1971: Ask Farnoosh: Buy Gold? Save on Travel? And My Thoughts on Strangers by Belle Burden

Key Takeaways

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  Retirees are choosing walkable climate-resilient cities

  “Yahoo Finance is reporting that more retirees are seeking to settle down in, wait for it, New York City because it checks off a lot of boxes. It's a sociable city. It's walkable. And this is really important and increasingly becoming important. It's climate change resistant for now.”

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  Airlines often comp items during major delays

  “US airlines aren't required to give you anything if you're stuck at the airport. But behind the scenes, crews often have the power to comp things. We got lucky because we didn't even ask and the crew was so nice to just comp us in the future, you should just ask. And I think in general, they'll be accommodating.”

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  Gold functions as a hedge not growth

  “And that's how gold behaves. It reacts to uncertainty, to geopolitical stress, to fears about inflation and global stability. One headline about peace talks, prices move. Another about conflict or supply disruption. Price of gold moves again. And so it's not a steady price point. And that's why I say gold is not a growth strategy.”

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  Social media scholarship advice is frequently fraudulent

  “Students are looking for college scholarships on social media sites. They're trusting their friends' advice more than financial advisors, that's according to a new survey. And that gets a little tricky, right? Because there are a lot of scams out there. Money deals on TikTok and Instagram, I don't have to tell you, usually, scams.”

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  Local organizations provide legitimate college scholarship opportunities

  “Some sites where you can find scholarships directly, Scholarships360, scholarships.com, FastWeb, also your local bank, Rotary Clubs, Community Foundations, your high school, your college financial aid office, employers, local businesses, these are all legit places to find and apply for scholarships.”

Episode Description

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 overpaying Smart ways to rebuild your credit after debt without falling back into old habits 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.