1. Make your $$ work hard Women who see their life savings dwindling are understandably �scared, angry, and confused,� says financial expert Suze Orman, author of Suze Orman�s 2009 Action Plan. But �fix-it-now� decisions can put long-term financial security in danger. Her advice: �Resist the temptation to stop investing in stocks. If you have time on your side�and that means at least 10 years, preferably longer, before you need the money�keep a large portion of your retirement money in stocks.