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In this week’s Ask Farnoosh, Farnoosh kicks off with a look at key economic headlines—from McDonald’s reporting a drop in customer traffic to new signs the U.S. economy may be cooling, including a GDP contraction and a spike in jobless claims. She also reflects on a powerful story shared by comedian Zarna Garg about how her family handled job loss during the pandemic, and why honesty with kids during financial stress can build resilience.

Then, Farnoosh answers three listener questions:

• Elizabeth is considering a new role at a worker cooperative with a significantly lower salary. Farnoosh walks through what questions to ask about co-op structures, how to weigh values vs. pay, and whether the trade-off is worth it.
• A listener worried about market volatility asks how to protect their 529 college savings plan over the next 10 years. Farnoosh shares practical strategies for adjusting investment risk and preserving growth potential.
• A Canadian teacher in her 30s feels stuck—financially overwhelmed, burned out, and unsure how to move forward. Farnoosh offers actionable steps to regain control, find short-term wins, explore alternate income streams, and shift mindsets around job security and reinvention.

Plus, a reminder to check out this week’s earlier episodes with Rachel Rodgers (raising financially confident kids) and Heather Zack (estate planning 101).