What does it mean to be well-mannered with your money?

Today, we’re getting a masterclass in modern etiquette from Daniel Post Senning, the great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute. Daniel joins us to talk about the sticky situations we all face—splitting the bill, tipping in the era of digital checkout screens, handling salary conversations with friends, and navigating the financial asks that come with weddings, parties, and work culture.

With AI reshaping our communication, remote work blurring social lines, and generational traditions clashing with modern norms, it’s never been harder—or more important—to be mindful of how we show up for each other.

For more information, check out The Emily Post Institute, the podcast Awesome Etiquette, and the book Emily Post’s Business Etiquette.

In this week’s Ask Farnoosh, we’re diving into your money questions and breaking down the big headlines.

First up: What the Trump-backed budget bill could mean for your wallet. Farnoosh unpacks the Congressional Budget Office’s $2.4 trillion deficit projection and explains how the proposed tax cuts and spending reductions may impact interest rates, government programs, and your future taxes.

Then, in the mailbag:

• Is the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement right for you? Farnoosh shares her personal take and how she’s pursued financial freedom—without traditional retirement.
• How to create a gift-giving strategy that feels generous and sustainable, plus tips for teaching kids to be kind and money-wise.
• And: Adding bonds to your investment portfolio—why they matter, how to buy them, and how to hold them in your retirement account.

For further reading on the Republican Budget Bill, check out NPR's coverage.

Today we're exploring how financial literacy changed a person's life. Our guest is Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin — former Wall Street lawyer, leadership consultant, single mom, and founder of The Gaia Leadership Project. From the outside, her life looked picture-perfect: elite career, national media appearances, a thriving business. But behind the scenes, Elizabeth was battling deep financial insecurity, credit card debt, and the emotional weight of divorce and single motherhood — all while running a nearly 7-figure company.

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Elizabeth opens up about hitting financial rock bottom during the pandemic and the mindset shift that pulled her out. She shares how investing in financial education helped her pay off $50,000 in debt in six months, build emergency savings, and teach her children what she was never taught: how to talk about — and take control of — their money.

To learn more about BudgetDog, click here and say you were referred by Elizabeth!