So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Latest Episodes:

1869: Ask Farnoosh: Managing Windfalls, Inheritance, Severance and More Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

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 with qualified, pre-vetted, fee-only financial advisors that fit your priorities and preferences. Also joining is Marienela Collado, CFP and CPA for Tobias Financial Advisors.

This episode aired originally on July 12, 2024.

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1868: The Points Playbook: How to Unlock First Class Travel Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

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 experiences. He also writes the Substack Holy Trip, You Guys at holytripyouguys.com, and you can find his day-to-day insights on Instagram at @holyshityouguys.

This conversation was originally recorded inside the So Money Members Club this summer, where Dan joined us for an in-depth workshop on mastering travel rewards. Consider it a sneak peek of the kind of learning and access you get inside the Club.

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1867: Your Brain on Money: The Science Behind Your Last Impulse Purchase Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

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 breaks down the subtle — and not-so-subtle — ways marketers capitalize on our optimism, impulsivity, and desire for status.

We talk about:

Why your brain underestimates the pain of future debt
How credit card companies brand products to play on our egos
Why handling money can make us less generous
The hidden costs of “quiet luxury” and keeping up appearances
And how Dinsmore’s own research found that just touching $20 bills increased testosterone and reduced charitable giving

This episode is a replay.

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1866: Ask Farnoosh: Marriage & Money, Childcare Savings, Recession Advice, FAFSA Eligibility Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

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, Farnoosh unpacks several top money headlines:

Tariff Rebate Checks? A proposed bill would send $600 checks to Americans, redistributing billions in collected tariff revenue. Supporters call it a timely relief, while critics question whether it's a sustainable solution.
Housing Market Reset: As pandemic-era price surges deflate in places like Austin, buyers may finally have leverage — but high mortgage rates remain a hurdle.
AI and the Return of In-Person Job Interviews: Companies like Google are bringing back face-to-face interviews to combat AI cheating in virtual screenings.
The Tooth Fairy’s Budget Cuts: Delta Dental reports a 14% drop in the average payout for lost teeth — a sign of tighter household budgets.

In the mailbag, Farnoosh answers three timely listener questions:

How to Prep for a Recession and a Weak Dollar: Farnoosh recommends beefing up emergency savings, diversifying investments, considering inflation hedges like TIPS or gold, and reducing high-interest debt. Flexibility is key.
Juggling a Mortgage and Child Care Costs: She reframes child care as a career investment, suggests alternatives like nanny shares or Dependent Care FSAs, and advises delaying large home upgrades until expenses ease.
Will My Teen’s Job Hurt Financial Aid?: Unlikely, says Farnoosh. The FAFSA allows students to earn about $7,600 before aid is impacted. Still, she warns that assets in a teen’s name can carry more weight than income.

Farnoosh closes with a reminder that applications for her mentorship program close this Sunday — an opportunity for listeners looking to build a sustainable, personal brand.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

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1865: Class, Privilege and How the Ultra-Wealthy Wield Status Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

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 concepts like stealth privilege, coattail riders, and what she calls the rich person’s “cheat code.” We’ll also unpack the history of our cultural obsession with wealth in the U.S., why some believe wealth is a poison to our culture and explore why being “too rich” might just make you less empathetic.

More about Sanibel: She is a writer based in NYC. She grew up in Princeton, NJ and studied Classics at the University of Pennsylvania before getting her MFA at The New School. Her essays appear in New York, Air Mail, ELLE, and Lit Hub. You can follow Sanibel on TikTok and Instagram.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

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1864: Mistakes That Can Lead to Millions and Why Failure Can Be the Best Business Plan Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

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 you can turn your own stumbles into stepping stones. We talk about why job security is a myth, the “70% rule” that helped her overcome perfectionism, how to stop self-rejecting, and why business is always personal.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1863: Ask Farnoosh: The Cost of Moving Investments, Single Bank Risks, Good Accountants and "Feminine" Dating Advice? Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

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 return policy abuse—and how it could impact your favorite retailers
The real danger behind “feminine energy” dating advice
Practical ways to protect yourself financially in relationships
Why playful money trends like “Girl Math” aren’t as harmless as they seem

Links & Episodes Referenced:

Priya Malani, Founder of Stash Wealth
SoMoneyLinks.com – My curated tools for saving, investing, and earning more
Apply to Farnoosh BTS – My fall mentorship program for entrepreneurs and content creators\
Want to ask a question for an upcoming show? Head to SoMoneyPodcast.com or DM me @FarnooshTorabi on Instagram!

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1861: Girl Math, Tradwives, and the Cost of Playing Small Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

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 bad at math—and this kind of messaging does more harm than good.

But we don’t stop there. We also dig into what it really takes to build wealth when you don’t come from generational wealth, how financial knowledge—not money—is often the most valuable asset, and why staying politically engaged is a financial strategy. Meg also talks about her popular Substack Call Your Representatives, and we close out with a little joy: what she's happily spending her money on this summer.

Links + Resources Mentioned:

Meg's Free Guide: equitablemoneyproject.com/somoney
SoMoneyLinks.com – My curated tools for saving, investing, and earning more
Apply to Farnoosh BTS – My fall mentorship program for entrepreneurs and content creators
Want to ask a question for an upcoming show? Head to SoMoneyPodcast.com or DM me @FarnooshTorabi on Instagram!

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1860: Ask Farnoosh: How to Ask for a Sign-On Bonus, Save on Home Insurance and Summer Travel Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

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 wallet
A rare bipartisan housing bill with real promise
And a study that shows how preschool could boost your salary, not just your kid’s future

Questions 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 more
Apply to Farnoosh BTS – My fall mentorship program for entrepreneurs and content creators
Want to ask a question for an upcoming show? Head to SoMoneyPodcast.com or DM me @FarnooshTorabi on Instagram!

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1859: CNBC's Sharon Epperson on Immigration, Money, and Planning for the Worst Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

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 Sharon's article on CNBC.

Join her 8-week Money 101 series.

How's midlife going? Fill out Farnoosh's survey and help shape the podcast in 2027.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.