So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

If you’ve been following along, you know that I recently experienced fraud in my own business checking account — a gut-wrenching ordeal where thousands of dollars disappeared overnight because someone got hold of my routing number. The bank caught it, but the disruption and stress were very real. And I’ll be honest: even as someone who spends her life thinking and talking about money, I almost mis...

Money is never just about money. It’s identity, history, and how we see ourselves in the mirror. Today, we’re joined by psychotherapist Holli Rubin , whose work sits at the intersection of mental health, body image, and financial wellbeing. She specializes in life transitions and women’s mental health, and she’s advised organizations from Deloitte to wealth management firms on the psychology of mo...

In this week’s Ask Farnoosh , 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 stubb...

What happens when ambition—the very quality that’s supposed to fuel our success—ends up making us sick? My guest today, Amina AlTai, knows this firsthand. On a sweltering July morning in New York City, she got a call from her doctor that changed everything: if she didn’t head to the hospital immediately, she was just days away from multiple organ failure. The cause? Years of overwork and overstriv...

Blended families don’t just merge households—they merge bank accounts, bills, and very different money expectations. And while stepfamilies are becoming more and more common, the financial playbook for them is far from simple. Every dollar spent can feel loaded: is it going to your kids, your spouse’s kids, or the kids you’re now raising together? My guest today, Cameron Normand , is one of the co...

In this episode, Farnoosh shares advice on managing finances between partners with unequal incomes and offers guidance on common financial queries such as selling a home to live mortgage-free and building credit without a credit card. Register for Farnoosh's live investing workshop here. Listen to Farnoosh on WNYC here. Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bi...

What does it mean to be well-mannered with your money? Today, we’re getting a masterclass in modern etiquette from Daniel Post Senning, the great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute. Daniel joins us to talk about the sticky situations we all face—splitting the bill, tipping in the era of digital checkout screens, handling salary conversations with friends, and...

While most of us wait until January to make financial resolutions, fall is actually one of the smartest times to review your finances, especially your 401(k). Deadlines are coming up, new legislation is on the horizon, and for many of us, this is when employers open enrollment and nudge us to re-evaluate our benefits. I’m joined by Tess Waresmith , accredited financial counselor, investing educato...

In this episode of So Money , host Farnoosh Torabi dedicates the conversation to college savings in recognition of College Savings Month. Returning guest Patricia Roberts , author of Route 529 and a leading expert on college savings, breaks down the latest updates to 529 plans, including expanded uses under the newly signed HR1 bill. Together, they explore whether college is still worth the invest...

Financial journalist Beth Pinsker joins with a sneak preview of her forthcoming book My Mother’s Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving (out this November). We dive into the realities of stepping in to manage a parent’s finances—what to do first, the documents you must have in place, the pitfalls of long-term care, and how to navigate banks, insurers, and even cable companies when they put up barr...

Our guest needs little introduction if you’ve spent any time in the world of online entrepreneurship. Pat Flynn is one of the most respected thought leaders in digital business and passive income. He’s the creator of Smart Passive Income, host of multiple top-ranked podcasts, a sought-after speaker, and the author of several bestselling books including Will It Fly? and Superfans. Now, Pat is back...

In this week's Ask Farnoosh episode, we tackle three major financial dilemmas from listeners: Setting Boundaries as a Daughter of Immigrants, Avoiding Financial Dependence on a Partner and Knowing When to Walk Away from a Business. Plus, a behind-the-scenes update on The Montclair Pod , and reflections on launching a new show 10 years after So Money. Resources & Links: Listen to The Montclair Pod...

Guest  Amy Morin  is a psychotherapist, mental strength trainer and the host of  Mentally Stronger.  She joins to share her 5 lifestyle mistakes that keep you from growing mentally stronger — and financially better off. More about Amy: She is an international bestselling author. Her books, including 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, have been translated into more than...

Imagine you arrive at retirement with no savings. Imagine living entirely off of your social security paycheck, which currently averages $1,900 a month. Guest Anne Tergesen is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal and offers insights from the article she co-wrote recently, “ Here’s What It’s Like to Retire on Almost Nothing But Social Security.” This episode is a replay from Feb 7, 2024. Learn mo...

Today’s show is about managing and making the most of an inheritance and other  windfalls.  The Great Wealth Transfer is unfolding, with a record number of assets passed down from generation to generation. Members of our audience have specific questions about this, and to help answer our questions, we have Pam Krueger, who is the founder of  Wealthramp , a platform that matches you...

We’re talking about the art of traveling smarter, not pricier, and why right now might be one of the best times to find travel deals. Joining is Dan Rodriguez, a travel expert who has turned his decades of globe-trotting into a career helping people earn and maximize points and miles. Dan is a certified travel advisor with Fora Travel , where he helps clients unlock VIP perks and luxury experience...

Ever wonder why we take on debt knowing it will cost us — or why flashing a credit card can feel like flashing status? It’s not just poor math or bad habits. It’s biology, psychology, and marketing, all tangled together. In today’s episode, we unpack the psychology of spending with Wright State University professor and author John Dinsmore , whose new book The Marketing of Debt: How They Get You b...

In this Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh kicks things off with a personal story tied to her recent TODAY Show appearance , where she talked about “finance-proofing” your relationship. Reflecting on her own early money talks with husband Tim (over margaritas at their favorite tequila bar), she lays out the keys to financial transparency in couples — from shared goals to individual autonomy. Next, Far...

We are diving deep into wealth, class, and privilege with  Sanibel , author of the novel  To Have and Have More  and an expert on the subtle—and not-so-subtle—ways the ultra-wealthy wield their status. If you’ve ever been curious about the behaviors and dynamics that go beyond “quiet luxury” or the “nepo baby” conversation, you’ll enjoy this conversation. Sanibel breaks down concept...

Ever feel like your mistakes are holding you back? My guest today says they might just be your greatest asset. Kim Perrell is a wildly successful entrepreneur, angel investor, and now author of Mistakes That Made Me a Millionaire . In this candid conversation, Kim pulls back the curtain on the failures, missteps, and humbling moments that paved the way to her $235 million company sale — and how yo...

This week's questions: What are the rules and costs for moving money from a brokerage account into a Roth IRA? Any risks to having a single bank that houses all your accounts? And how to find a good accountant? Additional Episode Take-aways: Why millennials are financially ahead on paper but still feel behind emotionally How to harness AI for smarter, more intentional spending The hidden costs of...

Today we’re talking about “girl math”, but not in the way TikTok wants you to. My guest is Meg Wheeler, CPA, financial educator, founder of the Equitable Money Project , and all-around champion for financial equity. We unpack the viral "girl math" trend and why it may seem harmless but actually reinforces some pretty dangerous stereotypes about women and money. Meg and I both agree: women are not...

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....

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...

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—espe...