So Money with Farnoosh Torabi

Guest Amy Morin is a psychotherapist, mental strength trainer and the host of Mentally Stronger. She joins to share her 5 lifestyle mistakes that keep you from growing mentally stronger — and financially better off.More about Amy: She is an international bestselling author. Her books, including 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 1 million copies. The Guardian dubbed her “the self-help guru of the moment.” Forbes calls her a “thought leadership star” and People says her book is one of the top 20 must read books of all time.She lives on a sailboat in the Florida Keys.

Imagine you arrive at retirement with no savings. Imagine living entirely off of your social security paycheck, which currently averages $1,900 a month. Guest Anne Tergesen is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal and offers insights from the article she co-wrote recently, “Here’s What It’s Like to Retire on Almost Nothing But Social Security.”This episode is a replay from Feb 7, 2024.

Today’s show is about managing and making the most of an inheritance and other windfalls. The Great Wealth Transfer is unfolding, with a record number of assets passed down from generation to generation. Members of our audience have specific questions about this, and to help answer our questions, we have Pam Krueger, who is the founder of Wealthramp, a platform that matches you with qualified, pre-vetted, fee-only financial advisors that fit your priorities and preferences. Also joining is Marienela Collado, CFP and CPA for Tobias Financial Advisors.This episode aired originally on July 12, 2024.

We’re talking about the art of traveling smarter, not pricier, and why right now might be one of the best times to find travel deals. Joining is Dan Rodriguez, a travel expert who has turned his decades of globe-trotting into a career helping people earn and maximize points and miles.Dan is a certified travel advisor with Fora Travel, where he helps clients unlock VIP perks and luxury experiences. He also writes the Substack Holy Trip, You Guys at holytripyouguys.com, and you can find his day-to-day insights on Instagram at @holyshityouguys.This conversation was originally recorded inside the So Money Members Club this summer, where Dan joined us for an in-depth workshop on mastering travel rewards. Consider it a sneak peek of the kind of learning and access you get inside the Club.

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 givingThis episode is a replay.

In this Ask Farnoosh episode, Farnoosh kicks things off with a personal story tied to her recent TODAY Show appearance, where she talked about “finance-proofing” your relationship. Reflecting on her own early money talks with husband Tim (over margaritas at their favorite tequila bar), she lays out the keys to financial transparency in couples — from shared goals to individual autonomy.Next, Farnoosh unpacks several top money headlines:Tariff Rebate Checks? A proposed bill would send $600 checks to Americans, redistributing billions in collected tariff revenue. Supporters call it a timely relief, while critics question whether it's a sustainable solution.Housing Market Reset: As pandemic-era price surges deflate in places like Austin, buyers may finally have leverage — but high mortgage rates remain a hurdle.AI and the Return of In-Person Job Interviews: Companies like Google are bringing back face-to-face interviews to combat AI cheating in virtual screenings.The Tooth Fairy’s Budget Cuts: Delta Dental reports a 14% drop in the average payout for lost teeth — a sign of tighter household budgets.In the mailbag, Farnoosh answers three timely listener questions:How to Prep for a Recession and a Weak Dollar: Farnoosh recommends beefing up emergency savings, diversifying investments, considering inflation hedges like TIPS or gold, and reducing high-interest debt. Flexibility is key.Juggling a Mortgage and Child Care Costs: She reframes child care as a career investment, suggests alternatives like nanny shares or Dependent Care FSAs, and advises delaying large home upgrades until expenses ease.Will My Teen’s Job Hurt Financial Aid?: Unlikely, says Farnoosh. The FAFSA allows students to earn about $7,600 before aid is impacted. Still, she warns that assets in a teen’s name can carry more weight than income.Farnoosh closes with a reminder that applications for her mentorship program close this Sunday — an opportunity for listeners looking to build a sustainable, personal brand.

We are diving deep into wealth, class, and privilege with Sanibel, author of the novel To Have and Have More and an expert on the subtle—and not-so-subtle—ways the ultra-wealthy wield their status. If you’ve ever been curious about the behaviors and dynamics that go beyond “quiet luxury” or the “nepo baby” conversation, you’ll enjoy this conversation. Sanibel breaks down concepts like stealth privilege, coattail riders, and what she calls the rich person’s “cheat code.” We’ll also unpack the history of our cultural obsession with wealth in the U.S., why some believe wealth is a poison to our culture and explore why being “too rich” might just make you less empathetic.More about Sanibel: She is a writer based in NYC. She grew up in Princeton, NJ and studied Classics at the University of Pennsylvania before getting her MFA at The New School. Her essays appear in New York, Air Mail, ELLE, and Lit Hub. You can follow Sanibel on TikTok and Instagram.

Ever feel like your mistakes are holding you back? My guest today says they might just be your greatest asset. Kim Perrell is a wildly successful entrepreneur, angel investor, and now author of Mistakes That Made Me a Millionaire. In this candid conversation, Kim pulls back the curtain on the failures, missteps, and humbling moments that paved the way to her $235 million company sale — and how you can turn your own stumbles into stepping stones. We talk about why job security is a myth, the “70% rule” that helped her overcome perfectionism, how to stop self-rejecting, and why business is always personal.

This week's questions: What are the rules and costs for moving money from a brokerage account into a Roth IRA? Any risks to having a single bank that houses all your accounts? And how to find a good accountant?Additional Episode Take-aways:Why millennials are financially ahead on paper but still feel behind emotionallyHow to harness AI for smarter, more intentional spendingThe hidden costs of return policy abuse—and how it could impact your favorite retailersThe real danger behind “feminine energy” dating advicePractical ways to protect yourself financially in relationshipsWhy playful money trends like “Girl Math” aren’t as harmless as they seemLinks & Episodes Referenced: Priya Malani, Founder of Stash WealthSoMoneyLinks.com – My curated tools for saving, investing, and earning moreApply to Farnoosh BTS – My fall mentorship program for entrepreneurs and content creators\Want to ask a question for an upcoming show? Head to SoMoneyPodcast.com or DM me @FarnooshTorabi on Instagram!