So Money episode 1945, the truth about debt, inequality, and starting over.

You're listening to So Money with award-winning money guru Farnush Karabi.

Each day, get a 30-minute dose of financial inspiration from the world's top business minds,

authors, influencers, and from Farnoose yourself.

Looking for ways to save on gas or double your double coupons? Sorry. You're in the wrong place. Seeking profound ways to live a richer,

happier life. Welcome to So Money. Getting out of debt is one thing. The real challenge is staying

out of debt. That's the real challenge. That's the real flex. Okay. But the way that I approach it now is it has to be strategic. Like, you have to think about just because you get a credit card offer, just because someone offers you a mortgage loan, a car note, or whatever, it doesn't mean you have to accept it.

You don't have to say yes.

Welcome to So Money, everyone.

I'm Farnoosh Tarabi.

Our guest today is truly one of the original voices in personal finance and someone

whose work has shaped how millions of Americans think about debt, credit, and financial freedom.

Lynette Calphani Cox is on So Money to talk about her powerful new book, Bounce Back,

the ultimate guide to financial resilience, and why resilience, not perfection,

is the real key to getting ahead with money.

And in this conversation, we go deep. We talk about

why despite decades of financial education, so many Americans are still drowning in debt,

how systemic barriers and policy decisions shape our financial outcomes and what it really takes

to recover after life's biggest setbacks from divorce

and job loss to disasters and what Lynette calls dollar deficits. Lenett also shares her own

deeply personal story of climbing out of six figures of credit card debt, the mindset shifts that

made lasting freedom possible, and why you don't have to wait until you're

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