OK, so I was relaxing over the new year holiday, flipping through the hundreds of channels of nothing-worth-watching when I stumbled on Oprah’s new OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). In her ongoing attempt at world domination, Oprah has started her own network, filled with programming aimed at helping each and every one of us “lead our best life.” (How could I not check this out?!)

Oprah has several apostles to help spread her very important message to floundering females. These include Dr. Phil (psychologist), Dr. Oz (medical doctor) and Suze Orman (financial guru). Their show, “Ask Oprah’s All Stars,” allows audience members to ask any kind of mental well-being, health or financial question they’d like (the more embarrassing the better, because, of course, we’re supposed to be entertained as well as informed).

I’ll skip repeating the advice from the two doctors, but  share what I learned from Suze (“internationally  acclaimed financial expert”). She wants all of us to focus on three things: knowing your FICO score, saving for an emergency and ridding ourselves of any credit card debt we might have. All sound advice for sure.

But here’s the kicker: her number one way to begin paying down credit card debt? Join a credit union and transfer your balances to their Visa or Master Card. (It made me sit up and take notice.) Suze made it all sound so simple. She pointed out to the audience members that each one of them could join a credit union. That the maximum interest rate they could be charged is 18%. That banks can charge 27%, 29%, basically whatever they feel like. That they can save money every month and pay off their debt faster by transferring their balances to a credit union credit card.

Wow. Nothing like some great free advertising coming from an unbiased, financial expert. And if you’ve ever watched her, you know Suze doesn’t pussy foot around. Her advice sounds more like a mandate. Good news for credit union marketers everywhere I’d say.