Live Rich Even When You Aren't

The reason? You’re So Money was inspired by other financial advice books that Torabi, a 28-year-old reporter for TheStreet.com, felt were chiding her for wanting nice jeans and suggesting she live off hydrogenated noodles, she recently told Marie Claire.

So she set out to pen a book to her peers about money in a language they could understand.

But, perhaps, one of the more telling blurbs is one by a peer. Ben Lerer, co-founder of Thrillist.com wrote, “Farnoosh Torabi's book is a hilarious must-read for anyone who wants to live like a king, even if he's just a lowly serf with nothing in his bank account but blighted turnips, and, like, $3000.”

This isn’t a technical book about finance. Torabi is carving out her niche as the go-to friend-expert for questions about how to tailor your finances to your larger goals and values.  The idea, she said, in a recent interview with her college newspaper is to get people to think about their lives. “But not like I want an iPod. But like core values. Do you want a family? Is work your No. 1? Do you want to live in the city?"

And Torabi isn’t going to wag her finger at you.

"I'm not here to tell you how to run your life, but I'm here to ask you how you want to run your life.”