Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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:
This episode is a replay.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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:
In the mailbag, Farnoosh answers three timely listener questions:
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.
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:
Links & Episodes Referenced:
Today we’re talking about “girl math”, but not in the way TikTok wants you to.
My guest is Meg Wheeler, CPA, financial educator, founder of the Equitable Money Project, and all-around champion for financial equity. We unpack the viral "girl math" trend and why it may seem harmless but actually reinforces some pretty dangerous stereotypes about women and money. Meg and I both agree: women are not bad at math—and this kind of messaging does more harm than good.
But we don’t stop there. We also dig into what it really takes to build wealth when you don’t come from generational wealth, how financial knowledge—not money—is often the most valuable asset, and why staying politically engaged is a financial strategy. Meg also talks about her popular Substack Call Your Representatives, and we close out with a little joy: what she's happily spending her money on this summer.
Links + Resources Mentioned:
From understanding if your 401(k) contributions help you qualify for a Roth IRA (spoiler: yes!), to figuring out why your home insurance just skyrocketed, to finding sneaky ways to save on that end-of-summer family vacation — we’ve got it covered on this week's Ask Farnoosh.
Plus, a personal story about how a casual chat with a friend helped Farnoosh raise her speaking fees and start earning more.
We’ll also unpack a few of the biggest money headlines from the week, including:
What would happen to your bank account, your home, your small business—if you were suddenly detained or deported? Today we're talking about a growing and urgent financial concern: how to protect your assets amid immigration raids and deportation worries.
My guest is personal finance legend and CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson, who recently reported on the financial steps immigrants—documented or undocumented—can take to prepare for the unexpected. From designating a power of attorney to understanding the legal implications of asset ownership abroad, Sharon walks us through practical strategies to safeguard your financial life in turbulent times.
We also discuss the emotional toll of financial uncertainty, the ripple effects on families, and why proactive planning is a form of empowerment. Sharon opens up about her own health crisis that forced her family to activate emergency plans—offering a powerful reminder of why preparing for the worst can make all the difference.
References:
Read Sharon's article on CNBC.
Join her 8-week Money 101 series.
Visit stashwealth.com/somoney for a secret stash of financial goodies.
On today's episode: Where do you stand on budgeting? Hate it? Feel defeated by it? You’re not alone—and you’re going to love today’s episode.
We’re joined by Priya Malani, the dynamic founder of Stash Wealth and host of the new podcast The F. Word, who’s making personal finance simpler, smarter, and honestly, more livable—especially for high earners in their 30s who feel like they’re still behind.
In this conversation, we dive into:
We also explore the emotional side of financial planning—where therapy meets strategy—and the mindset shifts Priya helps her clients make to stop living paycheck to paycheck and start building real wealth.
This week Georgia Lee Hussey of Modernist Financial joins to break down the challenges and solutions for affording elder care, especially as it may fall on adult children to pay for their parents' expenses. Read more about this topic in The New York Times.
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Find a HYSA at SoMoneyLinks.com
Where do you think you are on the wealth ladder? Just starting out and struggling to save? Sitting on six figures and wondering what’s next? Or maybe you’ve hit a financial milestone—but it doesn’t feel as life-changing as you expected.
Today’s episode is all about understanding what changes—and what should change—as you move up the financial ladder.
My guest is Nick Maggiulli, author of The Wealth Ladder, a new book that introduces a six-level framework for wealth building and financial strategy. We dive into the key questions we all face on the journey to financial independence:
Plus, we explore his 0.01% spending rule and 1% earning rule—two powerful benchmarks to help you spend smarter and pursue income opportunities that truly move the needle.
More about Nick: He is the Chief Operating Officer and a data scientist at Ritholtz Wealth Management. He's also the author of the blog Of Dollars and Data and the books Just Keep Buying and The Wealth Ladder.
Ww’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful — and least understood — forces shaping our economy: private equity.
My guest is Megan Greenwell, a veteran journalist and former editor-in-chief of Deadspin, whose new book, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream, is both a searing exposé and a deeply human investigation. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous reporting, Megan shows how private equity firms, often operating in the shadows — have quietly reshaped entire industries: health care, housing, local news, retail, daycare, even emergency services.
At the heart of Bad Company are four Americans — Liz, Roger, Natalia, and Loren — whose lives were upended by private equity–backed takeovers of the institutions they depended on. Their stories reveal how a business model designed to extract maximum profits for investors has left devastation in its wake for working families and entire communities.
This is a conversation about capitalism, inequality, and the hollowing out of the American Dream. But it’s also about resilience, and the people fighting back.
Apply for Farnoosh's 4-month mentorship program at FarnooshBTS.com
How much do you need in net worth to feel wealthy? This week's Ask Farnoosh covers recent money headlines about wealth. student loans and social security. And audience questions related to windfalls, investing and debt management.
Today’s episode is a powerful conversation about legacy, love, and how technology is reshaping the way we protect our wealth and our families.
My guest is Martha Underwood, a 25-year tech veteran and the founder and CEO of Prismm, a digital vault platform that helps families and financial institutions securely manage documents, streamline inheritance transfers, and reduce the chaos that often comes with crisis. Prism was born out of Martha’s own family emergency—when her father was injured during Hurricane Irma and no one could locate the documents needed to access care or funds.
Since then, she’s made it her mission to protect consumers—especially women—from being left out or left behind when it matters most.
In our conversation, we talk about the rise of AI bias and what it means for your money, the real risks of becoming unbanked, and how your data—yes, even your browsing history—can be used to make financial decisions about you without your knowledge or consent. Martha also shares smart, practical advice for how to start important legacy conversations with your aging parents, and why women must play a leading role in shaping the future of financial technology.
Today’s guest is no stranger to reinvention—or to messiness.
Maryam Banikarim is a powerhouse C-suite executive turned podcast host whose résumé reads like a tour through media, hospitality, tech, and purpose-driven leadership. She’s served as Global CMO at companies like Hyatt, Gannett, and Nextdoor. But in her latest chapter, Maryam is pulling back the curtain on the glossy LinkedIn life and telling the truth, the messy, nonlinear, sometimes gut-wrenching truth, about what it really takes to build a career, a family, and a sense of self.
Her new podcast, The Messy Parts, is a must-listen for anyone navigating personal and professional pivots. It’s raw, wise, and often hilarious, featuring guests like SNL alum Ana Gasteyer, Broadway composer Tom Kitt, and billion-dollar founders Cass and Mike Lazerow.
In our conversation, Maryam and I talk about everything from career burnout to billion-dollar regret, the emotional toll of job loss, the value of taking a pause, and why being honest about your struggles is the key to building true community. She also shares why she believes now is the exact right time to have these conversations—and why you don’t have to be “perfect” to be successful.
Today’s guest has long been a trusted voice in the world of smart shopping and consumer advice, and now she’s turning her attention—and resources—to a new mission: empowering midlife entrepreneurs. Trae Bodge is a journalist, television commentator, and consumer expert who’s helped millions save at the checkout. However, after the passing of her mother in 2023, Trae felt compelled to do something more profound and personal.
In this episode, we discuss her newest venture, the Threadneedle Alley Foundation, a nonprofit she recently launched to provide $5,000 grants and mentorship to midlife entrepreneurs facing financial hardship. The organization is named after the street where her mother ran a beloved small business for decades, and this work is Trae’s way of honoring that legacy while addressing a gap she’s long observed in her professional life: great small business ideas without the resources or support to thrive.
We explore why midlife is often the perfect time to launch a business, the biggest misconceptions around starting over at 40 or 50, and how we can all think more creatively and fearlessly about what’s next. Trae also shares some Prime Day shopping tips and how to make sure you’re not getting duped by false “deals.”
Whether you’re dreaming up your second act or just trying to save a little money this week, there’s something for you in this conversation.
Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times bestselling author. His works, The Laws of Wealth and The Behavioral Investor have transformed how we think about investing by shedding light on the emotional and cognitive biases that often shape our financial behavior. He also serves as Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, guiding advisors in helping clients align their investments with what matters to them.
Today, Daniel is here to discuss his latest book, The Soul of Wealth: 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning. This book challenges the conventional approach to wealth by diving into its emotional dimensions. It explores how financial well-being is not just about accumulation but also about aligning money with personal values and meaning. Daniel encourages us to reflect deeply on what it means to live a wealthy life—not just financially but emotionally and spiritually.
It’s July 4th—a day for fireworks and freedom—but this year, we’re confronting a very different kind of spark. In this special holiday episode, Farnoosh breaks down the controversial “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed by the House. The sweeping legislation includes massive tax cuts for the wealthy and deep spending cuts to public services like health care and education. Farnoosh explains who stands to gain—and who could lose access to critical benefits, from Medicaid to special education funding.
Then, it’s time for the mailbag! Farnoosh answers your money questions, including:
