I’ve been watching thecourageous protesters in Iranboldly risking their lives for women’s rights and against oppression.
It’s made me sad and angry, but also hopeful.
And how learning how to leverage that luck allowed us to pursue financial autonomy.
They urged us to go to school, work hard and save our money.
“it’s possible for you to date when you’re married,” my mom would joke.
“We’re very lucky, Farnoosh,” he’d say.
“One day, you’ll know what I mean.”
Our family’s good fortune started when my dad scored a full ride to study in the US.
When it was time to return home, Iran had been overtaken by a theocratic, tyrannical regime.
I’d just been born and my parents were desperate to stay in America.
That job led to many more opportunities over the next four decades.
My parents never lost sight of those breaks.
My parents understood this.
A few years ago, Iinvited them onto my So Money podcastto share their stories and perspectives on money.
(I call them my biggest fans.)
As first-generation immigrants, their life in the US was simultaneously scary and exciting.
They had to adjust to a different language and culture, while also maintaining their own.
Like many Iranians, they put a high value on education and working hard.
That ethos propelled me to prioritize financial autonomy and security.
And to dedicate my life to teaching others to do the same.
But they didn’t believe in accumulating debt to earn an undergraduate degree.
So I had to opt for the lower-cost tuition at Penn State, which was initially painful for me.
I had my eyes set on pricier schools.
But looking back, this moment was one of my luckiest financial breaks.
It would have meant over $100,000 in student loans, more than what their first mortgage amounted to.
They knew I wouldn’t be able to pay that off quickly.
I studied finance and journalism, which helped.
But my expertise began earlier in my childhood, when my parents would talk about money openly.
They didn’t shy away from having sensitive – and tense – financial conversations at the dinner table.
I learned important financial values about investing and living below your means.
My mom explained to mehow credit cards workand the importance of paying your bills on time.
My dad took me to the bank when I was young and set up a Roth IRA for me.
I felt a calling to go to Iran and cover the war happening next door in Iraq.
But my dad warned against tempting fate.
“If you go there, Farnoosh, you will die,” he said.
“They will kill you.”
At the time I resisted the advice.
I wanted to hop on that plane and follow my dreams.
But this was a massively lucky moment for me.
Later that year, I accepted a salaried job with health insurance at a financial magazine.
My new ambition was television journalism.
I was very green, but I raised my hand.
The opportunity was too good to pass up.
That 4-minute live clip helped me land my next job as a television producer and reporter.
And I think that applies to anything, whether it’s financial autonomy or political freedom.
As my dad and I discussed years later, sometimes youcancreate your own luck.
