Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Rhein Haus: Serving Up Weiners Und Balls in Downtown Denver
Debt Free Guys: 3 Ways to Become Debt Free Faster
Interest rates compound on themselves and the reverse savings and investing make is harder to become debt free. As a leading concern for the queer community, here’s what can be done to lower the cost of debt and become debt free faster.
We were paying about $10,000 a year on interest payments on $51,000 worth of credit card debt. That’s a few nice vacations a year, 400 $25 bottles of wine a year or 33 pairs of $300 jeans.
When we paid off that debt, we essentially gave ourselves a $10,000 raise. We mostly used the Debt Lasso below to stop paying high interest payments and put that savings towards our debt.
Lassoing credit card debt
The Debt Lasso wrangles your interest rates down as low as possible, ideally 0%. Negotiating a lower interest rate on existing debt is possible, but hard. That’s why the second and most productive Debt Lasso step for credit cards is maximizing 0% interest rate promotions.
We first contacted all our credit card companies to lower our interest rates. Some agreed, even if it took some convincing.
Next, we took advantage of 0% interest rate credit card promotions with no annual fees. When we found such offers, we’d calculate the cost and consequences of a balance transfer. This meant reading a lot of fine print and understanding what we read.
Most 0% interest rate credit card promotions last between six and 18 months. We chose the longer terms to minimize balance transfer fees. Then, we hustled to pay off our debt as fast as possible. When one card was paid off, we put more money towards our remaining debt and repeated this until we were debt free.
Refinancing car loans
There are many reasons to refinance your car loan. The first is if today’s rates are lower than your current rate. Another is if your credit score has improved since you took out your loan.
To refinance car a loan, use a credit union. When we decided to pay off our two car loans, we looked everywhere for better rates and terms and nothing beat credit unions.
The credit unions we talked with were more interested in our personal situation and goals than banks were. Also, the credit unions were open to consolidating two loans into one.
Refinancing mortgage debt
Refinancing mortgage debt makes sense under certain conditions. People too often refinance mortgage debt and lower their month-to-month payments but pay more because of extended terms. Likewise, refinance fees can make refinancing mortgage debt cost-prohibitive.
With rates at historic lows for the last decade, only refinance mortgage debt if the refinance fees make sense and you can keep your term less than 15 years.
Once you’re debt free, don’t go into debt again. When we first paid off our $51,000 of debt, we went through a couple spells when we got into debt again – not $51,000 worth – but it took a few tries to stay 100% debt free.
Become debt free and stay debt free.
Monday, February 12, 2018
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Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.
Koelbel Urban Homes: The New Modern in Denver
As the newest division of legendary developer Koelbel and Company, KUH is focused on in-fill properties, designing and building innovative homes tailored to each unique site.
Offered homes run the gamut of detached single-family homes to svelte modern attached designs featuring today's popular spaces, such as rooftop decks and open-plan concepts. All KUH homes, of course, are designed for optimum living and with respect for the surroundings.
DNC on New Anti-Transgender Student Education Policy
In response to a new report that the U.S. Department of Education will refuse to investigate or take action on complaints filed by transgender students restricted from using the restroom of their choice, DNC LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta issued the following statement:
“In the last year, the Trump administration has rolled back critical protections for the LGBTQ community, and today’s decision by Betsy DeVos is no different. By refusing to take action on complaints filed by transgender students denied the right to use bathrooms that match their gender identities, DeVos is willingly undermining Title IX and turning her back on individuals facing institutional discrimination.
“Despite the ouster of Virginia’s “chief homophobe” by a transgender woman and losing the North Carolina governor’s mansion following backlash against the state’s “bathroom bill,” Republicans haven’t learned that their far-right, anti-LGBT agenda is out of step with Americans across the country who will hold them accountable come November.”
“In the last year, the Trump administration has rolled back critical protections for the LGBTQ community, and today’s decision by Betsy DeVos is no different. By refusing to take action on complaints filed by transgender students denied the right to use bathrooms that match their gender identities, DeVos is willingly undermining Title IX and turning her back on individuals facing institutional discrimination.
“Despite the ouster of Virginia’s “chief homophobe” by a transgender woman and losing the North Carolina governor’s mansion following backlash against the state’s “bathroom bill,” Republicans haven’t learned that their far-right, anti-LGBT agenda is out of step with Americans across the country who will hold them accountable come November.”
Rally to Save the Colorado Civil Rights Division
At 1:30PM after the rally, the Sunset review for the Colorado Civil Rights Division and Commission will be heard before the House Judiciary Committee! Join us and help pack the room to send a strong message that we want the Colorado Legislature to keep the CCRD in existence as it has for decades!
The Colorado Civil Rights Division exists to promote equal treatment of all people in Colorado and promote a more open and receptive environment in which to conduct business, live, and work.
The Gay Vegans: My Third Half-Marathon
By Dan HanleyIt’s been four years since my last half marathon, five years since my first. I remember the day well. Well, the day of the run and the day I decided to do the run. My nonprofit was fundraising through the Colfax Marathon in Denver and I came home telling Mike that it would be great for us to run and fundraise for the half marathon portion. Neither of us had ever run nearly that far (13.1 miles) yet we decided to go for it. I was 47.
Two months later we crossed the finish line. I loved everything about it. I felt super healthy training for the run and I was honestly shocked that I finished.
In three weeks I hope to cross another finish line, this one for the Encinitas Half Marathon in Encinitas, CA. The route of the race is what drew me to this one, with most of the race being along the Pacific ocean. I know the area well, one of our favorite spots in southern California, and I can’t wait to run.
The day of the race I will be 52. Training this time has not been as easy mainly because my life seems to be busier than last time and training takes time. I recently finished a ten mile training run so I am definitely getting close. And to say that I am excited is an understatement. I am super stoked.
One of the great things about training is that there are so many people out there who inspire me. They send encouraging notes and share advice. My training runs are at the LA Arboretum and the morning walkers have gotten used to seeing me several times, offering waves and thumbs up as I run by. And I feel good. I feel good, both physically and mentally.
To all of you out there who have supported me in any way, thank you. To anyone thinking about training for a run, it’s definitely an experience that will add to your life. It has added so much to mine. There is a of support online, especially in the vegan community. I will let you know how it goes!
Rainbow Railroad to Receive IGLTA’s Pathfinder Award
The Pathfinder Award, part of the annual IGLTA Honors, is given to an individual, business, or organization that has made significant positive impact on their destination, demonstrating the highest standard of warmth and hospitality to the LGBTQ community.
"We are proud to recognize Rainbow Railroad as this year's recipient of the Pathfinder Award,” said IGLTAF Board Chair Gary Murakami, CMP, CMM. “Given the current unstable global climate and relative uncertainties in some countries and cultures, organizations like Rainbow Railroad are even more essential to lead us forward in our fight for equality and the ability for people around the world to live authentically without fear of persecution or harassment."
Since it was founded in 2006, Rainbow Railroad has enabled nearly 500 LGBTQ people to reach safe destinations – most recently, 57 LGBTQ individuals living in Chechnya, 31 of whom have now arrived in Canada.
“On behalf of everyone at Rainbow Railroad, and especially the individuals and families we usher to safety every year, I am grateful to accept this award,” said Rainbow Railroad Executive Director Kimahli Powell. “Our international network relies on cultivating partnerships with people and organizations that champion global equality and safe transit routes for everyone. The 2018 Pathfinder Award recognizes these shared values and illuminates opportunities to get even more people to safety.”
Friday, February 9, 2018
Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted For Denver's Best Gay Blog!
MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective.
These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.
If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.
Grindr Launches Explore
“When Grindr first launched, we wanted to focus on providing a hyperlocal experience, but as the needs of our community change, we are thrilled to adapt,” said Peter Sloterdyk, VP of Marketing. “Explore has been our most requested feature, but to get it right we had to ensure that it was done the Grindr way; reliably and uniquely. Now the world is truly at every user’s fingertips, with the largest network of GBTQ people in every country in the world.”
To navigate to Explore, users can tap on the new rocket icon at the bottom of the app. From there, tap on the search bar to enter a new search and select from a list of results. Recent searches will also appear below the search bar to allow quick access to previous searches. Once a location has been selected, a map will appear to confirm the location. Users can then tap on "View nearby profiles" or tap and hold the map to move the pin.
For safety and privacy, Explore search results are disabled in regions where it remains unsafe to be LGBTQ. Users can also opt-out from appearing in Explore at any time by turning “Show Me In Explore Searches” off within Grindr settings.
Undies & Lube: Show-Stopping Gay Underwear and Lubes
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Undies & Lube hooks you up with great styles and deals on what gay men need. From sexy underwear to fantastic lubes, gear, and more. Grab that hottie's attention, whether in the grid or in person.
Rhein Haus: Serving Up Weiners Und Balls in Downtown Denver
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Turkish LGBTIQ Activist Released, But Prosecution Continues
While Erol has been released, his case is still under judicial review and the prosecution continues. Erol will be required to appear before the police periodically and is banned from leaving the country. The exact reasons surrounding his arrest and the prosecution has been kept confidential by authorities, though Kaos GL reports that the police had a warrant for his social media posts.
Yildiz Tar, Media and Communications Coordinator at Kaos GL, commented on the judicial process, and said,
“Secrecy is a very common strategy in Turkey. First they detain, ask questions about something, then they prepare the charges and we can only learn it in trial or just before the trial.”Jessica Stern, Executive Director at OutRight Action International, comments on the situation, saying,
“The ambiguity of the case and seemingly arbitrary reasons for Ali Erol’s arrest speaks to the deteriorating situation faced by LGBTIQ, and all, human rights defenders in Turkey. The blanket ban on LGBTIQ events already trampled on the rights to assembly, now even the rights to express oneself freely is being punished. The Turkish government needs to stop violating the human rights of its citizens immediately.”In November 2017, the governor of Ankara banned all LGBTI related events in the Turkish capital, citing that such events could spur public animosity from other groups and the need to maintain safety and security. Since the ban, LGBTIQ organizations have been on alert and face increasing pressure.
Under the current authoritarian regime, it has been reported that over 50,000 dissenters, opposition leaders, human rights activists, and journalists have been heavily persecuted and arrested.
In a press release issued by Kaos GL, the organization states,
“Each year, thousands of human rights defenders are trying to be silence through fabricated or ridiculous reasons that turn into lengthy, costly and mostly unjust judicial processes...Trying to suppress the courage of human rights defenders is a common tactic by those violating rights. Because of this, protecting human rights defenders is a fundamental area of work for human rights organizations across the World today. Because fear is as contagious as courage and fear can only be beaten by standing with courage.”
In The Advocate Op-ed, Civil Rights Leaders Highlight Trump Judicial Nominees’ Attack on LGBT Rights
“Perhaps the most dangerous attack on transgender people coming from the White House is the least discussed: packing federal courts with judges who have demonstrated a similar hostility towards civil rights for LGBT people and other marginalized groups,” wrote Lucius and Tobin.
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