Soft Saving : How I Live and Work as a Queer Digital Nomad
The evolving landscape of personal finance is finally catching up to what many of us have known all along: that money isn’t just about hoarding for a far-off retirement fantasy. A new trend called soft saving is gaining traction—especially among Gen Z—and I am 100% here for it.
As a queer digital nomad who has traveled solo to 36 countries (most recently Northern Ireland-I’m writing this from Belfast after visiting the Titanic Museum!), I totally feel this. I have lived abroad for years at a time, too.
I’ve spent 27 months doing LGBT safe zone trainings and teaching english in Nicaragua with the Peace Corps, and I’ve used my dual Mexican American citizenship to spend 7 months in Puerto Vallarta (I’m in this Lonely Planet Book talking about how queer it is there!). I’ve loved traveling to that soft life by the beach.
The soft saving mindset aligns perfectly with my lifestyle and values.’ve always lived outside the script.
And the “soft saving” mindset fits me perfectly.
What is ‘Soft Saving’?
“Soft saving” is the idea that we can prioritize present joy, experiences, and rest without completely neglecting our future. It’s the rejection of hustle culture and rigid retirement plans in favor of a more flexible, embodied approach to money.
You’re still saving. You’re still investing.
But you’re also letting yourself book that flight, buy that extra cocktail, or say yes to a three-month pet-sitting adventure in Europe like me without spiraling.
Why Soft Saving Resonates Deeply With Me
I coach LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and first-gen six figure earners who are the first in their families to make real money—and who also carry the guilt of wanting to spend it. My work is about helping them go from anxious savers or unintentional spenders to intentional investors with clarity.
That clarity has allowed me to:
- Invest in experiences instead of just things. I remember hiking volcanoes in Nicaragua and sipping mezcal in Oaxaca way more than anything I’ve bought at Target.
- Fund my soft life by dumping crappy checking accounts and instead using a high-yield savings account from CIT bank, not a fantasy budget. Right now, I’m in Europe for three months, and yes—my savings are funding this, but they were built by my money coaching business by design. Here is a free class I taught on how to manage your business finances con confianza!
- Spend money in ways that align with my values: supporting queer-owned spaces, tipping generously, and creating community wealth—not just hoarding cash in isolation.
Soft Saving Isn’t Irresponsible—It’s Strategic
People assume soft saving is just YOLO with a cute name. It’s not.
Soft saving has helped me feel safe spending money on the life I want now—like this three-month trip across Europe—without ignoring my long-term goals.
This mindset allows me to:
- Set goals that don’t choke my joy: I’m not saving for some abstract “freedom” 30 years from now. I’m living freedom today and building wealth for my future self.
- Diversify income without burnout: My business funds my savings and investing, but it also gives me space to nap, hike, twerk, and travel. I also have a brokerage account that’s growing investments apart from my retirement account.
- Be the rich gay uncle I needed growing up: Not just rich in money—but in time, peace, and presence.
If You Want That Life Too…
My six-month private coaching program helps you shift from anxiety to clarity with your money. I’ll help you set up your savings, understand your 401(k), and start building real passive income—without sacrificing joy or feeling like you need to be a spreadsheet robot to be “good” with money.
You’re not here to hoard.
You’re here to build wealth juntos, juntas, y juntxs.
Book a call here to start private 6 month coaching with me.
You’ll get bi-weekly coaching calls, daily messaging support, and access to my money curriculum covering savings, investing, mindset, credit cards, and more. You’ll get on track to making $30k+ in passive income a year through savings and investments.