--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We tend to focus on assets and forget…" description: "\"We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. Financial security requires facing up to the big picture: assets minus debts.\" — Suze Orman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/suze-orman-1007_assets_we-tend-to-focus-on-assets-and-forget-ab_2006687.png" --- # We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts… ![“We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. Financial security requires facing up to the big picture: assets minus debts.” quote by Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/suze-orman-1007_assets_we-tend-to-focus-on-assets-and-forget-ab_2006687.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/suze-orman-1007_assets_we-tend-to-focus-on-assets-and-forget-ab_2006687.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/suze-orman-1007_assets_we-tend-to-focus-on-assets-and-forget-ab_2006687.png) > “We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. Financial security requires facing up to the big picture: assets minus debts.” [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing only on assets ignores debts, leading to a false sense of security; true financial health requires net worth awareness. **In simple terms:** Ignoring debts skews financial picture. Key Takeaway Track both assets and liabilities. Themes finance responsibility wealth building Mood practical motivational Type advice educational When to use this quote - personal budgeting - loan repayment - investment planning - retirement saving - financial counseling Key Concepts budgeting net worth risk management Questions to Reflect On - What debts are you overlooking? - How can you balance asset growth with debt reduction? A Different Perspective May cause anxiety about debt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assets/) [Assets Minus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assets-minus-3561168/) [Big picture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-picture/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Debt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debt/) [Debts Financial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debts-financial-3561166/) [Financial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/financial/) [Financial security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/financial-security/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Forget Debts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget-debts-3561165/) [Minus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minus/) [Minus Debts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minus-debts-3561167/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) ## Related quotes > [Anything that gets people to think harder about their financial security and take some responsibility is a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/anything-that-gets-people-to-think-harder-about-their-financial/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [“Rich means different things to different people,” she wrote. “Financial security is your lifeblood. Creative freedom and expression is mine. If you can experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/rich-means-different-things-to-different-people-she-wrote-financial/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Time is key to building your financial security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/time-is-key-to-building-your-financial-security/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Left to the mercies of their communities, Muslim women and children remain in abusive households and face losing their financial security over issues like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/left-to-the-mercies-of-their-communities-muslim-women-and-children/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure only death can stop it. Financial security then is a great help as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/once-writing-has-become-your-major-vice-and-greatest-pleasure-only/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Broke up created a crisis...in every circumstance because a family gets blown apart. We all know what that does to a child. We all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-mauceri/broke-up-created-a-crisis-in-every-circumstance-because-a-family-gets/) [Patricia Mauceri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-mauceri/) > [Financial security and independence are like a three-legged stool resting on savings, insurance and investments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/financial-security-and-independence-are-like-a-three-legged-stool/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [It's not easy to part with the trophies. However, I do need to have some long-term financial security for those close to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjorn-borg/it-s-not-easy-to-part-with-the-trophies-however-i-do-need-to-have/) [Bjorn Borg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjorn-borg/) > [The newness effect of a new thing wears off in nine months to a year, but financial security can last a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-newness-effect-of-a-new-thing-wears-off-in-nine-months-to-a-year/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [I like the financial security because I know how hard it is for so many people who struggle to earn a living. I'm grateful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lawrence/i-like-the-financial-security-because-i-know-how-hard-it-is-for-so/) [Jennifer Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lawrence/) > [“Venerable age had not, for him, arranged that derelict landscape against which it is privileged to sit and pick its nose, break wind, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gaddis/venerable-age-had-not-for-him-arranged-that-derelict-landscape/) [William Gaddis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gaddis/) > [“Number of interests Prospect for the future Type of occupation Ratio of work to free time Promotion & Business development (for entrepreneurs) Health &…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shmaya-david/number-of-interests-prospect-for-the-future-type-of-occupation-ratio/) [Shmaya David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shmaya-david/) > [I've got a wonderful family life and financial security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-rose/i-ve-got-a-wonderful-family-life-and-financial-security/) [Justin Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-rose/) > [I feel very lucky that I don't have to rely on a man to give me financial security. That's a big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-dunst/i-feel-very-lucky-that-i-don-t-have-to-rely-on-a-man-to-give-me/) [Kirsten Dunst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-dunst/) > [I need financial security for me, for my people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-need-financial-security-for-me-for-my-people/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) ## More by Suze Orman > [I've never believed unemployment numbers because the way that they calculate unemployment makes no sense whatsoever. It's not how many people are unemployed. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/i-ve-never-believed-unemployment-numbers-because-the-way-that-they/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Never invest emergency savings in the stock market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/never-invest-emergency-savings-in-the-stock-market/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should buy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/just-because-you-can-afford-it-doesn-t-mean-you-should-buy-it/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Your goal should be to pay off your credit card bills in full at the end of each month and set aside money toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/your-goal-should-be-to-pay-off-your-credit-card-bills-in-full-at-the/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Consider a 15- or 20-year fixed-rate mortgage instead of a 30-year, if you can afford the monthly payments - they may not be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/consider-a-15-or-20-year-fixed-rate-mortgage-instead-of-a-30-year-if/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Believing you are worthy of love means that you believe I deserve to be treated well - with respect and dignity. I deserve to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/believing-you-are-worthy-of-love-means-that-you-believe-i-deserve-to/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Women fake orgasms and men fake finances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/women-fake-orgasms-and-men-fake-finances/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [If you're not staying on top of your money, you are putting your financial well-being at risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/if-you-re-not-staying-on-top-of-your-money-you-are-putting-your/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [When you understand that your self-worth is not determined by your net-worth, then you'll have financial freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/when-you-understand-that-your-self-worth-is-not-determined-by-your/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [ I think Oprah's \[winfrey\] learned from me that it's OK to be harsh on people because in one's harshness you can see transformation happen… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/i-think-oprah-s-winfrey-learned-from-me-that-it-s-ok-to-be-harsh-on/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [No well-planned retirement should be without long term care insurance. It is the very cornerstone of retirement security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/no-well-planned-retirement-should-be-without-long-term-care-insurance/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [The chances of a bank going out of business are extremely slim, but it's always a good idea to spread around major sums so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/the-chances-of-a-bank-going-out-of-business-are-extremely-slim-but-it/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [True generosity is an offering; given freely and out of pure love. No strings attached. No expectations. Time and love are the most valuable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/true-generosity-is-an-offering-given-freely-and-out-of-pure-love-no/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Be as good to yourself as you are to those you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/be-as-good-to-yourself-as-you-are-to-those-you-love/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [I'm a big advocate of a work-for-pay setup rather than an allowance that isn't attached to chores - it's a great way to impart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/i-m-a-big-advocate-of-a-work-for-pay-setup-rather-than-an-allowance/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) [Explore all 309 Suze Orman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) ## More Assets quotes > [A great smile is a wonderful asset, but a good heart is pure gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/a-great-smile-is-a-wonderful-asset-but-a-good-heart-is-pure-gold/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Most people put money in their piggy bank. I buy a goose that lays golden eggs over and over again. That's what an asset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/most-people-put-money-in-their-piggy-bank-i-buy-a-goose-that-lays/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Groupon has some interesting assets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cohler/groupon-has-some-interesting-assets/) [Matt Cohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cohler/) > [Developing expertise or assets that are not easily copied is essential; otherwise you're just a middleman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/developing-expertise-or-assets-that-are-not-easily-copied-is/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Well I think they broke the mould when they made me and being humble is one of my great assets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-hagman/well-i-think-they-broke-the-mould-when-they-made-me-and-being-humble/) [Larry Hagman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-hagman/) > [3 people get stranded on a remote Island A Banker, a Daily Mail reader & an Asylum seeker All they have to eat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-brookmyre/3-people-get-stranded-on-a-remote-island-a-banker-a-daily-mail-reader/) [Christopher Brookmyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-brookmyre/) > [Why doesn't the United States take over the monarchy and unite with England? England does have important assets. Naturally the longer you wait, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/why-doesn-t-the-united-states-take-over-the-monarchy-and-unite-with/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [You have great assets if you're a dual-threat, but you still have to throw from the pocket and do all those types of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-mariota/you-have-great-assets-if-you-re-a-dual-threat-but-you-still-have-to/) [Marcus Mariota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-mariota/) > [Regulations for international accounting and funding will have to be examined to identify policies that inadvertently discourage institutional investors from putting their resources into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-angel-gurria/regulations-for-international-accounting-and-funding-will-have-to-be/) [Jose Angel Gurria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-angel-gurria/) > [I think Kwame will be an asset to the Lakers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/i-think-kwame-will-be-an-asset-to-the-lakers/) [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/) > [ \[When I die\], I will decidedly not be regretting missed opportunities for a good time. My regrets will be more along the lines of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/when-i-die-i-will-decidedly-not-be-regretting-missed-opportunities/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [Sourav's greatest asset is his ability to communicate. He is a naturally very confident person. He encourages his team, is a great motivator and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shastri/sourav-s-greatest-asset-is-his-ability-to-communicate-he-is-a/) [Ravi Shastri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shastri/) > [When you consider the sheer magnitude of investable equities to choose from in the world's emerging markets, you realize that finding one that looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mobius/when-you-consider-the-sheer-magnitude-of-investable-equities-to/) [Mark Mobius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mobius/) > [I was impressed for the ten thousandth time by the fact that literature illuminates life only for those to whom books are a necessity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-powell/i-was-impressed-for-the-ten-thousandth-time-by-the-fact-that/) [Anthony Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-powell/) > [If God was the owner, I was the manager. I needed to adopt a steward's mentality toward the assets He had entrusted - not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/if-god-was-the-owner-i-was-the-manager-i-needed-to-adopt-a-steward-s/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) [Browse all 957 Assets quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assets/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. 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