'The government's not going to save them': Suze Orman just warned of a looming financial 'pandemic' — says Americans have no one else to rely on. Here's what she means and how to prepare

Americans have spent away their pandemic savings

The money maven went on to explain that during the first couple years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans were hoarding away some major savings.

Stimulus checks were bringing extra income, student loan repayments were on pause and isolation measures ensured folks saved on their work commute and coffees and spent less on things like travel and dining out.

But when these measures were lifted, many consumers made up for lost time by splurging on luxury items, concert tickets and travel. Their big cash cushion facilitated higher spending and helped the country sidestep a recession, while also pushing inflation only higher.

However, since then, 80% of Americans have run out of their extra savings — and now have less cash on hand than they did when the pandemic began.

“What if I were to tell you that 75% of the people in the U.S. don't have $400 to their name in case of an emergency,” Orman says. “On the whole, ordinary human beings in America today are living paycheck to paycheck, and they're not doing well at all, in my opinion.”

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You need to make your own “financial vaccine”

Orman fears that very soon, Americans will be unable to pay off their credit card balances and bankruptcies will go up — unless folks figure out how to get their finances under control soon.

Take a good look at your spending habits and consider keeping track of your monthly income and expenses with a spreadsheet or notebook. If you’re making a budget, it’s crucial that you stick to it.

Next, make a game plan to help you pay off your debts. Several experts recommend the avalanche method, in which you focus your efforts on the balance with the highest interest rate attached to it and work your way down your list. This way you’ll lose less money to interest over time.

You could also consider consolidating your debts if you’re having trouble keeping track of all your credit cards and loans.

And make sure you have an emergency fund in place in case something goes wrong — say you lose your job or get hit with a big car repair bill. Orman recommends saving between $1,000 to $2,000 to get you started.

It might even be helpful to chat with a financial adviser, who can examine your finances and help you get on track with your savings goals.

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