So Money With Farnoosh Torabi

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 strategy that could make these accounts more powerful, especially if you’re thinking long-term about building wealth for your child.In addition, I share a simple, practical guide to putting together a basic estate plan. If you’ve been putting this off, this episode will help you focus on the most important steps you can take right away.We also cover several major money headlines, including the impact of AI on jobs, rising concerns about retirement readiness, and how Americans are adjusting their spending habits in response to higher costs.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bir

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 Together' by Heather and Douglas BoneparthBell Burden's Podcast 'Financial Tea' with Haley SacksLearn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 darker—story about ambition, identity, and the quiet trade-offs women make to get ahead.We talk about the mythology of glamorous careers versus the reality behind the scenes, the difference between “workhorses” and “show horses,” and why Caroline set out to write a female protagonist who doesn’t always make the right choices—and doesn’t apologize for it.Caroline also opens up about her own career pivot during the pandemic, the moment she walked away from a high-powered job, and how writing this book helped her rebuild confidence and redefine success in midlife.Plus, we get into:What it was really like working inside

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 cities like New York, Boston, and Seattle—not for the pace, but for the walkability, social connection, and even climate resilience. Is urban retirement the new dream?Plus, a warning (and opportunity) for families navigating college costs: Students are increasingly turning to social media for scholarships. Farnoosh breaks down how to find legitimate money—from trusted databases to local organizations.Also in this episode: a powerful read. Farnoosh shares her take on Strangers by Belle Burden—a memoir about a marriage unraveling, but more importantly, a cautionary tale about financial dependence. Despite coming into the

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 to finding your style, buying art with confidence, and creating a home that actually reflects you.In this conversation, Liz and I explore why so many of us feel intimidated by the art world, how that’s finally starting to change, and what it really takes—financially and emotionally—to start collecting. We talk about pricing, the myth of art as a guaranteed investment, the rise of artists as entrepreneurs, and even how AI is reshaping what we value in handmade work.Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor

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 this rising “tradwife” movement as a kind of antidote to burnout and girlboss culture? And in a world of endless options, dating apps, and shifting power dynamics—how do you actually find a relationship that lasts?My guest today is someone who has spent years studying exactly this.Amy Chan is the author of UNSINGLE: How to Date Smarter and Create Love that Lasts and the bestselling Breakup Bootcamp. Dubbed the "scientific Carrie Bradshaw" by The Observer, she has helped thousands of singles transform their love lives through her world-renowned Breakup Bootcamp and Dating Bootcamps.And in our conversation, we’re getting

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.)We’ll also break down how to think about your tax refund: how to use it wisely, where to prioritize, and why it’s not a bonus… it’s a second chance.And then, we zoom out to something a lot of us are quietly feeling: it’s getting really expensive just to have a social life.Dating. Relationships. Even grabbing dinner with friends.New data from Louis Jadot reveals that 56% of Americans say rising costs are changing how often they go on dates, and more than 1 in 4 have stopped dating altogether to save money.Welcome to the era of loveflation.In this episode, we unpack what that means for your wallet and your relationshi

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, live intentionally, invest wisely—and you might just buy yourself the freedom to walk away from traditional work decades early.And here’s the thing—Pete didn’t just write about it. He lived it. Retiring in his early 30s, raising a family on his own terms, and building a cult-like following of readers who wanted to do the same.I’ve actually had a front-row seat to his journey. We first met more than a decade ago, filming in his backyard in Colorado, when his blog was just beginning to take off. Back then, his ideas felt… almost rebellious.Today? They’re part of the mainstream conversation.But Pete hasn’t stood still—a

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 feeling proud of the income you are generating on your own, and the next you are wondering, wait… what does this mean for my taxes?Joining the show is CPA and TurboTax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis, who has more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and small business owners navigate the tax code. She has also been self-employed herself, so she gets it. The overwhelm, the confusion, and yes, the fear of doing something wrong or leaving money on the table.We unpack:The biggest mistakes solopreneurs make when filing taxes and how to avoid themWhat you actually need to know if you are earning income outside a tradition

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, Get Good With Money, now out in paperback, is a roadmap to what she calls financial wholeness—mastering the ten essential areas of your financial life, from budgeting and saving to investing and estate planning.But in this conversation, we go deeper—and more current.We talk about:Why this economic moment feels different—even for high earnersWhat Tiffany learned from losing everything during the last recession—and how it shaped her approach today The five foundational pillars everyone needs to revisit right now: budgeting, saving, debt, credit, and income Why “the math isn’t mathing” for so many households—and what

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 with extra cash once you’ve paid off debtHow to approach investing when the market (and headlines) feel uncertainSpecial Announcement:Registration is now open for Book to Brand, my immersive, in-person event happening October 9 in New York City. Join top publishers, agents, and authors to learn how to build a platform that gets attention—and results.

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 many peopleThe five-account system that can simplify your entire financial lifeAnd how to create stability—even when the economy feels anything but stableWe also get into her personal story—from losing her childhood home… to becoming the financial voice she wished her family had back then. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 career paths survive.In fact, a recent survey of 5,000 unemployed Americans found that only 15% would choose a four-year college again knowing what they know now. That’s not just a statistic. That’s a warning.Today, we’re bringing on someone who is not just observing this shift—but actively building solutions inside it. Chieh Huang, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Pelgo, is working at the front lines of what he calls the “intersection” of AI and the job market—helping workers reskill, reposition, and stay in the game.In this conversation, we unpack:Why entry-level jobs are quietly disappearingThe surprising roles AI

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 volatility and recession fears to tax season surprises and the rapidly evolving role of AI in our careers.We start with the money anxiety so many of you are feeling right now. What’s really driving the fear around the markets? And how do you respond without sabotaging your long-term plan? Georgia shares how she coaches clients through uncertainty—and why downturns may actually be opportunities, especially if you’re still in your earning years.Then, we dig into tax refunds. If yours is bigger this year, Georgia explains why it may not be the “win” it seems—and how to think more intentionally about what to do with that

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 language—and solutions—to something I think so many of us have felt but couldn’t quite articulate.In our conversation, we unpackWhat the “success wound” really is…Why achievement can become a stand-in for self-worth…The five archetypes of high achievers who struggle with fulfillment…And how all of this shows up not just in our careers, but in our finances, our relationships, and even how we parent.We also talk about Brooke’s own turning point—what she calls her “spiritual awakening breakdown”—and how it led her to rethink everything she thought she knew about work, ambition, and identity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c

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 urgent conversation about the true cost of caregiving in America—financially, emotionally, and systemically.This interview is also a special crossover with The Montclair Pod, my local news podcast, where I co-host alongside Michael Schreiber—who you’ll hear in this conversation as well. Together, we sat down with Senator Kim to talk not just about policy, but about what happens when aging, illness, and money collide inside your own family.Before serving in the Senate, Andy Kim worked in national security and diplomacy, and today he represents nearly 10 million New Jersey residents. But in this conversation, what stands

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 historical data linking energy shocks to economic downturns, Farnoosh breaks down what this could mean for your money—and how to prepare with what she calls a mindset of “healthy panic.”The episode also dives deep into the rising costs of long-term care, why traditional insurance options are becoming less accessible, and what newer hybrid solutions could offer families trying to plan ahead.Plus, a powerful excerpt from Senator Andy Kim, who shares his personal connection to elder care through his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.Finally, Farnoosh answers listener questions about:Supporting aging parents while still sav

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 Good, Nikki shares the raw, unfiltered story of addiction, survival, incarceration—and ultimately, rebuilding her life from nothing. We talk about how she rose through the ranks of a drug operation, why she chose loyalty over leniency when she was caught, and the moment that changed everything: discovering she was pregnant and deciding to start over.This is a conversation about second chances, financial survival, and what it really takes to rebuild—not just your bank account, but your sense of self. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Rockstar Finance, a platform that helped shape the early personal finance blogging community. When this podcast first launched more than a decade ago, J. Money was one of my earliest guests — back when sharing your net worth online was considered radical and the idea of building a career from a blog about money was still pretty new.In this conversation, we catch up on what’s changed — and what hasn’t. The mohawk is still there, thankfully. But J.’s life looks very different these days. He’s stepped away from blogging full-time, sold his site to The Motley Fool and later bought it back, and now spends much of his time running something called a “Free Closet,” giving away thousands of cl

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 on being featured in Kiplinger’s latest issue on the best financial advice experts have ever received, sharing a career lesson that shaped her own path: learning to earn money not just from what you do, but from what you know. Plus, Farnoosh announces her upcoming free webinar on March 26 about how to land a big book deal (register using the link).Then, a quick breakdown of the latest money headlines that matter for your wallet: mortgage rates climbing back above 6% and what that means for today’s “frozen” housing market, the widening K-shaped economy separating households that are thriving from those struggling with