This week on Ask Farnoosh, we’re zooming out—on money, career, and life—and talking about the moments when endings, uncertainty, and discomfort can actually become powerful financial turning points.

I start the episode reflecting on a popular “10-years-ago” trend and what my own life looked like in 2016—from a canceled CNBC show to pregnancy news that reframed everything. It’s a reminder that what feels like loss in the moment can open space for growth we couldn’t have planned.

I also break down a few headlines that matter to your wallet, including what retail bankruptcies mean for consumers, why bank stocks took a hit this week, and how proposed credit-card interest rate caps could affect access to credit. Plus, a personal reflection on watching events unfold in Iran and how global news can be deeply personal—and financially relevant.

Then we head into your questions:

Cutting Housing Costs Without Regret

A listener in Charleston is weighing a move to an older apartment that would save $600 a month. We talk through how to separate comfort from leverage, why reducing fixed expenses is one of the most powerful financial moves you can make, and how to decide if short-term discomfort is worth long-term freedom.

What to Do With a 401(k) During a Career Break

A 45-year-old listener quits her job to return to school—tuition-free—and wants to know how to handle her $130,000 401(k) and explore socially responsible investing while she’s not working.

Building Generosity Into a New Business

An entrepreneur asks a thoughtful question: how do you give back without putting your business at risk—especially in year one? We talk about time-boxing generosity, avoiding revenue-based giving too early, and why mission-driven work still needs financial guardrails.

Stay-at-Home Parenting vs. Financial Independence

A listener at the brink of six-figure earnings is considering stepping out of the workforce to stay home with her toddler. I share the financial tradeoffs, long-term earning implications, and why this decision is deeply personal—but worth examining through both emotional and economic lenses.

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