So Money with Farnoosh Torabi
So Money with Farnoosh Torabi is a personal finance podcast that features interviews with financial leaders, bestselling authors, and entrepreneurs. Host Farnoosh Torabi, an award-winning financial strategist and TV host, shares money strategies and stories. The podcast covers topics from cryptocurrency to saving and investing, with a focus on equity and inclusivity. It also includes Friday episodes where listener questions are answered.
Episodes
1995: Ask Farnoosh: Managing Your Net Worth in Retirement, Trump Accounts and 401(k) Rollovers
This week, Farnoosh answers listener questions about rolling over an old 401(k), managing $100,000 in savings for a 68-year-old on Social Security, and how couples should discuss and merge finances. She highlights a New York Times story on how weak job markets can scar young graduates long-term and a piece in the Wall Street Journal about “Trump accounts,” including unclear eligibility rules and
1994: What Does Childcare Actually Cost?
Hey SO MONEY family — something special in your feed today.My friend Lindsey Stanberry is taking over with an episode of Family Money, her new podcast series with Babylist through The Purse. Lindsey has been covering women, work, and money for over a decade, and what she's building here is exactly the kind of honest, practical conversation that parents need and almost nobody is having well.And yes
1993: The New Rules for Getting a Financial Life with NYT Bestseller Beth Kobliner
When Beth Kobliner published Get a Financial Life nearly 30 years ago, the average first-time homebuyer in America was 28 years old.Today? It's 40.That one number captures just how dramatically the financial landscape has changed for young adults. The rules many of us grew up with—go to college, get a good job, buy a home, build wealth—don't seem to work quite the same way anymore.And yet, Beth is
1992: Ask Farnoosh: Angel Investing, Saving for a Downpayment and What to Do When She Makes Less
This week on Ask Farnoosh, we're tackling some of life's biggest financial decisions—from navigating a major income gap in a relationship to deciding whether a promising restaurant venture is worth the investment. Plus, what should you prioritize when you're trying to save for a home while also preparing for retirement?Farnoosh answers listener questions about maintaining financial independence be
1991: The Truth About Queer Money: Myths, Stressors, and the Path Forward (Encore)
What does it mean to build wealth when the world hasn’t always made space for your identity? That’s the question at the heart of today’s conversation, and the driving force behind a powerful new book reshaping how LGBTQ+ people think about money, belonging, and the future. On this episode of So Money, I’m joined by Nick Wolny, a longtime personal finance journalist, columnist for OUT Magazine, and
1990: The Story of Gold: Power, Wealth and Why People Love to Buy It
Gold has captivated humanity for thousands of years—but why?In this episode, Farnoosh sits down with author and financial historian Dominic Frisby to explore the fascinating story behind one of the world's most coveted assets. Drawing from his new book, The Secret History of Gold, Dominic explains how gold shaped empires, fueled exploration, influenced wars, and continues to play a powerful role i
1989: Ask Farnoosh: When Can I Retire? What's the Math?
This week on Ask Farnoosh, we're tackling one of the biggest money questions of all: When can I retire?Inspired by a viral Instagram reel about repeatedly refreshing a retirement calculator in hopes of finding financial freedom, Farnoosh breaks down how to determine your retirement readiness—and why retirement may not be the right goal at all. Instead, what if the goal is optionality?In this episo
1988: How Great Companies — and Families — Stand the Test of Time
What if the most important inheritance you leave your family has nothing to do with money?Not stocks. Not real estate. Not a trust fund.But instead, a written record of your values, your hard-earned lessons, your family stories, your regrets, your hopes — the wisdom you want future generations to carry forward.Today’s guest, Eric Becker, calls this an “ethical will.” He originally wrote one for hi
1987: What Happens After FIRE? Mr. Money Mustache on Life, Money & Reinvention (Replay)
It’s rare in personal finance that someone comes along and doesn’t just offer advice—but completely rewires how we think about money, work, and what it means to live a good life.My guest today did exactly that.Pete Adeney—better known as Mr. Money Mustache—helped ignite the FIRE movement long before it was trending on TikTok or debated on cable news. His message? Radical, at the time: Spend less,
1986: Ask Farnoosh: AI Financial Advisors, Buying a Home With Existing Debt & Paying Off Loans Early
This week on Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh tackles some of the biggest personal finance questions listeners are wrestling with right now, from AI-powered banking tools to buying a home in today’s expensive market and whether it’s smart to pay off debt early.Farnoosh begins with a look at OpenAI’s new personal finance tools that allow select ChatGPT users to connect their financial accounts directly to AI
1985: Autism, Employment & the Workplace Gap No One Talks About
Today’s episode is about neurodivergence, the workplace, and a question that more families and employers are beginning to confront: Why are so many talented people still struggling to get hired and succeed at work simply because the systems around them weren’t designed with them in mind?My guest is Dr. Helen Genova, Associate Director of the Center for Autism Research at Kessler Foundation, where
1984: The Ambition Penalty: The Data Behind Women’s Workplace Frustration
Women today are more educated than ever. More ambitious than ever. More likely to be breadwinners, business owners, and leaders in their households and communities. And yet — despite decades of progress — the pay gap persists, women continue to hit barriers at work, and many still feel punished for wanting both financial success and personal fulfillment.My guest today says that’s not a coincidence
1983: Ask Farnoosh: 529 Advice, College Saving Strategies and Can AI Provide Financial Advice?
This week: A possible Covid-related tax refund, the demographic with the biggest student loan defaults, can AI help with your money….and All-things 529 plans and college savings with Patricia Roberts.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open!
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1982: The Joy of Money in an Anxious Economy
Today I’m joined by Carrie Joy Grimes. founder of WorkMoney and the author of the new book The Joy of Money. She’s a former union organizer who spent years helping workers fight for better wages and benefits while also trying to untangle her own complicated relationship with money — debt, shame, financial anxiety, all of it.In this episode, we talk about why so many women still avoid taking owners
1981: Why Uncertainty Might Be Your Superpower
Guest Simone Stolzoff, journalist and author of the new book, How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers, says we are living through what the World Health Organization calls a “polycrisis” — overlapping economic, political, technological, and personal disruptions that are leaving many of us feeling anxious, untethered, and desperate for answers.But what if the goal i
1980: Ask Farnoosh: Crypto-Backed Mortgages, Best 0% Credit Cards and Cashing in on the iPhone Lawsuit
Farnoosh shares Mother’s Day plans, and reacts to news including the April jobs report and an Apple class-action settlement that could pay eligible iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16 buyers up to $95 per device. She also cautions against Fannie Mae’s move toward crypto-backed mortgages, arguing that borrowing against volatile crypto to fund a down payment adds risk and doesn’t address the real ho
1979: Mrs. Dow Jones on Why the Old Money Rules Don't Work Anymore
What does it actually mean to be “rich” today?Because if you’re waiting for the old playbook to work—go to school, get a stable job, buy a house, retire comfortably—you may be waiting a long time.The truth is, that version of wealth? It’s outdated. And for a lot of younger earners especially, it feels completely out of reach.So what are the new rules?Today’s guest has built a massive following by
1978: The Science of Getting Your Time Back with Laura Vanderkam, Author of Big Time
We all say the same thing: I don’t have enough time.Not enough time to work, to parent, to rest, to exercise, to finally do the thing we’ve been putting off for years.But what if that story… isn’t actually true?What if the problem isn’t time itself—but how we think about it, measure it, and ultimately choose to spend it?Today’s guest wants us to completely rethink our relationship with time. Laura
1977: Ask Farnoosh: How Much Should We Pay for College? Plus: Her Investments Went Missing
May 1 is College Acceptance Day and as many families grapple with the soaring cost of college, Farnoosh shares thoughts on how to decide whether a college education is worth its price tag. Would you spend $100k a year? Plus: Establishing credit for the first time and how to allocate your investments in your 30s. And a crazy story about how one woman’s investments disappeared from her bank’s websit
1976: Why Women's Sports Might Makes Us All Richer with Tess Waresmith
Qe don’t talk about sports a lot on this show. But today, we are—because this is really a story about money.Right now, women’s sports are having a moment. Investment is pouring in, media deals are growing, and athletes are finally starting to see bigger paychecks.But this isn’t just about what’s happening at the professional level.It’s also about what it takes to even get in the game. Youth sports
1975: How to Gain Mental Strength and Financial Resilience in Uncertain Times
What does it really take to be mentally strong right now?Not in theory. Not in a self-help quote kind of way. But in the real, messy, everyday moments… when your job feels uncertain, your finances feel stretched, and your life doesn’t look the way you thought it would.My guest today, Amy Morin, has spent her career helping people answer exactly that question. She’s a psychotherapist, mental streng
1974: Ask Farnoosh: The Truth About Trump Accounts, a Wealth Hack for Kids and Estate Planning Made Simple
It’s Ask Farnoosh Friday, and today we’re tackling one of the most talked-about and misunderstood financial topics right now: “Trump accounts.”What are they, how do they work, and are they actually worth it? I break down the structure, the limitations, and where these accounts may fall short compared to more established options like 529 plans and custodial brokerage accounts.I also walk through a
1973: Strangers: A Review of the Marriage Memoir Everyone's Talking About
In this episode, Farnoosh and Heather Boneparthe, author of Money Together, analyze Belle Burden's memoir 'Strangers,' exploring themes of marriage, wealth disparity, financial transparency, and the lessons women can learn from high-profile divorce stories. They discuss red flags, legal strategies, and the importance of financial agency in relationships.Resources'Strangers' by Belle Burden'Money T
1972: The Price of Ambition: Inside Vogue, Power, and Reinvention with Caroline Palmer
What does it really cost to chase ambition—and what happens when success starts to blur your sense of self?In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Palmer, former Vogue editor and author of the buzzworthy novel Workhorse. Drawing from her years inside the high-gloss world of fashion publishing, Caroline takes us beyond the clichés of The Devil Wears Prada to reveal a more complicated—and at times
1971: Ask Farnoosh: Buy Gold? Save on Travel? And My Thoughts on Strangers by Belle Burden
Spring break in Los Angeles sounded like a dream…until the bills—and a four-hour flight delay—set in. In this solo episode, Farnoosh recaps her family’s trip (theme parks, travel hiccups, and a surprising airline perk that saved the day) and what it reveals about the rising cost of travel right now.Then, a look at where retirees are heading next. A new report finds more older Americans choosing ci
1970: How to Start an Art Collection on a Budget, No Overwhelm
Guest Liz Lidgett believes art should be for everyone—not just collectors with deep pockets or insiders who “get it.”She’s the founder of a thriving gallery that champions emerging artists—many of them women—and she’s built a business around making art feel joyful, accessible, and deeply personal. Now, she’s bringing that mission to her new book, Art for Everyone, a practical and empowering guide
1969: The Science of Attraction and Why Dating Is Still Financially Complicated
We’re diving into modern dating today—and not the glossy, swipe-right version—but the real, complicated, emotionally loaded landscape so many of you are navigating right now.What happens when you’re financially independent… maybe even out-earning your partner… and the old rules no longer apply? Why are some women opting out altogether, saying “I’m good on my own”… while others are leaning into thi
1968: Ask Farnoosh: Love, Money and the Cost of Connection
This episode is brought to us by Louis Jadot, a thoughtful way to elevate date night without overspending.On this week’s Ask Farnoosh, we’re getting real about last-minute tax strategy, including why filing an extension might actually be one of the smartest financial moves you can make. (Hint: if you’re self-employed, it could buy you months of extra time to fund a SEP IRA and lower your tax bill.
1967: Mr. Money Mustache Is Back. Ten Years Later. Life After Early Retirement
It’s rare in personal finance that someone comes along and doesn’t just offer advice—but completely rewires how we think about money, work, and what it means to live a good life.My guest today did exactly that.Pete Adeney—better known as Mr. Money Mustache—helped ignite the FIRE movement long before it was trending on TikTok or debated on cable news. His message? Radical, at the time: Spend less,
Bonus: Smart Tax Moves Every Solopreneur Needs to Know
This special bonus episode of So Money is brought to you by TurboTax Experts for Business.And today, we are tackling a topic that so many of you are thinking about right now… taxes.If you are freelancing, consulting, running a side hustle, or fully self-employed, this episode is for you.Because here is the truth. No one really prepares you for this part of entrepreneurship. One minute you are feel
1966: How to Get Good With Money in a World That Feels Financially Broken with The Budgetnista
Tiffany Aliche—also known as The Budgetnista—has spent over 15 years helping millions of women take control of their money, rebuild after financial setbacks, and create lasting wealth. She’s the founder of the Live Richer Movement, a New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most trusted voices in personal finance—because she doesn’t just teach the theory… she’s lived the comeback.Her book
1965: Ask Farnoosh: Smart Moves After Debt, Student Loans, How to Invest Through the Noise
It’s spring break, and while I’m taking a little time offline with family, I didn’t want to leave you hanging. In this episode of Ask Farnoosh, we’re revisiting some listener questions from earlier this year—straight from the January mailbag—but don’t worry, these topics are just as timely and relevant today.We’re covering:How to navigate student loans—especially when family is involvedWhat to do
1964: How to Ditch Budgeting Overwhelm with The High Five Banking Method
Guest Sahirenys Pierce is a financial educator, speaker, and the creator of The High Five Banking Method—a simple but powerful framework that helps people organize their money with purpose, reduce financial stress, and actually follow through on their goals.In this episode, we talk about:How financial trauma shapes our decisions (often without us realizing it)Why traditional budgeting fails so man
1963: How to Future Proof Your Career in an AI-Driven Economy
What if the biggest threat to your career… isn’t losing your job—but becoming irrelevant before you even get one?Right now, we’re watching something seismic unfold in the workforce. College grads are struggling to land entry-level roles. Companies are hiring more cautiously—or not at all. And quietly, in the background, AI is beginning to reshape not just which jobs exist… but whether entire caree
1962: Ask Farnoosh: The Money Anxiety Playbook (Taxes, AI and How to Stay Financial Steady)
In this Ask Farnoosh Friday, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions right now: how do you stay financially steady when everything feels uncertain?Joining me is returning guest and trusted voice in personal finance, Georgia Lee Hussey, CFP and founder of Modernist Financial. [Grab her free financial toolkit] Together, we unpack the emotional and practical realities of this moment—from market v
1961: The Psychology of Never Enough. Why High-Achievers Still Feel Empty and How to Fix It
Brooke Taylor is a former Google executive turned researcher and coach who has spent years studying a phenomenon called the success wound —interviewing more than 5,000 women to understand why so many accomplished, capable people still feel like it’s never enough.Her new book, Healing the Success Wound: Align Your Ambition, Find Lasting Career Fulfillment, and End the Cycle of Never Enough, puts la
1960: The Hidden Cost of Aging in America with Senator Andy Kim
What would you do if caring for a parent meant putting your own financial future—and your kids’—on hold?That’s not a hypothetical. It’s the reality facing millions of Americans right now, including Senator Andy Kim—a father of two, a son navigating his own father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and now, one of the leading voices in Washington pushing for change.Today’s episode is a deeply personal and ur
1959: Ask Farnoosh: Prep for a Recession? Also: The Price of Aging and Long-Term care
Register for Farnoosh's free webinar on How to Get a Book Deal.In this episode, Farnoosh opens with a candid reflection on media narratives around Iranian identity and addresses a recent editing glitch from a prior interview.From there, the conversation turns to a growing concern on many economists’ minds: Are we heading toward a recession in 2026?With oil prices climbing past $100 per barrel and
1958: Rebuilding After Rock Bottom: Money, Motherhood, and Redemption
What would you do if your life completely spun off course…before you even had a chance to understand who you were?My guest today, Nikki Mammano, says she didn’t set out to become a drug dealer in Hawaii—she was a teenager running from trauma, searching for a fresh start, and instead found herself pulled into a dangerous underground economy that nearly cost her everything.In her new memoir Breaking
1957: The Personal Finance Legend Who Stopped Talking About Money
or as long as I’ve known him — which is now more than fifteen years — he’s had the same signature look: a sharp mohawk and an even sharper perspective on money.Today on So Money, we welcome back one of the original voices of the personal finance internet: J. Money, the longtime blogger behind Budgets Are Sexy and the founder of Budgets Are Sexy, a platform that helped shape the early personal fina
1956: Ask Farnoosh: Roth 401(k) Strategy, Avoiding the Wrong Insurance, Paying for Childcare & FAFSA Tips
This week on Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh kicks things off with a behind-the-scenes look at a whirlwind week in journalism and media. She shares highlights from her recent interview with Senator Cory Booker about his bold new “Keep Your Pay Act” proposal, which would eliminate federal income tax on the first $75,000 of income, and discusses what that could mean for working Americans. She also reflects o
1955: Senator Cory Booker on Taxes, Childcare and Big Ideas to Fix Our Economy
U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey joins us for a wide-ranging conversation recorded in one sitting for both podcasts - The Montclair Pod and So Money.Senator Booker first rose to national prominence as the mayor of Newark, where he built a reputation for hands-on leadership and bold policy ideas. He has now served more than a decade in the U.S. Senate, becoming one of the most prominent voice
1954: How FIRE Parents Hack Childcare, Housing and Education
If you’ve ever looked at the FIRE movement — Financial Independence, Retire Early — and thought, that sounds great… but what about kids? — today’s episode is for you.For years, the assumption has been that FIRE works best for people without children: dual-income professionals willing to live extremely frugally in pursuit of early retirement. But what happens when you want both financial independen
1953: Ask Farnoosh: Inheriting a 401(k), Emergency Fund vs. Retirement, and Tax Identity Theft
On this week’s Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh answers listener questions about navigating complicated financial decisions — from inheriting retirement accounts to protecting yourself from tax fraud.First, Farnoosh shares personal reflections on the unfolding war in Iran and how global conflict can ripple into markets, oil prices, and the broader economy.Then she dives into listener questions, including:•
1952: How Colleges Quietly Discount Tuition and What Families Need to Know
Many parents believe college now costs $100,000 a year. But the truth is far more complicated.Today on So Money, I’m joined by Ron Lieber, longtime New York Times “Your Money” columnist and author of the bestselling book The Price You Pay for College. Ron has spent years investigating how college pricing really works—and why the “sticker price” is often not the price families actually pay.In our c
1951: Building Wealth, Legacy and Financial Confidence with Bola Sokunbi
For many women, the word “millionaire” can still feel uncomfortable. Not just financially, but culturally. Many of us weren’t raised to imagine ourselves as wealthy, powerful, or building seven-figure net worths.My guest today wants to change that.Bola Sokunbi is the founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest financial education platforms for women in the U.S. She’s a Certified Fin
1950: Ask Farnoosh: HSAs Explained, Scam Alerts & Financial Resilience in Your 30s and 40s
Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open!
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1949: Nate Berkus on Entrepreneurship, Design, and Financial Confidence
As promised, I’m re-airing one of the most requested interviews from the archives: my conversation with Nate Berkus, originally recorded in 2015—ten years ago.A lot has changed for Nate since then, but when I listened back, I was struck by how timeless this episode is—especially right now. My mother-in-law and I are huge fans, and for my birthday she gave me Nate’s latest book, Foundations: Timele
1948: Turning Side Hustles Into Sustainable Wealth with Money Girl Laura Adams
Today’s guest is someone who has been shaping the personal finance conversation for nearly two decades — long before money podcasts were mainstream, long before “side hustle” was a buzzword, and long before financial literacy for women was framed around building wealth instead of just clipping coupons.Laura Adams is the host of the wildly successful Money Girl podcast, a show that has been downloa
1947: Ask Farnoosh: Tax Season Moves, Optimal Rainy Day Funds, Traditional or Roth IRA?
Farnoosh reflects on her appearance on the TODAY Show, where she shared practical strategies to maximize your finances during tax season — from last-minute IRA contributions and new tax deductions to choosing the smartest way to file and setting yourself up for next year.She also discusses the latest money headlines, including the Supreme Court’s decision on sweeping tariffs and what it could mean
1946: The Quiet Money Mistakes High-Earning Women Make
Today’s episode is for the woman who’s doing well on paper…earning more, climbing higher, checking the boxes of financial success— and yet still wondering if she’s making the smartest moves with her money. Because here’s the truth: more income doesn’t automatically mean more clarity, more confidence, or even more security.In fact, high-earning women often face a unique set of financial blind spots
1945: The Truth About Debt, Inequality and Starting Over
Our guest today is truly one of the original voices in personal finance and someone whose work has shaped how millions of Americans think about debt, credit, and financial freedom.Lynnette Khalfani-Cox joins to share insights from her powerful new book, Bounce Back: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience. We talk about why despite decades of financial education, so many Americans are stil
1944: Ask Farnooosh: Birthday Money Truths, Market Warnings and Relationship Finance
In this Friday the 13th edition of So Money, Farnoosh reflects on turning 46 and shares the financial truths that have shaped her life—from why money really buys options, to the systemic realities behind debt and financial setbacks. She also unpacks the latest housing and stock-market headlines and answers listener questions on negotiating credit cards, navigating finances with a partner, and tran
1943: How to Navigate Income Gaps, Shared Accounts, and Spending Differences
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re talking about how to build a stronger financial partnership - from financial date nights and shared accounts to the subtle social norms that still influence modern couples. Today’s guest is Dr. Emily Garbinsky, professor at Cornell’s Johnson School of Business, whose work explores how couples make financial decisions, how pooling money affects relationship s
1942: How to Use Your Money to Redefine Wealth Around Time, Choice and Happiness
We spend so much of our lives chasing money—believing that once we earn enough, save enough, and invest enough, happiness and freedom will finally follow.But what if the real goal isn’t more money… it’s more time?Today’s guest is Andy Hill, AFC®, award-winning family finance coach and founder of the platform Marriage, Kids and Money, which has reached millions of families through his podcast, vide
1941: Ask Farnoosh: My Best Home Buying Advice, Investing for a "Mid-Term" Goal
RSVP for Farnoosh's podcasting workshop next Friday Feb 13 here.In this Super Bowl weekend edition of Ask Farnoosh, she reflects on recent financial headlines and answers listener questions about saving, investing, family planning, and homebuying. She discusses the sharp drop in Bitcoin, rising layoffs, and a weakening stock market as reminders of the importance of maintaining a strong emergency f
1940: The Science of Making Work Fair
Sometimes making work more fair doesn’t require a sweeping policy change or a million-dollar program. Guest Siri Chilazi is a researcher at Harvard who studies gender equity, workplace behavior, and decision-making. She is also the co-author of the bestselling book Make Work Fair, written with behavioral economist Iris Bohnet.Siri’s work challenges one of the most common assumptions we make about
1939: The Hidden Cost of Competition. Is it Worth It? (Encore)
Imagine a world where you were no longer expected to compete. That’s the world today’s guest, Ruchika T. Malhotra, invites us to imagine—and to start building.You may remember Ruchika from her last appearance on So Money, when she turned our understanding of imposter syndrome upside down, revealing it not as a personal flaw, but as a systemic one. Her new book, UNCOMPETE: Rejecting Competition to
1938: Ask Farnoosh and Georgia Lee: Taxes, Values and Policy (Encore)
**This episode is a replay. It first aired on November 7, 2025.**We’re doing something a little different this week. My guest is my friend and financial planner, Georgia Lee Hussey, founder and CEO of Modernist Financial, and together we’re unpacking the Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for your taxes in 2025 and beyond.We explore how this new legislation could impact everyday taxpayers, what
1937: The January Financial Wrap: Lessons to Carry Us Into the Year
January always asks big questions of our money—and this one felt especially heavy. In this solo episode, Farnoosh takes a step back to reflect on what the first month of the year has revealed about our finances, our fears, and our priorities. From midlife money check-ins to the idea of “financial coasting,” this conversation is about being honest about where you are—not where you think you should
1936: How to Pay for College Without Ruining Your Financial Life
College today can easily cost six figures — even at public universities — and yet so many families still feel completely in the dark about how to prepare for it without sacrificing their own financial future.My guest today knows this stress intimately.Patricia Roberts grew up in a low-income household and nearly didn’t attend college at all. A guidance counselor once suggested she stick with her w
1935: Ask Farnoosh: How to Navigate Student Loans, Home Buying, and Investing Decisions
On this episode of Ask Farnoosh, we kick things off with a very real reminder that homeownership is never just the mortgage. A burst hose, unexpected water damage, and rising insurance premiums spark a broader conversation about the hidden and often underestimated costs of owning a home—and why even “fixed” housing expenses rarely stay fixed. From the mailbag: questions about navigating Parent PLU
1934: Launching Kids in an Expensive World. How to Raise Financially Independent Young Adults
We are talking today about parenting boundaries, money, and what it really means to raise independent kids in a world that feels more expensive, more anxious, and more overwhelming than ever.My guest is Randi Crawford, a life coach known for her refreshingly no-nonsense approach to parenting teens and young adults, and for helping parents stop over-functioning so their kids can actually grow up. R
1933: The Housing Affordability Crisis, Explained. Who Can Still Buy a Home?
If you’ve been scrolling listings at midnight, doing mental math on mortgage calculators, and wondering, “Wait…how is anyone actually buying a house right now?” you are not alone.My guest today is Alex Gailey, personal finance reporter at Bankrate, and she’s been digging into the numbers behind America’s housing affordability crisis. Her reporting found something jaw-dropping: the typical U.S. hou
1932: Ask Farnoosh: Should You Downgrade Your Life to Upgrade Your Finances?
This week on Ask Farnoosh, we’re zooming out—on money, career, and life—and talking about the moments when endings, uncertainty, and discomfort can actually become powerful financial turning points.I start the episode reflecting on a popular “10-years-ago” trend and what my own life looked like in 2016—from a canceled CNBC show to pregnancy news that reframed everything. It’s a reminder that what
1931: The New Rules of Retirement Planning. What Actually Matters Today
Today we’re talking about the future. Not just retirement as a number on a spreadsheet, but retirement as a real phase of life—one that we’re all heading toward, whether we’re just opening our first 401(k) or already counting down the years.My guest is someone I’ve turned to for guidance for decades. Christine Benz is the Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning at Morningstar, and if
1930: Smart Budgeting in 2026 and the Hidden Habits of People Who Never Worry About Money
Today’s guest is a true blast from the past — and one of the most enduring voices in personal finance.Jesse Mecham is the founder of You Need a Budget, better known as YNAB. Jesse was last on So Money more than a decade ago — and since then, his little budgeting spreadsheet has grown into a global movement that’s now more than 20 years old.In an industry where budgeting apps come and go — Mint, an
1929: Ask Farnoosh: Real Money Questions for an Uncertain Start to 2026
January doesn’t have to start with a financial overhaul. In this special Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh shares why easing into the new year, rather than rushing to reset everything, can lead to better money decisions.She reflects on how she’s approaching 2026, what typically happens in the markets at the beginning of the year, and why January is a powerful time to slow down, learn, and reconnect w
1928: The Surprising Skill That Makes You Richer in the Age of AI
This episode may surprise you.Because on a podcast about money, you might expect us to talk about budgeting, investing, negotiating, or saving more. And don’t worry; we’ll get to all of that.But today, we’re talking about a skill that quietly underpins every one of those things. A skill that compounds just like investing. A skill that strengthens your career, your confidence, your earning power, a
1927: David Bach, Author of The Automatic Millionaire, 20 Years Later. Why the System Still Works
Happy New Year! In this brand new episode, financial guru and NYT bestselling author David Bach returns to So Money to mark the 20th anniversary of The Automatic Millionaire, which has been expanded and updated, and to explain why its core message still holds up—even in today’s high-cost, AI-driven economy. Bach argues that we now live in an “automatic economy” that can quietly make us richer or p
1926: Ask Farnoosh: Fraud Scares, Fed Rate Cuts and Investing 101 (Encore)
This episode aired originally on Sept 19, 2025.In this episode, Farnoosh opens with a personal story about a $5,000 fraud attempt on her business checking account—and what she learned about staying vigilant. She then breaks down today’s biggest money headlines: the Fed’s recent interest rate cut, why U.S. credit scores just saw their sharpest drop since 2008, shifts in the housing market, and why
1925: Best of So Money 2025: Building Wealth and Securing Retirement
In this Best of So Money 2025 episode, we revisit standout conversations on new ways to build wealth and protect retirement. From crypto and private equity creeping into 401(k)s, to smarter “rules of thumb” for spending and career decisions, to how to speculate without blowing up your plan, these clips help you stay curious, diversified, and clear-eyed as money trends evolve.Featured Guest Excerpt
1924: Best of So Money 2025: Money, Health, and Big Transitions in Midlife
In this Best of So Money 2025 episode, we revisit some of the most powerful conversations about managing money through midlife — a stage where financial decisions collide with health changes, caregiving responsibilities, relationship transitions, and neurodiversity. From menopause and medical advocacy, to rebuilding after divorce, to rethinking money with ADHD, to caring for aging parents, these e
1923: Ask Farnoosh: How to Get Financially Unstuck (Debt, Work, Retirement)
Ask Farnoosh tackles three timeless money crossroads: getting out from under high-interest credit card debt, taking a career break without losing financial footing, and deciding whether an early retirement package is a smart (and safe) next move. Questions Include: How to manage credit card debt at 30% interest? Consolidation options, reputable nonprofit credit counseling, negotiating APR, and a r
1922: The Best of So Money 2025: AI, Money, Work, and What’s Next for Your Career
In this Best of So Money 2025 episode, we revisit the conversations that best captured how AI is reshaping our careers, how we learn, and how we protect our money. Workplace expert Dan Schawbel breaks down what employers really think about degrees in the age of automation, Pat Flynn shares a smarter way to build skills without overwhelm, cybersecurity founder Martha Underwood explains how AI is su
1921: The Best of So Money: Money, Feminism, and the Power to Choose
In this special Best of So Money 2025 episode, we revisit four of the year’s most powerful conversations at the intersection of money, feminism, and choice. From caregiving and career pauses to beauty standards, ambition, and the myth of “having it all,” these excerpts explore how women navigate systems that shape our financial lives—and how we reclaim power, agency, and options along the way.Feat
1920: Ask Farnoosh: Tax on Bitcoin? How to Negotiate Workplace Benefits?
Join the So Money Members Club today and get your first two months FREE. Offer expires December 31.In this Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh answers listener questions on the tax implications of receiving Bitcoin as a gift, including how cost basis and capital gains work when you sell, plus smart ways to negotiate benefits beyond salary at a small business, from retirement matches to bonuses and pote
1919: What the Data Proves About Marriage, Motherhood, and Having It All - A Conversation with Wharton Professor Dr. Corinne Low
For decades, women were told that if they wanted equality, they needed to lean in harder. Work more. Organize better. Choose better partners. Be more efficient.And yet, here we are. More educated than ever. More present in the workforce than ever. And somehow… more exhausted.My guest today says this isn’t a contradiction. It’s a data point. Dr. Corinne Low is a Wharton professor and an economist.
1918: From $100K in Debt to a Seven-Figure Net Worth
What if doing everything “right” still left you broke, burned out, and quietly panicking about money?Today’s guest followed the script perfectly. Elite degree. Wall Street job. Big bonus. The kind of career that looks wildly successful from the outside. But behind the scenes, she was carrying nearly $100,000 in student loan debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and realizing that the life she worked
1917: Ask Farnoosh: Invest in Gold? 401(k) Changes? Buying a Home Without Raiding Retirement?
Markets feel jittery, interest rates are in flux, and many listeners are wondering how to plan for 2026 with confidence. In this Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh Torabi breaks down the biggest financial headlines of the week and tackles real listener questions about investing, saving, and navigating major life decisions during uncertain economic times.Farnoosh starts with a clear, no-nonsense explan
