1992: Ask Farnoosh: Angel Investing, Saving for a Downpayment and What to Do When She Makes Less

Farnoosh Torabi delivers a powerful, no-BS take on financial power dynamics in relationships, challenging the myth that income disparity equals personal worth. In a candid response to a listener worried about being the lower earner in a relationship, she reframes financial independence not as a luxury but as a necessity—advocating for three separate bank accounts (yours, mine, ours) to preserve autonomy and prevent resentment. Her most striking insight? 'Just because you make less does not mean that you are less than.' This isn’t just about money—it’s about self-worth in a culture that equates salary with value. She also tackles angel investing with a hard reality check: restaurants fail at a 60% rate in the first year, and no amount of passion for a chef should override a solid business plan. Her advice? Never risk more than 5% of your investable assets, and treat the investment as an experience, not just a return. For those saving for a down payment, she warns against market volatility and urges a 'one-income simulation'—imagining life on a single paycheck to accelerate savings. The episode is a masterclass in balancing emotional intelligence with financial pragmatism, especially for women navigating power imbalances in love and money.