A New Year, A New Financial You: 2026 Planning for LGBTQ+ Retirees & Families

As we head into a brand-new year, I wanted to sit down and share something a little more personal — the five financial resolutions I believe can truly transform your future, especially for LGBTQ+ folks like us who’ve often had to navigate financial hurdles that others don’t always see. In this episode, I walk you through the SMART goal framework I personally use, why rebuilding your budget after the holidays matters more than you think, and how automating your savings can change everything — especially if you feel like you got a late start. I also dive into strengthening your emergency fund and refreshing your estate plan, which is absolutely essential in our community where chosen family often plays as big (or bigger) a role as biological family. You’ll hear stories, real-life examples, and a few jokes — because budgeting is easier to handle when we can laugh a little. My goal is simple: to help you start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you’re resetting after a tough year or ready to level up your financial life, these resolutions will give you a clear path forward. If you’re ready to build a retirement you can truly take pride in, visit TakePrideInRetirement.com or call 855-246-9211 for your free consultation. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimizationWatch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShowFollow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement --  Take Pride in Retirement is proud to be named one of the top Pride podcasts on the internet by FeedSpot. For more, go to https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts About Take Pride in Retirement:Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.