So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Hey SO MONEY family — something special in your feed today.

My friend Lindsey Stanberry is taking over with an episode of Family Money, her new podcast series with Babylist through The Purse. Lindsey has been covering women, work, and money for over a decade, and what she's building here is exactly the kind of honest, practical conversation that parents need and almost nobody is having well.
And yes — I'm in this one.

The episode is called "What Does Childcare Actually Cost?" and it does exactly what it says. Lindsey talks with economist Corinne Low — Associate Professor at the Wharton School and author of the USA Today bestseller Having It All — who reframes childcare not as a money pit but as an investment in your time, your career, and your family's future. Then I join to walk through the real numbers: daycare centers, nanny shares, au pairs, in-home care, the grandparent option nobody talks about enough — what each one actually costs and how to figure out what's right for your family.
We also get into something that drives me crazy: this idea that childcare costs come out of the mother's salary. They don't. They come out of your family's future. And once you see it that way, everything changes.

If you're expecting, deep in the daycare years, or just trying to get ahead of it — this episode is for you. Give Family Money a follow wherever you listen. Lindsey is doing incredible work.
Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open!

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

When Beth Kobliner published Get a Financial Life nearly 30 years ago, the average first-time homebuyer in America was 28 years old.

Today? It's 40.

That one number captures just how dramatically the financial landscape has changed for young adults. The rules many of us grew up with—go to college, get a good job, buy a home, build wealth—don't seem to work quite the same way anymore.

And yet, Beth isn't here to tell us the system is hopeless.

In fact, after spending years talking with high school students, college graduates, and young workers across the country, she says she sees something surprising: Gen Z may be one of the most financially aware generations we've ever seen.

Today, Beth joins me to discuss the newly updated edition of her classic book, Get a Financial Life, and what young people really need to know about money in 2026. We talk about student debt, housing affordability, retirement, investing, financial influencers, and why some of the most powerful financial advice is also the most boring.

If you've ever wondered whether the old money rules still apply—or what new rules have replaced them—this conversation is for you.
Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open!

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

This week on Ask Farnoosh, we're tackling some of life's biggest financial decisions—from navigating a major income gap in a relationship to deciding whether a promising restaurant venture is worth the investment. Plus, what should you prioritize when you're trying to save for a home while also preparing for retirement?

Farnoosh answers listener questions about maintaining financial independence before marriage, evaluating a potential angel investment opportunity, choosing between a brokerage account and a traditional IRA, finding trustworthy financial advice, and building a down payment fund in a high-cost housing market. She also shares resources for managing healthcare costs and weighs in on whether married couples should file taxes jointly or separately

Before the mailbag, Farnoosh breaks down the latest jobs report, explains why a strong labor market may keep the Federal Reserve on hold when it comes to interest rates, celebrates National Donut Day, and sounds off on a teen financial literacy competition that may be testing the wrong skills altogether.

Listener questions include:
How do we manage money fairly when one partner earns significantly more?
Should we invest in a chef friend's new restaurant?
Is it better to file taxes jointly or separately?
How can I save for a house down payment faster?
Should I open a traditional IRA or a brokerage account if I earn too much for a Roth IRA?
How do I find a financial advisor I can trust?
What resources can help consumers navigate healthcare costs?

Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open!

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

What does it mean to build wealth when the world hasn’t always made space for your identity? That’s the question at the heart of today’s conversation, and the driving force behind a powerful new book reshaping how LGBTQ+ people think about money, belonging, and the future. On this episode of So Money, I’m joined by Nick Wolny, a longtime personal finance journalist, columnist for OUT Magazine, and now the author of Money Proud: The Queer Guide to Generate Wealth, Slay Debt, and Build Good Habits to Secure Your Future

Nick brings a candid, deeply human lens to the financial lives of queer people, from the emotional and cultural realities that shape money choices to the systems and habits that help rebuild stability, confidence, and long-term security. His own story, which he describes not as self-help but as a kind of spiritual reckoning, is woven throughout the book and sets the stage for an honest, energetic, and eye-opening conversation.

This episode originally aired on Dec 17, 2025.
Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open!

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

Gold has captivated humanity for thousands of years—but why?

In this episode, Farnoosh sits down with author and financial historian Dominic Frisby to explore the fascinating story behind one of the world's most coveted assets. Drawing from his new book, The Secret History of Gold, Dominic explains how gold shaped empires, fueled exploration, influenced wars, and continues to play a powerful role in global finance today.

The conversation covers why gold remains a popular safe-haven investment during uncertain times, the emotional and psychological hold it has on people and cultures, and why countries like China continue to accumulate vast reserves. Farnoosh also shares her own family's connection to gold as an Iranian-American and explores the generational tradition of passing gold down as a store of wealth.

Plus: Dominic weighs in on whether Bitcoin is truly "digital gold," what central banks know that everyday investors may not, and the smartest ways to add gold to your portfolio.

Check out Dominic's Substack The Flying Frisby
Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open!

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