In this episode, we flip the “lottery tax” trope on its head. No, we didn’t win Powerball (unless you count $6 and a gas station coffee). But by treating the lottery as a game for our values, we got crystal clear on what mattered most—and that’s how we built our plan for early retirement.

💡 Takeaways from this episode:

• Why “lottery talk” is actually a powerful tool for aligning money with values.
• How dreaming big (designer wardrobes, Audis, Palm Springs) led us to focus on what we really want—security, real estate, business growth, giving back.
• How to use fantasy conversations to get your partner on the same money page.
• Why clarity kills hedonic treadmill spending—and gets you closer to early retirement.
• The secret: those “lottery dreams” are often more accessible today than you think.
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🎧 Grab your free Happy Gay Retirement Calculator in the show notes and start designing your fabulous future—no lottery win required.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

We rank the Top 5 Greek cities/towns for gay retirement—balancing affordability with LGBTQ+ vibe—so you can swap doomscrolling for island sunsets without blowing the budget. Expect bars and beaches, Pride scenes, healthcare access, average 2-BR rent in USD, cost of living vs. the U.S., and our Queer Money Retirement Ratings (1–10).

• Greece now has full marriage equality (2024)—hello, EU stability + rainbow rights.
• Crete = best value (Heraklion/Chania) if you want beaches without Mykonos prices.
• Athens wins for healthcare, community, and year-round living.
• Island glam = seasonal pricing—plan accordingly.
• A smart pick comes down to rent + COL + community fit—our ratings slightly overweight affordability.

👉 Want your own Opa-moment? Grab the FREE Happy Gay Retirement Calculator and see if Greece fits your fabulous.

👉 For our running city cards, visit https://queermoneypodcast.com/cities

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Starting in 2025, Uncle Sam is dangling a shiny new $6,000 tax deduction for folks 65+, or $12,000 if you’re married. Sounds fabulous, right? Well… not so fast. In this episode, we unpack who actually benefits, how the phase-outs work, and why some in our community could see a nice boost—while others get stuck sipping house wine at The Abbey.

• What the new $6,000/$12,000 retirement deduction really is (and isn’t).
• The income phase-out ranges that shrink your bonus.
• Real examples featuring single lesbians, married gay couples, and those bougie retirees with 1,000-thread count sheets.
• Why this isn’t a fix for Social Security (and how Gen X might get shafted… again).
• How to start planning so you keep more of your coins come retirement.

🎧 Whether you’d use $6,000 for bills, travel, or a new pair of red-bottoms, this episode breaks down what this boomer perk means for you.

Grab your Happy Gay Retirement Calculator for help starting your fabulous retirement plan.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Faster Here!

Want a European passport with access to living in nearly any European country? Just click the link below to find out how.

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!