move.

Hello Suze,
I am a student at the University of Texas at Austin and I am looking to graduate in May of 2010. So my question is do you think there will be student loans available in the future?

For Students: I am planning on starting school this fall, I will be in need of student loans, should I be worried? I have fair/good credit- no derogatory avg score 670.

Suze, I am a 30 yr old young professional and thinking of stopping my voluntary 403b contributions during these tough times. Can you advise me?

Hi Suze

I'm 41 and just this year finally paid off all my student loans and credit cards and started investing in the market (mostly index funds, 75/25 mix with bonds)! I've already lost almost 10% since this spring!

I'm single and rent my apartment, no kids and am a free lancer. I've got my 6 month emergency fund in place and health insurance. Now that I've got my head above water I'm looking to save about 1k per month (12k per year total to catch up). I've already maxed out my Roth this year. Should I keep investing in the stock market for retirement, or would there be a better course of action?

Thanks, you're the best!

Travis, Los Angeles

I am 26 years old, and have held my job with a major corporation for the past 5 years. I am putting into my 401k, but this year alone I've lost more than half of my total contribution to the "change in market value". What would be my best bet to make sure I lose as little of that money as possible?

So Bank CEOs want the American public to purchase their bad exotic securities from them...then what? They continue to make bad loans? How does this bailout get the banks to circulate money again? We have been in the habit of exporting debit.....When will we learn to export services and products???

I'm interested in the no bailout plan that a couple senators are pushing. They say we should try it and if it doesn't work then try the bailout. I would like to here the panel discuss this.

My mother banks at United Heritage Credit Union. It does not state they are FDIC. They have NCUA and ESI. I have looked them up on Google and I am still not clear what they mean. Can you help? Please!

Quick, go buy the Biggest house you cannot afford. Quick, buy all the toys you want, and max the credit cards. Someone is lining up to help pay for them. Quick Quick Quick....oops. too late!

What about managed 401Ks and 529s? Should we trust these managers to be conservative enough with our money?

Hey Suze,
Where is the government going to get the $700 billion dollars and should this high a price tag be a good thing when we are already trillions of dollars in debt as a nation?

Using the $700BN to buy Mortgage Backed Securities from FI's at discounts would mean that these institutions will have to take writedowns if they have not done so which would further reduce their already low capital. With less capital, the more they will not have the appetite to take on additional risks even if they do have the money. So how can this formula unfreeze credit? What a waste of taxpayers money on a flawed solution.

Hi Suze, I'm 25 years old and have been aggressively funding my 401(k). I already have an emergency savings plan and very little debt. Should I be concerned about my 401(k)? I hear people say I should stop investing, invest less, or invest more so I can "buy low?" What do I do?

Suze, most of my retirement is in defense stocks. They are doing great right now, but should I stick with them. I'm 10 years from retirement. My house will be paid off in a few years and I have no other debt.

my house has been for sale since may 1. we have dropped the price to point where we will, after paying real estate agent fees, just break even. Will someone be able to get a mortgage to buy house even at such a low price? thanks bobbie

Question to Suzie,

I lost my Mother in July and have inherited an annuity of which I have cashed out but the majority of it is still in a cash account held with Metlife. I have left it there because it is earning 3% and I wanted to keep it liquid since I will have to pay tax on it. Should I leave it there or move it to a bank CD?

Hi Suze, Hi Anderson,

I just recently moved crosscountry and am looking for a new bank. My question is- is it better to open an account at a credit union, such as Navy Federal, with the current bail-out situation than a regular bank? Or is there not much difference? Also, is one better to consolidate student loans through?

Much thanks,
adore you both
-Renee

Susie, please give us examples of what percentage of Americans use credit...And how many of us will be affected if our credit dries up.

Is the Senate bill lifting the FDIC insurance limit to $250k supposed to make us NOT take our money out of the bank?

Just wondering what the REAL purpose is other than showing us the bill includes SOMETHING for us?

Suze,

If a bailout of the credit markets and Wall Street happens, what do you project the effect on the value of the dollar to be (inflation) and what will the effect on the commodities market be? These are affecting more of the common man right now. Everything I am hearing is that this will devalue the dollar much more and the price of gas, oil, etc. will skyrocket again! What say you?

Suze,
My husband and I want to take advantage of the "sale" on stocks and mutual funds by investing about $2,500. Is now a good time? Should we wait? And what is your take on green technology mutual funds?

Thanks!

Why would thebanks not just refi these arms and subprime loans?
Would they benifit more since the first 5 to 10 yrs of the loan is intrest?
Wouldn't this give the banks fresh and steady money flow and since they aready hav colected the intrest on these so called bad loans up front they would basicaly be getting a second bite at the apple. and the tax payer would not have to flip the bill.

Suze,

My husband and I have close to $100,000 in the stock market and on paper we are at a loss of $33,000 currently. It may take years to break even. You would not suggest cashing out, correct?

What do you think about putting additional money into the market to purchase stocks that are oversold?

Lisa

For Suze. I am 50 years old and on Social Security Disability. I have a 401k from a previous job that I no longer contribute to. It has recently dropped from $20,000 to $14,000. What would be the best course of action in this situation? My finances are very limited.

Suzie,

I am a 35 year old domestically partnered male who owns a house with my partner in Florida and have a separate home in San Antonio, TX. The home is currently under contract, but I have just learned that the buyers have not qualified for a loan as a result of the credit freeze. The buyers are also tenants covering the mortgage.

Should I bail and put the home on the market, or keep them locked in while they cover the mortgage payments?

Question for Suze – Shall I move my money from a money market mutual fund to a money market deposit account.

As a 69-year-old with most of my savings in a self-employed 401K money market account, and some in a regular IRA in a mutual fund, I am actually afraid to look at my balances. The mutual fund has been steadily declining this year. I want to keep working at my freelance writing work but new projects are few. Should I leave my money where it is or get out of the mutual fund?

I thought this financial crisis was caused by credit that was too easy to get. I don't see how freeing up credit is going to solve the problem.

Suzie, I'm 61 work full time, own 3 homes-no morgages or car payments have a 780 fioc with only 6% debt of total credit. Have 401 with 300,000. Should I sell 1 or 2 houses and bank it? They are no rentals involved.

Banks/Financial Corporations will do what they're designed to do: Take the bail out money, strengthen their balance sheets and look after their investors. They're obligated to their investors, screw the American people. They'll have lawyers find loopholes in the law and pay lobbyists to keep lawmakers off their backs.

My pension plan is "almost fully funded." I understand this lessens my risk. How does this work, and if my state pension fund can do this, why can't social security? Thanks!

Why dont we get back to the gold standard? It seems like our dollar isnt worth the paper its printed on. Can't the american people do something to make this happen?

Hi Suze,
We finally – after having moved to North Carolina three years ago – sold our house in Boston. We bought a home on NC and are happily living here. We sold our house for $100K less than we bought it for in 2004, but still walked away with a check for $221,000. Where should we keep that money so it's safe?

When all is said and done with the bail out package, and the election is over, I would love to see the winning presidential canidate show the American public what he is made of......

One way to do this would be to bypass the parades, parties and pomp and circumstance that have become a tradition with each inauguration. During this crazy time they should save the tax dollars, have a simple ceremony and get to work.

Question for Suze:

One week before Lehman failed I took out a student loan for my MBA. I thought I was doing a good thing between a one-month libor+4% rate or a fixed 9%. The libor would have to double before my variable rate gets to 9% but now that scenario looks very likely. Should I try to change my loan to a fixed rate or do we think the credit market will return to the situation it was in over the summer (at least).

Thanks

I am a 20 year old student who understands what's going on the economy. I have $20,000 to play with and no expenses. Do you think that a "buffet" bottom feeding approach can work if I stick with big cap companies.

I am a 64 year old self employed woman. I did everything I was told about saving and planning for the future. Today my portfolo is down a total of $16,000 over the last year, much of it in the last three weeks. Now what am I supposed to do about retirement?

Suze, joint accounts are FDIC insured for $250,000 so, is an "or" account and an "and" account both considered to be joint accounts for FDIC insurance. Thanks Ken W.

I am having a hard time understanding how foreclosures can cause this financial meltdown we are experiencing. First only 21/2 % of mortgages are in foreclosure, that should not cause this kind of turmoil. Second, I venture the vast majority of these mortgages have private mortgage insurance. What good does PMI do if it does not help the homeowner or the banks?

Suze,

I have read your book Woman and Money, is there any advice that you would now change considering the situation our country is in. Do we continue to put away for retirement, how about Savings??

Romanna

Suze,
Right now my company – a global life insurance and financial planning company based in France, has open enrollment for employees to invest in stock. We are guaranteed our money back and pay out occurs in five years. Any thoughts on investing?

Thanks,
Colleen

Suze,
About 6 months ago I started my own bailout plan for my own financial crisis. I'm paying off about $100,000 in credit card debt. Thanks in large part to watching you, I am on track to be debt free by 2013. Most of my credit cards have interest rates around 6% to 10%. I have never had a late payment in as long as I can remember. If my interest rates don't change I'll be fine. What are the odds of that?

Thanks!

Can someone please explain to me why there is still a proposal for a bailout?? Everyone I've talked to and a good 90% of the comments I read on many sites, have said they do not want any bailout!! The AMERICAN PEOPLE have said NO BAILOUT!!! So why is congress still trying to come up with a plan???? Please Suze explain this to me because, I can't understand why our Congressional leaders and both of our Presidential candidates are pushing for a bailout plan! I think the people they work for have spoken in amazing numbers, and can't understand why they're being ignored. Thanks.

We're told that credit has been forzen over the last week. How is it that JP Morgan Chase was able to take over Wa Mu?

Is a certified check written by a bank yet maintained outside the bank, under the mattress so to speak, considered a safe deposit and still insured by the FDIC?

I haven't heard any suggestions that the World Bank present loans to Wall Street. It seems that the middle class US taxpayers are having to carry the load for the world economy. What are your thoughts?

Question for Susie Orman.....What would you recommend for a 58yr old retiree who is drawing from his 401-K rollover IRA which is worth $450,000. Thanks

Why is there a part of this bill that will bailout pension plans for only a portion of Americans. Shouldn't this include ALL Americans who have or may be hurt who have pension or retirement plans. Seems unfair, should'nt it be help for ALL Americans or LEAVE IT OUT?

Hi Suze: Putting the whole bail-out aside, is this a good time to be in mutual funds in my 401K, considering I have 5-7 years to retire? Given the weekness of the dollor, a market slowdown, a 6 Trillon dollor deficit, and large trade imballance I'm very leary adout any involvment is stocks.

We have several annuities. Are some annuities 300 thousand dollars insured? They are Variable not fixed annuities.We were
told they are fine.We are retired and we need this to be part of our income.Please let us know. THANKS

SUZE SUZE SUZE,

Ive been watching you religously for years and if theres one thing I've learned its FICO FICO FICO. I have a credit card which allows me to monitor my FICO score monthly. By keeping my eye on the ball I have been able to keep a great creit score, even though I have a very working class income, I receive constant offers for great credit rates . If we as Americans learn one thing from all of this its to take control of our finances and live within our means.

Love ya Suze

Suz,
You have a completely different tone about finacial issues these day. When I see you on your own show you are telling people they shouldn't buy what they can't afford and I believe you don't think people in their personal life should get bailouts. So why are you for this bailout. It sounds like you must have some money riding on this bailout.

58 year old recently retired. No longer contributing to 401k. Is it to late to rollover into something else ie roth IRA or do i leave it alone during this crisis? Has been untouched for about 5 months and suffered recent losses..thanks!

Hey guys,
I keep hearing how the fdic limit is going from 100 to 250 for money markets and saving accounts. Are investments in standard brokerage houses (ie. 401k) also insured?
Thanks,
Chris

I am three months behind in my mortgage and facing foreclosure. Iam considering just walking away and saving what I would have paid to the mortgage company, to use as dowmpayment on a rental. If I continue to pay the mortgage, and the home goes into foreclosure, I will be left with nothing. Not even enough to pay for a rental. What do I do?

Why has there been no discussion in Congress about a compromise on the amount of the bailout? Is $700 billion some magic bullet or could they come up with a package that could rescue the economy that has a smaller price tag?

Husband is semi-retired and we have been living with Social Security and dividends from his IRA. We have let Chase Bank handle our money in the Market – 70% stock, 30% cash. Spoke to the woman who manages our funds today and she said we should just sit and cut back on expenses and wait it out. My husband is 75, I am 60. We own a house which we were preparing to sell. Two small mortgages – total $80,000.

What should we do. Dividends will drop and we will have to use principal.

Thanks,
Jane

Dear Suzie,
I remember inthe late 70's and early 80's when interest rate where in the mid-teens. Worse than now. How is this financial problem different today, and why cannot the market sustain higher rates and worse problems?
Dan (Houston, TX)

Suze Orman – I'm a 69 year old woman that's retired. I switched out of stock funds I had invested with Vanguard, into Vanguard Prime Money Market and a IRA Money Market.
Do you feel going with Goverment Bonds, would be the best way to invest?

Hi Suze –

I'll be entering law school next year. How will the crisis affect my ability to get student loans?

Hi Susie,

I am right out of college and just received a job that has a great retirement plan. I am unsure of how aggressive I should be due to the market. Should I wait until the market gets better are invest more aggressively or just hold the money?

My husband and I retired 2 years ago. We are 55 and 60 yrs. old. We invested 80% stock and 20% bonds. Yesterday was a hard hit. We want to reajust our portfolio. Should we ride this out and reajust after the fire goes out or should we reajust now.

To Suzie,Ijust retired and have been invested in growth and income mutual fundsfor the past 12 yrs I,m 65 and don't know if I should leave my investments where they are at this time I also have money in a 403b acct.thats in fixed funds not linked to the market I earn 4.5% interest but my fianacial advisor wants me to put it into a variable annuity thru met life so i can still have some growth.I don't need the money now I don't have any debts but I rent what is your advice

Suze,
I am a 63 yr old grandmother. I sold my home a year ago and have $350,000 from the sale left in a saving account. I am looking to find another home and am wondering where I can put this money so it will make the most for me, and when should I buy?

Hi Suze,

We are having a home built and will be closing in mid-December. We are attempting to decide whether to lock in our mortgage rate now or wait until December. Do you anticpate mortgage rates will be going up or down...or...is it safer to just lock in to a rate now in this volatile market?

Thanks!

Question for Suzie:
Financial Engines has advised me to re-balance my 401K by primarily changing my investments from mostly stock funds to 65% stock funds / 35% Bond Funds. Should I do it now or hold off in hopes the market rebounds even more in the coming days? I have about $200K in the 401K and about 10 years faway from retirement.
Thank you!!

Hi Suze! My company does not match our 401(k) contributions (but they do voluntarily contribute 10% for each employee into his/her Employee Stock Ownership Plan). I did have 10% going into my 401(k) but today switched it to 0%. I have credit card debt and am 36. Did I do the right thing? I'm thinking I should use that money for debt. THANKS!

What is a subprime mortgage exactly? Mine is a 30 yr fixed, 6%apr, that I've had since 2004, but I only put 5% down. It's been sold twice, and is now with Countrywide/ Bank of America. If the bailout goes through, will the government own my mortgage? What would it mean if they do? I have a good job, and no problems paying my mortgage (I actually pay extra to it each month), so I'm not looking at foreclosure or anything.

Thanks

Suze,

I graduated in May from college and I have about 60k in student loans. Should I consolidate my loans or do you think the interest rates will be even lower next July. Thanks

Trey

Why are foreclosures that are insured by MIP and PMI not protecting lenders?

You have covered the stock market, CD's, cash in the bank very well. How about bonds & bond mutual funds especially those considered very low risk . One example is the diversified portfolio of investments contracts issued by high quality financial institiutions such as Insurance companies and banks. Many of us have a substantial amount of 401K money in stable value funds to avoid the cycling of stock market. Considering this is a financial crisis, what does this mean to those value funds focused on this sector?
Thanks!
Summer

some of my funds are in an ira with a mutual fund broker. i have some additional funds to invest at this time. should i invest themin myh curren account ao into bankk cds for ashort period of time

Suze,

We're maximizing matching funds retirement savings, but I have the chance to put an extra 30k/yr into retirement PREtax and am now putting in $1800/mo. Should we stop adding this extra money to retirement or just keep going and hope to refinance mortgage for college.

$17k on 0% interest credit card–will be paid off before interest comes due
no emergency savings
no college savings for 13 yo or 11 yo
$300k in retirement
putting $23k in SEP IRA (wife's)
putting 6.5 % matching funds retiremnet to get 7 % match
197k left on 15 yr mortgage at 4.375 % fixed

hI suzie,

I am one month away from forclosure. i contacted citifinancial and they refuse to lower my interest rate of 12.9%. We are a one income household now and it seem like they don't care. I SAY FORGET THE BAILOUT, LET ALL OF US FALL TOGETHER. THEY WON'T HELP US NOW, IMAGINE WHEN THAY GET THE BAILOUT. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?

Hi Suze–I have a significant amount of my cash in a money market based on tax free municipals. Is there any greater risk in this type of money market than others?

Hi AC and Susan,

I have a 2br investment condo that has lost $150k in value which i use all my life savings ($70K) as a down payment and am currently subsidising the mortgage by $400.00 a month. am thinking to let it go for foreclosure what do you think susan?
thnx
bob

Suze- Just wanted to let you know that my bank (Wells Fargo) does not know of any upcoming changes that they intend to make with the new housing rescue plan that goes into effect Oct 1st- your thoughts on this? By the way. we owe $320,000.00 on our home and have been told it is only worth $125,000.00. We are looking at doing a short sale. Your thoughts... thanks.

All this fear mongering reminds me of the boy who cried wolf too many times. It makes it hard to believe that this as a "real" problem.:)

What I want to know is how much of this bailout money is going to non-US citizens and businesses. Individual home mortgatges are not the only type of loans that are at risk. Also how much are Wall Street traiders going to benifit from this bailout. I heard a comment from one traider who made over one million on the AIG bail out alone. It seems the ones who are pushing so hard for this are the ones whose careers are dependent on this industry.

Suzie, in June, I move most of my 401k into bonds to minimize my loses. Do you think we are close to a bottom with this market? Is it safe to move my money back into stocks?

What do you think caused the bailout to fail? Was it genuine concern for the average joes of America or just pure partisanship?

Good Evening,

Is it a good option now to put money in low risk bonds rather than investing in stokes?

Sincerely,
John
Minneapolis

If the FDIC insures bank accounts up to $100,000.00 and they have approximately 50 billion dollars to cover this amount, how are they going to insure $250,000.00. Do they have enough money or does the FDIC need to put more money into their insurance fund. And where does that money come from?Thanks

Question for Suze Orman,
I have about $150K with Morgan Stanley in Mutual funds. My advisor has moved to Merrill Lynch.
Should I stay with Morgan Stanley? Hear the received $9 Billion in funding from Mitsubishi Bank.
Or go with Merrill, is this a stonger company since owned by Bank of America?
Just trying to protect what we have and not have to put the $$ in Mason jars and bury in the back yard.
Thanks.

Suzie, I believe in investing but at the same time I am afraid of what may happen when the short selling ban on financials is lifted. What are your thoughts? Is it time to start believing in investing in American large banks like Bank of America or should I wait?

Hi Suze,

I am a 50 year old female. Today I changed my 401K investments to Bonds. I did not change my % contribution because I want to continue getting my employer's match. Is this a good move?

After the bailout is done and I hope ACORN doesnt get no funding from the 700 billion dollars. The government should start investigating ACORN and follow the money trail. If regulation was in place we wont be in this situation.

Is it still smart to contribute to a Roth IRA, which is separate from my work funded retirement plan?

I just began my Masters program in special ed. I received an excess of 3700.00 from my student loans. I put it in my savings. Should I turn around and pay the student loan or keep it in savings.

ps no other debt besides a my car and that is only 900.
thanks!!!!

Suzie,

I am thinking of buying a house? When should I buy?
Next summer?

My question is for Suze.

Suze,

Do you believe another BLANK check will help this BAILOUT situation or will this be another bill for our children and grandchildren?

You know that WAR Bill....

I am against the bail out plan just like the majority of Americans. It's too much power to give to the secretary of Treasury. It does not guarantee it will fix the economy. The secretary of treasury did not do his job and regulate so now he is asking for 700 billion dollars, he needs to be replaced not given a blank check.
We use to be a nation of producers and savers now we are a nation of borrowers and consumers. It's time to the let market correct it's self and for the country to start to live within it's means. We have made it through the great depression so why not now?

I think this is a great re-education tool to teach people and businesses to 'do what you can afford' (words of wisdom from my father).
Why is it so important to get the credit market up and running again; to get businesses and people back to living on credit?
Isn't this a great time to re-focus on real money instead of what we think we will be able to pay later?

For Suze: Several months ago my mortgage was held by a bank that has since failed. What happens if the bank that currently holds my mortgage fails?

tom johnson
Is it true that by naming a beneficary to my CD that my FDIC insurance is increased to $200,000?

Suze, How many credit cards should someone have open right now? Should I close the ones that have a zero balance?

Hi Anderson!

If each American household will have to assume roughly $10,000, how and when will that happen. Can I expect to pay $1,000 more per year for 10 years, $2,000 for 5? Will it be deducted monthly or deducted from tax returns? Any answers you have will be helpful. FYI, I am not against this rescue plan, IF it means that jobs will be saved.

GO OBAMA!

is there any truth to the rumor that the fdic insuance can be repaid to bank customers over a period of 100 years

Should I stop contributing to my 401K at the moment until economy improves- 48yo, 150K in 401K, about 8K credit card debt?

I was devastated to lose almost $10,000 from my 401k in the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. With Barclay's and others buying pieces of Lehman do I have any chance of getting any value back from my preferred stock?

Connie

Americans have been beat down so long with the price of fuel and no one has been there to help, they are not ready to help out a bunch of rich executives who have screwed up the nations economy. You can't knock some one down when they are already on the ground.

How about including this in the bill tomorrow:

Allow 401k withdrawals without penalty for people to pay off first and second mortgages or for business start-up capitalization.

This sure would help folks like me pay off their debt, start new businesses, and sleep better at night without sticking anyone for the tab.

Suzie

What percentage of a portfolio do you consider too high for small cap and midcap mutual funds for the long run. I am 42 and I max out my 401k and Roth IRA and have several DRIPS and will have a pension when I retire. Currently I have about 30% in Small and Mid Cap combined. I consider my pension as my bonds so is my small and Mid cap too high for the long run.

Suze,
I am 36 yrs old. I have a question for you. I have a 401K and invest up to 6% of my company matching. I am not concern about the 401k. But my concern are the investment that I have on my own. I invest $1200 a month, $300 Roth IRA, $300 college fund for my daughter, $300 for my term life insurance and $300 for my wife term life insurance. With the investment, the mortgage and other bills, I saved about $400 about. Should I show down on my own investment ? What do you think?

Thanks

Yoeun Him

Why does the FDIC insure $100k in one bank for one person – but you have to go to multiple banks if you have more than that ? If have $500k in 5 banks, you are still insured – so why can't I keep it in one bank ?

I'm 27 years old with a solid job in San Diego. I have no student loans and only one credit card with less than $100 balance. I was thinking of purchasing my first home in SAn Diego. Do you recomend purchasing a home in the current market or waiting?

A Canadian here – I have a bit of cash – what is your call on a rental Real Estate purchase in Florida right now?

I was wondering about credit default swap transactions. Has this affected the global economy in any way or is it yet to come?

What affect does this has on SSI and or SSD

My husband and I have no debt and have put over $500,000 in a 6 month CD with Bank of America, which is earning 5% interest. How safe is our money there? Is it best to pay a penalty to take our money out of the CD and put in FDIC insured accounts?

Suzie,
I have a Roth and an IRA for a total of about $39K. They are both Capital Growth funds and International Funds. Should I change it to something less risky?
I'm 43 yrs. Male, my wife and I have a home with a low mortage with a fix 30yr and good credit!
Any suggestions!?

I'm a baby boomer, live in an apartment, not invested in stocks...
We keep hearing that the American public needs to understand the bailout... what we are not hearing is where the billions are coming from, how they will be distributed and who will pay for it?

Instead of giving $700 billion to the incompetent people who caused this problem, why don't they give them the first suggested increment of $200 billion and see if things stabilize and then hold hearings instead of being bulldozed into a hasty decision?

I have about 30,000 in a State of Florida Deferred Compensation 457 account – Is it safe enough to keep in for the next 10 years when I plan to retire?

Thanks

Suze.....my parnets are 72 & 73 retired and have 2 annuities/401 K heavy invested in stocks. Should they switch to bonds now or wait to try and recoup what they have lost in the last few days and switch when they regain some of it back?

Suzie, basic and simple. Should we pay the minimum on lower intrest credit cards and put the extra towards the higher intrest and work from there? What about intrest only seconds? We have eight years left to payoff. Oh and we are 41 and have no retirment, two sons in college along with two boys 7 and 2.

Do you believe that Sarah Palin is intimidated by confident women such as Katie Couric, but is a brash with men because she feels her beauty and charm affords her the pass to be sarcastic and condescending? I am so amazed by how contemptuous and strong her speeches are when she is bashing Obama and Biden, but can't put two sentences together when asked simple questions by Katie. Palin is playing on her "Sexism".

I have about five thousand dollars that I can use for investments right now. What are my best options?

Should we sell our home now get into an apartment and then buy in a few years

Can I put our 401K in a saings account covered by FDIC/

Are AIG annunities safe and secured?

Anderson and Suze -

We can see the problem clearly now. You are wanting the bailout to pass so the credit markets can function........Hey, isn't the problem that we've depended on credit too much already?

Dear Suze,

What does the creation of $750B in debt mean for the value of our currency and the buying power of people on fixed incomes like my parents.

So let me get this right!

We lend them money so they can lend us money and charge us high interest?

I am so laughing my self to death here.

Question for Suze, why don't the banks lower the interest rates so people can stay in there homes. instead of the federal government getting involed with their mortgages.

For Suze
My boyfriend and I are in disagrement. He took a loan out on his 401K a couple of months before the crisis. He will be done paying it off next month. He says that he didn't loose much money because he had taken a loan out and is actually making money becaue he is putting the money back. Is that true? He says that he may just do it again so won't loose money.

Hey Suze,

I recently got married and we are in the market for a house. Our rent continues to increase. Is now the perfect time to but a house or should we wait until the market increases?

Suze,

I recently changed jobs and requested that my former employer transfer the funds from my 403b to my new employer's retirement plan. The 403b plan made a mistake which delayed the processing of my transfer request and withdrew the money yesterday. This move caused me to lose $900. Do I have any recourse?

i have a 2br investment condo that has lost $150k in value which i use all my life savings ($70K) as a down payment and am currently subsidising the mortgage by $400.00 a month. am thinking to let it go for foreclosure what do you think susan?
thnx
bob

If property values have gone down – will my assessment also go down reducing my taxes?

Seems logical!

I have never heard of a FICO score until now. How do you get it? What does it consist of?

I want to buy a house, when would be a good time to do so given the market and credit conditions? how much should I put down? I would be 1st time buyer here in the USA.

Vic

We are teachers with secure jobs. and zero debt. Our current home is paid for,but we would like to relocate closer to our jobs. Is now a good time to grab a bargain in the housing market? We do not have to sell our home to place a substantial down on the new home.

I'm 56 years old, putting money in a state 403b retirement fund – no matching funds. Should I continue to do this? Thank you.

I am so glad you have Suze on . She is who I would pick for VP if I was Mcain....... Suze you ROCK ! thanks for answering what we all needed to hear.

I have 160,000 in Hartford annuity, and 36,000 in Aviva Life annuity. I can't transfer it out for six weeks according to Charles Schwab. I want to put my retirement into CD's. This is all I have I'm 67 years old. Even a transfer letter has to be approved by both companies and will take sex weeks. I'm terrified that I will lose everything. Please advise me if you can.
Thanks.

Suze –

Why do we just give them money to the american taxpayers, instead of paying off the rich guys for bad management and greed?

Suze-

Im a college senior that will be graduating with no college debt. I am thinking about continuing my education into a PhD Program. I recently won 25k on a slot machine and am recieving another 25k from a lawsuit settlement. I work part time as a bartender and have been paying for school with that money, and live comfortably. WIth this crisis, should I be concerned with financial aid prospects for my graduate program? I wanted to invest the money, but now Im concerned I may need it if Financial aid slips...what should I do?

I, as many other Americans, still do not understand how this "bail out" will help the regular American. Why can't the plan include a way to help out those who are losing their homes, by allowing them to refinance their loans so they can afford their payments? That way there wouldn't be all this bad debt out there that needed to be bought by the government and paid for by the taxpayers.

I am worried about money that I have in two tax-deferred annuities with Midland National Life Insurance. I know that they are not FDIC insured. What should I do about this money? I will need it in my retirement and I am close to retirement now.

Suze, Some economists are saying that there really isn't a 'too late' timeline to pass this bailout. I don't support the bailout in the first place, but I'm also getting more of a sense that it's actually not absolutely necessary in order to address the financial concerns that face the middle class. Your thoughts?

Why does the media hardly mention the option of no bailout bill whatsoever. This is the option of relying our markets, the foundation of our country.

Regarding Sarah's reading....can't she answer ANYTHING in a straightforward way......this is getting really tiring and boring...we have NO idea who/what she REALLY is...

Oh please Bay, you know Sarah doesn't know what she's talking about! She keeps spinning and spinning around. It's a wonder she's not dizzy yet!!

It's a blossom ideea to invite Suze . It would be nice to see her wisdom at least one day per week at ac360.

Let me start by thanking you for the insightful comments not only this week, but for the years that you've guided folks on CNN and other shows.

Apart form the 'Bailout', my mind goes numb when I read that the debt of CDS (I'm still trying to figure out how that actually works) is over Sixty Trillion (60) dollars! That is mind numbing. Are we going to see the American people buy into a plan for 700 Billion dollars only to wake up in the next couple of weeks to discover the economy has imploded over fake money? 60 Trillion dollars!!! I'm gonna move to the mountains and build a cabin. This is all too much.

Was she afraid to list what she read for fear of what everyone would say. Seems odd.

Marybeth,You get your FICO score when you request credit reports. It tells you what kind of credit risk you are.

OMG can Palin not even name a newspaper or magazine. She seriously is just a joke

My hubby is 70 & gets soc security & a union pension. I figure his s.s. is safe buit is the union pension safe?
Seems like the foxes that were guarding the chicken coop are now letting the reccoons in and they are eating the nest eggs.

Why are Republicans always running clean up for Sarah Palin? Do we even know that she can read?

Couric is desperate for ratings.

Palin has not been educated by Years of politics in Washington. She will be a good change with new ideas. Because she doesn't understand or know the Bush Doctrine, she can still make good decisions.

We hear a lot about the need to "free up" credit and "shore up" the economic institutions, etc., but I have yet to hear about the details of what this means in real terms.

How exactly is the $700 billion going to be spent? Is this just a matter of buying majority stakes of these failed institutions?

Hello Suze and Anderson, I am agry, why were we not told sooner about this economic mess. We all of a sudden get hit with a 700 bill bailout. Some people must have known about this a while ago. Is the national debt somehow connected? We are cleary not told enough.

Is there anyone else you can bring on to defend Palin than Bay Buchanon? I'm beginning to doubt her intelligence the more I listen to her defend the Governor of Alaska.

Time for Bay Buchanan to go, Anderson. Hold her feet to the fire! You gave her a pass on the first round of questioning. Bay's responses are more double talk than Sarah Palin's responses. Bay is not dealing with reality.

Anderson,

How did you ask Bay the question about Sarah Palin's commander of the Alaskan National Guard question without cracking a smile.....That was a great question.

Palin should not have a say on what goes on with my body.

And Bay needs to take a nap and wake back up in reality. Goodness.

It seems that the media is overreacting to me. I haven't seen congress act quickly in all of my life and now it seems that there is a big rush to push this bill. I have just as much at stake as everyone else: We (my wife and I ) have a newborn and two mortgages to pay for. I am glad to see the bill get rejected and I think we need to take a better look at the situation.

Doesn't Palin understand that the morning after pill is not a form of abortion. It actually prevents a woman's body from getting pregnant. She should really go on the Planned Parenthood website and educate herself.

That is a good question for Palin. Is her position on abortion and the morning after pill reflective of what she would do or what she would impose on others?

Gee...I thought stocks and house values ALWAYS go up. There was NEVER a chance that they would go down. No one ever said "stocks are risky." No one ever warned us that House prices may not always go up. Suzi, why didn't any of these people listen to you, and practice safe saving

Hi Suze!
I Just received $250,000 today. My husband and I are 45 years old. We do not have any debt. What should we do with this large amount of cash.
Thanks!!
You always have good advice.

Mike from Illinois.

Palin sounds like a younger female version of Mccain, you cannot get a straighht answer from her either.

Anderson, the morning after pill does not abort a fetus it act like a strong birth control pill to prevent ovulation.

Why is the media so comsumed with tid bits of what Palin has said in the past few weeks? Why is everyone so quick to assume the woman will fail? The debate is Thursday night, watch, listen then decide. Outrageous for anyone to be so quick to judge someone else.

Bay is NOT making anyone feel confident about Palin. Her excuses for Palin's lack of substance are pathetic. Bay would be a better VP candidate and she knows it. Sad.

Oh geez. Bay Buchanan again.

Please – I don't think Katie was trying to make fun of the fact that she was from Alaska. She was probably trying to see if she reads both conservative or liberal (or, gasp moderate!) magazines and newspapers – does she expose herself to other points of view.

how can the senate vote on a bill before the house?

Bay Buchanan needs to do her research before she cooments on something like the morning after pill.....it does not abort a fetus.

Anderson,
Hi!
I find it unsettling that Palin's odd responses to simple questions is continually glossed over or downplayed by Republican supporters.
The attempt to present her as someone who relates to everyday Americans, but is "different' seems extreme.

When Reagan lost that debate they said they needed to let Reagan be Reagan. The same is true with Palin. If Carvel thinks Palin isn't qualified, why doesn't he say the same about Obama? Obama is the top of the ticket, also has no foreign policy experience, and has no executive or leadership experience either.

The Republican Pundits must be weary of having to defend their VP pick. Just face up to the truth...McCain made a mistake.

Anderson, I don't think Palin ever really said being able to see Russia from Alaska gave her foreign policy experience.

Anderson thank you for having Suze speak with us concerning our investments and the economic situation. She is a wealth of information. Great show, as always!

Maybe it's just me - for some reason, watching how Palin is being handled and protected reminds me of some bizarre version of My Fair Lady - Palin is Eliza Doolittle and McCain is Henry Higgins.

Hi Suzie,

Earlier, you advised someone against putting a large lump sum into the market right now. I understand the value of dollar-averaging, but doesn't it make sense to take advantage of these extremely low prices. I am in my mid-20's, have no debt (credit card or otherwise) and am investing with the intention of beginning my savings. Why should I not pour as much as I can into the market (specifically mutual funds) while it's so low? Please explain.

We are selling our house and are getting around a 10 % return. Should we buy or rent right now?

I'm looking forward to the Governor Palin debate. I want to make up my own mind, not be blasted with pundits and press with their own wise owl daily opinions.

And why was Palin afraid to state what the "McCain – Palin" policy is on the morning after pill? Why would she back away from stating it is their policy?

Regarding foreign policy experience; didn't Obama claim living in Indonesia when he was a child gave him the kind of foreign policy necessary to be President?

Anderson,

Why should the bailout bill be passed when all polls show that the majority of voters are opposed to it?

Forget about the fact that she is running for VP, she was a journalism major and she still couldn't name one publication she reads?!?!?!

Anderson, you just pointed out that Governor Palin was the Commander in Chief of Alaska's National Guard and that she seemed to lack knowledge of the surge....but why could you not point out that she in fact traveled to Iraq?? Does that not show and interest in the topic?

Margaret Wilson: so it's just my credit score? I didn't know it had a name. I wonder how many ppl are checking the credit right now. I've already checked mine for the year...

How does the economic meltdown affect healthcare jobs..?

Anderson: As a 57 year old woman, who came of age during the days of Women's Lib, I find Sarah Palin embarassing. In doing damage control after the Katie Couric interviews, the McCain campaign ha tried to say it was the media's fault. Give me a break. Katie just asked the questions, and let Sarah hang herself. She should resign the ticket, for the good of the country.

I like Bay Buchanan. She's darn smart. And straight forward.
James Carvelle is kinda ridiculous, really. He couldn't answer Bay's question on who Obama or Biden have taken on in their own party.

To Babe Buchanan: Thanks but no thanks for that reference to Sarah Palin appealing to populists. I consider myself a populist and, frankly, I'm insulted that you link her with us. The inference one would draw is that to be a populist you must be ill-informed, possess a narrow view of the world, and embrace an over-simplified view of the issues and the problems we face.

Suze,
My wife and I are in escrow on a house. We currently own a condo and have no debt and good jobs. We really want a house to start a family and get in on the lower housing market in san diego. We would plan to stay in this house long term. If we do buy the house we would subsidize the rent of the condo by $800 each month. It will most likely be 3-4 years before we could sell it to break even, as it has lost value. Refinancing the condo does not make sense. We can afford to do this now, but it will be tight. With the recent developments, is this a bad financial decision?

I find it insulting that they say Palin represents the American people and also the voice of women. She doesn't speak for all women. Just because the attributes make her a woman it does not qualify her for the position of VP. If she can't take the questions people are asking her about the position of VP then all of you must have solid, secure jobs and not have had to interview in years. Have you forgotten that they are only doing what is done in an interview, asking what qualifies you for the job and those interviewing (in this case, those in media on behalf of those of us who do not have access to her) the questions we want answered. We just want to vote/hire the right person for the job. Nothing more, nothing less just the facts.

i would like to know if my money is safe with merrill lynch? i have 55,000 there it seems that i am not getting any intrest, so i need to know if i ought to kee it there

Bay Buchanon just made the saliant point. The electorate is more interested in electing someone like themselves than someone who is intelligent.

It looks like some of the citizenry are now catching on that this bail-out would not just help wall street but help all Americans because the current crisis is affecting the credit market. Why did it take so long for this to be understood by so many people. It is too bad that the no-vote Republicans in the House could not think beyond their noses.

Anderson,
I must say it's great having Suze O. on the show! Too bad she can't be on a little longer and answer some more questions! We have so much to ask and not much of an opportunity to get your question chosen! Much appreciated though!!

Santa Claus is from up North. He must have foreign policy credentials too.

Why not use the $700 billion dollars to sure up the strong banks and let the weak ones fail? That way we could free up some credit and let the free market deal with the fallout of the failed banks!

Close enough to Russia? For one thing, I don't think that Little Diomede Island needs to worry about an invasion. Would you invade?!

It was Charlie Gibson who first mentioned the close proximity of Russia to Alaska. Palin simply clarified that statement with a few facts. Is that so wrong? Alaska and Russia are close....so what....lets move on!

What's foolish is the media and how they twisted the interview. CNN should replay that portion in full and see if it was really as they present it.

I agree with some of the bloggers here about Bay. I've watched her on Larry King and other CNN shows. She really has no ability to see things from another person's point of view aside from her own. I understand she's suppose to support McCain and Palin and there's nothing wrong with arguing her point. However, she has never tried to look at things from a different point of view. Ed Rollins for example is a McCain supporter but he's willing to look at things realistically. He expresses support but is willing to criticize McCain/Palin as well. Bay is so overly supportive of Palin, it seems disingenuine.

I can't believe that Babe B is definding sarah P. in such the way she is for potential VP. Come on Babe, Mccain made a huge error in judgement. Shame on you Babe, call it like it is.

wow, this island looks amazing, thanks to Palin...it could get some visitors!

AC,

I understand completely the financial crisis pretty much began with the bad mortgages given out to PEOPLE who could not afford them. It seems like people are begining to place a black face on the sub prime issue. ( the republican female congresswoman MN) America needs to understand this is ALL of our problem and it goes back farther than those mortgages. We need to STOP placing blame and simply realize it is a problem and fix it.

Cindy, PHI

'You don't reach the American people by talking about facts'.

Wow. I retract anything I might have said, about British anti-intellectualism rivalling that in the USA.

Wow. She honestly believes that.

Wow. Just... wow.

Just wanted to clarify that the morning after pill is not an abortion pill. It ony prevents contraception.

I think I'll move to Alaska so I can be an expert in foreign relations!

Anderson – I would not compare you to a dog. Maybe a fox.

nah, those dogs are not cute enough to be compared to you Anderson!

Bay Buchanan does not do herself any favors by trying to defend Palin's obvious ignorance.

wow after she bragged and bragged about her foreign policy , and for what? this is beyond embarassment. i am surprised the media is not being hard on her about this issue, if she lied about this, i wonder what other issues she lied about also?

Does Sarah Palin know that the part of Russia that you can see from Alaska has no development or people for hundreds of miles? It's empty land.

I have foreign policy experience because Cuba is close to Florida

Good Tuesday evening..I guess the Shot proves that from morning to night on this day..Sept 30 has gone to the dogs..night all.

wow... Anderson, you should be proud, a dog named after you!

That dog looks nothing like Anderson!!! Doberman yes....

UGH!! I simply cannot understand how educated Republicans can sit there with a staight face and praise a woman who obviously will not answer questions. They use the newest catch phrashes, they excuse her inability as "She speaks from her heart and not her mind". What exactly does that mean? Does she have a clue at all? If you ask me the reason she was tapped is because she wouldn't turn McCain down on a losing ticket.

Sarah Palin's comments about listening to Joe Biden since she was in second grade are becoming rude and annoying to we senior voters.....a rather large sized block of voters. She is beginning to sound like a smart-mouthed whippersnapper!!!!!!!

Wow... you should feel honered AC...

Wow that is quite a dog, but I don't think that is you Anderson. I see you more like a blue-eyed Siberian Husky.

Anderson the Shih-Tzu

cute dog... but i don't see the resemblence
good night everyone

I would be a daucschund. No question about it. I want to see Anderson with a beret (sp?) in his hair! Thanks 360 and bloggers! Great night!

Good night Anderson, Randi and best bloggers!!!
Have a great night!!!! Sleep tight!!!
See you tomorrow night!!!!
Day of the shot with my favorite dogs!!!! very funny!!!! LOL ohhhhhh Anderson is blushing!!!!

I love how Randi so easily embarasses Anderson! Ha Ha!

Nanking is so cute!

But the poor thing does NOT need to have that ridiculous POOF on its head! :O

Anyway, it's a beautiful dog, and you're a beautiful man, Anderson Cooper!

Hey Anderson, maybe an Irish Wolfhound but not that dog with what's that a bow in it's fur! Good show and as always thanks for keeping me smiling! Life is good! Good night!!

That dog looks like to me Vince Neil with the band Motley Crue.

Oh my gosh – the dog, the hair on the dog – Anderson's reaction. Too funny.