So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Latest Episodes:

1858: Why Six-Figure Earners Still Feel Broke (and What to Do About It) Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

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—especially for high earners in their 30s who feel like they’re still behind.

In this conversation, we dive into:

Why budgeting is broken and how to reverse it with one powerful number
The myth of homeownership as the best investment
How to avoid the trap of lifestyle inflation—even on a six-figure salary
And why investing isn’t hard, but the emotional baggage around money absolutely is

We also explore the emotional side of financial planning—where therapy meets strategy—and the mindset shifts Priya helps her clients make to stop living paycheck to paycheck and start building real wealth.

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.

1857: Ask Farnoosh: Affording My Parents' Care with Georgia Lee Hussey Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

This week Georgia Lee Hussey of Modernist Financial joins to break down the challenges and solutions for affording elder care, especially as it may fall on adult children to pay for their parents' expenses. Read more about this topic in The New York Times.

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Find a HYSA at SoMoneyLinks.com

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.

1856: Proven Ways to Climb the Wealth Ladder and Level Up Your Net Worth Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Where do you think you are on the wealth ladder? Just starting out and struggling to save? Sitting on six figures and wondering what’s next? Or maybe you’ve hit a financial milestone—but it doesn’t feel as life-changing as you expected.

Today’s episode is all about understanding what changes—and what should change—as you move up the financial ladder.

My guest is Nick Maggiulli, author of The Wealth Ladder, a new book that introduces a six-level framework for wealth building and financial strategy. We dive into the key questions we all face on the journey to financial independence:

How do you break out of Level 1 when you’re living paycheck to paycheck?
Is a side hustle actually worth your time—or just another distraction?
And how should your mindset and money strategy evolve as your net worth grows?

Plus, we explore his 0.01% spending rule and 1% earning rule—two powerful benchmarks to help you spend smarter and pursue income opportunities that truly move the needle.

More about Nick: He is the Chief Operating Officer and a data scientist at Ritholtz Wealth Management. He's also the author of the blog Of Dollars and Data and the books Just Keep Buying and The Wealth Ladder.

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.

1855: The Quiet Billion-Dollar Machine Behind Job Loss, Higher Rents, and Vanishing Services Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Ww’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful — and least understood — forces shaping our economy: private equity.

My guest is Megan Greenwell, a veteran journalist and former editor-in-chief of Deadspin, whose new book, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream, is both a searing exposé and a deeply human investigation. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous reporting, Megan shows how private equity firms, often operating in the shadows — have quietly reshaped entire industries: health care, housing, local news, retail, daycare, even emergency services.

At the heart of Bad Company are four Americans — Liz, Roger, Natalia, and Loren — whose lives were upended by private equity–backed takeovers of the institutions they depended on. Their stories reveal how a business model designed to extract maximum profits for investors has left devastation in its wake for working families and entire communities.

This is a conversation about capitalism, inequality, and the hollowing out of the American Dream. But it’s also about resilience, and the people fighting back.

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.

1854: Ask Farnoosh: Debt Consolidation, Roth IRA Investing and Windfall Management. Plus: How Much to Feel Wealthy? Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Apply for Farnoosh's 4-month mentorship program at FarnooshBTS.com

How much do you need in net worth to feel wealthy? This week's Ask Farnoosh covers recent money headlines about wealth. student loans and social security. And audience questions related to windfalls, investing and debt management.

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.

1853: Financial Freedom in the Age of AI and Data Surveillance. What it Means For Your Money and Privacy Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode is a powerful conversation about legacy, love, and how technology is reshaping the way we protect our wealth and our families.

My guest is Martha Underwood, a 25-year tech veteran and the founder and CEO of Prismm, a digital vault platform that helps families and financial institutions securely manage documents, streamline inheritance transfers, and reduce the chaos that often comes with crisis. Prism was born out of Martha’s own family emergency—when her father was injured during Hurricane Irma and no one could locate the documents needed to access care or funds.

Since then, she’s made it her mission to protect consumers—especially women—from being left out or left behind when it matters most.

In our conversation, we talk about the rise of AI bias and what it means for your money, the real risks of becoming unbanked, and how your data—yes, even your browsing history—can be used to make financial decisions about you without your knowledge or consent. Martha also shares smart, practical advice for how to start important legacy conversations with your aging parents, and why women must play a leading role in shaping the future of financial technology.

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.

1852: The Upside of a Messy Career and the Myth of Having it All Together Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is no stranger to reinvention—or to messiness.

Maryam Banikarim is a powerhouse C-suite executive turned podcast host whose résumé reads like a tour through media, hospitality, tech, and purpose-driven leadership. She’s served as Global CMO at companies like Hyatt, Gannett, and Nextdoor. But in her latest chapter, Maryam is pulling back the curtain on the glossy LinkedIn life and telling the truth, the messy, nonlinear, sometimes gut-wrenching truth, about what it really takes to build a career, a family, and a sense of self.

Her new podcast, The Messy Parts, is a must-listen for anyone navigating personal and professional pivots. It’s raw, wise, and often hilarious, featuring guests like SNL alum Ana Gasteyer, Broadway composer Tom Kitt, and billion-dollar founders Cass and Mike Lazerow.

In our conversation, Maryam and I talk about everything from career burnout to billion-dollar regret, the emotional toll of job loss, the value of taking a pause, and why being honest about your struggles is the key to building true community. She also shares why she believes now is the exact right time to have these conversations—and why you don’t have to be “perfect” to be successful.

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.

1851: Ask Farnoosh: Navigating Financial Dilemmas: From Divorce to Job Toxicity and Starting a Business Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

This week: Topics covered include the financial implications of divorce, starting an investment account for children, addressing a toxic workplace, and planning for a new business venture. Farnoosh also discusses a concerning trend on TikTok about 'stay at home girlfriends' and provides practical advice on managing personal finances and investments effectively. Additional discussions include tips for college students to gain an edge in their fields and the decision-making process behind forming a business entity.

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.

1850: New Grants for Small Business Owners in Midlife (Plus: Amazon Prime Day Deals) Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest has long been a trusted voice in the world of smart shopping and consumer advice, and now she’s turning her attention—and resources—to a new mission: empowering midlife entrepreneurs. Trae Bodge is a journalist, television commentator, and consumer expert who’s helped millions save at the checkout. However, after the passing of her mother in 2023, Trae felt compelled to do something more profound and personal.

In this episode, we discuss her newest venture, the Threadneedle Alley Foundation, a nonprofit she recently launched to provide $5,000 grants and mentorship to midlife entrepreneurs facing financial hardship. The organization is named after the street where her mother ran a beloved small business for decades, and this work is Trae’s way of honoring that legacy while addressing a gap she’s long observed in her professional life: great small business ideas without the resources or support to thrive.

We explore why midlife is often the perfect time to launch a business, the biggest misconceptions around starting over at 40 or 50, and how we can all think more creatively and fearlessly about what’s next. Trae also shares some Prime Day shopping tips and how to make sure you’re not getting duped by false “deals.”

Whether you’re dreaming up your second act or just trying to save a little money this week, there’s something for you in this conversation.

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.

1849: The Psychology of Wealth: Money, Meaning, and Mental Well-Being with Dr. Daniel Crosby Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times bestselling author. His works, The Laws of Wealth and The Behavioral Investor have transformed how we think about investing by shedding light on the emotional and cognitive biases that often shape our financial behavior. He also serves as Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, guiding advisors in helping clients align their investments with what matters to them.

Today, Daniel is here to discuss his latest book, The Soul of Wealth: 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning. This book challenges the conventional approach to wealth by diving into its emotional dimensions. It explores how financial well-being is not just about accumulation but also about aligning money with personal values and meaning. Daniel encourages us to reflect deeply on what it means to live a wealthy life—not just financially but emotionally and spiritually.

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.

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