So Money With Farnoosh Torabi

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, anyone? — YNAB has quietly endured. Not by promising shortcuts or get-rich-quick hacks, but by doing something far more radical: teaching people how to actually be good with money.And not “good” as in million-dollar net worths or retiring at 35 — but good as in sleeping better at night. Not worrying about every expense. Feeling in control. Feeling aligned.That’s why I wanted to kick off 2026 with Jesse.In this conversation, we revisit the philosophy behind YNAB, including the four rules that have helped millions of people escape paycheck-to-paycheck living. We talk about why getting to zero — not riches — is often the

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 with what matters most. From there, Farnoosh breaks down the week’s biggest money stories, including shifting grocery prices, growing anxiety in the housing market, canceled home purchase deals, the return of student loan wage garnishment, and new data suggesting homeownership may feel out of reach for more Americans.The episode also highlights two recent conversations on So Money — with David Bach on building wealth through simple, consistent habits, and with Terri Trespicio on the importance of writing as a practical career skill.Listeners then get answers to thoughtful questions about opening a new credit card afte

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, and even how you advocate for yourself in life.We’re talking about writing.In a hyper-AI world, where polished, generic language is now the floor, the ability to think clearly, express yourself distinctly, and tell your story has become a superpower.And that’s why I invited back someone you may remember from a past So Money episode: Terri Trespicio.[Try Terri's writing studio for a free week, January 12 -16, by clicking here.]Terri is a writing expert, teacher, and the author of Unfollow Your Passion. [She is also the co-host of a brilliant new podcast called Gen Artax where she and her sisters read from their adolesc

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 poorer depending on how our money flows, and that paying yourself first through automation remains the most dependable path to financial security. Drawing on personal stories, market data, and lessons from living abroad in Italy, he reframes wealth as freedom, not just net worth, and makes a compelling case for starting small, investing consistently, and using money to build a life—not just a balance sheet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 groceries and rent are still stubbornly high despite easing inflation elsewhere. Farnoosh also answers a wide range of listener questions from investing to estate planning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ExcerptsTess Waresmith (Episode 1876) – Crypto and alternative assets entering 401(k)s, what the legislation actually means, the risks and fees to watch for, and how much exposure is too muchNick Maggiulli (Episode 1856) – The Wealth Ladder, the 0.01% rule for smarter spending decisions, and how to evaluate career and income opportunities as your net worth growsBarry Ritholtz (Episode 1840) – Investing humility, avoiding unforced errors, how to speculate without blowing up your portfolio, and adjusting risk as you approach retirementDr. Annie Cole (Episode 1829) – The rise of “micro-retirement,” how to take intentional brea

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 excerpts offer practical guidance and reassurance for navigating one of the most complex (and consequential) phases of our financial lives.Featured Guest ExcerptsTamsen Fadal (Episode 1799) – Menopause, medical blind spots, ageism in healthcare, and how women can better advocate for their health and financial well-being during midlifeElizabeth Cronise McLaughlin (Episode 1835) – Rebuilding financially after divorce, confronting money trauma, paying down debt, and modeling financial confidence for childrenNicole Stanley (Episode 1841) – ADHD and money, late diagnosis in midlife, why traditional budgeting often fails ne

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 realistic payoff plan Burnt out breadwinner considering a 6-month break? Exploring a “middle path” (sabbatical/reduced hours), runway math, and navigating the fear of financial dependence Take an early retirement package? Evaluating the offer, retirement readiness checks, when to consult a planner, and why buyouts can signal future layoffs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 supercharging scams—and how to defend yourself right now. And last, Amanda Holden offers investing guidance amidst fears of an AI bubble bursting in 2026.Featured Guest ExcerptsDan Schawbel (Episode 1781) – The shifting ROI of college, the automation threat to entry-level work, and the skills employers say matter most nowPat Flynn (Episode 1838) – “Lean Learning,” the one-one-one strategy, and how to build confidence and clarity by serving one real person firstMartha Underwood (Episode 1883) – AI-powered fraud, voice cloning and spoofing, and practical steps to protect your identity (including family “safe words”)Amand

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.Featured Guest ExcerptsNeha Ruch (Episode 1774) – Reframing career pauses as The Power Pause and why caregiving chapters can be strategic, dignified, and financially intentionalKatie Gatti Tassin (Episode 1832) – The “Hot Girl Hamster Wheel,” the beauty tax, and how cultural pressure quietly drains women’s wealthAmina AlTai (Episode 1880) – The ambition penalty, broken systems at work, and how to shift from painful ambition to purposeful ambitionDr. Corinne Low (Episode 1919) – Rethinking “having it all,” using data to understand tradeoffs, timing, and women’s life satisfaction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo

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 potential equity alternatives. She also offers guidance for PhDs entering a competitive job market, shares practical ways to invest in your health for long-term financial wellbeing, and explains when withdrawals from a whole life insurance policy may be taxable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. She is the author of the new book, Having it All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours. She has spent the last 15 years studying how women actually live — how we work, how we partner, how we parent, and how we divide time and labor inside our homes. And what her research shows is uncomfortable: while women’s careers have evolved dramatically, the structure of marriage and household labor has barely changed since the 1970s.In this conversation, Corinne walks us through the data behind why modern women are so tired, why the mental load remains stubbornly unequal, and why cooking, cle

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 so hard for wasn’t giving her freedom at all.That moment of reckoning became her financial awakening.My guest today is Rose Han, YouTuber, money educator, and author of the new book Add a Zero. Rose went from six figures of debt to building a seven-figure net worth, not by chasing flashy investments or overnight wins, but by radically rethinking her relationship with money, work, and freedom.In this conversation, Rose shares the mindset shifts that helped her escape debt, why income alone doesn’t equal wealth, how she built assets from scratch with almost no capital, and why even after “making it,” she chose to recal

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 explanation of the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut and what the split decision inside the Fed signals about inflation, the labor market, and the likelihood of future cuts. She explains why mortgage rates may not move much in the near term, what the Fed’s return to buying Treasury securities really means, and why now is not the time to make big financial moves based solely on headlines.Next, Farnoosh walks through important 401(k) changes coming in 2026, including higher contribution limits, expanded catch-up contributions for older workers, and increased employer contribution caps. She outlines who benefits most from the

What happens to a society when people decide to have fewer children—or none at all? And what does that mean for our economy, our housing market, the workforce, and even our financial futures?Today we’re looking at one of the most consequential demographic shifts of our time: the global decline in birth rates. And we’re doing it with someone who has spent the last year leading an extraordinary international reporting project on exactly this.My guest is Sarah McCammon, National Political Correspondent at NPR and co-lead reporter of the series Population Shift: How Smaller Families Are Changing the World. You may have seen the headlines, but Sarah’s work goes far deeper—across Finland, Greece, and the United States—to understand why people are having fewer kids, and what the downstream effects look like on everything from the labor market to aging, immigration, childcare, housing, and the future of economic growth.We talk candidly about the financial pressures families face, why even countries with generous soci

What if the real threat to your financial future isn’t the next market crash… but the AI-fueled bubble we may already be living through? Today’s So Money is part liberation, part investing reality check, and part clapback at the financial pressure women face to “get it perfect” when the system itself is unpredictable.I’m joined by Amanda Holden, author of How to Be a Rich Old Lady, who breaks down how to build real, long-term wealth even as tech stocks dominate headlines, valuations drift from reality, and everyone seems to be bracing for a correction. Together, we unpack the psychology of risk, what true diversification looks like in an AI-obsessed market, and why slow, intentional investing still works — especially now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Ask Farnoosh, she breaks down new economic data showing private payrolls fell by 32,000 jobs — the third decline in four months — and what that cooling job market means for hiring, raises, and year-end career strategy. She also digs into Redfin’s housing market predictions for 2026, smart last-minute tax moves (from retirement contributions to tax-loss harvesting), and inspiring data about teens investing for their futures. In the mailbag, she advises listeners navigating job dissatisfaction, mid-career pivots, starting families, layoffs, health insurance decisions, and the best way to structure your ongoing investing strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 now the author of Money Proud: The Queer Guide to Generate Wealth, Slay Debt, and Build Good Habits to Secure Your FutureNick brings a candid, deeply human lens to the financial lives of queer people, from the emotional and cultural realities that shape money choices to the systems and habits that help rebuild stability, confidence, and long-term security. His own story, which he describes not as self-help but as a kind of spiritual reckoning, is woven throughout the book and sets the stage for an honest, energetic, and eye-opening conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s conversation digs deep into one of the most important and misunderstood stages of financial development: the tween years. Research shows our money habits are formed as early as age seven, yet most people don’t start investing seriously until their 30s or 40s. So what happens if we bridge that gap? What if kids as young as 10 begin learning how money works, how investing grows wealth, and how to make smart decisions with the dollars they earn, save, and spend?Our guest is Jamie Bosse is a Financial Planner, Author, and Mother of four. She helps her clients navigate life’s transitions and overcome and anticipate potential roadblocks along the way. Jamie finds it extremely rewarding to see people organize their financial lives, maximize their human capital, and get closer to their life goals in her work at CGN Advisors. Jamie has a passion for mentoring and financial literacy and is the author of Money Boss Mom: Helping Young Parents Be the “Boss” of Their Financial Future, as well as the Milto

This week, Farnoosh dedicates Ask Farnoosh to one of the most pressing money topics in America right now: debt relief. Visit SoMoneyLinks for resources.With household debt topping $17.7 trillion and credit card balances at record highs, Farnoosh answers real listener questions about tackling debt, from when to pause investing to whether it ever makes sense to use home equity or refinance student loans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.