So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Ruchika Malhotra, author and inclusion expert behind Uncompete, asks us to rethink competition and its systemic roots. She explores how scarcity thinking shapes careers, especially for women, and how leaders can foster collaboration and psychological safety. Short, provocative conversations about redefining success, managing comparison, and choosing when to compete.

Georgia Lee Hussey, founder and CEO of Modernist Financial who helps high-net-worth clients align wealth with progressive values. They unpack the Big Beautiful Bill and who stands to gain. They discuss tradeoffs like cuts to social programs, practical tax-planning questions to ask now, and donation strategies to align money with values.

January always asks big questions of our money—and this one felt especially heavy. In this solo episode, Farnoosh takes a step back to reflect on what the first month of the year has revealed about our finances, our fears, and our priorities. From midlife money check-ins to the idea of “financial coasting,” this conversation is about being honest about where you are—not where you think you should be—and redefining progress as stability, maintenance, and intention.Farnoosh revisits standout moments from January’s most impactful conversations, including a full-circle interview with David Bach, whose Automatic Millionaire helped shape her own financial life, and a candid discussion with Jesse Mecham of You Need a Budget on why being “good at money” has far less to do with income and far more to do with clarity and calm. She also breaks down her recent conversation with college-planning expert Patricia Roberts on the true cost of college, the ROI question families are wrestling with, and how student debt can quietly shape a lifetime.The episode closes with a reflection on the emotional weight of the month and a call for accountability, drawing on recent remarks from Andrew Ross Sorkin about systems, responsibility, and leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

College today can easily cost six figures — even at public universities — and yet so many families still feel completely in the dark about how to prepare for it without sacrificing their own financial future.My guest today knows this stress intimately.Patricia Roberts grew up in a low-income household and nearly didn’t attend college at all. A guidance counselor once suggested she stick with her waitressing job instead. But she pushed forward, working multiple jobs, sending money home, earning not just one degree, but eventually a law degree. That education changed her family’s life… but it also came with over $100,000 in student loan debt that took two decades to repay.That lived experience is what fuels Patricia’s passion today. She’s spent more than 25 years working with 529 college savings plans — from helping launch some of the earliest plans at Citigroup to advising families and employers on how to use them smarter, earlier, and with far less fear.In this episode, we break down what 529 plans really are — and what they’re not. We tackle the biggest myths, from “What if my kid doesn’t go to college?” to “Will this hurt financial aid?” to “Is college even worth it anymore?” We also dig into major new changes that make 529s far more flexible than most people realize — including using them for trade schools, certifications, student loan repayment, K-12 expenses, and even rolling unused funds into a Roth IRA.More about Patricia: She is Chief Operating Officer of Gift of College, Inc., where she helps employers improve employees’ financial well-being by offering student loan repayment assistance and matching contributions to 529 college savings and ABLE (disability savings) accounts.Patricia is also the author of Route 529: A Parent’s Guide to Saving for College and Career Training with 529 Plans, a book she wrote with some extra time on her hands during the pandemic to help educate and inspire even more parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the hidden costs of homeownership, from surprise repairs to fluctuating insurance premiums. Discover insights on navigating Parent PLUS loans while buying a home and smart steps to invest after clearing student debt. Learn the true costs of owning property and why fixed expenses aren’t always fixed. Farnoosh tackles the alarming affordability crisis in housing and shares strategies for financial empowerment, encouraging listeners to diversify investments while emphasizing responsible AI use.

Randi Crawford, a life coach who helps parents and young adults with launching and independence, brings a direct, no-nonsense approach. She discusses parenting boundaries, why moms over-function, and habits over numbers when it comes to money. Conversations include first-paycheck shocks, harms of helicoptering, setting rent and chores for kids at home, and modeling real financial trade-offs.

In this discussion, guest Alex Gailey, a personal finance reporter at Bankrate, dives into the housing affordability crisis plaguing America. She reveals that typical households are priced out of 75% of homes on the market. Alex highlights the impacts of low mortgage rates, rising housing costs, and stagnant wages. She offers insights on affordable regions and shares strategies for first-time buyers, including flexibility and creative co-buying solutions. Renting emerges as a viable wealth-building alternative to avoid becoming house-poor.

Explore how endings can spark personal growth and financial opportunities. Reflect on the impact of retail bankruptcies on consumer rights. Discover how a proposed cap on credit card interest rates might affect access to credit. Gain insights on cutting housing costs strategically while navigating lifestyle choices. Learn how to manage a 401(k) during a career break and the importance of socially responsible investing. Lastly, discuss integrating generosity into new business ventures.

Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning at Morningstar and author of 'How to Retire,' shares her expertise on navigating retirement in today's landscape. She emphasizes the importance of de-risking portfolios as you age and recommends a flexible approach to withdrawal rates. The discussion includes the need for personalized planning, especially for women, and the realities of long-term care funding. Benz also highlights the importance of crafting a meaningful post-work life, beyond just the financial aspects.

In a lively chat, Jesse Mecham, founder of You Need a Budget (YNAB), shares insights from his two-decade journey in personal finance. He emphasizes the power of getting to zero—gaining control over finances instead of chasing wealth. Jesse outlines YNAB’s four rules, which transform budgeting into self-care. He explores unexpected spending habits of YNAB users and discusses the role of AI in finance. With practical tips for managing money intentionally, listeners learn how to ease financial anxiety and cultivate a healthier relationship with their budgets.