So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

This episode is brought to us by Mastercard. The financial world is changing fast, and as we enter the 10th year of So Money , one of my goals is to keep us updated on the latest innovations and technology shaping our money world…to help you understand what’s coming, why it matters, and how you can leverage these changes to improve your financial life. Let me start with a quick thought: what if we...

In this week’s Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh unpacks your top financial questions with the looming threat of a recession on everyone’s mind. Should you prioritize paying off debt or building up savings? Is it ever wise to cash out a Roth IRA? What’s the deal with doctor-specific mortgage programs? And how can you move money between brokerage accounts without triggering taxes? Farnoosh also breaks...

What if the secret to extraordinary wealth isn’t about betting on the next big thing, but buying something tried-and-true—like a plumbing business, a car wash, or a cleaning company? What if the future of entrepreneurship isn’t on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley, but on Main Street—if only we knew how to seize it? My guest today is  Codie Sanchez , founder and CEO of  Contrarian Thinkin...

Today, I’m sharing something a little different in the feed. As some of you may know, I recently launched a new podcast called Leading By Example in partnership with iHeartMedia and Ruby Studios. Over there, I’ve been diving into powerful conversations with changemakers who are redefining leadership in their own unique ways—and today, I wanted to bring one of those episodes to the So Money audienc...

This week on Ask Farnoosh , I’m sharing highlights from a financial literacy workshop I hosted at the Bloomfield Library , where I met incredible women navigating major financial crossroads—some filled with uncertainty, others with courage and clarity. In this episode, I answer: What to do when your parents disapprove of your marriage because you earn more than your partner and have taken on a tra...

J. Dana Trent joins to share stories from her childhood as the daughter of a drug dealer, taught to cut up weed as a pre-schooler to support the family business. Her memoir,  Between Two Trailers , chronicles the trauma from her troubled past and Dana’s ultimate reconciliation with her past life and parents. More about  J. Dana Trent:  She is an accomplished professor and award-winn...

We’re diving deep into one of the most pressing financial issues of our time—student loans. If you or someone you love has ever felt the weight of student debt, wondered why the system feels so broken, or questioned what real solutions might look like, this episode is for you. Joining us is Jillian Berman , a veteran financial journalist who has spent more than a decade reporting on the student lo...

News of tariff hikes rattled the stock market this week. How to maneuver through the financial uncertainty? To help us navigate this emotional terrain, we are reairing an interview with financial therapist Aja Evans. Aja's new book, Feel Good Finance , is the guide we all need right now, offering practical strategies for untangling our money emotions and building a healthier relationship with our...

Menopause used to be a whispered word, something women were expected to endure quietly. But that’s changing—and fast. Women are reclaiming this stage of life, demanding better care, and rewriting the narrative. And leading the charge is my guest today, Emmy-winning journalist and menopause advocate, Tamsen Fadal. With a career spanning over three decades in television news, Tamsen has transitioned...

What if the dream you’ve been chasing—the one you’re sure will bring you happiness—turns out to be a myth? Today’s guest, Sam Vander Wielen , knows this feeling firsthand. She was a successful corporate lawyer who believed that starting her own business would finally make her happy. But when she left law to become an entrepreneur, she realized that fulfillment doesn’t come from business success al...

Farnoosh Torabi welcomes back Georgia Lee Hussey, founder of Modernist Financial , to discuss a range of financial topics amid current political and economic uncertainties. They examine President Trump's tariff proposals and the theory that they might be engineered to induce a recession for lower interest rates. The conversation extends to the importance of vigilance in financial contracts and pro...

This episode is brought to you by Chase. Social media scams are on the rise and it’s important we know how to spot the tell-tale signs and how to protect our information and money from scams. Visit Chase.com/DontGetReeledIn to learn more. We're turning our attention to the rise of social media scams and how we can protect ourselves from phishing and impersonation scams to fake ads, quizzes, and jo...

Imagine this: You’re nine months pregnant, shopping for a crib at IKEA, when suddenly—a massive earthquake hits. No phone. No keys. No way to reach your family. Just the immediate reality of survival. That’s the premise of  Tilt , a gripping new novel that forces us to ask:  How does financial precarity shape our survival?  What happens when class determines who makes it out—and who...

Farnoosh answers financial questions from viewers, covering topics such as the pros and cons of the National Debt Relief Program, the impact of selling individual stocks for index funds, and strategies for recent graduates entering the job market. The discussion also includes advice on saving strategies, including automated contributions and side hustles. Additional questions addressed include nav...

Most couples struggle to get on the same page regarding money and relationships. Less than 40% of married couples discuss their finances in detail—a staggering statistic that often leads to miscommunication, conflict, and, for some, divorce. But today’s guests, Jessica and Brandon Norwood, are trying to change that narrative. Jessica and Brandon are the dynamic duo behind The Sugar Daddy Podcast ,...

Known for his no-nonsense approach to money and his former role as a Ramsey Solutions personality, guest Anthony O'Neal has helped millions take control of their finances. He has written several books, including his latest, Take Your Seat at the Table , where he empowers readers to create a vision for their lives and build wealth on their terms. In this episode, Anthony shares his remarkable journ...

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...

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...

Guest Brittany Wilson started listening to So Money in 2020 when she realized she needed to take charge of her finances. She grew up with little financial literacy and took on high-interest student loans without knowing what she was signing up for. But once she made the decision to educate herself, everything changed. Since then, Brittany has increased her salary by $42,000, fully funded her emerg...

Farnoosh reflects on turning 45—what’s changing in her mindset around money, career, and personal growth, and the biggest financial lessons she's carrying into this next phase of life. From the mailbag, Farnoosh tackles two important listener questions—one from a 60-year-old attorney wondering how to catch up on retirement savings after prioritizing family caregiving, and another from a listener s...

Today, we’re diving deep into the real barriers that prevent many of us from achieving financial freedom—and spoiler alert, it’s not just about the dollars and cents. My guest is Jessica Moorhouse , financial counselor, speaker, and now author of the highly-anticipated new book, Everything But Money: The Hidden Barriers Between You and Financial Freedom . In her work, Jessica uncovers how trauma,...

What does it really take to launch a big idea—one that can change your career, business, or even the world? Is being a visionary enough, or is there a hidden formula for success? Guest Jen Kem says it's all about building the right "unicorn team." But here’s the twist: even if you’re a solopreneur or running a small business—like me—this book is still for you. Jen’s framework isn’t about having a...

This week on Ask Farnoosh, a listener is grappling with over $100,000 in student loan debt. What is the best way to pay this off fast? We also hear from a longtime listener and how she managed to triple her income, pay down debt and save over $400,000 for retirement while listening to So Money. Check out Farnoosh's new hyperlocal podcast The Montclair Pod Join the  So Money Members Club . Dow...

If you're dreaming of your next adventure but worried about the price tag, you've come to the right place! All this week on the podcast, we're diving deep into travel tips, tricks, and money-saving strategies. Earlier, we heard from Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, on how to maximize travel rewards and cut costs on flights and hotels. Today, we're keeping the momentum going with another exp...

Today, we're diving into the world of travel and points with none other than Brian Kelly, a long-time friend of the show and the founder of The Points Guy . Brian is here to talk about his new book, How to Win at Travel , a guide that helps you unlock all the secrets to mastering the points game, maximizing travel perks, and scoring luxury experiences without luxury price tags. We'll cover: Why Br...