1278: Ask Farnoosh: Self-employed or entrepreneur and want to buy a house? Here's what you'll need to show.

In this episode, Farnoosh and Heather Bonaparthe, author of Money Together, analyze Belle Burden's memoir 'Strangers,' exploring themes of marriage, wealth disparity, financial transparency, and the lessons women can learn from high-profile divorce stories. They discuss red flags, legal strategies, and the importance of financial agency in relationships.Resources'Strangers' by Belle Burden'Money Together' by Heather and Douglas BoneparthBell Burden's Podcast 'Financial Tea' with Haley SacksLearn 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 really cost to chase ambition—and what happens when success starts to blur your sense of self?In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Palmer, former Vogue editor and author of the buzzworthy novel Workhorse. Drawing from her years inside the high-gloss world of fashion publishing, Caroline takes us beyond the clichés of The Devil Wears Prada to reveal a more complicated—and at times darker—story about ambition, identity, and the quiet trade-offs women make to get ahead.We talk about the mythology of glamorous careers versus the reality behind the scenes, the difference between “workhorses” and “show horses,” and why Caroline set out to write a female protagonist who doesn’t always make the right choices—and doesn’t apologize for it.Caroline also opens up about her own career pivot during the pandemic, the moment she walked away from a high-powered job, and how writing this book helped her rebuild confidence and redefine success in midlife.Plus, we get into:What it was really like working inside Vogue during a transformative eraThe financial realities of starting out in New York on a $25K salaryA negotiation story that led to a major salary leap—and what you can learn from itWhy saying “yes” early in your career can pay off long-termAnd the surprising creative discipline behind writing a novel at 4:15amLearn 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.

Spring break in Los Angeles sounded like a dream…until the bills—and a four-hour flight delay—set in. In this solo episode, Farnoosh recaps her family’s trip (theme parks, travel hiccups, and a surprising airline perk that saved the day) and what it reveals about the rising cost of travel right now.Then, a look at where retirees are heading next. A new report finds more older Americans choosing cities like New York, Boston, and Seattle—not for the pace, but for the walkability, social connection, and even climate resilience. Is urban retirement the new dream?Plus, a warning (and opportunity) for families navigating college costs: Students are increasingly turning to social media for scholarships. Farnoosh breaks down how to find legitimate money—from trusted databases to local organizations.Also in this episode: a powerful read. Farnoosh shares her take on Strangers by Belle Burden—a memoir about a marriage unraveling, but more importantly, a cautionary tale about financial dependence. Despite coming into the relationship with wealth, Burden relinquished control of the finances—only to face devastating consequences when the marriage ended. It’s a story that raises urgent questions about autonomy, trust, and why every partner needs to stay financially informed and empowered.In the Ask Farnoosh mailbag:Should you invest in gold right now? (And why it’s more hedge than growth play)When to book summer airfare—and how to avoid overpayingSmart ways to rebuild your credit after debt without falling back into old habitsLearn 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.

Guest Liz Lidgett believes art should be for everyone—not just collectors with deep pockets or insiders who “get it.”She’s the founder of a thriving gallery that champions emerging artists—many of them women—and she’s built a business around making art feel joyful, accessible, and deeply personal. Now, she’s bringing that mission to her new book, Art for Everyone, a practical and empowering guide to finding your style, buying art with confidence, and creating a home that actually reflects you.In this conversation, Liz and I explore why so many of us feel intimidated by the art world, how that’s finally starting to change, and what it really takes—financially and emotionally—to start collecting. We talk about pricing, the myth of art as a guaranteed investment, the rise of artists as entrepreneurs, and even how AI is reshaping what we value in handmade 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.

We’re diving into modern dating today—and not the glossy, swipe-right version—but the real, complicated, emotionally loaded landscape so many of you are navigating right now.What happens when you’re financially independent… maybe even out-earning your partner… and the old rules no longer apply? Why are some women opting out altogether, saying “I’m good on my own”… while others are leaning into this rising “tradwife” movement as a kind of antidote to burnout and girlboss culture? And in a world of endless options, dating apps, and shifting power dynamics—how do you actually find a relationship that lasts?My guest today is someone who has spent years studying exactly this.Amy Chan is the author of UNSINGLE: How to Date Smarter and Create Love that Lasts and the bestselling Breakup Bootcamp. Dubbed the "scientific Carrie Bradshaw" by The Observer, she has helped thousands of singles transform their love lives through her world-renowned Breakup Bootcamp and Dating Bootcamps.And in our conversation, we’re getting into everything—from the psychology of attraction and why dating feels so exhausting right now… to how money, ambition, and identity are reshaping relationships in real time… and what it really takes to build love that lasts.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 episode is brought to us by Louis Jadot, a thoughtful way to elevate date night without overspending.On this week’s Ask Farnoosh, we’re getting real about last-minute tax strategy, including why filing an extension might actually be one of the smartest financial moves you can make. (Hint: if you’re self-employed, it could buy you months of extra time to fund a SEP IRA and lower your tax bill.)We’ll also break down how to think about your tax refund: how to use it wisely, where to prioritize, and why it’s not a bonus… it’s a second chance.And then, we zoom out to something a lot of us are quietly feeling: it’s getting really expensive just to have a social life.Dating. Relationships. Even grabbing dinner with friends.New data from Louis Jadot reveals that 56% of Americans say rising costs are changing how often they go on dates, and more than 1 in 4 have stopped dating altogether to save money.Welcome to the era of loveflation.In this episode, we unpack what that means for your wallet and your relationships, how to stay connected without overspending, how to navigate who pays on a date, and how to align your financial values with your personal life.Plus, at the end: my honest take on who should pay on the first date, and how to handle it without making things awkward. 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.

It’s rare in personal finance that someone comes along and doesn’t just offer advice—but completely rewires how we think about money, work, and what it means to live a good life.My guest today did exactly that.Pete Adeney—better known as Mr. Money Mustache—helped ignite the FIRE movement long before it was trending on TikTok or debated on cable news. His message? Radical, at the time: Spend less, live intentionally, invest wisely—and you might just buy yourself the freedom to walk away from traditional work decades early.And here’s the thing—Pete didn’t just write about it. He lived it. Retiring in his early 30s, raising a family on his own terms, and building a cult-like following of readers who wanted to do the same.I’ve actually had a front-row seat to his journey. We first met more than a decade ago, filming in his backyard in Colorado, when his blog was just beginning to take off. Back then, his ideas felt… almost rebellious.Today? They’re part of the mainstream conversation.But Pete hasn’t stood still—and neither has life.In this episode, we catch up on everything: what early retirement really looks like after a decade, how his thinking on money, family, and even divorce has evolved… and why, despite having “enough,” he’s still rethinking what a rich life actually means.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 special bonus episode of So Money is brought to you by TurboTax Experts for Business.And today, we are tackling a topic that so many of you are thinking about right now… taxes.If you are freelancing, consulting, running a side hustle, or fully self-employed, this episode is for you.Because here is the truth. No one really prepares you for this part of entrepreneurship. One minute you are feeling proud of the income you are generating on your own, and the next you are wondering, wait… what does this mean for my taxes?Joining the show is CPA and TurboTax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis, who has more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and small business owners navigate the tax code. She has also been self-employed herself, so she gets it. The overwhelm, the confusion, and yes, the fear of doing something wrong or leaving money on the table.We unpack:The biggest mistakes solopreneurs make when filing taxes and how to avoid themWhat you actually need to know if you are earning income outside a traditional jobWhy quarterly estimated taxes matter and what happens if you skip themDeductions you might be missing, including home office, startup costs, and even your carHow to stay organized without making this a full-time jobWhat really triggers an audit and what does notWhether filing an extension is a smart moveHow TurboTax Can Support YouOne of the things I appreciate about TurboTax Experts for Business is that you have options.You can file your taxes working alongside an expert, or you can hand it off to a pro who can do it for you! - either way, you’re matched with an expert that knows your specific industry. That part is key. Whether you are a freelancer, consultant, or small business owner, you can get matched with someone who knows your world.They also offer year-round support, which means you do not have to wait until next April to ask your questions. And with new tools, including AI features, they can help you stay organized and even uncover deductions you might not realize you qualify for. Visit TurboTax.com/Business to learn more.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.

Tiffany Aliche—also known as The Budgetnista—has spent over 15 years helping millions of women take control of their money, rebuild after financial setbacks, and create lasting wealth. She’s the founder of the Live Richer Movement, a New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most trusted voices in personal finance—because she doesn’t just teach the theory… she’s lived the comeback.Her book, Get Good With Money, now out in paperback, is a roadmap to what she calls financial wholeness—mastering the ten essential areas of your financial life, from budgeting and saving to investing and estate planning.But in this conversation, we go deeper—and more current.We talk about:Why this economic moment feels different—even for high earnersWhat Tiffany learned from losing everything during the last recession—and how it shaped her approach today The five foundational pillars everyone needs to revisit right now: budgeting, saving, debt, credit, and income Why “the math isn’t mathing” for so many households—and what to do when cutting back isn’t enough Creative, real-world ways to boost income (from renting assets to leveraging skills you already have) And how to manage financial anxiety in a world that feels increasingly uncertainLearn 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.

It’s spring break, and while I’m taking a little time offline with family, I didn’t want to leave you hanging. In this episode of Ask Farnoosh, we’re revisiting some listener questions from earlier this year—straight from the January mailbag—but don’t worry, these topics are just as timely and relevant today.We’re covering:How to navigate student loans—especially when family is involvedWhat to do with extra cash once you’ve paid off debtHow to approach investing when the market (and headlines) feel uncertainSpecial Announcement:Registration is now open for Book to Brand, my immersive, in-person event happening October 9 in New York City. Join top publishers, agents, and authors to learn how to build a platform that gets attention—and results. 👉 Early bird tickets are available now at booktobrand.coLearn 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.