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 the Fed’s latest decision really means for your wallet
• A rare bipartisan housing bill with real promise
• And a study that shows how preschool could boost your salary, not just your kid’s future

• “How do I ask for a sign-on bonus without sounding greedy?”
• “Do 401(k) contributions help me qualify for a Roth IRA?”
• “How can I save on a last-minute family vacation?”
• “Why did my homeowners insurance premium jump 30% this year?”

• SoMoneyLinks.com – My curated tools for saving, investing, and earning more
• Apply to Farnoosh BTS – My fall mentorship program for entrepreneurs and content creators
• Want to ask a question for an upcoming show? Head to SoMoneyPodcast.com or DM me @FarnooshTorabi on Instagram!

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:

• Why budgeting is broken and how to reverse it with one powerful number
• The myth of homeownership as the best investment
• How to avoid the trap of lifestyle inflation—even on a six-figure salary
• And why investing isn’t hard, but the emotional baggage around money absolutely is

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.