Queercents

After drawing 1.5 million page views with nearly 2,500 posts from over 50 contributors; Queercents is taking a time out.

More precisely, its leader needed a break. Since 2006, Queercents has consumed my early mornings and a good deal of my weekends, but it’s time to pass the torch to someone better equipped to write its next chapter. By the end of the year, an improved Queercents will live on, albeit without me, at a gay destination attracting 10x the traffic than we ever could.

In the meantime, we’re on pause, but our searchable archives remain with more than a few timeless ideas about money. So feel free to stick around.

Over the years, it’s been a pleasure leading a team of committed volunteers producing relevant financial content for the LGBT community. I consider Queercents a collective success because of these writers. I also extend my appreciation to Serena Freewomyn, Paula Gregorowicz and Elizabeth Byrne; each put in extra effort behind the scenes. I’m proud of our accomplishments, excellent content, brand awareness, and loyal followers… after all; a blog is only here for its readers.

And a reader I will become. And then maybe I’ll become something else. When I’m done resting. But rest assured, whatever it is, it will probably touch on the topic of money… because I like money. I like to think there’s some good in money. I hope this site helped you see the good in it too! Be well and prosper!

Queercents will be back in new form soon…

My latest column for The Advocate appears in the Oct Issue.

You can also check out the articles online:

1. Yours, Mine, and Ours: Avoid relationship penalties by creating both individual and joint bank accounts.
2. Trading Faux Fun at WeSeed.com
3. In Defense of Luxury… even as conspicuous consumption is put on hold.

Image credit: Advocate.com.

On Friday’s Marketplace Money, Host Tess Vigeland and Economics Editor Chris Farrell answer questions about how same-sex couples should handle assets and protect retirement money from over-taxation.

Farrell points the listener to, “a pretty good web site which I’ve only recently been spending some time on called Queercents.com.” Nice to hear we’re noted as a resource in the Getting Personal part of the program.

To catch it, be sure and click the “Listen to this Story” button for just that segment, rather than the “Listen to the Show” button. Hat tip to Dana at Mombian for catching this on NPR and letting me know.

And while we’re on the subject of money segments, if you like podcasts, Trent at The Simple Dollar, lists several money podcasts that he listens to (as well as a few other suggestions from his commenters) including: Planet Money, Marketplace and Marketplace Money. All worth a listen.

Image credit: Marketplace Money.

From time to time, Kensington Books provides us with free titles from its Gay and Lesbian section to give away to our readers and contributors. Each book is a gay-themed work of fiction and has absolutely nothing to do with personal finance. But they’re free and there is always something nice about free.

Besides, you have the rest of the recession to read the latest nonfiction money books. For now, take a breather and escape with one of the two books below by telling me why you need a break from our regular scheduled personal finance programming. I’ll pick two winners after the holiday weekend. Here are the books:

Object of Desire by William J. Mann

Danny Fortunato seemed to have it all. He was cute, funny, sexy, smart—the hottest go-go boy in West Hollywood. When he danced on stage, all eyes were upon him and all men desired him. But something always kept Danny from ever really believing he was the golden boy that others said he was…a secret that he’d carried with him ever since he was a teenager.

Twenty years later, living in Palm Springs, Danny is celebrating his 41st birthday—although “celebrating” might not be the right word for how he feels about his life today. To the outside world, he’s still golden: he still has his looks, and he still loves Frank, his boyfriend of nearly two decades. But something is missing in his life. Passion. Romance. Adventure. The same something that’s been missing ever since that day when he turned fourteen, when his sister Becky disappeared and his whole world flipped upside-down. Read the rest of this entry »

My second column for The Advocate appears in the Sept Issue.

You can also check it out online to learn:

1. How the new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) program can help make student loan payments more manageable.
2. How StockTwits can help you build a better portfolio in 140 characters or less.
3. Why charity loves company: gays and lesbians take up giving circles.

Image credit: Advocate.com.

A recent study from Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs found that when asked about spending for entertainment, over four out of 10 lesbians (44%) said they likely will reduce their spending, in contrast to fewer than a quarter (24%) of gay men.

What are gay men spending their money on? We need a writer to find out by covering such purchases as fine wine, gadgets, fashion and theater tickets. Think of it as the money eye for the queer guy.

If you’re well versed in finding the best for less (be it clothes, Cabernet, or iPhone apps), then send an e-mail to: nina [at] queercents [dot] com and explain why you want to write for Queercents.

Keep in mind that all contributions are voluntary. That said, we’re gaining visibility with our weekly press releases and we’d be happy to create some buzz about you. Also, we’re not too demanding, but it helps if you’re familiar with WordPress blogging software… when you’re proficient at uploading your content, well, it’s easier on me!

Finally, on a different but similar note, we’re still looking for a video blogger. View Clint’s series to get an idea about how personal finance gets personal with a web cam.

Photo credit: stock.xchng.

Long before Queercents, I remember pitching David Hauslaib (from Jossip and Queerty fame) about why we should collaborate on a personal finance blog for the gay and lesbian community. He asked me to write three sample posts and when the critique amounted to one too many markings from Captain Red Pen, I decided to forge ahead on my own. After all, did I really want to take direction from someone fifteen years my junior who thought my writing needed to be more service-oriented?

Apparently he knows a thing or two about publishing, but back then I favored long rambling posts that focused on the heart and soul of money. Fast forward a few years and I finally get his gist about writing more useful articles. Be of service to the reader.

I think my writing has improved since the inception of Queercents. The Advocate thinks so. Starting with the August issue, I’m the new finance advocate. Check out my article and see if I nailed usefulness. It’s not easy to be of service in 500 words or less. Hopefully, I did okay.

Image credit: Advocate.com.

We’re taking a pause over the long holiday weekend, so check back on Monday! In the meantime, the Queercents family hopes you’ll stay free from debt and carry on the path towards financial independence! Happy July 4th to our readers in the US. And to the rest, feel free to browse our archives – we have written 2,200 posts over the last few years.

My recent favorites (three excellent series) are listed here:

Financial Implosion
Alex Taylor has documented the path to bankruptcy and foreclosure (and back!) and provides readers with the lessons learned from personal financial disasters. “Climbing out of the dual financial pits of foreclosure and bankruptcy wasn’t just a matter of luck. Getting out of the pit required a combination of better decision making and planning.” Taylor hopes that by sharing this story, others will be able to make better decisions for themselves.

To date, there are 28 installments in this series – be sure and start from the beginning! It’s a fascinating story with many lessons shared.

Your Gay Best Friend Who’s Good With Money
Clint Osterholz started this video series to help Gen X and Y get their finances in order. Clint said he was tired of seeing his friends struggle to pay their bills. “I feel that a lot of people my age are terrible at personal finance. Young gays are even worse at managing money. While straight friends are building nest eggs to start a family or buy a house, many of my gay friends are blowing their paychecks on partying, clubbing, dancing, and drinking. I think it’s good to develop the sugar daddy within. Rather than having life plans that involve getting discovered, striking it rich or dating a wealthy older person; I feel my viewers benefit from practical ideas-presented from a tone that isn’t judgmental and accepts that we all make mistakes.” Read the rest of this entry »

Clint, our resident vlogger is moving on. We enjoyed his series and trust that viewers did too, but this means there’s a gap to fill. We need video!

Does anyone want to contribute to Queercents by vlogging about money? These spots can be professional and informative like Clint’s version or less professional and with more skin like Davey did in his Ten Money Questions interview. They can even be street interviews in the vein of The Daily Show. We’re not picky; although they do need to say something about money and personal finance.

If you’re interested, send an email to: nina [at] queercents [dot] com and tell me why.

Photo credit: stock.xchng.

Last week I put out a call for a travel writer and voila, a travel writer appeared. Eric Olson is excited to be joining the Queercents family as he will be providing commentary and insight on frugal traveling. Eric prides himself on creating itineraries highlighting LGBT owned and friendly businesses. He is currently a travel columnist for Just Out newsmagazine based in Portland, Oregon.

In his pitch, Eric provided ten reasons why he should get the travel slot. Here are 3 that prove his passport is always on stand-by.

1. Quite honestly, I believe Guinness beer should only be consumed in Ireland, and key lime pie should only be eaten in Key West, Florida… and yes, you can do it on a budget, and I can tell you how!

2. I strongly believe that there is more to queer travel than traveling to the White Party or staying in a four-star hotel that has been heavily marketed to the “upscale queer traveler.”

3. My next trip this summer will be a RSVP Cruise to Alaska (my partner made me do it). Think of the blogging opportunities… an entry titled, “The frugality of a gay cruise; does it exist?

If it does exist, I’m sure Eric will tell us about it. Please welcome him to Queercents.