Austin, TX -- In these uncertain financial times, the search for answers drew tens of thousands of people to the Get Motivated seminar Tuesday at the Austin Convention Center. One of the headliners was financial expert Suze Orman.

She shot straight from the hip in her trademark high energy, no-nonsense style. Although she says the country is facing economic times we haven't faced before, Orman empowered her audience to rely on themselves instead of experts. "Stop asking other people what you should be doing," she warned. "No one else is going to know your situation as well as you."

Outlining her plan for a secure financial future, Orman reiterated the theme that flows through her numerous best-selling books and popular television show. Her message: get out of debt. Easy to understand; harder to follow.

The "buy now, pay later" consumer mantra won't work anymore. Orman says when credit card companies see people making only minimum payments on their balances, they will reduce their credit limits, increase their interest rates or even revoke their cards. She adds that homeowners can no longer count on home equity lines of credit to get them out of financial trouble.

Need some fast cash? How about a loan from your 401(k) and paying yourself the interest? Now is the worst time ever to entertain that idea, according to Orman. A layoff could force you to repay the entire loan within a few weeks. If you can't, the loan could be subject to ordinary income tax rates and a 10% penalty, depending on your age. The threat of layoffs looms even larger, as Orman expects unemployment to reach 9%.

She also sees the stock market continuing its volatile roller coaster ride. But a recovery on Wall Street does not mean the economy has recovered. But through good times and bad, the advice remains the same for people whose retirement is more than 10 years away -- keep dollar cost averaging into the market, paying into your 401(k) with each paycheck.

Where to invest? Orman favors sticking with high yield, dividend paying stocks, exchange traded funds and no load mutual funds. She expects Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke to keep lowering the federal funds rate, which could bring savings account interest rates down to zero.

Someone who is only five years from retirement should not have their money tied up in stock anyway, says Orman. If that's you, sell into strength to reduce your equity exposure, she advises.

Orman wants people to know what they are invested in. Don't hold on to losing stocks if you are not willing to buy more and reduce your cost basis. "This is the time millions are made," she offers, if you continue to put money every month in good quality investments.

Buying a home

As for real estate, Orman doesn't expect a rebound until 2010. Her advice to those wondering if they should snap up a bargain-priced home is to do some serious number crunching first. Orman believes it's crucial to have a 20 percent down payment, at least an eight month emergency cash fund and an ability to afford 30 percent more than your mortgage payment. Someone with a $1,000/month payment should be able to swing $1,300 - giving yourself a cushion for the unexpected expenses that come with living the American dream of home ownership. She advises those without enough cash on hand to cover eight to 12 months of expenses to wait a year before buying. She believes rates will be lower and prices could be better, as well.

Orman suggests investors looking for income stick with general obligation municipal bonds, currently yielding 4-5% for a 10 year note. But Orman has always favored buying bonds individually, instead of in bond mutual funds. "I don't have time to explain it. You'll just have to trust me on that," she told the audience. In her book The Road to Wealth, Orman writes that the advantages of individual bonds include knowing just how much money you will get back at maturity date, not paying capital gains taxes or fund fees and expenses and you don't have to rely on a fund manager.

Life insurance

Orman also stuck to her books' message about life insurance - avoid whole life, variable or universal annuities. Most people should stick with term insurance, she adds. And even if your finances are tight, don't skimp on life insurance if your family depends on your income.

The charismatic speaker concluded her info-packed 30 minute talk with a challenge to the audience. In the next two weeks, go one day without spending a penny. In the next month, go one week without using a credit card. In the next three months, go one month without eating out. That drew a predictable reaction from the crowd, but Orman encouraged everyone to make the most out of every dollar they have and know what they are invested in.

The Suze Orman Show airs Saturday nights on CNBC.