HINT…hint…to reward those of you who jump on early, we’ll be announcing a contest soon for some great prizes, which will be drawn from the first 500 fans that join on!

Become a fan of Coach Sappho today, before the 500th fan signs up!

Click here to do so now!

(Note from Barb Elgin:  Today’s post signals the start of new resources for you and all readers of Coach Sappho’s blog:  the inclusion of guest experts who will share with you information, tips and suggestions specially designed for the GLBT community.  Today’s post focuses in on financial concerns and was written by guest author, Woody Derricks.  Woody is a comprehensive financial planner who specializes in the financial concerns of the gay and lesbian community.)

For gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals, reaching financial goals frequently present unique challenges.  You may be aware of some of the issues that can affect you and your loved ones’ financial well being – others may come as a surprise.  One thing is clear: when it comes to managing your wealth, it is critical that you understand your options and opportunities – as well as potential obstacles.

If you are in a relationship, the first step is to include your partner. Because many domestic partners maintain separate bank accounts, they feel as though they should plan for the future as individuals.  I ask my clients: Do you own your home together?  Would you like to pass on a portion of your estate to your partner?  If your partner became disabled, would you provide financial support?  If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you may want to evaluate your financial future as a couple.

Disparities in age present another hurdle for domestic partners. Frequently, partners may have a difference of 5, 10, 15 or more years between them.  Age affects the way we perceive risk with our investments and how we prepare for retirement.  Younger investors are more likely to accept ups and downs in the market as they have a longer time horizon.  Additionally, they have more time to accumulate funds for their retirement years.  For those who find themselves rapidly approaching retirement or who have already retired, the focus shifts from building for retirement to protecting those assets they have accumulated.  Balancing the need to grow with the need to protect can be a daunting task.

Other areas of concern include insurance and estate planning. You should ask yourself several questions: When I pass away, will my partner be entitled to my pension benefits?  How can I best protect my partner and myself while I am alive and after I have passed away? As we know, family members do not always look favorably on the relationship and may desire to have your assets for themselves.

Believe it or not, the Tax Code has produced some benefits for domestic partners. Due to the government viewing same-sex couples as individuals, many higher income partners find that they can contribute more to their Roth IRA’s, pay taxes at a lower rate, and have more deductions available to them than a married couple with a similar combined income.  Work with your financial planner and your tax advisor to identify each of the areas from which you could benefit.

As many look to grow and protect their wealth, they are turning to comprehensive financial planners.  Comprehensive financial planners separate themselves from traditional stockbrokers by providing their clients with thorough investment, retirement, tax, and estate planning strategies while developing a long-term relationship.  If you are in the market for a comprehensive financial planner, you will want to work with someone who understands your needs, respects your relationship, and, most importantly, someone you can trust.

Woody Derricks, the President of Partnership Wealth Management, LLC, has over 10 years experience helping GLBT individuals and couples reach their financial goals.  Click here to find Woody on Facebook.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice to any individual.  Consult your legal, tax, and/or financial advisor to determine what is appropriate for your situation.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

The topic of discovering you are lesbian at age 40 or older is a hot one, in the media and in the press.  It is really not known how common this phenomenon of ‘coming out later in life’ is, but, it definitely touches a nerve, especially in the lesbian community.

This morning I was catching up on some email and I came across a great article on the comedian Carol Leifer, whose story of coming out at midlife is now spreading across the country.   She’s even written a book about her experience, called “When You Lie About Your Age, The Terrorists Win”.

It is really not known how common this phenomenon is, but, it definitely touches a nerve, especially in the lesbian community.

Now, certainly Leifer’s story is unusual in that she’s famous (actually, I hadn’t heard of her until her life story has become more visible).   And, she admits it’s easier for her living in Los Angeles, where there is a higher percentage of gays and lesbians than many areas of the country.

However, it turned out that Leifer wasn’t just ‘experimenting’.  At first she admits she was looking for a ‘sexual’ fling, but here it is 13 years later and she’s been a relationship with the first woman she met (and fell in love with) since then.

I thought it might be interesting to discuss, here on the blog, her story, as it relates to yours.  Did you come out ‘later in life’, like Carol?  If you did, how did it go (or, how is it going) for you?  What were/are your biggest challenges?

Did/do you encounter frustration from lesbians you date as you ‘figure it all out’?  How is your family handling your ‘mid-course change’?

What differences, if any, do you experience, between being with a man and being with a woman in a love or dating relationship?

Fascinating subject, isn’t it?

Barb Elgin, MSW, LCSW, Certified Singles Coach, is Coach Sappho: America’s Favorite Lesbian Love Coach.  Be sure to stop by Coach Sappho’s website today, take Coach Sappho’s ‘Luscious Lesbian Living and Loving Quiz’ and call Barb to set up a complimentary phone call to get the most out of your results.

©2009, Barb Elgin.  All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: The suggestions and feedback offered in this column are but one perspective of multiple approaches to dealing with problems or challenges. Information provided in articles and advice columns should not be used as a substitute for coaching or therapy when these services are needed. None of this information should be your only source when making important life decisions. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a particular problem, nor should it take the place of a consultation with a trained professional. It is your responsibility to consult a professional prior to making any life decisions.

I’m especially excited to talk with mainstream audiences about ‘what a lesbian love coach can teach everyone about love’, because it’s such a vital topic, for the world, for politics, for each person’s health, family relationships, etc.

Below is information on three live radio appearances I have coming up in the next couple of weeks.  If you can listen in, be sure to do so.  Be sure to tell your family and friends to listen in too!:

This Saturday, April 18, 2009, at 6p ET – I’ll be chatting it up with Greg Halpen, The Gay Guy’s Love Coach.  You can listen in on your computer online at Blogtalkradio!

Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30a ET - Catch me live on Larry Whitler’s ‘AM Ocala Live‘ on WOCA Newstalk 1370 AM Marion County’s Information Station, based in my hometown, Ocala, Florida.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at 8:30a ET – I’ll be talking live on FM 92 in Minneapolis, Minnesota on KQRS, a ‘classic rock’ station on their morning show.

So be sure to enjoy dinner with me this Saturday and wake up with me on April 20th and 28th!  You’ll love it…  

HERE’S WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT WEEK AT COACH SAPPHO:

• BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! I’m thrilled to report that I’ve been invited to appear as a guest on HRC’s The Agenda XM satellite radio show!  Needless to say yours truly is amply excited about joining Joe Solomonese and Mary Breslau on XM satellite radio channel 120 around 6:30p ET this coming Monday night, January 28th.  Hope you’ll stop by and take a listen.  I’m excited to join the elite list of guests

  who’ve appeared on The Agenda, including Kate Clinton, Lorna Luft, Cyndi Lauper, Martina Navratilova, Jackie Collins, Lance Bass, Barney Frank, and more!  Be sure you check out Joe Solomonese if you don’t know him already.  As well as the host of The Agenda, Joe is the executive director of the Human Rights Campaign!  I’ve heard him speak and he’s fabulous (and awfully cute too)!

• Coach Sappho’s LIVE Podcast kicks off it’s fourth show this coming Wednesday, January 30th at 8p ET.  Be sure to stop by – we’ll be talking about secrets to creating the relationship of your dreams.  And, here’s another BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! Be sure to mark your calendar and be sure to join me during our Valentine’s Podcast on Wednesday, February 13th, at 8pm when I’ll be welcoming to the show a very special guest:  Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry.  Please, tell me what you most want to ask Evan ahead of time via email or come to the show and ask him live.  Again – mark your calendars for 8p ET on February 13th for our celebration of Valentine’s Day and Freedom to Marry Week.
• Coach Sappho’s Be Ready for Love Teleclass is coming up gals.  That’s right, I’ll be leading this one time teleclass next Thursday night, January 31, 2008.  And, there’s still time to register, but time is running out so, please, be sure to click here and check it out!  This class is open to singles and individuals or couples in a relationship.

professional, client-focused service where an individual or couple is assumed to be healthy, powerful, and able to achieve relationship goals with effective support, information, and guidance

My style of coaching has been described by clients as:

• inspiring
• very informational/’you are a font of knowledge’
• transformative
• challenging without being coercive – ‘you help me be true to myself’
• refreshing
• fun while at the same time helpful

Coach is not therapy.  The chart below, adapted from Hayden and Whitworth, 1995, distinguishes the major differences between coaching and therapy:

Currently, most of my services are provided via the telephone.  That means you can enjoy all of this support from the comfort and privacy of home. 

For a list of the benefits of telephone coaching, click here.

Well, the other night, I happened to catch an interview that was done with Mr. Morgan on a local PBS station.  The topic was the anti-gay marriage amendment here in Florida. 

I held my breath – after all he is a nice looking, southern, white guy and I figured ‘here we go, we’re about to get blasted…’ and, much to my pleasant surprise, John Morgan spoke very favorably for voting no against this horrible amendment.  He also spent quite a bit of his time talking about these hatemongers, specifically mentioning the man who spearheaded the drive to get the signatures to put the amendment on the ballot.  He said they needed to ‘get a life’ and that most fair-minded folks are ‘onto these sad people’ (or something to that effect).

Way to go John Morgan.  We here at Coach Sappho love you!  Please write or call Mr. Morgan and give him thanks for speaking up so clearly, decisively and boldy about this issue, which affects all of us dearly.

Barb Elgin
Hear me live on HRC’s ‘The Agenda’
XM Satellite Radio Channel 120 on
Monday night, January 28th at 6:3opm ET

Victoria has a Bachelors degree in Education and post-graduate certification in Applied Linguistics, however she is now about to begin her Master’s degree through Nova University in Mental Health Counseling.  Although she continuously has a "full-plate" she makes sure to have fun as well – participating in caring for and riding horses at a local horse rescue and enjoying long "nature-walks" along the spring fed river- which has given her the idea at least to investigate purchasing a kayak. 

Victoria is also an avid fencer, sword fighter,and stunt woman. She has participated as a fencing coach in the " modern pentathlon" event at the Atlanta Olympics and raised funds for a local charity playing a female pirate.  Victoria has also been known to do medieval sword fighting and training both at a Medieval Faire and in SCA completion.

Basic Benefit

One, 60-90 minute teleclass. 

Fees

Registration is $24.99.  Participant is responsible for any long distance fees his/her carrier charges to call into the teleconference line. 

Guidelines

Coach provides teleconference bridge number and webinar address for the calls.  Participants call bridge numbers to listen and talk or go to webinar to listen only (or both).

The teleclass is meant to be informational, educational and entertaining.  You must be 18 or over to attend these shows.  If a participant decides to talk during the teleclass, please keep in mind the teleclass is being recorded and will later be shared with group members and/or repurposed by Coach Sappho for whatever purposes are desired.  This means if you have any concerns about your privacy, please plan for that AHEAD of time.  For example, some folks use a fake name and/or change any other identifying details when speaking.

In addition, caller is solely responsible for any actions he or she takes as a result of attending the call, including any actions he or she takes as a result of being ‘coached’ during the call.  Coach makes no guarantees or warrantees, expressed or implied, about any results to be achieved. The coaching process is designed to support an individual in making and following through on choices that further his/her personal and professional development. While there are high expectations of professional and personal growth as a result of coaching, there are no guarantees. The results are directly related to changes someone is willing and capable of making in his/her attitudes, behaviors, habits, and approaches.

Participant understands the coaching is not considered expert advice particular to his/her business, field, or industry; financial or legal advice; training; therapy; crisis intervention counseling/services, or other psychological counseling.

In the rare occurence a caller expresses danger to self or others on the call, coach will take whatever action he/she judges is in the best interests of all involved, including helping caller get the help he/she judges is most appropriate and/or making any legally-required reports. 

Coach Sappho holds the sole copyright to teleclass recordings.  Participants are not allowed to record teleclasses or re-use them in any other way other than listening to the one copy Coach Sappho will provide each participant following the teleclass.  Participant is allowed to make one backup copy for herself.

On the teleclass, coach may provide information regarding other providers of services or goods, including interviews of said providers.  All such information and introduction of such experts offered subject to independent evaluation by the participant and no warranty or representation regarding their services is made by the coach.

By clicking on ‘I AGREE’ below, I agree that I have read, fully understand and agree to the above. I certify that I am 18 years of age or older and am able to sign a legally-binding contract.

I AGREE

I’m curious about your experience as a single lesbian who wants to find a life partner. Yes, while it’s easier to connect today than it was 50 years ago, however, I know from my own experience as well as from talking to other single lesbians, that it’s still challenging being single and a lesbian…

•	I’d like to know more about you and your challenges finding a soulmate
•	I believe that, together, we can help you experience less frustration!
•	Would you be interested in exploring solutions to the frustrations you face?
•	If so,
•	If so, I’d like to invite you to JOIN me for an interesting, fun tele-discussion from the privacy of

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