So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Today we’re catching up with the incredible Jannese Torres, host of Yo Quiero Dinero podcast and trust me—she’s had a year. Since her last visit, she’s launched her book Financially Lit, traveled the country on a book tour while secretly pregnant, became a mom, got engaged, and even bought a house.But that’s just the beginning. In this conversation, we dive into how financial independence has reshaped her life as a new parent, her approach to building wealth while growing a family, and—something we don’t talk about nearly enough—how she and her fiancé have structured their finances now that he’s a stay-at-home parent on her payroll.From prenups to parenthood, from self-employment hacks to the real cost of giving birth (wait until you hear her hospital bill), Jannese gets real about the financial and emotional shifts that come with these big life changes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh shares a personal reflection on the growing conflict between Iran and Israel, plus a roundup of headlines you need to know: the S&P 500 hits a record high, credit card APRs climb despite the Fed holding rates steady, and parents are spending more than ever on youth sports. Farnoosh also answers listener questions about negotiating a counteroffer, borrowing from a 401(k), selecting a balance transfer card, and building a beginner’s financial plan. Plus: a Costco gold bar sighting and why investing should never be impulse-driven. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ADHD and money. It’s a combination that’s often misunderstood—and rarely addressed with the nuance and compassion it deserves. For those living with ADHD, traditional financial advice like “just follow a budget” or “build good habits” can feel like a mismatch, leaving many feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or even ashamed.Joining us today is Nicole Stanley, founder of Arise Financial Coaching and a money coach who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. That diagnosis reshaped her understanding of not only herself, but how she managed her money—and how she now helps others do the same.In this deeply personal and practical conversation, Nicole shares how her ADHD shaped her early money behaviors, why typical budgeting tools never worked for her, and how she built systems rooted in self-compassion, automation, and yes—dopamine.Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect it, or simply feel like the standard personal finance advice doesn’t “stick,” this episode offers a roadmap to creating a financial life that feels not just doable—but motivating and empowering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barry Ritholtz, co-founder and chief investment officer of Ritholtz Wealth Management, shares valuable insights on steering clear of investment traps in today's noisy financial landscape. He emphasizes the importance of a long-term perspective and understanding economic fundamentals. Ritholtz cautions listeners about the myths of financial democratization and the dangers of market volatility. He also discusses strategies for identifying mispriced assets and critiques the trend of complex financial products aimed at average investors, urging critical assessment and wisdom in investing.

On this week’s Ask Farnoosh, we tackle a fresh round of your money questions, including:Is whole life insurance ever worth it?What are the smartest (and most affordable) ways to invest in your health?How to job-hunt effectively with a PhD in hand and limited prospects.But first, Farnoosh recaps top stories in money news, from Trump’s push to include crypto in 401(k)s, to the surprising rise in early Social Security claims, the falling dollar, and a rare bright spot: more Americans are finally hitting their retirement savings goals.Join the So Money Members Club.Download Farnoosh’s free investing blueprint.Hang out with Farnoosh on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Flynn, a leading expert in digital business and the creator of Smart Passive Income, shares insights from his new book on 'Lean Learning.' He discusses the dangers of overlearning and the value of 'just-in-time' learning over 'just-in-case' approaches. Pat introduces his intriguing 1-1-1 method for launching a business seamlessly and explores the 'Inspiration Matrix' to prioritize ideas. He emphasizes leveraging AI as a creativity tool, while teaching his kids the importance of executive function and communication skills over traditional grades.

What does it mean to be well-mannered with your money?Today, we’re getting a masterclass in modern etiquette from Daniel Post Senning, the great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute. Daniel joins us to talk about the sticky situations we all face—splitting the bill, tipping in the era of digital checkout screens, handling salary conversations with friends, and navigating the financial asks that come with weddings, parties, and work culture.With AI reshaping our communication, remote work blurring social lines, and generational traditions clashing with modern norms, it’s never been harder—or more important—to be mindful of how we show up for each other. For more information, check out The Emily Post Institute, the podcast Awesome Etiquette, and the book Emily Post’s Business Etiquette. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode tackles the implications of a Trump-backed budget bill on personal finances, revealing potential impacts on taxes and government programs. The discussion on the FIRE movement offers insights into pursuing financial independence without traditional retirement. Gift-giving strategies are examined to maintain generosity while budgeting wisely. Additionally, listeners receive valuable tips on incorporating bonds into their investment portfolios, enhancing understanding of smart investing.

Today we're exploring how financial literacy changed a person's life. Our guest is Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin — former Wall Street lawyer, leadership consultant, single mom, and founder of The Gaia Leadership Project. From the outside, her life looked picture-perfect: elite career, national media appearances, a thriving business. But behind the scenes, Elizabeth was battling deep financial insecurity, credit card debt, and the emotional weight of divorce and single motherhood — all while running a nearly 7-figure company.In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Elizabeth opens up about hitting financial rock bottom during the pandemic and the mindset shift that pulled her out. She shares how investing in financial education helped her pay off $50,000 in debt in six months, build emergency savings, and teach her children what she was never taught: how to talk about — and take control of — their money.To learn more about BudgetDog, click here and say you were referred by Elizabeth! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah Cole is back on So Money — and just in time. You may know her as the founder of Sunlight Tax, or from her game-changing workshops that help creatives and freelancers make sense of their money. But today, she's here to share insights from her forthcoming book, Taxes for Humans, which might just be the most approachable — and dare I say, funny — tax book you'll ever read.In this conversation, Hannah and I dive into the emotional baggage so many of us carry around taxes: shame, intimidation, even fear. She opens up about being dismissed by a traditional accountant early in her career, and how that lit the fire for her to become a voice for those often left out of financial conversations — women, artists, freelancers, anyone who’s ever felt like a “weirdo” in the world of money.We talk about how to avoid the dreaded tax bill shock, what the IRS really cares about, why freelancers need to understand quarterly taxes, and what you should know if you’re married and your spouse is handling the taxes (spoiler: pay attention!). Plus, Hannah shares the number one thing new business owners should do to feel confident and in control of their taxes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.