So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Latest Episodes:

1779: Planning to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom? Ask for Benefits. Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

Georgia Lee Hussey, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Modernist Financial, joins the program. Learn how to navigate the stock market when analysts predict slower growth over the next 10 years, how to choose the right 529 plan for your child’s education, and a new way to think about the economic value of stay-at-home parenting.

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1778: How to Make the Best Money Moves in an Uncertain Year Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

As we kick off 2025, a year already marked by uncertainty with a new presidential term underway, many of us are feeling a mix of anxiety and hesitation about our financial futures. From proposed tax changes to shifts in education and immigration policies, the ripple effects on our wallets are undeniable.

To help us navigate this emotional terrain, we welcome back 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 finances. In today’s episode, Aja will help us:

Understand how our early experiences shape our financial habits and anxieties.
Learn how to address money conflicts in relationships with grace and communication.
Avoid rash financial decisions in moments of heightened emotion or uncertainty.
Set boundaries around social pressures and financial FOMO—whether from friends or social media.
Create practical, personalized systems for organizing and managing money that actually work for you.

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.

1777: (Encore) Climate Change Under Trump and Smart Ways to Spend, Save and Invest Sustainably Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

This episode originally aired on November 17, 2024.

As we enter a second Trump administration, there’s growing concern over the future of climate policies. With environmental protection on the chopping block, it’s never been more critical for individuals to take action where they can—through their spending, saving, and investing choices. Today’s conversation with financial author Kara Perez couldn’t come at a better time. Kara is the founder of Bravely Go and the author of her debut book, Green Money, where she offers a roadmap for how we can use our money to create meaningful change, even in the face of policy setbacks.

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Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.

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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.

1776: Ask Farnoosh: Navigating Severance, Executing Stock Options and Home-Buying Tips for the Self-Employed Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of So Money, Farnoosh answers a variety of listener questions including how to manage finances during a job transition and prioritize severance pay, Should you ever pause 401(k) contributions? Also: The best time to execute stock options and how to qualify for a mortgage as an entrepreneur.

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

1775: Living the Expat Life: Myths, Missteps, and Making It Work Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode is for anyone who’s seriously considered packing their bags and leaving the United States. Whether it's for a better quality of life, a slower pace, or political reasons, moving abroad is a dream for many, but it’s also a complex journey.

Joining us is Stacy Ennis, bestselling author, writing coach, and expat living in Portugal. Stacy has lived in four countries outside the U.S., and she’s become an unofficial expert on relocating abroad sustainably, not impulsively.

In our conversation, we’ll dive into the practical, financial, and emotional realities of moving abroad. What are the biggest challenges? How do you ensure you're making this move for the right reasons? And what misconceptions do Americans often have about living in another country? If you’ve ever dreamed of starting over in a beachside town or exploring a new culture, Stacy’s insights are invaluable.

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Order Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

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.

1774: Rebranding the Stay-at-Home Mom: How to Take a Career Break and Thrive at Home with Neha Ruch Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

We explore the power of career pauses with Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids and Come Back Stronger Than Ever. Neha is on a mission to rebrand the title “stay-at-home mom” and shift the narrative around career breaks from one of sacrifice to one of empowerment.

We dive into how parents can intentionally plan for a career pause, create financial security, and use this time to grow both personally and professionally. Neha offers practical strategies for navigating societal perceptions, fostering meaningful connections, and eventually returning to work with confidence.

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Join the So Money Members Club

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Order Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

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.

1773: Ask Farnoosh (New!): Getting an 800+ Credit Score, Investing Pro Tips and Best Budget Tools Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Farnoosh celebrates the podcast's 10th anniversary and shares her personal journey from a hectic 2024, emphasizing a more intentional approach to 2025. Farnoosh answers listener questions on maintaining good credit, the impact of paying off car loans early, the pros and cons of canceling a department store credit card, and the cost of investment management fees. She also discusses helpful resources for those affected by California wildfires including:

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Join the So Money Members Club

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Order Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

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.

1772: How to Reclaim Your Financial Life and Own Your Money in 2025 Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

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 journey from being a 19-year-old drowning in $35,000 of debt to becoming debt-free and building a seven-figure business. He opens up about his time working with Dave Ramsey, how it influenced his financial philosophy, and why he eventually decided to strike out on his own to bring financial education to underserved communities.

You’ll learn:

The money mistakes Anthony made at 19 and how he turned his life around.
The importance of avoiding consumer debt and focusing on building assets.
How faith and purpose are pivotal in Anthony’s financial teachings.
Why creating a clear vision for your life is the first step to achieving financial freedom.
Practical steps for eliminating debt, building generational wealth, and owning your financial life.

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Join the So Money Members Club

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Order Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of Panic

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.

1771: The ROI of Being a Good Human: Why Kindness Pays Off Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

As we enter a new year, many of us are thinking about fresh starts, big goals, and how we can make more meaningful contributions—whether in our personal lives or at work. But what if the key to achieving that isn’t about working harder or chasing success the traditional way? What if the secret lies in something as simple and powerful as kindness?

In today’s episode, we dive deep with James Rhee, an educator, impact investor, CEO, and author of Red Helicopter: A Parable for Our Times. James is best known for his transformative leadership at Ashley Stewart, where he not only revived a struggling retail brand but turned it into a community-driven powerhouse by weaving kindness, empathy, and purpose into every decision. A Harvard Law graduate and former high school teacher, James has a remarkable ability to bridge the worlds of high finance and human-centered leadership.

We discuss how a childhood experience with a red helicopter shaped his lifelong philosophy, his journey from teaching to private equity, and the surprising parallels between math and creativity. James also delves into the role of AI in shaping society and why now, more than ever, leaders must embrace humanity and creativity to drive lasting impact.

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.

1770: (Encore) Ask Farnoosh: Am I Investing *Too* Much? Home Equity Loans and Finding a CPA Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

This episode originally aired on October 11, 2024. Fresh episodes starting Monday!

Download Farnoosh's Free Investing Blueprint to learn how to begin investing for your future.

Today's show: Is there such a thing as investing "too" much? Can obtaining a home equity loan be helpful when purchasing a second home? How to find a great accountant and more.

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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