Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF

Episode: The Biggest Money Mistake Women Make (And How to Avoid It)

Guests: Zarna Garg & Zoya Garg

Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Vivian Tu

Episode Overview

This vibrant, candid episode explores the biggest money mistake women make—neglecting to take charge of their own financial lives—and how to avoid it. Vivian Tu welcomes comedian Zarna Garg and her daughter Zoya Garg to discuss generational shifts in money mindsets, personal finance in immigrant families, lessons learned from business failures and successes, the value of building together, and frank insights on career pivots, independence, and relationships. The conversation is rich with humor, actionable advice, and brutally honest reflections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Generational & Cultural Views on Money

[02:13–04:47] Family Money Arguments and Spending Values

• Zarna and Zoya frequently argue about money, revealing deep generational divides.
  • Zoya prefers to invest in "experiences" and daily wellness (like organic berries).
  • Zarna advocates for investing in quality, lasting items (e.g., designer bags).
• Debate: Is it better to spend on frequent small pleasures or to save for significant purchases?
  • Vivian: "I do think this very much shows a generational divide." [04:11]
  • Zarna: "First of all, there is a right answer. You guys are wrong." [04:36]
• Practicality and legitimacy—debating whether to get an office space for their business.
  • Both ultimately agree the expense is unnecessary when the work involves so much travel and remote collaboration.

Notable Moment:
Vivian sides with Zarna on the practical use of money after learning Zoya borrows her mom’s expensive handbags. [05:43]

2. Pivots, Failures, and Unexpected Success in Career

[08:45–12:15] Reinventing at Midlife & Lessons from Business Flops

• Zarna’s career path: lawyer (briefly), stay-at-home mom, serial failed entrepreneur, then stand-up comic.
  • “At one point, all my clients were in jail. That was a sign.” [08:59]
  • Tried careers as a matchmaker, vegan chili business owner, and toothbrush inventor—all failures.
• Zarna started comedy at age 44, a leap that seemed “crazy” but paid off.
• Zoya credits Zarna’s charisma and storytelling with her eventual comedic success.
  • “She was just rizzing these customers up in front of me and that’s why they would buy.” [11:34]

Notable Quote:
Zarna: “You have to leverage out of the comedy. You know, you have to generally...” [09:52]

3. Immigrant Experience and Money Mindset

[14:34–16:36] From Mumbai to Ohio: Starting Over

• Zarna immigrated as a teen under challenging circumstances—her mother’s death, father’s pressure to marry, and lack of financial support.
  • “I was the youngest of four kids. My dad was like, I'm done parenting. You need to get married.” [14:41]
  • Sister in Ohio supported her education and living expenses, which Zarna now thinks of as a lifelong debt of gratitude.
• Zarna reflects on the psychological impact of receiving financial help, fueling her drive for independence and success.
  • “When you receive charity, it strips you of your self esteem in a way that’s very hard to explain.” [17:01]

Notable Quote:
“Thank God for rich relatives.” – Zarna Garg, [16:13]

4. Individualism vs. Family Collectivism in Money

[20:16–23:32] Pooling Resources and the American Culture of Independence

• Zoya shares that American culture values individual earnings and independence, while their family’s immigrant perspective sees strength and profitability in pooling resources.
• Zarna emphasizes the risk independence poses to women, noting how not sharing resources creates unnecessary burdens (e.g., every woman running a household alone).
  • “That lifestyle has not served women… Because we don’t pool resources, it puts a crushing burden on each woman.” [22:34]
• They discuss the importance of family teamwork to increase efficiency, value, and security.

Notable Quote:
“The more we band together as a family, the more profitable we are as a unit.” – Zarna Garg, [21:35]

5. The Power and Necessity of Women’s Financial Independence

[24:59–27:35] Why Every Woman Needs Her Own Money

• Zarna is adamant that women must control their own financial fate, drawn from her personal experience of needing to start from scratch after years as a stay-at-home mom when her husband lost his job.
  • “My biggest money regret is not taking control of my own financial destiny earlier in life… Don’t ever put yourself in that situation, ever.” [49:37–50:16]
• Zoya learns the critical skill of sales from working with her mom, viewing selling as essential to understanding and commanding financial value.
  • “In order to understand the value of money, you need to know how to sell. And I think that is the skill that so many young girls aren’t taught…” [27:26]

6. Lessons on Spending: Buy Well, Buy Once

[27:42–29:11]

• Zoya shares her father’s philosophy: "I’m too poor to buy cheap things." Investing in quality, lasting items is more cost-effective than always buying “cheap.”
• Example: Zoya invests in expensive earrings she plans to wear every day, emphasizing value per use over price alone.

Notable Quote:
“Buy expensive things… I’m too poor to buy cheap things. That is my dad’s attitude towards life.” – Zoya Garg, [27:48]

7. On Marriage: Marry Ambition, Not Money

[29:25–32:40]

• Zarna does not want Zoya to marry for money but for drive and ambition.
  • “The idea is not to bypass the work… They should get rich together, ideally.” [29:35]
• She shares a “hot take” that marrying into wealth may dull ambition and adaptability in a partner.
  • “In some way, I’m a little prejudiced against rich people… If you have it early in life and you were just given it, there’s no hunger.” [30:13]

Memorable Exchange:
Zoya: “She has rejected every single one [rich suitors]... For people who might be interested in going on a date with me.”
Zarna: “I’ve learned… you have to pair up with somebody who can withstand life. And just money alone is not sufficient. It’s necessary. It’s not sufficient.” [31:00–31:38]

8. Business Ethics & Controversial Decisions

[34:50–41:11] Performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival

• Zarna addresses criticism of her performing in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing women's empowerment over politics and being transparent about the business decision.
  • “I try to stay out of the politics of it. I’m more concerned with what can I do for the women in that region.” [36:35]
• She delivers laughter and freedom of speech to audiences not usually exposed to such acts.
  • “Bringing freedom of speech to people who’ve never seen anything like it.” [38:53]
• Notes the hypocrisy of critics, many of whom benefit from similar ties.

Memorable Quote:
“We are very clear about what we do. Are we running a business or is this a hobby?” – Zarna Garg, [37:20];
“And they paid well.” [41:02]

9. “Nepotism” and Earning Your Place

[42:31–47:03]

• Zoya “earned” her position running Zarna’s pre-order book campaign by proving business results.
  • “There was no Nepo baby in us.” [44:54]
  • Zoya was nearly fired by her mother after a slow start; results are demanded, not gifted.

Notable Quotes:
Zarna: “My business, I’m so serious about it that if I didn’t think she had it in me, I would encourage her to get a tech job.” [43:13]
Zoya: “If you can deliver somebody a process from 0 to 100 of XYZ thing will get done... you will make money and you will be a power player to whoever you’re serving.” [45:54]

10. Higher Education Realities

[51:21–52:12]

• Zoya’s biggest money regret is treating college as the “main event” rather than gaining full-time work experience early on.
  • “Every college student should have a full time job and treat college like a part time job… The work experience… was so much more valuable to me and actually made me a better student.” [51:21]
• Warns against over-investment in degrees and the mis-sold promise of higher salaries via unnecessary education.

11. Women, Marriage, and Protecting Financial Futures

[52:19–54:11]

• Zarna challenges the idea that marriage must be a lifelong commitment if the financial or personal situation isn’t right, prioritizing women's independence and ability to support themselves.
  • “I tell my daughter, just, if you like somebody and you want to get married, get married and get divorced. If it needs to be that way... My job is to empower women into living lives that they own their destinies of, and that is not gonna happen without your own money.” [52:19–54:11]

12. Actionable Tip for Entrepreneurs & Sellers

[55:14–55:43]

• Zoya shares her top sales tool: Instagram DMs.
  • “Dms are customer service tickets… I was on Instagram DM four hours a day, every single day for six months for this pre order process… and it worked. Highest conversion tool.” [55:14–55:43]
• Zarna notes that Instagram DMs are one of the best ways to reach very famous people directly.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Zarna Garg: “My biggest money regret is not taking control of my own financial destiny earlier in life.” — [49:37]
• Zoya Garg: “In order to understand the value of money, you need to know how to sell. And I think that is the skill that so many young girls aren’t taught because they’re afraid…” — [27:26]
• Vivian Tu: “Money has to be your power. And the only way it has to be your power is if it’s yours.” — [32:11]
• Zarna Garg: “It’s not life or death. Like, if you make a mistake, you’ll get out of it… Make that mistake early, get it out of your system so you can focus on building your financial future.” — [52:19]
• Zoya Garg: “Every college student should have a full time job and treat college like a part time job and not treat their classes like they’re so important.” — [51:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Family Money Arguments & Spending: [02:13–06:49]
• Career Reinvention at 44, Business Failures: [08:45–12:15]
• Immigrant Struggles & Family Debts: [14:34–16:36]
• Individualism vs. Family Finances: [20:16–23:32]
• Entrepreneurial Lessons for Women: [24:59–27:35]
• ‘Buy Well, Buy Once’ Spending Philosophy: [27:42–29:11]
• Marriage and Money—Prioritizing Ambition: [29:25–32:40]
• Performing in Saudi Arabia—Ethics & Opportunity: [34:50–41:11]
• Earning Your Place in the Family Business: [42:31–47:03]
• Regrets About College Investment: [51:21–52:12]
• On Women, Marriage, & Financial Independence: [52:19–54:11]
• Top Sales Tip: Instagram DMs: [55:14–55:43]

Final Words & Where to Find More

• Zarna Garg: “Be part of this world. It’s social media. Be social.” [54:50]
• Zoya Garg: “Please direct message us what you disagree about with us on this podcast. Cause I live for that. I love the debate.” [54:58]

Find them:

• Zarna Garg: @zarnagarg everywhere
• Zoya Garg: @zoyagarg everywhere
• Their podcast: @zarnagargfamilypodcast

This episode is a must-listen for anyone, but especially for women navigating personal finance, career pivots, and complex family dynamics, served with laughter and hard-won wisdom.