Last Friday, July 11, 2008, Suzy Orman, the internationally acclaimed personal finance expert, was a guest on the Oprah Show. She offered several couples ideas and techniques on how to curb their spending habits and turn their gloomy financial existence into becoming debt-free lifestyles.

At the end of the program, she offered three statements to consider when making buying decisions. Sorry, but they made no sense. Ms. Orman said, "Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?" Huh? One out of three isn't bad, but what does "Kind" and "True" have to do with money? I don't mean to play Can You Top This? with Suzy Orman, but I would like to offer three alternative questions to always ask yourself when purchasing anything: "Do I need it? Is it necessary? Can I live without it?" Twelve simple words but sticking fervently to those three questions will save you a lot of money, starting today. Try it.

Pierre Allen Hill
York Township