15 years ago, we got serious about getting out of debt, and now, we’re on track to be retirement millionaires ! How did we save that kind of money? By getting creative and implementing a few strategies that are simple, sometimes weird and maybe even a little sexy. On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing the top 10 crazy ways we save money. We discuss some of the fun things we do to avoid going out (hello, Naked Sunday) and explain the savings and other benefits of celebrating a dry month a...
Oct 20, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 232
For LGBTQ married couples who normally keep their finances separate, the prospect of filing taxes jointly may seem complicated. How do your divide up the taxes you owe in a way that’s fair to both of you? Would it be easier just to file separately? Harvey Susnick is a Partner at Berdon LLP , a leading accounting and advisory firm based in New York City. Harvey has four decades of experience as a CPA, running his own firm for 20 years before merging his practice into Berdon in 1998. He leverages ...
Oct 13, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 231
Despite the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of LGBTQ job protections, homophobia and discrimination in the workplace did not *POOF* go away. And even companies that consistently score a 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index have instances of what I call cascading homophobia, a phenomenon that hits our community right in the pocketbook. On this episode of Queer Money, I’m introducing the idea of cascading homophobia and explaining how it affects the LGBT pay gap. I share the formal definit...
Oct 06, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 230
It’s actually pretty simple to prepare for big expenses like retirement or your kid’s education. And the small contributions you make now grow into big money when you need it. So, isn’t it time you started or upped your investing game? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing our final five tips to super-simple investing. We discuss the benefits of starting an employer-sponsored retirement account and setting up automatic annual contribution increases to invest more and more over time. We w...
Sep 29, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 229
No other part of the economy is designed for success quite like the stock market. So, what’s keeping you from being a member of the Investing Class? Do you think buying stocks and bonds is too complicated? The truth is, setting up an investment account is easy, and you can get started today! On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing our first five tips to super-simple investing. We explain how to open a retirement or brokerage account online and set up automatic deposits funneled directly fr...
Sep 22, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 228
What financial class do you belong to? Which one do you WANT to join? And what steps can you take to get there? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing the characteristics of the four financial classes, explaining how each category is based on behavior rather than income. We introduce the Leveraging Class, explaining how they live fabulously broke and why they spend to ‘keep up appearances’—to the detriment of their own financial security. We go on to discuss the habits of the Spending Cla...
Sep 15, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 227
For those of us who are struggling to pay off debt, the idea of having those outstanding balances forgiven and simply starting over sounds pretty good. But if you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy to eliminate your debt, it’s important to know that it’s not that simple. Howard Dvorkin is the Founder of Consolidated Credit and Chairman of Debt.com , an educational platform and news site covering consumer debt. He has 27 years of experience in financial services and is one of the most highly...
Sep 08, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 226
So, you desperately want to improve your financial life, but you just can’t seem to get ahead. It might surprise you to learn that your money story is what’s sabotaging your financial security. But how do you change your beliefs about money to set yourself up for financial success? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing the three most prevalent money stories, explaining how our subconscious beliefs about money influence our actions and why so many people who make millions still live in sc...
Sep 01, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 225
Building good money habits is key in improving your personal finances. But what if you don’t have access to the same resources as everyone else? What if you can’t get a mortgage to buy a home? Or you make less than your colleagues at work despite having the same qualifications? No doubt, institutional racism impacts the ability for Black Americans and other minority populations to build wealth and pass it on to the next generation. Michelle Jackson is the serial entrepreneur and business coach b...
Aug 25, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 224
Frustrated that you’re not getting any closer to achieving your hopes and dreams? It’s not you, it’s your goals. Getting on the path to the life you want starts with setting attainable goals and then taking those small steps forward. But how do you go from WISHING for a better life to actually LIVING it? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing our top 7 tips for setting attainable goals. We walk you through the SMART process of goal setting, explaining why your goals need to be specific, m...
Aug 18, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 223
Do you have a unique perspective on gay culture? Would you like to share your experiences with a community online? For Jacob Michael , creating a YouTube channel is about having a voice, and he uses the platform to share his take on issues in the LGBTQ community that no one else is talking about. Jacob Michael is a popular gay YouTube star and social media influencer with nearly 22K subscribers and hundreds of thousands of video views. He got his start doing vlogs for fun, but his channel evolve...
Aug 11, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 222
Raise your hand if you want to be happy, healthy and rich! You CAN change for the better, and it starts with making simple changes in your daily life. So, what habits do you need to practice each day to reduce stress, feel better and get on the road to financial independence? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re discussing 10 habits that will make you happier, healthier and wealthier. We begin by explaining why habits are crucial in making positive change, describing how practicing gratitude an...
Aug 04, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 221
💸 Are you using your pink dollars for the highest good? If you want to help build a strong LGBTQ community with the resources to push for progress, there are several things you can do to make that happen. On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing strategies to help you get more value from your pink dollars. We begin with a challenge to spend more of your money within the queer community, sharing ideas on how to shift your expenses to LGBTQ-owned and operated businesses, and much more. 🏳️�...
Jul 28, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 220
A bad credit score can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime. In fact, when the two of us were carrying $51K in credit card debt, we were spending $10K per year in credit card interest alone. So, how much is your credit score costing you? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re uncovering the shocking truth about how much your debt is really costing you. We begin with a review of the credit score ranges from exceptional to very poor and discuss the five factors...
Jul 21, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 219
The Supreme Court made history on Monday, June 15, 2020, ruling that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. What does the decision mean for the LGBTQ community? And what steps can we take to make sure our employers follow the law? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re discussing the Supreme Court’s recent ruling protecting LGBTQ workers. We cover LGBTQ workers’ rights in the US prior to June 15th, explaining how we could be termina...
Jul 14, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 218
Full show notes and our favorite secured cards here: https://debtfreeguys.com/secured-credit-cards-bad-credit/ Let’s say you’re paying off a significant amount of credit card debt with the help of a debt settlement company, and you’re looking for ways to improve your credit score. Is it a good idea to apply for a secured credit card? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re explaining how secured credit cards work and what you need to think about BEFORE you apply for one. We discuss the top three f...
Jul 07, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 214
When the Coronavirus triggered a stock market crash, a lot of investors panicked. Others saw the dip as an opportunity to buy. So, what if you want to invest, but you don’t want to live on an emotional roller coaster? Is there an approach to investing that lends to calm, even when markets are volatile? Stephanie and Gillian are the Canadian expat couple behind Our Freedom Years , a blog that follows their path to financial independence and early retirement. Experts in DIY investing, they gave up...
Jun 30, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 213
We’re so excited, and we just can’t hide it! Our signature system for paying off credit card debt has its own dedicated site at DebtLasso.com . So, what inspired us to build a platform separate from Debt Free Guys? And what will you find on the new site? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re announcing the launch of DebtLasso.com, explaining how our recent appearance on Good Morning America accelerated the creation of the site. We discuss how the platform can support you in paying off your credi...
Jun 23, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 212
We could all use a Pride Parade right about now, but 2020 is just not cooperating. So, what can we do to make this June as much fun as those past? How can we show our pride and celebrate the LGBTQ community wherever we are? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing nine fabulous ideas for celebrating Pride at home. We challenge you to connect with friends virtually and offer our best ideas for showing off your pride wherever you are—displaying your rainbow flags and banners, sharing Pride ph...
Jun 16, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 211
It’s hard enough to get two people on the same page when it comes to money. So, what do you do when there are three or more people involved? What’s the best approach to money management for those of us in polyamorous relationships? Michelle Waymire is the fiduciary financial advisor behind Young & Scrappy , a platform that offers financial coaching, financial planning and business coaching to young professionals, LGBTQ+ and polyamorous clients. Michelle holds an MBA from the University of Tennes...
Jun 09, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 210
A member of our Credit Card Pay Off Course and Queer Money Facebook Group forwarded us the recent CNN article, “New Threat to the Economy: Americans Are Saving Like It’s the 1980’s.” Can saving really be a threat to the economy? Just how much does our economy depend on consumer spending and credit card debt? And in light of the Coronavirus shutdown, should you be saving or spending money right now? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re taking a closer look at the CNN article on how the pandemic ...
Jun 02, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 209
With most traditional date night activities off the table, you and your partner may be struggling to find things to do together beyond ‘Netflix and chill.’ What can you do to keep your relationship strong and create new shared memories, whether you’re sheltering in place together or apart? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re sharing our best quarantine date ideas for you and your partner. We challenge you to picnic (in your car) in a desirable neighborhood or plan your post-quarantine vacation...
May 26, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 208
If being quarantined at home has you going a little (or A LOT) stir crazy, you are not alone. We’ve all been forced to adjust to new circumstances to limit the spread of COVID-19. But there are things you can do to protect your mental health and hang onto your joy despite the current limitations. On this episode of Queer Money, we’re walking you through the nine things we’re doing to stay sane during quarantine. We share the books, TV shows, movies and podcasts we are consuming to stay inspired ...
May 19, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 207
Are you using your personal checking account for your side hustle? If you’re just starting a microbusiness, it may seem like it’s not that big of a deal to comingle your money. But Manny Cosme contends that whether you run a small Etsy store or you’re building the next big Fortune 500 company, it’s important to keep your business and personal finances separate. Manny is the President and CEO of CFO Services Group , an accounting firm based in Washington, DC. He has more than 20 years of experien...
May 12, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 206
We know that it’s a good idea to have multiple streams of income. And starting your own business is an obvious way to bring in additional revenue and enjoy a little extra security—especially in uncertain times. But there are real challenges associated with managing a side hustle. So, how do you know if entrepreneurship is the right move for you? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re addressing Justin’s question around the pros and cons of starting your own side business. We share the results of ...
May 05, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 205
If you have a strong interest in managing your own money, you may not need the advice of a financial advisor. But if you are new to investing or need specific help in planning for the future, you may want to seek out a professional opinion. So, what are the different types of financial advisors you have to choose from? And how do you pick the one that’s the best fit for you? On this episode of podcast, I’m addressing Zack’s question about the different types of financial advisors. I share the re...
Apr 28, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 204
This episode is a bonus Queer Money to help you during this difficult time. COVID-19 is impacting all of us in many ways. We want to help reduce that impact on your finances as much as possible. Get the free checklist here: https://debtfreeguys.com/bonus3 Mentioned in this episode: Get the FREE Happy Gay Retirement Calculator Are you on the path to a tragic, basic, happy or fabulous retirement? Find out where and begin your journey to a better retirement with our Happy Gay Retirement Calculator....
Apr 25, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 217
You wouldn’t road trip from New York to LA without a map of some kind, right? And yet, most of us treat our financial lives this way, hoping that we’ll make it to where we want to go without a plan of any kind. So, what does long-term financial planning look like? On this episode of Queer Money, we’re addressing a listener question (thanks, Alyssa!) around creating a long-term financial plan. We introduce the top excuses we hear for not having long-term goals and walk you through examples of the...
Apr 21, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 203
The order to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. In addition to the fears around our physical health, many of us are out of work and nervous about our financial health too. So, what can we do to get through this very difficult time? On this episode of Queer Money, I’m discussing the challenges many of us are facing in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, describing how job loss and income insecurity are causing additional stress and anxiety. I share the r...
Apr 14, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 202
This episode is a bonus Queer Money to help you during this difficult time. COVID-19 is impacting all of us in many ways. We want to help reduce that impact on your finances as much as possible. Get the free checklist here: https://debtfreeguys.com/bonus2 Mentioned in this episode: Get the FREE Happy Gay Retirement Calculator Are you on the path to a tragic, basic, happy or fabulous retirement? Find out where and begin your journey to a better retirement with our Happy Gay Retirement Calculator....
Apr 12, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 216
