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.