Palm Springs is cute, but what if your retirement backdrop was honey-colored cliffs, café culture, and 300 days of Mediterranean sunshine?

By popular demand, we’re spilling the limoncello on Malta—a tiny archipelago that’s big on LGBTQ+ rights (ranked #1 in Europe!) and just might be your queer retirement fantasy. From Pride parades in Valletta to drag brunches at Café del Mar, Malta offers more than just Game of Thrones vibes and tax shelters for Crypto Bros.

In this episode, we:

🌈 Count down the Top 5 cities & towns in Malta for LGBTQ+ retirees.

🌈 Reveal the Queer Money Retirement Rating for each spot.

🌈 Dish the perks, downsides, and local gay flavor you need to know before booking that one-way ticket.

💎 Grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator and start plotting your sunny, queer Mediterranean escape here: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

1. Malta is 20–35% cheaper than the U.S.—but still pricier than much of Southern Europe.
2. LGBTQ+ rights here are 🔝 in Europe. You’ll feel safe and celebrated.
3. Each city has its vibe: nightlife, culture, chill, or everyday queer density—pick your flavor.
4. Downsides: heat, water scarcity, high rents in hotspots, and healthcare limitations.
5. Overall: Malta shines bright with a Queer Money Retirement Rating of 8–9/10.

👉 Share in the comments: Which Maltese city feels like your retirement vibe?

👉 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and ring the bell—Thailand is up next in our international gay retirement series!

The U.S. stock market is still tossing confetti like it’s Pride, despite Trump’s tariff tantrums and everyone waiting for the other (designer) shoe to drop. GDP’s up, inflation’s creeping, and the consumer is “resilient” (aka drowning in credit). So what gives?

We’re diving into:

• Why the GDP looks sparkly on the surface (hint: imports are the messy drag wig underneath).
• How Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff “taco trading” makes economists feel like they’re cooking dinner with their stove knobs hijacked.
• Why Big Tech and index funds are propping up Wall Street while Main Street feels the pinch.
• What’s really hiding behind “consumer resilience” and why your credit card company is the only one clapping.

💸 Don’t get blinded by the glitter—learn what’s really fueling this market and what it means for your wallet and your retirement plans.

👉 Grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator today and start planning your fabulous future here: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

1. GDP isn’t as fabulous as it looks—imports just stopped weighing it down.
2. Inflation’s creeping in (yes, even your coffee noticed).
3. Big Tech’s billions and index funds are the sparkle behind the stock market.
4. “Resilient” consumers = maxed-out credit cards. Don’t get fooled.
5. Now’s the time to stack cash smartly and plan ahead—before the glitter fallout.

From drag brunches in Galway to seaside strolls in Wexford, we’re serving up Ireland’s Top 5 LGBTQ+ Retirement Hotspots—ranked by affordability, community, and those oh-so-important queer perks. 🇮🇪✨

This isn’t just a travel fantasy; it’s the gay retiree’s cheat sheet to stretching your pot of gold without sacrificing charm, safety, or a dash of fabulousness. Whether you want artsy coastal vibes, Dublin-adjacent nightlife without Dublin’s rainbow-rent, or a laid-back West Cork foodie scene, we’ve got the tea. And yes, we’re weighing cost of living more than clubbing, because at this stage, your bank account deserves as much love as your social calendar.

Grab a Guinness, pull up your wellies, and let’s find your Irish happily-ever-after (rainy days included).

• The five most fabulous, affordable Irish towns for LGBTQ+ retirees
• Which places are safe & welcoming vs. which will make you cry into your pint
• Why affordability beats nightlife when you’re living your best retired life
• The queer perks you didn’t know you needed: opera festivals, cliff walks & swimming pride parades
• Why Dublin & Cork didn’t make the cut (don’t @ us, it’s about your wallet)

1. Limerick – Affordable, low-key, with a Pride swim parade. Queer Money Retirement Rating: 7.5/10.
2. Clonakilty – Coastal, cultural, and community-driven. 8/10.
3. Wexford – Artsy, beachy, ferry to Europe. 8/10.
4. Howth – Sea cliffs, seafood, & Dublin access without the rainbow rent. 9/10.
5. Greater Galway Bay – Drag brunches, vibrant queer scene, airport nearby. 9.5/10.

Thinking of say "Bye Gurl" the U.S.?

Madonna’s divorce was expensive—but renouncing your U.S. citizenship could cost you even more 💸. In this episode of Queer Money®, we’re spilling the tea on the exit tax—what it is, who gets smacked, and how to not get wrecked by it.

So before you grab your passport and peace out to Portugal, know what Uncle Sam (aka Daddy Taxman) wants from you first. Because freedom ain’t free, darling—especially when the IRS is involved.

• 🇺🇸 The Exit Tax Is Real – Officially called the Expatriation Tax, it hits folks who renounce U.S. citizenship and meet specific criteria.

⚠️ You may be a "covered expatriate" if:

1. Your net worth is $2 million+
2. Your average income tax over the last 5 years is $206,000+ (2025 estimate)
3. You haven’t filed or paid taxes for the past 5 years
4. 👉 Green card holders may be subject if they’ve held one for 8 of the last 15 years

🏡 What gets taxed:

• Your home
• Investments
• Retirement accounts (401(k), IRAs)
• Even Taylor Swift merch 👀
• → The IRS pretends you sold it all and taxes your phantom capital gains.
• 💰 2024 exemption: First $821,000 in phantom gains is tax-free—but that’s not much if your home doubled in value since 1995.
• 🧓 Even in retirement (or death):
• Rental income or property sales could still be taxed
• Your heirs could owe gift or estate tax (up to 40%)
• Welcome to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act—thanks, Reagan!

🧠 Ways to plan ahead:

• Donate appreciated assets (to LGBTQ+ orgs = win-win!)
• Max Roth conversions now
• Relocate abroad early, reduce assets before renouncing
• Review international tax treaties for potential protection
• 🧾 Must file IRS Form 8854 – Whether you qualify for the tax or not, this is your official “I broke up with America” form.
• 💡 Talk to a pro: This is niche tax law. H&R Block ain’t it. Find someone who knows international tax strategy.

🎁 Grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator here: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

New Zealand isn’t just Lord of the Rings scenery and sheep. It’s got gorgeous queer vibes, strong legal protections, and cities that range from cozy and artsy to full-blown fab with ferry rides to wine islands. We break down the top 5 cities for LGBTQ+ retirement in NZ with real costs, real vibes, and real queer perks.

Ready to float through Middle Earth in style? Let’s go global gay with this week’s Queer Money®!

🌍 New Zealand ranks in the top 10 on the Spartacus Gay Travel Index—but is still underrated for LGBTQ+ retirees

🏙️ Top 5 cities ranked from fab to MOST fab:

• #5 Christchurch: Charming, green, affordable (⭐ 7/10)
• #4 Queenstown: Adventure-packed and inclusive (⭐ 8/10)
• #3 Dunedin: Artsy, affordable, student-rich (⭐ 8/10)
• #2 Wellington: Culturally rich & walkable (⭐ 9/10)
• #1 Auckland: Big-city buzz & wine island chic (⭐ 8/10, but most well-rounded overall)

💰 Rents range from ~$1,000–$1,900/month for 2-bedroom homes

📉 Cost of living is generally 7–25% lower than the U.S. average

🏳️‍🌈 Strong LGBTQ+ protections and community support across the country

💃 Lesbian balls, Winter Pride, & gayborhoods galore

💡 Wellington & Auckland boast the most vibrant queer infrastructure

✈️ Auckland wins for lifestyle + international access—but Wellington gets the highest rating for vibe and livability

🎁 Grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator here: https://queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:10 - Past and future
• 1:51 - Christchurch
• 3:44 - Queenstown
• 5:21 - Dunedin
• 7:58 - Wellington
• 10:40 - Auckland
• 12:47 - Why the numbers don't line up
• 13:19 - Wrap up

Everyone makes early retirement look like beaches and banana hammocks—especially the gays. But behind the glam is the grit.

In this week’s episode, we’re getting brutally honest about the three biggest mistakes we made on our path to early retirement. From missing Roth conversions to underfunding HSAs and after-tax accounts, we’re sharing what we wish we had done differently—so you don’t make the same missteps.

We also open up about the hard truths: losing 70–80% of our income, getting ghosted by potential employers, and why we're being pushed into early retirement (spoiler: America kind of gave up on us first).

If you're thinking about retiring early—whether by choice or circumstance—this is your roadmap to avoid regret and build a fabulous future on your own terms.

🎯 Grab the Happy Gay Retirement Calculator to start planning your exit strategy today.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:30 - Why are we retiring early?
• 2:20 - How we're able to retire early
• 4:08 - Why we didn't "just get jobs"
• 6:07 - Tradeoffs for early retirement
• 7:31 - Mistake #1 - Roth Conversions
• 9:03 - Mistake #2 - HSAs
• 10:35 - Mistake #3 - After-tax investing
• 11:34 - Wrap up

Progressive laws. High safety ratings. A warm, welcoming culture. Uruguay may be South America's best-kept secret for LGBTQ+ retirement—and in this episode, we reveal the top 5 cities for gay retirees looking for affordability, inclusion, and sunshine.

We explore everything from charming riverside towns like Paysandú to the chic beachside enclaves of José Ignacio, with deep dives into rent prices, cost of living, queer scenes, and legal protections. Uruguay may not have a massive gay expat community yet—but that might just be what makes it so special.

🧭 Whether you’re dreaming of rustic charm or cosmopolitan culture, this episode will help you decide if Uruguay deserves a spot on your fabulous retirement shortlist.

• The Queer Money Retirement Ratings for 5 top Uruguayan cities
• Cost of living vs. U.S. benchmarks
• Why Uruguay’s quiet inclusivity may feel more authentic than flashy
• Which cities are best for budget-conscious vs. luxury-loving retirees
• What Uruguay gets right—and what may be dealbreakers

🎯 Grab your Happy Gay Retirement Calculator and start planning your next chapter!

It’s no secret: gay men are some of the biggest spenders in the economy. From fashion to travel to gourmet coffee, we love to live well. But here’s the paradox—so many of us still feel financially strapped.

On this episode of Queer Money®, we’re unpacking why gay men often earn more yet save less—and how cultural pressures, internalized shame, and a desire to prove our worth can sabotage financial security.

• The hidden costs of trying to look successful
• Why the LGBTQ+ community is targeted by marketers—and how to protect yourself
• Steps to shift from consumption to building lasting wealt
• 💡 If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of spend, stress, repeat—this one’s for you.

On this week’s Queer Money, we’re spilling the pastel de nata on the top 5 cities in Portugal for gay retirees. From the chic beaches of Cascais to the colorful streets of Lisbon, we cover where to live fabulously (and affordably-ish). But watch your wallets, darlings—new tax changes could have you paying more than you planned.

We’ll break down what’s changing, how it could impact your Social Security and retirement income, and why you definitely need a tax pro before you pack your caftans.

Which Portuguese paradise has a 10/10 Queer Money Retirement Rating? Tune in to find out—and start planning your escape.

• ✅ The top 5 most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in Portugal for retirement—complete with costs, perks, and downsides
• ✅ Portugal’s end to the Non-Habitual Resident tax regime and why it could mean a tax hit of up to 48%
• ✅ How to avoid getting double-taxed on Social Security and retirement accounts
• ✅ The Queer Money Retirement Ratings that help you compare your options at a glance

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:33 - Portugal tax changes
• 3:30 - Series update
• 4:17 - Porto
• 5:58 - Lisbon
• 8:42 - Lagos
• 10:11 - Ericeira
• 11:52 - Cascais
• 13:58 - Wrap up

Get the calculator here.

Burned out? Laid off? Can’t sit through one more “All Hands” meeting where Todd from Accounting performs a spoken word about synergy? Honey, maybe it’s time to retire early—even if you didn’t plan to.

This week on Queer Money®, we’re spilling the retirement tea 🍵 on a not-so-boring IRS rule with a Star Wars-sounding name: Rule 72(t). This little-known financial lifeline lets you tap your IRA or 401(k) penalty-free before 59½ if you're done-done (emotionally or professionally). Yes, the IRS will Cher slap you with a 10% penalty otherwise—but not with this rule, darling.

We break down the 3 payment options with sass and strategy—from cautious queens to high-rolling honeys—and share how this rule might just be your early retirement Plan B.

If you’re dreaming of sipping espresso in Porto instead of grinding at your desk, listen up. Rule 72(t) could be your official exit plan.

• What is IRS Rule 72(t)? A legit way to take early retirement withdrawals without the IRS penalty. Yes, it’s real. No, it’s not a droid.
• Three Queen-Approved Payment Plans:
• Required Minimum Distribution – For the cautious queens who want to test the waters.
• Fixed Amortization – For the dependable divas who love predictability.
• Fixed Annuitization – For high-rolling honeys who want more moolah now (but no take-backs, babes).
• You still pay taxes (because this isn’t RuPaul’s Tax-Free Fantasy Camp), but no 10% early withdrawal penalty is a big win.
• This rule works best if you’re 50–59½, have a chunk in retirement accounts, and truly need the income.
• WARNING: If you break the rule (even by $1), the IRS will come for you harder than a drag queen chasing a $20 tip. 💅
• Not for everyone – definitely consult your financial advisor or accountant (and maybe educate them in the process 👀).
• Feeling lemon-y about layoffs and burnout? This may be your early retirement lemonata.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:43 - The T on Rule 72t
• 2:08 - How Rule 72t works
• 2:30 - The 3 Withdrawl Methods
• 4:52 - Requirements to avoid the 10% penalty
• 5:45 - Who this rule works best for
• 7:29 - Wrap up

• Download it here: queermoneypodcast.com/hgrcalc