Exciting News from Mint: Welcome, Farnoosh!

Hello fellow Mint lovers!

It’s Farnoosh!

I’m honored and excited to share with you that beginning today I will be contributing to the Mint blog with the goal of bringing readers some of the best and most useful money insights and practices. I feel super lucky to have this opportunity to connect with you, an ambitious and smart community dedicated to living healthy financial lives.

I began benefiting from Mint in my 20s when I was a singleton living in New York City making $18 an hour (before taxes) and carrying some $30,000 in debt. My days were long and I was always running short on cash. For me, Mint helped me stay accountable. It made my finances real and transparent. I learned, for example, that I was spending far too much on taxis and that I could earn more by shifting my savings to a high yield checking account online. For me, Mint was – and, in some ways, still is – that trusted friend who tells it like it is, while gently nudging me to do what’s best for me and my money.  Thanks, girl.

And so when the kind folks at my favorite money tool reached out to ask if I’d like to partner up with them this year, I nearly fell back in my chair. I’ve passed on editorial partnerships in the past because I didn’t feel aligned with the company’s mission. In some ways I think I’ve just been holding out for this opportunity for Mint. (The prayers worked.)

And the timing couldn’t be better. As Mint continues to enhance user experiences through rich content, I’m looking to continue connecting with communities that care about money, people who want to take their finances to the next level and achieve true wealth. And with the uncertainties ahead with the election, the economy and financial markets, you may have more questions than usual.

All this to say, I’ve got my work cut out for me!

But it’s the best kind of work I can imagine, as a journalist and truth seeker at heart.

What We Can Look Forward To

One way I hope to enlighten readers is to profile Mint’s own users, people like you who may be doing exceptional things with your money. Maybe you paid off that giant student loan bill once and for all or successfully asked your company for a raise. I want to brag about you and share your steps. I think we’re all money “experts” in our own ways and have so much to share to help each other avoid mistakes or to simply be inspired. I hope that my writing here will help give many more individuals that important influence.

No longer a singleton, I’m married and a new mom to a rambunctious (and expensive) 2-year-old. I’ve gone back to school, switched careers, gotten laid off and started a business. And so on these pages, I also look forward to sharing my advice on affording life’s milestones. Whatever your goals in life, they probably carry price tags. Together we’ll analyze the costs and reverse engineer them to be sure you can achieve them on your terms and with flying colors.

And what about that friend who’s always bumming money off you? Or your S.O. who’s a little cheap? Or that uncertain feeling you get each time a coworker asks you to donate to his charity? What do you do? There are some sticky money topics that can’t be answered with a graph or chart or by simply using a calculator and those are some of the issues that I – like the geek I am –  enjoy tackling. We all have stories to share in this department, so let’s just get them out in the open and talk about proper money etiquette once and for all.

All this to say, I can’t go it alone here on the Mint blog. The success of my column will depend on you telling me what you hope to learn, as well as your financial accomplishments.  This blog is just as much a reflection of you than it is of me and my ideas. Let’s please keep in touch. For now, you can reach me at Editor_Mint@intuit.com.

Looking forward to connecting and see you back here soon!

In admiration,

Farnoosh

Farnoosh Torabi is America’s leading personal finance authority hooked on helping Americans live their richest, happiest lives. From her early days reporting for Money Magazine to now hosting a primetime series on CNBC and writing monthly for O, The Oprah Magazine, she’s become our favorite go-to money expert and friend. Follow her on Twitter @Farnoosh