Take Pride in Retirement

This is part two of our series on the financial realities of losing a spouse, and in this episode, Josh and I shift from problems to solutions. I'm sharing the exact action steps you can take—both before and after loss—to protect yourself and your partner. I reveal the five most common mistakes people make in the first year after losing a spouse, what I call the "fog period" when grief impairs dec...

In this episode, my husband Josh and I tackle one of the toughest topics in retirement planning: what happens financially when you lose a spouse. I know this isn't easy to think about, but it's absolutely critical—especially for those of us in the LGBTQ+ community who face unique challenges. I break down the real numbers: over 1.2 million Americans age 60+ lose a spouse every year, and newly widow...

Welcome back to part two of our Women's History Month series! Josh and I are continuing our deep dive into retirement planning issues that specifically impact women, with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, we tackle one of the most critical decisions you'll make in retirement: when to claim Social Security. Should you take it at 62, or is waiting until 70 the smarter move? I break d...

I'm excited to share a special episode of Take Pride in Retirement with you! Not only are we diving deep into critical retirement planning issues for women during Women's History Month, but I'm also introducing someone very special—my husband, Josh Rhett Noble, who's joining me as co-host going forward. In this episode, Josh and I tackle the unique retirement challenges that women face, with a par...

Market volatility got you stressed? I'm here to help you keep calm and carry on! In this episode, I'm tackling emotional investing and explaining why discipline beats panic every single time. I'm sharing why you don't need a complete financial overhaul to make progress—small, incremental changes can create massive long-term impact. I'm covering the power of compound interest, catch-up contribution...

It’s starting to feel more like spring, and I'm using this episode to help you reset your retirement strategy for Q2 2026! I'm breaking down the current economic landscape, from Fed interest rates to market volatility, and explaining what it all means for LGBTQ+ investors like us. I'm covering the unique financial challenges our community faces—wage gaps, higher healthcare costs, employment discri...

Spring has arrived, and while your home gets its annual refresh, your finances might be collecting their own quiet clutter… First, clean up your accounts - If your money is scattered across multiple banks, and brokerage firms, it can feel chaotic. Next, declutter your debt - Multiple credit cards, loans with varying interest rates, and different due dates can create unnecessary pressure. Organize...

Estate planning and automation—two topics that might not sound exciting, but trust me, they're critical for protecting everything you've worked for. In this episode, I'm breaking down why LGBTQ+ individuals face unique vulnerabilities when it comes to estate planning and what you can do about it right now. Did you know that only 15% of LGBTQ+ people have worked with a financial professional who un...

Spring has sprung, and it's time to clean up those retirement accounts! In this episode, I'm tackling something crucial for our community—finding forgotten retirement money, cutting hidden fees, and making sure your investments match where you are in life right now. Did you know that 57% of LGBTQ+ folks earn less than $50,000 annually? That means we can't afford to lose money to unnecessary fees o...

Welcome to Episode 100! I can't believe we've reached this incredible milestone together. Thank you for being part of this journey as we help LGBTQ+ individuals and couples build retirements rooted in clarity, confidence, and pride. For this special episode, I'm diving deep into one of the most powerful retirement strategies available: tax-free income using life insurance. This is Part 2 of our li...

Life insurance isn't what it used to be—and that's great news for your retirement plan. Today's episode is all about how life insurance has evolved from a simple death benefit into a powerful financial asset that can protect you while you're still living. I break down the fundamental difference between term and permanent life insurance using a simple analogy: renting versus owning. Term insurance...

This is part two of our healthcare series, and today we're shifting from awareness to action. Here's a statistic that might surprise you: nearly seven out of ten people turning 65 today will need some form of long-term care. And here's what really catches people off guard—Medicare does not cover long-term care. With nursing home costs easily exceeding six figures annually, where is that money goin...

Healthcare costs are one of the biggest sources of anxiety for people heading into retirement—and in this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what you need to know to prepare without panicking. I dive deep into Medicare's alphabet soup (Parts A, B, C, and D), revealing the costly mistakes that can haunt you for life—like late enrollment penalties that never go away. I also introduce you to IRMAA, t...

In the last episode, we talked about why inflation still matters — especially for LGBTQ+ retirees. In this episode, we move from awareness to action. I walk through real strategies you can use to protect your retirement from rising costs, including how Social Security cost-of-living adjustments actually work (and where they fall short), how to build income streams that keep up with inflation, and...

Inflation may not dominate the headlines like it did a few years ago — but make no mistake, it’s still reshaping retirement outcomes in a big way. In this episode, I break down why inflation remains one of the biggest long-term threats to financial security, especially for members of the LGBTQ+ community. From healthcare and housing to groceries and travel, rising costs don’t just impact your budg...

In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , I’m diving into a topic that can quietly do more damage to your retirement than market volatility: taxes. We talk about “tax drag” — how even small inefficiencies can reduce your income over time — and why it matters especially for LGBTQ+ retirees who may face unique planning challenges around filing status, survivor planning, and income strategy. I br...

In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , I take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked threats to long-term financial security: hidden investment fees. Even small percentages — 1% here, a fraction there — can quietly compound over time and cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement. And for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who may have fewer traditional safety net...

On this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , I take a deep dive into Social Security planning , with a special focus on the issues that matter most to LGBTQ+ individuals and couples . From market volatility and inflation to spousal, survivor, and divorce-related benefits, this episode is all about helping you understand how Social Security really fits into your overall retirement plan.  I break d...

On this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , I’m joined by Mark Steber, Chief Tax Officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service , to break down some of the most important tax changes impacting individuals and retirees heading into 2026. We talk about new deductions, who qualifies, and how missing just one line on your return could mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table.  Before and after my conve...

This episode is part two and the conclusion of our series on the five major retirement shifts happening right now —and how they’re affecting LGBTQ+ individuals and couples as we head into 2026. In part one, we talked about where you live, healthcare costs, and longevity. Today, we wrap things up by diving into two topics that often cause the most confusion—and the most mistakes: Social Security an...

Welcome back to Take Pride in Retirement —the show all about helping you build a retirement you can truly take pride in.  In this episode, I’m kicking off part one of a two-part series on the five major retirement shifts happening right now as we head into 2026 —and why they matter especially for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. Retirement planning today isn’t just about hitting a certain age or sa...

For many LGBTQ+ retirees, retirement planning comes with additional complexity. We weren’t always taught how to evaluate investment fees, and trusted institutions haven’t always protected our community. That’s why understanding what you’re paying — and why it matters — is so important. Fees can quietly drain your retirement income, especially once you stop working and start relying on your savings...

In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , I’m kicking off a two-part conversation around something I believe every LGBTQ+ person deserves as they approach retirement: clarity before uncertainty hits . I call it “results in advance” retirement planning — the idea that you shouldn’t have to guess what retirement will look like or hope the markets cooperate once you stop working. Instead, you can...

In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , I tackle one of the biggest mistakes I see retirees make— letting emotions drive their investment decisions . When the world feels chaotic and markets swing like a roller coaster, it’s human nature to react. But emotional investing is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make in retirement—especially for LGBTQ+ retirees, who often lack the tradit...

Market turbulence is rising—and LGBTQ+ retirees face unique risks, from emotional investing to limited family support structures. In this episode, I share how to build predictable income, avoid sequence-of-returns risk, and create a retirement strategy centered on stability, dignity, and pride. If you want clarity, confidence, and a plan that reflects your life—and your pride—this is your episode....