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Farnoosh Tarabi
Hi, it's Farnoosh. Are you building a personal brand or business and craving real behind the scenes support? I'm reopening my intimate mentorship program Farnoosh bts and applications are officially open. It's my four month mentorship program to help fast track your success.
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You'll learn all my strategies across all.
Farnoosh Tarabi
The different verticals from podcasting to writing books and I'll connect you with very important people in my life. Applications are available at varnushbts.
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Com. I look forward to helping you Foreign.
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This episode of the Montclair Pod is brought to you by Montclair Film, our town's hub for film storytelling and community connection. From thought provoking indie screenings and Q&As with acclaimed filmmakers to improv nights, live performances and classes in filmmaking, screenwriting and much more, Montclair Film offers something for everyone who loves the power of a story. It's also home to one of the country's premier film festivals each fall drawing audiences and talent from around the world. Right here to Montclair. Want to see what's playing or sign up for a class? Visit montclairfilm.org for the full calendar of events and ways to get involved. Now on with the show.
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Farnoosh Tarabi
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The quality is so good, especially for the price.
Farnoosh Tarabi
About half of what you'd pay elsewhere.
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And I'm not the only one in the house that's hooked.
Farnoosh Tarabi
I've even started getting my kids into quints. My daughter is in love with her new flamingo print Tankini and the softest pajamas she's ever owned. Quince works directly with top artisans and uses ethical factories. So so you get beautifully made pieces without the markup. I'm in love with Quince. And you will be too. Give your summer closet an upgrade with quince. Go to quince.com sewmoney for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N C E.com somoney so money.
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Episode 1860 ask Farnoosh.
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You're listening to so Money with award winning money guru Farnoosh Tarabi. Each day get a 30 minute dose of financial inspiration from the world's top business minds, authors, influencers and from Farnoosh herself. Looking for ways to save on gas or double your double coupons. Sorry, you're in the wrong place. Seeking profound ways to live a richer, happier life. Welcome to SO money.
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Welcome to so Money everyone. I'm Farnoosh Tarabi and this is our weekly AskFarnoosh sesh where we're gonna unpack your money questions. We're gonna go through some current headlines, important economic news that came out this week and talk about some cultural shifts.
Farnoosh Tarabi
That are impacting our wal our families.
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This week we're diving into how to confidently ask for a sign on bonus. Even if your inner critic is whispering, you're being greedy. The confusing truth about Roth IRA income limits, how to save money on your final summer travel plans, and why now.
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Might actually be the best time to book.
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Plus a new bipartisan housing bill with actual momentum, the Fed's cautious stance on rates and the surprising link between preschool and parent incomes with we also have a question from the audience about skyrocketing home insurance premiums. What can we do? Some quick reminders before we dive in. There is a new site that I've developed called somoneylinks. Com. It's in partnership with Money magazine, a one stop place for high yield savings accounts. You can get my investing blueprint, trusted tools, car and home insurance picks, so moneylinks. Com. You guys have been asking me for many years now for recommendations and I've been giving them to you on this show and elsewhere. And I've consolidated all onto one landing page. Let me know what you think. Secondly, my mentorship program, Farnoosh bts is nearly full. Just three spots remaining for this fall. We start mid September. This is for entrepreneurs, creators, professionals who want to build a very purposeful and profitable personal brand platform. You're an expert in something. It could be nutrition, it could be money, it could be taxes. I've worked with dozens and dozens of individuals over the years helping them sort of see the 360 of their business. And I pull back the curtain on everything that I do at my own company, all the ways that I strike deals, negotiate those deals, think about who to partner with, how to pursue opportunities across multiple platforms, books, speaking, brand deals, this podcast and now I have started another podcast. So I have a lot of fresh ideas about podcasting and even workshops and online communities which I've started over the last several years. It's a four month program again starts this September. So if you're looking to finish the year strong with me and of course others in our cohort and build a new professional squad, go to Farnouchbts.com to learn more and apply. It's a first come first serve situation, so this is why I don't want you to sit on it if you've been thinking about it. I'm not sure if I'm going to be offering this in 20. I wasn't sure I was going to offer it this year to be honest, but over the summer I've been reflecting and thinking about how I want to spend my time before the year wraps. And I really do miss supporting people in a very intimate way. And Farnoosh BTS is how I do it we're going to get into our money headlines. As I mentioned, lots of economic news stirring this week, but we want to say thank you to our reviewer of the week. Sana Ham wrote, as a first generation woman guiding my family through financial decisions while learning myself, so money has been nothing short of a lifeline. Farnooche combines clarity with candor, asking guests the tough questions we all want answers to. Her approach has not only deepened my financial literacy, but also empowered me to spark conversations about money with my own circle. Thank you Farnooch for instilling this financial confidence in me. I'm eager to learn more weekly. Oh well, Sana Hem, thank you so much. This this review really resonates with me as I am also a first gen woman here. I'm so glad that we have found each other. Let me know you left this review. Email me farnushitsomeoneypodcast.com or DM me on Instagram because I would love to give you a free 15 minute money session with me. We can talk about whatever you want. Your money, your career, life, and everything in between. I hope to hear from you and I do this every week if I can. If I have a new review, I'll call it out and that person is is more than welcome to get in touch and get a free 15 minute phone call with me. All right, let's talk about the headlines. First up The Federal Reserve decided to hold rates steady this week. At their July 29th through 30th meeting, the Fed kept rates unchanged at 4.25% to 4.5%. Not a surprise.
Farnoosh Tarabi
But here's the twist.
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There were two board members who dissented, calling for a rate cut, and that's the first time that's happened since 1993. This is important because dissent leads to debate, and debate means there's uncertainty. The Fed is 100% walking a very tight rope right now. They're trying to cool inflation, which still isn't falling fast enough without pushing the economy into a downturn. For now, they're holding firm, but all eyes are now on September. At the next Fed meeting, will Jerome Powell and the Fed buckle under pressure and drop rates? Ooh, start microwaving your popcorn. In other news, the House actually came to an agreement over something, and it's over housing. The Road to Housing act of 2025. It's a bipartisan housing bill co sponsored by Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren. Yes. Really? That bill passed unanimously out of committee. And so if now becomes law, which it has a still a long road ahead. It would cut red tape around zoning and permitting. It would create a $1 billion innovation fund to help communities build faster. It's planning to expand rural and veteran housing support and modernize home appraisals. It could be one of the most significant housing laws in years. And like I said, it's got a pretty long journey ahead. But this kind of bipartisan support is rare and it's kind of promising. It's important to focus on what we can agree on, and I think we can. And I know we all agree that housing is broken in this country. It's very, very difficult to buy a home. I think I was reading that the median home price in the United States is well over $400,000, which, if you're using DTI debt to income ratio that many banks use to determine how much you have to earn essentially to be able to qualify for, let's say that $400,000 house is well over $100,000 a year salary. So now you have to make six figures in this country just to become an average homeowner. That wasn't always the case, and that shouldn't be the case. This story is interesting. This next one, preschool. If you've got kids or you're thinking about having kids and they're not in preschool yet, well, you might want to think about putting them in preschool because a study out of Yale found that parents whose kids attended extended day public pre K or earned over $5,400 more per year than parents who didn't get access. So I guess this was a study to try to support free pre K, which I also support. And why is this? Why? Why do families who put their kids in pre K earn more? Researchers think that it's because reliable childcare makes steady work possible. And this took me back to my own experience. I shared a little bit of it on the podcast on Monday when we had Priya Malani, co founder of Stash wealth, on, and we were talking about, you know, what were some of the important money moves that we made in our 30s. We're now both in our 40s, and one of them I highlighted was I hired a full time caregiver shortly after my son was born. Not because I went back to work immediately, but because I needed support. We didn't have immediate family here, and I didn't know anybody except my husband and I. We were just raising this new child and he worked and I worked. And so we hired help. We invested in help very, very quickly. And Evan even started preschool at age 2. It was right downstairs in our building, and it gave me the space to focus and grow professionally. The ROI was very real. Now, we paid for this, so it was an investment. It wasn't free like in this study. This is a public pre K that they're talking about. But still, even though that preschool cost us, can't say it was directly correlated to my ability to earn more, but it definitely gave me the Runway and the time and the focus to build my career. And my 30s were very much a career building era. It's food for thought. All right, those are the headlines. Let's head over to the mailbag. First up, I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing your name. Vilka. She wants to know. Farnoosh. How do I not sound greedy in requesting a sign on bonus from a new employer? I'm getting a 22% raise from where I used to work, but leaving behind a $25,000 bonus. All right, so you know what I'm gonna say, right? Take the emotion out of this. You're not greedy. First of all, you're being smart, you're being strategic. This is not about being difficult. It's about being made whole. And as women, I will be the first to say I've been in your shoes. I have felt this way, that whenever we ask for money for what we are, not just for, for our value in the marketplace, it feels Icky to us. It feels like we're inconveniencing people. And I don't think that this is coincidence. It's because a lot of us have been conditioned, we have been conditioned to think this way. You know, money is a man's world, we're told, and work is for, has for a long time been a man's world. Women, you know, didn't work for many centuries, at least not in the way that we do today and the way that we're climbing our careers today and running things. So it's new to us and whatever, whenever something's kind of new, there is some discomfort. But I want to give you permission to feel very confident in this moment. And here's a script for what you can say to your new employer around this desire to make some sort of sign on bonus. First, you lead with the joy. You know, I'm, I'm thrilled about this opportunity though as I consider the transition, I wanted to ask, you know, my current employer awarded me a $25,000 bonus every year, which I'll be forfeiting by leaving the company. And I'm of course looking forward to working here. But I'm curious to know, does your company offer sign on bonuses to help offset that kind of loss? And I would also keep your 22% pay bump to yourself. That is not relevant. They don't need to know that because that is TMI for your prospective employer that, you know, they could use that information against you. Well, we're already paying her this much more. I mean, that is sometimes what happens and you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot. So if you haven't yet shared that information with them, don't. That extra money that you're making at this new job is not your transition cost. That's actually what your value is in the marketplace. But sometimes that gets conflated depending on who's considering you giving you money. And look, even if they say no to your ask about, hey, does this company offer sign on bonuses? You flexed a negotiation muscle, which is always a win. You can at least feel good knowing that you asked. And here's the other thing I want to say about this. You know, this is very much about you, but it also isn't about you. This is also about the precedent that you are setting. If you ask about this and they say, oh, we don't actually have, you know, sign on bonuses, but they really value you, they might turn around and say, you know what, let's talk about it, let's come up with something that is agreeable to the both of us. And now you've set a precedent. Now the next person who's coming from another employer who is looking to sign on, who's looking to join, might get that sign on bonus. The more of us who ask, the more normalized these conversations become. So advocating for yourself means advocating for everybody else. And I know that in moments like these, you know, it's super personal. It's like, I need to make this money. I get that. But also, if it helps to know that you're being a little bit of a hero in this moment, use it to your advantage. Run with it. Next, Heather asks Farnoosh, my husband and I, we are both near the Roth IRA income limit. Can we subtract our 401k contributions from our income to qualify? So this is a great question. As we all probably know, the ability to contribute to a Roth IRA depends on our modified adjusted gross income. The definition of modified adjusted gross income, well it varies depending on the tax break. The calculation to qualify for Roth IRA contributions starts by taking your adjusted gross income from the bottom of page one of Form 1040 and adding back certain deductions and exclusions that you claimed on your tax return. Now, to make the full $7,000 or $8,000 if you're age 50 or up, to make that full contribution to a Roth IRA this year, your modified adjusted gross income has to be less than $150,000. If you're single or if you're married filing jointly, which I think is what's going on in this case, it has to be less than $236,000. If you want to reduce your modified adjusted gross income in order to qualify for Roth contributions, here's what you can do. One, you can contribute to a health savings account. The other thing you can do which you brought up is make pre tax contributions to a 401k. This also counts for 403s, 457s. You can contribute if you're eligible, $23,500 to these accounts this year. There's also an additional catch up for those who are age 50 or older of an additional $7,500 for 2025. So yes, to answer your question, if you make pre tax contributions to a 401k, this all can be deducted from your FI adjusted gross income. You could also contribute to a healthcare flexible spending account like a 401k. You have until the end of the calendar year to do this. You could also contribute to a dependent care flexible spending account. And if all else fails, you could make a backdoor Roth IRA contribution, which we've talked about on the show. A backdoor Roth IRA contribution is a loophole that avoids income limits so that you can be eligible to contribute to a Roth ira. But this is the biggest caveat with this, or one of the biggest caveats is that each year's contribution, if you plan on doing this for many years, like if you, if this isn't just the first year you want to do it, if you want to become, this is like the normal thing you want to do every year. Each year's contribution has to be created as a separate Roth IRA account. So you can imagine if you do this many times, you have multiple Roth IRAs to manage and then that just can become like kind of ridiculous. But whatever, people do it. I mean, it's just admin work. And so I hope that helps clear up your question. Roth IRA is the holy grail of retirement accounts. Because your contributions grow tax free. You could take the money out tax free. It's pretty, pretty awesome.
Farnoosh Tarabi
Hey, so money friends, I know many of you are thinking about starting your own business or you're already in the trenches making smart, strategic money moves. If that's you, I want to personally recommend a podcast that can seriously help you get to that next level. This is Small Business.
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What I love about this new season.
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Is how real it gets about something we talk about a lot here.
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Risk.
Farnoosh Tarabi
Every episode shares honest stories from founders who faced tough financial decisions, taken bold but calculated risks, and made it through the highs and lows of building a business. Host Andrea Marquez breaks it all down in a way that's actionable and relatable. You'll hear exactly how these entrepreneurs tackled things like funding, pricing, and knowing when it's worth betting on yourself. If you're looking for real, practical insights that can help you move forward with clarity and confidence, this podcast is it. Follow and listen to this is Small Business now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Don't wait to start making smarter money moves today. You know that moment when summer hits and suddenly nothing in your closet feels right? I had that recently and didn't want to waste money on clothes I'd only wear once. That's when I turned to quince. Quince makes timeless, high quality summer staples. Think 100% European linen tops starting at just $30. Washable silk dresses and soft cotton sweaters.
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The quality is so good, especially price.
Farnoosh Tarabi
About half of what you'd pay elsewhere.
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And I'm not the only one in the house that's hooked.
Farnoosh Tarabi
I've even started getting my kids into Quince. My daughter is in love with her new flamingo print tankini and the softest pajamas she's ever owned. Quince works directly with top artisans and uses ethical factories so you get beautifully made pieces without the markup. I'm in love with Quince and you will be too. Give your summer closet an upgrade with quince. Go to quince.com sewmoney for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N C E.com somoney.
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Next up, Jen wants to sneak in one more trip this summer before school starts. What's my best tip for saving on a family vacation? Well, you're just in luck because I just interviewed a travel rewards expert this week for the so many members in my so many members club. Spoke to a travel advisor, Dan Rodriguez, a link to him in our show Notes, and he has been seeing some interesting trends this summer, including a dip in travel, which is good news for those of us who want to travel because it means there are deals and discounts, especially if you're planning to go last minute, like, say, this month somewhere. The New York Times calls it a summer travel slump. And it's not so much that we're not traveling, it's that people aren't coming here, especially from overseas. And many airlines, hotels and analysts have been forecasting a downbeat tourism season this summer. And it's been Playing out. There are threats of tariffs, a lot of unpopular policy decisions. And so if you are in the market to book a flight or a hotel, this is a good time to do it. You're going to be seeing a lot of deals, according to this travel expert. And so a few tips. One, use a luxury travel advisor. This is a kind of new industry that's been flourishing. Travel agents have been around forever, but now there's this niche category of travel agents that are working with you and I for free. Like you don't pay for this as a traveler, but they get paid on the other end when they book you at the various hotels and events. And they also do like excursions and cruises and they will work with you to get upgrades and free breakfast, spa credits, all that good stuff. And it's not like you're going to get first class for free working with them, but it's a concierge service. If you are planning, you know, a special trip, maybe it's a family reunion, maybe it's a honeymoon, having a travel advisor on your team ensures a little bit more smooth sailing when you're there. If things, if there are hiccups, if things don't go well, if you want to switch your plans. Another one of his tips is to book directly with the hotels and the airlines as opposed to a third party website. I learned that if you book, I'm not going to name them, but you know what they are, right? These third party travel websites, when you show up at the hotel and they see that you booked on this third party site, they don't like you. You might have felt it. I have felt it and I think now I know why. It's because they have to pay such high fees to these bookers, these third party bookers. And so what happens is you get there and they'll usually give you the crappiest room. They're not as attentive. It's wild. And then of course, last minute deals, hotels will want to fill rooms before the summer ends. So don't forget that. And don't forget the power of location flexibility. If you can go where the deals are, Google flights is a great tool to use to kind of say, okay, if I want to travel on Sunday, August, whatever, and I'm open, I can go anywhere. You know, on the east coast, on the west coast, see what, see what's there. Consider cities with new flight routes or off season coastal towns. Also a great way to say, yeah, August kind of creeps up on us. And I have been there, you know, that last we go to school after Labor Day. So August is a very long month and often the camps don't run all the way through. So those last two weeks of August can be torture if you don't have a plan, because then it's a lot of kids just following you around the house and wondering, what are we doing? What are we doing, Mom? What are we doing now? It's a lot of fun. Lastly, Tina wants to know, and this is an important question because I've noticed this on our own bill. I know this is happening. Nationally, homeowners insurance premiums are jumping. Hers has jumped 30% this year. She's had no claims. Nothing has changed. So what's going on? Yeah, home insurance is skyrocketing because of climate risk. There are more storms, more floods, more fires, which means these companies, these insurers have been forced to do more payouts. And so as they risk adjust, we pay for it.
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Even if we have all the things we need to be secure in our home, we don't live in a flood zone. We might not live in a particularly climate vulnerable area. There's also rising rebuild costs. Material and labor is more expensive now than ever. And there are fewer insurers. Some companies are exiting states altogether. So those who remain, they kind of have a little bit of a monopoly. So what we can do, well, we can shop around, right? Loyalty does not pay. In this case, you want to think about bundling, too. Your home and your auto insurance. That can usually snag you a deal. Drop the unnecessary extras like if you're insuring jewelry and things like that, unless you have to, because you really, really feel the need to do that. You may not need to do that. You might consider dropping that from your policy. You can also choose to raise your deductible if you can afford it. That can help to bring down the premium. And then look into your state's insurer of last resort. This is so frustrating because we were just talking about housing, real estate, right? And how our country is trying to come together to create less friction for those of us who want to become homeowners. On the other hand, we've got all this insurance mayhem. We can't even get our properties insured. Depending on where we live now, that's probably a good thing. We shouldn't be buying homes on the coast. Public service announcement. If you are still looking for a home in Malibu and that house falls off a cliff or burns down, because we have seen it happen before and that's just what can potentially happen. There. And you didn't have home insurance because nobody was going to insure you. Whose fault is that? Right? At some point, we have to take accountability. But I'm also saying that there are people who, like our friend Tina here, who's not living on the coast of Malibu. She's probably living somewhere that doesn't have a lot of climate threats yet. And the insurance companies, though, you know, they have to balance it all out. And so those of us who are the. But Main street customers are getting hit with these high premiums, and then that's eating into our ability to be homeowners, to afford homeownership. Homeownership is not just the mortgage, right? It's the taxes, it's the insurance, it's the upkeep. Okay, those are our questions. I want to finish with a financial win. A so Money story, if you will, about knowing your value in the market. So I had a recent. I guess you can call it a financial win. And it goes back to about a year ago. Two years ago. Two years ago, asked a friend what she charges for her speaking engagements. Now, this friend, she and I, we have a very similar kind of level of expertise. We have, you know, a lot of success with our books and all the things. And we were, like, on the same plane. And she told me that she charged for her speaking engagements. Like, oh, maybe here, what is it? Like, 40% more than what I was asking for. And she goes, look, you don't get it every time, but that's what I ask for. And then we go from there. Maybe it's less, maybe it's exactly what I asked for, but you should ask for more. And then, you know, I guess my fear was that I wasn't even gonna get to the next level, to the next point of conversation, because speaking unlike a lot of other kinds of negotiations, they cast a very wide pool often. And they just go. Sometimes these speaker event organizers, they just go for, like, the cheapest person. And not all of them, but sometimes that's what they do. And so when you are trying to earn your value, that can get tricky because there's always someone who's gonna ask for less, as I've learned. And that person sometimes gets the deal, sometimes gets the gig over you. So this, my friend of mine, she said, you know, ask for 40% more. And then I did. And then I got it. And I got it. It was like, no problemo. And now I'm kicking myself because I did all these years I waste, you know, not asking for more. I was making a decent speaking rate. But I didn't realize that the market had moved on and I was still stuck in 2010. So my advice to you, let this be a lesson, let this be public service announcement that even when you feel like you have reached a sort of plateau or even a pinnacle in your career in terms of how much you're earning in a particular medium, if it's whether it's speaking or in your corporate gig, there's always room for growth. Even when you think that you have figured it all out. Like I think I have figured it all out sometimes. Some days, you know, some days I do. I'm like, what else can I do? You know, I'm investing, I'm paying my bills, I'm living below my means, we're going on vacations, I'm affording things, I'm donating. Like, what else? There's always room for growth. And when you are in doubt, phone a friend like I did. Talk about money. Share the numbers. Normalize transparency. I do this often for others and I had never asked for advice for myself. And when I got it, I really ran with it. It feels really good to get paid your value in the market. And it's not just about the money. It's about feeling really aligned, like just asking for more. It's, you know, it's a little uncomfortable. But that's a, that's it. That's the whole effort. That's the entirety of the effort, is just asking and sitting in that discomfort for, you know, a couple of hours or maybe just a separate, maybe just a matter of minutes. But knowing that you asked, even if they say no, still feels solid. You don't feel bad about yourself. You don't feel bad about the situation. You won't feel ick. And that's our show. Thanks so much for being here with me today. Keep those questions coming. You can send them to me. Farnooshomoneypodcast.com youm can DM them to me on Instagram. Arnooshtarabi if this episode was helpful to you, please share it with a friend. Make sure you're hitting that subscribe so you always get our next episode automatically. And I hope your weekend is so money.
Montclair Film Sponsor
This episode of the Montclair Pod is brought to you by Montclair Film, our town's hub for film storytelling and community connection. From thought provoking indie screenings and Q&As with acclaimed filmmakers, to improv nights, live performances and classes in filmmaking, screenwriting, and much more, Montclair Film offers something for everyone who loves the power of a story. It's also home to one of the country's premier film festivals each fall, drawing audiences and talent from around the world. Right here to Montclair. Want to see what's playing or sign up for a class? Visit montclairfilm.org for the full calendar of events and ways to get involved. Now on with the show.
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Farnoosh Tarabi
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Podcast Summary: So Money with Farnoosh Torabi
Episode 1860: Ask Farnoosh: How to Ask for a Sign-On Bonus, Save on Home Insurance and Summer Travel
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 1860 of So Money with Farnoosh Torabi, host Farnoosh delves into a series of pressing financial topics, offering insights and actionable advice to help listeners navigate their financial journeys. The episode focuses on negotiating sign-on bonuses, understanding Roth IRA income limits, saving on summer travel, and tackling rising home insurance premiums. Additionally, Farnoosh shares a personal story about recognizing and asserting her market value.
Economic Headlines
Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady
[07:40]
Farnoosh discusses the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5% during their July meeting. A notable moment in the discussion is the unprecedented dissent from two board members advocating for a rate cut—“There were two board members who dissented, calling for a rate cut, and that's the first time that's happened since 1993” ([07:41]). This dissent signals underlying uncertainties as the Fed strives to balance cooling inflation without triggering an economic downturn. The upcoming September meeting is highlighted as a focal point for potential rate adjustments.
Bipartisan Housing Bill Advances
Farnoosh highlights the progress of the Road to Housing Act of 2025, a bipartisan effort co-sponsored by Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren. Successfully passing unanimously out of committee, the bill aims to alleviate housing market challenges by reducing zoning and permitting red tape, establishing a $1 billion innovation fund for community development, and expanding support for rural and veteran housing. Farnoosh emphasizes the rarity and promise of such bipartisan cooperation, stating, “It's important to focus on what we can agree on, and I think we can.”
Preschool Attendance Linked to Higher Parental Income
A study from Yale is examined, revealing that parents whose children attended extended-day public pre-K earned over $5,400 more annually compared to those without access to such programs. Farnoosh connects this finding to her personal experience, explaining how investing in childcare and early education provided her the necessary support to focus on her professional growth. She reflects, “We invested in help very, very quickly... It gave me the space to focus and grow professionally.”
Audience Questions
How to Ask for a Sign-On Bonus Without Sounding Greedy
[03:32]
Listener Question: Vilka seeks advice on requesting a sign-on bonus when transitioning to a new employer, especially after forfeiting a substantial bonus at her previous job.
Farnoosh's Advice:
“I'm thrilled about this opportunity... my current employer awarded me a $25,000 bonus every year, which I'll be forfeiting by leaving the company. I'm curious to know, does your company offer sign-on bonuses to help offset that kind of loss?” ([16:00])
Navigating Roth IRA Income Limits
[17:30]
Listener Question: Heather inquires whether she and her husband, nearing the Roth IRA income limits, can subtract their 401(k) contributions from their income to qualify for Roth contributions.
Farnoosh's Explanation:
Saving on Summer Family Vacations
[20:00]
Listener Question: Jen seeks tips for saving on a family vacation scheduled before school starts.
Farnoosh's Recommendations:
Managing Rising Home Insurance Premiums
[24:00]
Listener Question: Tina expresses frustration over her homeowners insurance premium increasing by 30% despite having no claims or changes to her property.
Farnoosh's Insights:
Farnoosh's Commentary:
“Homeownership is not just the mortgage, right? It's the taxes, it's the insurance, it's the upkeep,” highlighting the multifaceted financial responsibilities that come with owning a home.
Financial Success Story: Recognizing Your Market Value
[30:00]
Farnoosh shares a personal anecdote about realizing the importance of valuing herself appropriately in the market. She recounts how a friend's advice to charge 40% more for speaking engagements led her to successfully secure higher-paying opportunities. Reflecting on her experience, Farnoosh emphasizes:
Conclusion
Episode 1860 of So Money with Farnoosh Torabi offers a comprehensive exploration of current economic trends and practical financial advice tailored to listeners' real-life concerns. From navigating the complexities of retirement contributions to optimizing travel and insurance expenses, Farnoosh provides valuable strategies to empower her audience. Additionally, her personal story serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of self-advocacy in achieving financial well-being.
Notable Quotes:
Resources Mentioned:
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