So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Have you ever felt uncomfortable splitting a dinner bill with friends or hesitated to join a group vacation because of the cost? Maybe you’ve wondered if your friends view money the way you do. Friendships are one of the most rewarding parts of life, yet they come with their own set of challenges—especially when money enters the picture.Today, we’re diving into this problem with someone who has tackled this topic head-on. Kristin Wong, an award-winning journalist and author, has explored the subtle, often unspoken ways wealth gaps can impact friendships.Her recent article in The New York Times uncovers the nuances of these situations and how friends navigate the social and emotional dynamics of financial imbalance. Follow Kristin’s Substack, “Untranslatable.”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.

Today’s show offers financial advice for couples. Plus: How to manage savings versus investments?Download Farnoosh’s free guide to Paris in 4 Days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Dr. Annie Cole, Ed.D., a money coach and financial educator who specializes in helping women master their finances—from budgeting and debt payoff to investing, building wealth, and retiring early.Dr. Annie's story is a powerful one. In her 20s, she was a burnt-out social worker earning just $26,000 a year. Fast-forward a decade, and she had climbed the ranks to a Vice President role, invested over $380,000, built a $1 million real estate portfolio, and shaved 20 years off her retirement timeline.Now the founder of Money Essentials for Women, Annie is on a mission to help women step into financial confidence—and today, she’s sharing the steps that made it possible.We talk about her four-phase wealth-building plan, how our brains are wired to resist financial change, and why the increasingly popular idea of micro retirement—taking a meaningful, temporary break from work—isn’t just possible, it might be essential.Grab Dr. Annie's Free Guide: How to Take a Micro-Retirement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wonder why we take on debt knowing it will cost us — or why flashing a credit card can feel like flashing status? It’s not just poor math or bad habits. It’s biology, psychology, and marketing, all tangled together.In today’s episode, we unpack the psychology of spending with Wright State University professor and author John Dinsmore, whose new book The Marketing of Debt: How They Get You breaks down the subtle — and not-so-subtle — ways marketers capitalize on our optimism, impulsivity, and desire for status.We talk about:Why your brain underestimates the pain of future debtHow credit card companies brand products to play on our egosWhy handling money can make us less generousThe hidden costs of “quiet luxury” and keeping up appearancesAnd how Dinsmore’s own research found that just touching $20 bills increased testosterone and reduced charitable giving Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s show: The benefits of credit cards, recommended stock portfolio allocations and resources for helping kids learn about money. Plus: How to execute a rollover or backdoor Roth IRA? (This episode originally aired in 2024) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Menopause used to be a whispered word, something women were expected to endure quietly. But that’s changing—and fast. Women are reclaiming this stage of life, demanding better care, and rewriting the narrative. And leading the charge is my guest today, Emmy-winning journalist and menopause advocate, Tamsen Fadal.With a career spanning over three decades in television news, Tamsen has transitioned her focus towards empowering women navigating midlife changes.Her latest endeavor, the book How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better Than Before, serves as a comprehensive guide to help women manage the multifaceted aspects of menopause.Receive Farnoosh’s free Investing BlueprintFollow on InstagramJoin the So Money Members ClubLeave a review on Apple PodcastsOrder Farnoosh’s new book, A Healthy State of PanicThis episode originally aired on March 12, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Farnoosh speaks with Dr. Ellen Vora, psychiatrist and author of the book The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body’s Fear Response about the root of our anxieties, how they impact our financial wellness and her holistic approach to healing. Her book is now in paperback!More about Dr. Vora: She received her B.A. from Yale University and attended Columbia University medical school. She’s a board-certified psychiatrist, medical acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health–considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root, rather than reflexively prescribing medication. In addition to her private practice and speaking engagements, Dr. Vora consults for healthcare startups.This episode originally aired Feb 21, 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh answers audience questions about whether a couple is financially on track, should you put your home in a trust, and the difference between money market accounts and money market funds. Referenced on the show: Episode on All-Things Estate Planning and the So Money Members Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re diving into the world of real estate investing—not just as a strategy for wealth, but as a movement for women to claim financial independence, build generational wealth, and find community in a traditionally male-dominated space.My guest is Liz Faircloth, co-founder of InvestHer, a global platform and network that helps women invest confidently in real estate, connect with opportunities, and build wealth on their terms. You may know Liz and her partner Andresa from the InvestHer podcast—550 episodes strong—and the growing ecosystem they've built to support women at every stage of their investing journey.And speaking of support, don’t miss InvestHER Con, happening June 1–3 in Orlando. It’s a one-of-a-kind, hands-on real estate conference where the networking is intentional, the knowledge is strategic, and the energy is unmatched. If you’re serious about real estate and want to learn from women who are actively building wealth in this market, this is the room to be in. In this conversation, Liz and I talk about how she found her way into real estate, how to identify the right markets to invest in now, the risks to consider before diving in, and why knowledge alone isn’t enough—you need the right network, too. We also explore short-term vs long-term rentals, co-living models, and how Liz protects her time and energy as an entrepreneur, investor, and mom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zarna Garg, a comedian and writer, shares her inspiring journey as an Indian immigrant mother turned stand-up comedian. She reveals how she transformed personal crises, particularly her husband’s job loss, into a thriving comedy career. Zarna discusses betting on herself in midlife and using clean humor strategically. She also reflects on navigating financial stress, immigrant identity, and balancing motherhood with ambition, all while delivering hilarious anecdotes that highlight resilience and creativity.