Queer Money®: How Gay People Do Money

Is being an entrepreneur more difficult for LGBTQ+ folks?

Even though the Right won’t admit it, business is more challenging for LGBTQ entrepreneurs, and this shocking story on Twitter/X will anger you.

In this episode of Queer Money, hosts David and John discuss the myriad challenges faced by LGBTQ+ businesses on social media with guest Matt Skallerud, founder, and CEO of Pink Media. The dialogue encompasses the abrupt suspension of key LGBTQ+ accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and broader financial struggles linked to restrictive social media policies. The episode highlights the systemic biases in social media algorithms, changes under Elon Musk's Twitter leadership, and the necessity for adaptive marketing strategies. The hosts also share personal anecdotes of unjust ad rejections and endpoint the evolving landscape of digital advertising for LGBTQ+ entities. With an optimistic look towards future elections, they emphasize the continued fight for visibility and fair treatment online. Resources and insights for better engagement on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are shared, along with the importance of sustaining an email list. Matt Scalar provides closing advice on connecting with Pink Media.

Topics covered:

• 00:00 Introduction: The Challenges for Queer Businesses
• 00:11 Guest Introduction: Matt Scalar and Pink Media
• 01:30 The Power of Social Media for LGBTQ Businesses
• 04:09 The Impact of Twitter's Changes Under Elon Musk
• 07:36 The Sudden Suspension: A Coordinated Attack
• 12:31 Financial Impact and Business Adaptation
• 15:37 Similar Struggles: Our Battle with Facebook
• 19:56 Challenges for LGBTQ+ Businesses in Social Media
• 20:17 Navigating Social Media Monopolies
• 21:30 The Politicization of LGBTQ+ Ads
• 22:45 Corporate Equality and Its Flaws
• 23:32 The Political Nature of LGBTQ+ Existence
• 24:11 The Role of Businesses in Politics
• 25:31 Advocating for LGBTQ+ Businesses on Social Media
• 27:10 Strategies for Overcoming Social Media Challenges
• 31:04 The Importance of Engagement on LinkedIn
• 35:19 The Future of Social Media for LGBTQ+ Businesses
• 39:17 Final Thoughts and Optimism for the Future

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How will you fund your fabulous retirement?

Pensions are rare, Social Security isn’t enough, and retirement accounts are small. Let’s talk about how to fund your fabulous gay retirement.

In this Queer Money, we share a new tool that we are working on, which we will eventually share with folks in our Fabulous Gay Retirement Club. More to come on that soon. We use this tool as a way to determine who/what income streams we will use to fund our retirement. We think everyone will need more than one, especially if the primary is Social Security.

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Can a Co-op business model help your business grow?

Episode 550 of the Queer Money podcast features guest Annie Winkler discussing the benefits of employee ownership in businesses. Annie explains how becoming part-owner of a company can lead to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and the establishment of LGBTQ generational wealth. They recount their experience transitioning Real Pickles into a worker-owned cooperative and delve into the impacts of democratic member control in co-ops versus ESOPs. The episode highlights the advantages for both business owners considering succession planning and employees seeking greater investment in their workplace.

Topics Covered

• 00:00 Introduction to Bare Minimum Mondays and Lazy Fridays
• 00:10 The Concept of Employee Ownership
• 00:28 Introducing Annie Winkler and Queerness in Business
• 00:53 Welcome to the Queer Money Podcast
• 01:52 Discussion on Pronouns and Non-Binary Identity
• 02:30 Exploring Employee Stock Purchase Plans
• 02:53 Challenges Faced by Employees Today
• 04:41 The Impact of Baby Boomers on the Economy
• 05:23 Statistics on Baby Boomers and Retirement
• 06:47 The Role of Wealth and Power in Employment
• 07:43 Annie Winkler's Journey to Employee Ownership
• 08:40 The Real Pickles Cooperative Experience
• 12:08 The Benefits of Worker-Owned Cooperatives
• 17:07 Comparing ESOPs and Worker Co-ops
• 20:25 Challenges and Benefits of Employee Ownership
• 26:09 Legacy Planning for Business Owners
• 29:57 Introduction to ESOPs
• 30:29 Trust and Control in ESOPs
• 31:41 Ownership and Leadership Transitions
• 32:57 Optimal Company Size for ESOPs and Co-ops
• 34:27 Financial Considerations and Valuation
• 35:41 Starting the Transition to Employee Ownership
• 41:53 Generational Wealth and Queer Community
• 48:03 VEOC and Employee Ownership Support
• 50:36 Dragon Boat Team and Personal Joys
• 52:35 Conclusion and Resources

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What will a fabulous retirement cost me?

Many of us fear retirement because we don’t know what it’ll cost us. Let’s discuss how much you need to retire fabulously these days.

In this episode, John and David break down what it will take for them to fund a basic, happy and fabulous retirement.

For the resources and to connect with our guests, get the show notes at: https://queermoneypodcast.com/subscribe 

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What are ABLE accounts and how can they help disabled folks save money?

On episode 548 of the Queer Money Podcast, hosts John and David welcome back Brynn Conroy, founder of Femme Frugality and Disability Finance. They discuss the challenges Americans face in qualifying for social security disability benefits and how the system often forces poverty. Conroy delves into the details of ABLE accounts, designed to help those with disabilities achieve a better quality of life by offering tax advantages and allowing savings without jeopardizing benefits like SSI and SSDI. The conversation also touches on the impact of ableism in the workplace, systemic issues, and how the pandemic has strained systems for people with disabilities. Conroy provides insights from her lived experience and emphasizes the importance of financial education and legislative advocacy for improving disability finance.

Topics Discussed

• 00:00 Introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits
• 00:46 Welcome to Queer Money Podcast
• 01:45 Introducing Brynn Conroy and Disability Finance
• 04:47 Challenges Faced by Disabled Individuals
• 06:56 Understanding Disability Definitions and Models
• 19:15 Income and Asset Restrictions for Disabled Individuals
• 23:30 Political and Social Issues Surrounding Disability
• 26:37 The Impact of ADAPT on Disability Laws
• 27:13 Understanding ABLE Accounts
• 29:04 ABLE Accounts and Inheritance
• 29:58 Medicaid Payback and Trusts
• 31:20 Housing Benefits of ABLE Accounts
• 31:58 Challenges and Resources for Disability Finance
• 35:51 Expanding Eligibility for ABLE Accounts
• 37:49 Disability in the Queer Community
• 42:23 Real-Life Benefits of ABLE Accounts
• 45:26 How to Open an ABLE Account
• 47:42 Global Perspectives on Disability
• 49:33 Final Thoughts and Resources

For the resources and to connect with our guests, get the show notes at: https://queermoneypodcast.com/subscribe 

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What do you want your fabulous retirement to look like?

The reality is that each of us has a different picture in mind when we think about what a fabulous retirement looks like. For that reason cookie-cutter retirement plans that may or may not work for our straight friends probably will not work for us.

So how do you know what will work for you?

Today we introduce step 1 in the retirement planning process that we recommend to all our clients. Since this episode does have some visual aids, we suggest you also check out the video recording of this episode on YouTube here.

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How will you fund your fabulous retirement?

In this episode of Queer Money, David and John address the tough reality that many LGBTQ+ individuals feel uncertain about their retirement preparedness. They discuss the concerning statistics of 64% of LGBTQ+ individuals not being on track or unsure about their retirement plans. So they’ve outlined 12 potential income sources to help secure a comfortable retirement. The episode covers social security, employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401k, annuities, real estate investments, small businesses, and other financial strategies. Emphasis is placed on the importance of diversified income streams and financial planning to achieve a 'fabulous' retirement. Additionally, the hosts offer practical advice and insights on how to tap into these income sources while considering factors like inflation, market performance, and individual control over investments.

Topics Covered

• 00:00 Introduction: LGBTQ Retirement Concerns
• 00:56 Queer Money Podcast Overview
• 01:25 Community Poll Insights
• 01:54 Importance of Multiple Income Sources
• 02:27 Source 1: Social Security
• 04:25 Source 2: Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
• 06:44 Source 3: Pensions
• 09:33 Source 4: Annuities
• 12:37 Source 5: Real Estate Income
• 14:37 Source 6: Life Insurance
• 16:50 Source 7: Taxable Investments
• 18:49 Source 8: Part-Time Work in Retirement
• 20:08 Source 9: Paid-Off House
• 22:52 Source 10: Small Business Income
• 24:39 Source 11: Inheritance
• 26:36 Source 12: Health Savings Account (HSA) Withdrawals
• 27:30 Conclusion: Planning for a Fabulous Retirement

For the resources and to connect with our guests, get the show notes at: https://queermoneypodcast.com/subscribe 

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Why can't gays save for retirement?

Last week we dug into 3 systemic reasons that many gays are not able to save for retirement. This week we share 3 more reasons, but these are a bit closer to home and are affected by our own decisions.

Let us know if you feel any of these are things you too have struggled with like we did early on in our retirement saving journey.

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Can you be out at work and be successful?

In this episode of Queer Money, David and John are joined by LinkedIn's career expert Andrew McCaskill. The discussion centers around a recent Forbes report stating that 60% of U.S. workers hide their true selves at work, and a LinkedIn survey revealing only 35% of queer professionals feel safe being out at work. McCaskill provides insights into the complexities faced by LGBTQ+ employees, the importance of authenticity, and how companies can foster inclusive environments. He also shares strategies for queer professionals to navigate their careers, leverage professional networks, and identify inclusive workplaces. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their true selves and seek out supportive professional communities.

Topics Covered in How to Successfully Be Out at Work

• 00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Self at Work
• 00:23 Meet Andrew McCaskill: LinkedIn's Career Expert
• 01:45 The Reality of Being Out at Work
• 05:18 Challenges and Misconceptions
• 06:52 The Importance of Authenticity
• 10:09 Corporate Support and Representation
• 22:24 Personal Stories and Experiences
• 27:18 The Impact of Being Out at Work
• 28:48 Understanding Cascading Homophobia
• 30:12 Building a Professional Community
• 30:50 Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Advancement
• 32:52 The Importance of Transparency and Vulnerability
• 38:13 Identifying Safe Work Environments
• 43:33 Accessing the Out at Work Guide
• 45:23 Final Thoughts and Resources

For the resources and to connect with our guests, get the show notes at: https://queermoneypodcast.com/subscribe 

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Why can't gays seem to save for retirement?

You’re not imagining it. Forces are working against your best interest.

This is Queer Money episode 543 and today we're kicking off part 1 of a 2 parter addressing some reasons why gays can’t save for retirement.

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