Category: cryptocurrency

Hello Again. Here’s a Project Update (Ta Da!)

Leslie Quander Wooldridge

The interesting thing about my quiet time on this blog is that I’ve been posting so much for other sites. How dare I leave my own little corner of the world dustier than it used to be?

So I’m back to catalogue a bit of what I’ve been up to during these changing times. And I’ll add, dear reader, that I hope you’ve been okay. It’s important to set boundaries with our time, and to care for ourselves, and no one needs to channel superheroes. So my blog falling away is a result of me following my own philosophy. (On a side note, did I also just channel Lady Whistledown?)

Okay, now here we go…

Editorial updates

I’ve been doing lots of reporting and writing.

For instance, I’ve done stories for Men’s Health on the ways people can be attracted to each other. For example, romantic and sexual attraction often are discussed, but people also can feel non-sexual physical attraction, intellectual attraction, and aesthetic attraction. Check out my author page on menshealth.com to read this series, and more content, and see answers to frequently asked questions.

I’ve also done as-told-to stories on interesting people for AARP The Magazine, including this one on a veterinarian who treats the pets of unhoused people.

When it comes to personal finance, I’ve reported on everything from the facts about investment banking (for Insider) to what to know about Bitcoin IRAs for Insider (yes, this is a thing). Feel free to read these articles via my author page at Insider.

And my “Market Mindset With Leslie Quander” podcast has been airing and features some guest interviews. There I spotlight the mindset of investing and considerations for meeting your goals, along with market news. Watch episodes on Gokhshtein Media’s YouTube page (or some via my media page here), or recent streamed episodes via my Twitter. (Edit: As of August 2022, this show has concluded.)

Social media and speaking

I have a fairly new TikTok account, and I’m thankful to have reached millions of viewers. Because if I can help anyone remember life’s lovely moments, or that mindset matters, or that they’re not stuck, or that people do care, that’s meaningful. (I’m @lesliequander everywhere, in case you want to follow along.)

I also spoke on a fun panel at the 2021 conference of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, giving the inside scoop on things that irritate editors. Because, look, there are things you need to know to stand out in a good way.

By the way, I have more to say about mindset, wealth-building, the pursuit of dreams, and best practices for breaking into media outlets. So, if you’re interested, check out my speaking page to learn how to request to book me as a speaker, moderator, or host.

Consulting life

Right now, I’m loving my consulting life. (Learn more about what I do.) At the end of 2021, I decided to leave my consulting post at Sisters From AARP, where I worked as senior editor and reported stories; edited writers; advised on brand strategy, product development, and communications; and developed and hosted live social media events. (That’s not even the whole list!) I’m glad to have been able to contribute. You can see my stories, including tips on how to move forward after divorce, how to cope with failure (I may post more on this actually), and various personal finance items as well as celeb and author interviews on my author page.

I’ll wind down here and will conclude with this: The quiet times in certain settings definitely have their place. After all, we don’t have to share everything.

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How to Talk to Friends and Family About Crypto

Leslie Quander Wooldridge

The cryptocurrency market—which is volatile and includes risks and benefits—can be a modern pathway to potentially building wealth.* And I want to share as much info (for people to consider for themselves) as I can.

If you’re into the market, you may find yourself in a similar position of wanting to share news with friends or loved ones. But these conversations can be complicated.

For instance, your contacts may not understand the financial and tech possibilities of cryptocurrency—which, by the way goes beyond Bitcoin and includes a variety of altcoins like Ethereum, Cardano’s ADA, and even Dogecoin (created as a meme). Or maybe your contacts just aren’t fans of the market. After all, some people—maybe even you, dear reader?—may have (falsely) heard that crypto is nothing but a scam. Or that it’s only used for nefarious purposes. 

Nevertheless, if you understand the market, it may be worth trying to explain the landscape to others. Because, yes, there are some scams of which to be wary. But as Bitcoin has been surging to all-time highs this year—and mainstream media sites share news while celebs tweet about the space—it offers yet another chance to set the record straight. 

Plus, as we see companies like Tesla and firms like MicroStrategy pouring billions of dollars into cryptocurrency, many of us don’t want our loved ones left behind. So, since I’ve written about the possibilities that cryptocurrency presents—and continue to co-moderate public conversations on this topic with other knowledgeable people—I wrote about tips for having these conversations for Gokhshtein Media, where I’ve recently become a contributor.

One tip: Lead with facts instead of feelings. While it may be tempting to share emotions, sharing facts gives your loved ones a chance to evaluate information and news from their own perspective. 

Also use plain language. (This also is helpful when discussing a variety of subjects.) In general, by avoiding jargon and complex phrases—our cryptocurrency community has coined lots of them—you can help people understand your messages.

For more tips, please read the full story. I’m glad to contribute to this site and team and look forward to sharing more news on crypto in general.

P.S. Are you the one who has doubts or questions about cryptocurrency? You’re not alone. For background, feel free to check out my blog post on how not to have regrets in this space. Or feel free to comment here or follow me on Instagram and Twitter to stay tuned about my articles and talks on this topic!

*Note: When I share info about investing or finances, it is not financial advice. It’s so important to do your own research and evaluate your own financial goals. If you have questions about your specific situation, consider talking to a certified financial planner. It is possible to learn if you take time to do it.

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Cryptocurrency: Will You Have Regrets? Consider This

Leslie Quander Wooldridge

Recently, I was talking in a Clubhouse group that I co-moderate about regrets with cryptocurrency, which is decentralized digital currency (including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and thousands more). My regret, if I had one, would be that I didn’t find out about cryptocurrency earlier. You see, Bitcoin launched in 2009, and people began trickling in. But when some people were getting into crypto even into 2013 and 2014, I was investing in, and spending on, other things.

I did get to the market eventually, and even had some help from friends. And I think things work out how they are meant to, in general, so regrets don’t really matter. 

“Don’t let lack of knowledge—of this or any financial sector—be the reason you miss out on info.”

Right now—even as Eitcoin and Ethereum have hit new all-time highs in 2021, institutional investors have bought serious amounts of bitcoin, and the markets receive media attention—I think we still have opportunity in this crypto space. As the value of the U.S. dollar has fallen against certain other currencies, and inflation abounds, cryptocurrency can show great promise when it comes to value, utility, and more.

For instance, while Janet Yellen, Ph.D., Treasury Secretary and former chair of the Federal Reserve, noted that cryptocurrency can potentially be used to fund illicit activities (which, really, so can cash), she provided additional comments in a January 2021 statement to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance following her confirmation hearing. “I think it important we consider the benefits of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, and the potential they have to improve the efficiency of the financial system,” Yellen noted in her written response to the committee.

So as we continue to watch this market, and its potential, there’s still time to learn and get into it if you feel so inclined. And to potentially build wealth. If you’re already invested in stocks, for instance, cryptocurrency can be a way to diversity an overall portfolio. But don’t let lack of knowledge—of this, or any financial sector—be the reason you miss out on info.

For my part, I’ve been co-moderating and speaking in related rooms on Clubhouse, alongside knowledgeable people, and also would love to have you join future events. (Examples below! If you’re on Clubhouse, you can follow me @lesliequander.) I also continue to read and learn.

The bottom line: Consider researching cryptocurrency for yourself. I say often, like many others in this space, that we should do our own research. This is a key part of learning in crypto and beyond. And it’s completely okay if you decide this market is not for you. But maybe take a bit of time to figure out if it might be.

Plus, there are solid resources to learn about the overall market, if you decide to, including prices, history, and some key terms. One additional place to start is coinmarketcap.com, which includes current overviews of the market, specifics on individual cryptocurrency history and performance, and even a learning section. And if you decide to buy, please know that you can start with only a few dollars, as it’s possible to buy “pieces” of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency.

Reminder: I never give financial advice. 🖤 Your money is yours, and this market is volatile and has real upsides and downsides. So consider your personal situation, and whether you’d buy in with money that you can afford to lose.

So what do you think? Have you heard about cryptocurrency? Are you interested in this topic? Feel free to follow me and learn about the benefits and risks, potential utility, and more.

And if you see this post and have general questions—or would like me to speak on it for your organization—please feel free to email me, message me on Instagram, or comment. Thanks for stopping by!

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