So Money With Farnoosh Torabi

From understanding if your 401(k) contributions help you qualify for a Roth IRA (spoiler: yes!), to figuring out why your home insurance just skyrocketed, to finding sneaky ways to save on that end-of-summer family vacation — we’ve got it covered on this week's Ask Farnoosh.Plus, a personal story about how a casual chat with a friend helped Farnoosh raise her speaking fees and start earning more.We’ll also unpack a few of the biggest money headlines from the week, including:What the Fed’s latest decision really means for your walletA rare bipartisan housing bill with real promiseAnd a study that shows how preschool could boost your salary, not just your kid’s futureQuestions Answered:“How do I ask for a sign-on bonus without sounding greedy?”“Do 401(k) contributions help me qualify for a Roth IRA?”“How can I save on a last-minute family vacation?”“Why did my homeowners insurance premium jump 30% this year?”Links + Resources Mentioned:SoMoneyLinks.com – My curated tools for saving, investing, and earning moreA

What would happen to your bank account, your home, your small business—if you were suddenly detained or deported? Today we're talking about a growing and urgent financial concern: how to protect your assets amid immigration raids and deportation worries.My guest is personal finance legend and CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson, who recently reported on the financial steps immigrants—documented or undocumented—can take to prepare for the unexpected. From designating a power of attorney to understanding the legal implications of asset ownership abroad, Sharon walks us through practical strategies to safeguard your financial life in turbulent times.We also discuss the emotional toll of financial uncertainty, the ripple effects on families, and why proactive planning is a form of empowerment. Sharon opens up about her own health crisis that forced her family to activate emergency plans—offering a powerful reminder of why preparing for the worst can make all the difference.References:Read S

Visit stashwealth.com/somoney for a secret stash of financial goodies.On today's episode: Where do you stand on budgeting? Hate it? Feel defeated by it? You’re not alone—and you’re going to love today’s episode.We’re joined by Priya Malani, the dynamic founder of Stash Wealth and host of the new podcast The F. Word, who’s making personal finance simpler, smarter, and honestly, more livable—especially for high earners in their 30s who feel like they’re still behind.In this conversation, we dive into:Why budgeting is broken and how to reverse it with one powerful numberThe myth of homeownership as the best investmentHow to avoid the trap of lifestyle inflation—even on a six-figure salaryAnd why investing isn’t hard, but the emotional baggage around money absolutely isWe also explore the emotional side of financial planning—where therapy meets strategy—and the mindset shifts Priya helps her clients make to stop living paycheck to paycheck and start building real wealth.

This week Georgia Lee Hussey of Modernist Financial joins to break down the challenges and solutions for affording elder care, especially as it may fall on adult children to pay for their parents' expenses. Read more about this topic in The New York Times.Join FarnooshBTS.comFind a HYSA at SoMoneyLinks.com

Where do you think you are on the wealth ladder? Just starting out and struggling to save? Sitting on six figures and wondering what’s next? Or maybe you’ve hit a financial milestone—but it doesn’t feel as life-changing as you expected.Today’s episode is all about understanding what changes—and what should change—as you move up the financial ladder.My guest is Nick Maggiulli, author of The Wealth Ladder, a new book that introduces a six-level framework for wealth building and financial strategy. We dive into the key questions we all face on the journey to financial independence:How do you break out of Level 1 when you’re living paycheck to paycheck?Is a side hustle actually worth your time—or just another distraction?And how should your mindset and money strategy evolve as your net worth grows?Plus, we explore his 0.01% spending rule and 1% earning rule—two powerful benchmarks to help you spend smarter and pursue income opportunities that truly move the needle.More about Nick: He is the Chief Operating Office

Ww’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful — and least understood — forces shaping our economy: private equity.My guest is Megan Greenwell, a veteran journalist and former editor-in-chief of Deadspin, whose new book, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream, is both a searing exposé and a deeply human investigation. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous reporting, Megan shows how private equity firms, often operating in the shadows — have quietly reshaped entire industries: health care, housing, local news, retail, daycare, even emergency services.At the heart of Bad Company are four Americans — Liz, Roger, Natalia, and Loren — whose lives were upended by private equity–backed takeovers of the institutions they depended on. Their stories reveal how a business model designed to extract maximum profits for investors has left devastation in its wake for working families and entire communities.This is a conversation about capitalism, inequality, and the hollowing out of

Apply for Farnoosh's 4-month mentorship program at FarnooshBTS.comHow much do you need in net worth to feel wealthy? This week's Ask Farnoosh covers recent money headlines about wealth. student loans and social security. And audience questions related to windfalls, investing and debt management.

Today’s episode is a powerful conversation about legacy, love, and how technology is reshaping the way we protect our wealth and our families.My guest is Martha Underwood, a 25-year tech veteran and the founder and CEO of Prismm, a digital vault platform that helps families and financial institutions securely manage documents, streamline inheritance transfers, and reduce the chaos that often comes with crisis. Prism was born out of Martha’s own family emergency—when her father was injured during Hurricane Irma and no one could locate the documents needed to access care or funds.Since then, she’s made it her mission to protect consumers—especially women—from being left out or left behind when it matters most.In our conversation, we talk about the rise of AI bias and what it means for your money, the real risks of becoming unbanked, and how your data—yes, even your browsing history—can be used to make financial decisions about you without your knowledge or consent. Martha also shares smart, practical advice for

Today’s guest is no stranger to reinvention—or to messiness.Maryam Banikarim is a powerhouse C-suite executive turned podcast host whose résumé reads like a tour through media, hospitality, tech, and purpose-driven leadership. She’s served as Global CMO at companies like Hyatt, Gannett, and Nextdoor. But in her latest chapter, Maryam is pulling back the curtain on the glossy LinkedIn life and telling the truth, the messy, nonlinear, sometimes gut-wrenching truth, about what it really takes to build a career, a family, and a sense of self.Her new podcast, The Messy Parts, is a must-listen for anyone navigating personal and professional pivots. It’s raw, wise, and often hilarious, featuring guests like SNL alum Ana Gasteyer, Broadway composer Tom Kitt, and billion-dollar founders Cass and Mike Lazerow.In our conversation, Maryam and I talk about everything from career burnout to billion-dollar regret, the emotional toll of job loss, the value of taking a pause, and why being honest about your struggles is the k

This week: Topics covered include the financial implications of divorce, starting an investment account for children, addressing a toxic workplace, and planning for a new business venture. Farnoosh also discusses a concerning trend on TikTok about 'stay at home girlfriends' and provides practical advice on managing personal finances and investments effectively. Additional discussions include tips for college students to gain an edge in their fields and the decision-making process behind forming a business entity.

Today’s guest has long been a trusted voice in the world of smart shopping and consumer advice, and now she’s turning her attention—and resources—to a new mission: empowering midlife entrepreneurs. Trae Bodge is a journalist, television commentator, and consumer expert who’s helped millions save at the checkout. However, after the passing of her mother in 2023, Trae felt compelled to do something more profound and personal.In this episode, we discuss her newest venture, the Threadneedle Alley Foundation, a nonprofit she recently launched to provide $5,000 grants and mentorship to midlife entrepreneurs facing financial hardship. The organization is named after the street where her mother ran a beloved small business for decades, and this work is Trae’s way of honoring that legacy while addressing a gap she’s long observed in her professional life: great small business ideas without the resources or support to thrive.We explore why midlife is often the perfect time to launch a business, the biggest misconceptio

Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times bestselling author. His works, The Laws of Wealth and The Behavioral Investor have transformed how we think about investing by shedding light on the emotional and cognitive biases that often shape our financial behavior. He also serves as Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, guiding advisors in helping clients align their investments with what matters to them.Today, Daniel is here to discuss his latest book, The Soul of Wealth: 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning. This book challenges the conventional approach to wealth by diving into its emotional dimensions. It explores how financial well-being is not just about accumulation but also about aligning money with personal values and meaning. Daniel encourages us to reflect deeply on what it means to live a wealthy life—not just financially but emotionally and spiritually.

It’s July 4th—a day for fireworks and freedom—but this year, we’re confronting a very different kind of spark. In this special holiday episode, Farnoosh breaks down the controversial “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed by the House. The sweeping legislation includes massive tax cuts for the wealthy and deep spending cuts to public services like health care and education. Farnoosh explains who stands to gain—and who could lose access to critical benefits, from Medicaid to special education funding.Then, it’s time for the mailbag! Farnoosh answers your money questions, including:With markets at record highs and a rate cut on the horizon, where should you put your money? (Hint: It depends on your timeline—rainy-day fund, short-term goals, or retirement.)How to tackle credit cards with high balances, even in a rising interest rate environment.What are medical billing advocates—and how can they help you lower your health care bills?

Brad Barrett, the co-founder of ChooseFI, joins us to share his latest financial perspectives and views on FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) and some small ways to cut thousands of dollars per year from your budget.

In our financial lives, setting goals isn’t just about having aspirations; it’s about understanding how to build sustainable, achievable plans that propel us toward success. Guest Caroline Adams Miller has spent over 30 years pioneering the science behind how we set goals, stay resilient, and achieve meaningful success. Her newest book, Big Goals, is changing the conversation around achieving personal and professional ambitions.

This week’s Ask Farnoosh mailbag includes timeless questions with a fresh twist:-What should you do after paying off your mortgage?-How to handle running out of tuition money when your child is in their third year of college.-Is it worth opening a second retirement account beyond your 401(k)?-And what’s the real difference between a Roth IRA and a Roth 401(k)?

We’re taking you inside the So Money Members Club for an exclusive workshop Farnoosh hosted recently on one of the most urgent financial topics for families: saving for higher education, with a deep dive into the world of 529 college savings plans. This workshop features Patricia Roberts, a leading expert and author on the topic, who brings both professional and personal insight to the conversation. Patricia is the author of the newly updated Route 529.What you’re about to hear is the full workshop presentation—but what you won’t hear is the rich Q&A we had at the end, just for members. That’s one of the many perks of joining the So Money Members Club—a private, tight-knit community curated and run entirely by me. Not an assistant, not a bot—just me, guiding you through live monthly workshops, office hours, and deeper discussions around money, work, and life.Membership also includes full access to our growing library of workshop recordings and commercial-free episodes of this podcast.If that sounds like somet

Today we’re catching up with the incredible Jannese Torres, host of Yo Quiero Dinero podcast and trust me—she’s had a year. Since her last visit, she’s launched her book Financially Lit, traveled the country on a book tour while secretly pregnant, became a mom, got engaged, and even bought a house.But that’s just the beginning. In this conversation, we dive into how financial independence has reshaped her life as a new parent, her approach to building wealth while growing a family, and—something we don’t talk about nearly enough—how she and her fiancé have structured their finances now that he’s a stay-at-home parent on her payroll.From prenups to parenthood, from self-employment hacks to the real cost of giving birth (wait until you hear her hospital bill), Jannese gets real about the financial and emotional shifts that come with these big life changes.

In this Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh shares a personal reflection on the growing conflict between Iran and Israel, plus a roundup of headlines you need to know: the S&P 500 hits a record high, credit card APRs climb despite the Fed holding rates steady, and parents are spending more than ever on youth sports. Farnoosh also answers listener questions about negotiating a counteroffer, borrowing from a 401(k), selecting a balance transfer card, and building a beginner’s financial plan. Plus: a Costco gold bar sighting and why investing should never be impulse-driven.

ADHD and money. It’s a combination that’s often misunderstood—and rarely addressed with the nuance and compassion it deserves. For those living with ADHD, traditional financial advice like “just follow a budget” or “build good habits” can feel like a mismatch, leaving many feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or even ashamed.Joining us today is Nicole Stanley, founder of Arise Financial Coaching and a money coach who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. That diagnosis reshaped her understanding of not only herself, but how she managed her money—and how she now helps others do the same.In this deeply personal and practical conversation, Nicole shares how her ADHD shaped her early money behaviors, why typical budgeting tools never worked for her, and how she built systems rooted in self-compassion, automation, and yes—dopamine.Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect it, or simply feel like the standard personal finance advice doesn’t “stick,” this episode offers a roadmap to creating a financial life that