'You are all influencers': How lesbians in tech are gaining ground

"You are all influencers," she says. "You know what's going on here."

LGBT women are advancing in the tech world, but they need help finding support in such a male-dominated field.

Pittsford, founder of the group Lesbians Who Tech, will be hosting a summit in New York later this year, and set up the happy hour to crowdsource what would make the event successful.

Lesbians Who Tech, which got its start at a bar in San Francisco in 2012, has grown to include 9,000 members worldwide.

The organization is just one of many that help LGBT women connect with each other, start their own businesses and access a growing network of LGBT mentors and investors. It's a serious need, given that women in tech earn significantly less than men and are less satisfied with their jobs, according to a Glassdoor study released last year.

"When we come together, we can start thinking of some of these issues and tackling them," Pittsford said, adding that she doesn't always see LGBT issues as part of the bigger conversation about diversity in Silicon Valley.

"We all know there are too few women in tech. Parse that down to lesbians in tech and there are very few," said Marie Trexler, head of the lesbian entrepreneur mentoring program for StartOut, a nonprofit working to create more LGBT-identified business leaders. "Sexual identity isn't always front and center in your business life, but it can be, and it can be very valuable."

Related: Lesbian dating app secures $1 million in funding

A few years ago, Trexler started attending gay tech events, but found, unsurprisingly, that the crowd was mostly male.

"Often it would be me, two or three female friends and 50 to 60 guys," said Trexler, an experienced venture capitalist.

When she started asking lesbians in tech what they wanted, mentoring was repeated over and over.

"The role modeling component really does make a difference," said Trexler.

With StartOut's lesbian entrepreneurship program, each mentee is paired with a mentor for six months. Trexler said one of the biggest challenges for the mentees is funding, which is true for female entrepreneurs across the board.

Related: Record number of U.S. firms offering same-sex benefits

Several funds have been launched to support LGBT-identified entrepreneurs.

VentureOut funds seed-stage startups founded by business leaders in the LGBT community. LGBT Capital takes a different angle, supporting companies that target the LGBT consumer market.

Pitching investors is a big part of Trexler's program.

It made a difference for B. Cole, founder of Brioxy, a soon-to-be-launched platform that helps young people of color find fellowships. She completed the StartOut program last year.

"As a person of color who identifies as a lesbian and someone gender non-conforming, the deck is stacked, so they say," she said. The program helped her identify investors and build a network.

She is looking to raise $500,000 in the next year, to add to the $15,000 she raised on Indiegogo last year. "I'm ready to increase the size of the team and go after a larger market share," she said.

For women who may not want to build their own startups, but still have their sights set on tech, Pittsford said events like hers bring inspiring women together.

At one summit, Megan Smith, who President Obama named as U.S. chief technology officer last year, gave a talk and then stayed to talk to attendees.

Pittsford said the line to get face time with Smith was nearly out the door, and it's women like her that provide a solid role model not just for LGBT women, but women everywhere.

That means a lot to Pittsford, who said that before she started her organization, women said they didn't even have one person they looked up to who was in tech and a lesbian.

"I thought, 'There is something we can solve here,'" she said.

CNNMoney (New York) April 13, 2015: 9:21 AM ET

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You're right - flying got worse in 2014

The annual Airline Quality Ranking from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, tracks measures that affect a passenger's experience - on time performance, lost bags, customer complaints and being involuntarily bumped off of a flight. All got worse in 2014.

"Things are going in the wrong direction, that's for sure," said Wichita State professor Dean Headley, one of the report's authors. "This is just going to confirm the traveling public's perception that things aren't as good as they used to be."

The study's authors don't hold out hope for any improvement in the near term, especially with more people flying.

"I don't think it was an aberration. The data shows we've started a period of decline and there's no evidence that it's going to change," said Brent Bowen, dean of the college of aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "I think it comes from a decision to not reinvest in customer service."

Related: Why flying stinks and you're still paying more

The increase in problems was spread across almost the entire industry, according to the report, with only two airlines, Frontier and JetBlue (JBLU), improving their on-time performance. But that wasn't enough to stop Frontier from having the highest consumer complaint rate in the industry.

In addition, only five airlines improved their mishandled baggage rates, while only two bettered their rate of bumping their passengers. And the complaint rate jumped by 22%.

Related: Legroom - How the airlines compare

But while customers had problems, the airlines themselves and airline investors did very well in 2014. The four major airline stocks - American Airlines (AAL), United Continental (UAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL) and Southwest (LUV) - were all among the best-performing stocks in the market with Southwest more than doubling to post the biggest gain in the S&P.

The airlines enjoyed filling a record percentage of their seats with paying passengers, a rise in air fares and a significant drop in fuel prices, their biggest expense, at the end of last year.

CNNMoney (New York) April 13, 2015: 9:27 AM ET

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Gap and Target among 13 stores probed for hourly wage practices

Some retail workers are required to call in the night before to see if they will have work.

The office of attorney general Eric Schneiderman sent letters last week to 13 retail chains asking for information about their so-called "on call shifts," where employees are given very little advance notice on what hours they will be working.

Workers find out if they are scheduled for work just hours or the night before the start of a shift. If they are told to stay home, employees are not paid.

Such erratic schedules make it difficult for employees to manage their family needs such as child care or school schedules, according to the letter. It says workers on these shifts "experience adverse financial and health effects, as well as overall stress and strain on family life."

Related: More workers are quitting and that's good news

Schneiderman's office says it has received reports that a growing number of major retailers are using these on call systems to manage staff levels so they have more people when it's busy and fewer when its slow.

In addition to Target (TGT) and Sears (SHLD), the letter was sent to Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), Gap (GPS), Ann Taylor (ANN) , Burlington Stores (BURL), Crocs, JC Penney (JCP), J. Crew Group, L Brands (LB), TJX (TJX), Urban Outfitters (URBN) and Williams Sonoma (WSM).

The letter notes that New York law requires any employee who reports for a scheduled shift to be paid for at least four hours at the minimum wage.

Related: Microsoft tells its contractors to give workers paid time off

A spokesperson for Sears said the company is looking into the matter and plans to cooperate with the Attorney General. Representatives of the other companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Related: Nearly 90 percent of Americans have health coverage

Related: 35% of workers say they'll quit if they don't get a raise

CNNMoney (New York) April 13, 2015: 9:37 AM ET

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Revenge porn could get you two years in jail in England

The law forbids people from disclosing "a private sexual photograph or film if the disclosure is made without the consent of an individual who appears in the photograph or film, and with the intention of causing that individual distress."

Revenge porn has come under increased global scrutiny after several high-profile legal cases resulted in little or no jail time.

In November, 21-year old Luke King was the first person to be prosecuted in England for posting revenge porn. King had shared nude images of his ex-girlfriend on WhatsApp. But a national outcry erupted after he received just a 12-week jail sentence -- the maximum penalty under previous laws.

Following a U.S. Federal Trade Commission investigation, Craig Brittan agreed in January to destroy the 1,000 revenge porn images and videos he had posted to his now-defunct website, isanybodydown.com. Known as the "Revenge Porn King," Brittan also collected and posted women's personal information in addition to their intimate photos.

But Brittan didn't serve any jail time, because revenge porn isn't a federal crime in the United States. The FTC charged him with violating the Federal Trade Commission Act, opting to settle after he destroyed the pornographic images and information.

So far, 16 U.S. states have made revenge porn illegal. But those laws are largely ineffective against websites, which are protected by section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act. The act gives platforms like Twitter (TWTR, Tech30), Facebook (FB, Tech30) and Reddit immunity when third parties post anything that doesn't violate federal law.

As a result, social networks are taking matters into their own hands. Twitter, Facebook and Reddit have all recently banned revenge porn.

The Scottish government is considering introducing similar legislation to England and Wales. Revenge porn is also illegal in Germany and Israel.

Related: Here's exactly what Facebook means by 'nudity'

Related: Revenge porn king wants a clean slate

CNNMoney (New York) April 13, 2015: 7:36 AM ET

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Nine things to know about legal pot

People who've never been high are suddenly wondering how much an eighth really is. And those that could spot an eighth of weed from across a room can now, in some places, walk into a store and buy it. (Try Mary Mart, Bud Commander or the Happy Crop Shoppe -- all stores in Washington.)

But rules are still hazy about where you can buy pot and who can smoke. It gets more complicated for those who want to sell it.

Here's what you need to know.

1. Anyone over 21 can buy marijuana in Colorado and Washington.

There are 833 recreational pot shops in Colorado and 123 in Washington.

2. You can smoke it legally in Alaska, D.C. and -- by the end of the year -- in Oregon, as long as you're older than 21.

But it won't be legal to buy it in those states for at least another year while lawmakers hammer out the details. It could take longer in D.C.

3. No one can smoke weed in public, anywhere.

4. Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states, and D.C.

5.You can still be fired for smoking marijuana.

Even if you show up for work stone cold sober, you can be fired for flunking a drug test in most states. But that's being challenged in court.

6. There is actually one government-run pot store.

The profits from a shop in Washington State called Cannabis Corner will go to special city projects, like upgrading the local playground.

7. There's still a black market for pot, even where it's legal.

That's because it's cheaper. Pot sold legally in stores is taxed heavily. In Colorado the rate is 28%.

8. Everyone in Colorado could get a pot tax refund.

Thanks to Colorado's new pot tax and a quirky state law, residents may get a special one-time tax refund next year. It's expected to be about $58 million distributed among 5.4 million residents.

9. Banking is still a huge problem for pot shops.

Pot is illegal on the federal level, which means many shops can't get bank accounts, since banks are regulated by the feds. Retailers have to pay employees and taxes in cash, which makes the business dangerous. But there is legislation has been proposed to make banking easier for selling medical marijuana sellers.

CNNMoney (New York) April 13, 2015: 7:14 AM ET

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Nearly 90 percent of Americans have health coverage

A poll by Gallup found that the uninsured rate among U.S adults declined to 11.9% in the first quarter, down one percentage point from the end of last year and an improvement from the 18% without insurance in the fall of 2013, when the Americans were first were able to sign up for coverage at state and federal exchanges.

This is the lowest percentage of Americans without coverage since Gallup started tracking the figure in 2008. Those without coverage was just under 15% at that time, then remained in the range of 15% to 18% before it started declining sharply two years ago. The law requiring most Americans to have coverage or pay a penalty took effect at the start of 2014.

"An improving economy and a falling unemployment rate may also have accelerated the steep drop in the percentage of uninsured over the past year," said the Gallup report. "However, the uninsured rate is significantly lower than it was in early 2008, before the depths of the economic recession, suggesting that the recent decline is due to more than just an improving economy."

Related: Five ways Obamacare has helped Americans

Those making less than $36,000 a year have seen the most significant rate of improvement. Though 22% still do not have coverage, that's down from 30.7% at the end of 2013.

Those 26 to 34 years old have also seen the most improvement of any age group, but again, more than 20% still lack coverage. About 98% of those age 65 and older have coverage, basically unchanged from two years ago, as almost all of them qualify for Medicare.

Related: Obamacare's second round attracts more Americans

And far more minority adults still are without coverage, as about 13% of of blacks and 30% of Hispanics don't have coverage. But once again, they've seen greater improvement in their rates of coverage than have whites.

CNNMoney (New York) April 13, 2015: 8:27 AM ET

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HBO still hasn't heard from Scientology lawyers for 'Going Clear'

"Facts are stubborn things," HBO CEO Richard Plepler said in an interview with CNNMoney this week.

"Everybody's entitled to their own opinion, but they're not entitled to their own facts," he added. "I think the documentary bears up very well to any kind of scrutiny."

Sheila Nevins, the president of HBO's documentary division, had a similar comment -- "facts are facts" -- when asked about the film at a party on Wednesday held by The Hollywood Reporter.

The March 29 premiere of "Going Clear" scored the highest overnight viewership for an HBO documentary in nine years. Nevins and Plepler pointed out that the documentary is still reaching new viewers every day thanks to repeats and HBO's various on-demand services.

John Travolta isn't interested in watching HBO's Scientology documentary 'Going Clear.'

"Going Clear" was back in the news this week when John Travolta, a member of the church, said he was uninterested in seeing it.

The documentary, by well-known filmmaker Alex Gibney, is based on the book of the same name by Lawrence Wright.

In an interview before the premiere, Gibney said he was well aware of the possibility that Scientology might try to strike back with lawsuits.

But, he said, "we were very rigorous in terms of how we checked our story, how we had it scrutinized extensively by lawyers -- not only my own lawyers but by HBO's lawyers," Gibney said.

Nevins once commented that there were "probably 160 lawyers" involved, but she meant that hyperbolically.

HBO's other recent documentary success was "The Jinx," a six-part series about the troubled multi-millionaire Robert Durst, a suspect in several murders.

There have been questions about the extent of filmmaker Andrew Jarecki's communication with law enforcement, particularly due to the recording of Durst apparently saying to himself he "killed them all."

"I can tell you unequivocally we did not withhold any evidence," Plepler said, calling Jarecki "very scrupulous."

"I think what's important to remember is that a 30-year -- 30-year -- murder mystery was essentially opened up" by Jarecki and his colleagues, Plepler added.

HBO and the parent of this web site, CNN, are both owned by Time Warner.

CNNMoney (New York) April 10, 2015: 6:34 PM ET

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Epic rally in stocks to keep running

That's the key takeaway from CNNMoney's survey of more than a dozen investing professionals. They believe, on average, the S&P 500 will claw its way to 2,155 by the end of the year. That's nearly 3% higher than current levels and would give the benchmark a 2015 gain of almost 5%.

It's mixed news for investors. While people want to see another year of gains, 2015 would represent a slowdown. The S&P 500 surged nearly 30% in 2013 and advanced another 11% last year.

So what's holding the bull back these days?

Related: Whoa. The Russian ruble is having a 'miracle' surge

Profit growth vanishes: There are a handful of challenges facing U.S. stocks, but let's start with what's been dubbed an "earnings recession." Earnings will take center stage this week as corporate "report cards" are on tap from brand names like General Electric (GE), Goldman Sachs (GS), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Intel (INTC, Tech30), Netflix (NFLX, Tech30) and Wells Fargo (WFC).

S&P 500 companies are expected to reveal a decline in profits for the first time in several years.

At first blush, that's pretty alarming news. Stocks go up when people expect earnings to be higher in the future.

While this could be a temporary blip, there's added concern because stocks are on the expensive side right now. Earnings multiples, a common valuation metric, may not be able to expand much further.

"We don't believe stocks can go up further due to multiple expansion as we are at elevated levels already," said Deron McCoy, chief investment officer at Signature Estate & Investment Advisors. "Thus, earnings must propel stock prices. For this reason we see muted gains this year in U.S. stocks."

Related: Stocks: The risks are rising

First correction in four years? It's necessary to look at what is driving the lousy earnings. If it's the strong U.S. dollar and cheap energy prices, investors will likely shrug it off.

While both of these factors are important, they are unlikely to last forever. There are already signs of energy prices stabilizing -- or at least not falling further. The general consensus is that the economy and Corporate America will rebound strongly in the spring and summer, much like what happened last year.

Of course, all bets are off if it looks like the earnings decline is being caused by deeper economic problems and will stretch into the second half of the year. At a minimum, that could cause the market's first correction (a 10% decline from a previous high) since 2011.

Related: Fewer people are loving stocks now. Buy signal?

Weather slams the brakes on the economy: Much of that will depend on the economy, which stumbled way more than people anticipated during the first quarter. The Atlanta Fed downgraded its GDP forecast to zero, meaning forecasters there think the economy didn't grow at all in the beginning of 2015.

"We suspect the overall economy is not as robust as reflected by most investors and the media," said Peter Jacobs, chief investment officer at Jacobs Broel Asset Management.

However, there is reason to believe the economy was knocked off track by severe winter weather, and the West Coast port strike that disrupted trading activity. If that's the case, then the economy should bounce back later in the year.

Related: Good news: More workers are quitting

Will cheap oil finally energize consumers? The key to a second-half rebound may be consumer spending. So far, consumers seem to be hoarding, not spending, their gas savings.

That's partially due to a fear that oil prices will spike back up to $100 a barrel. It may also be a hangover from the 2008 financial crisis.

"We think much of this is the result of the scars, both physical and psychological, created by the Great Recession," said Kristina Hooper, U.S. investment strategist at Allianz Global Investors.

But optimists believe that will eventually change, lifting the broader economy.

"Expect consumers to 'step to the plate' as savings grow...and are eventually applied to home renovations, automobile purchases and leisure treats,' said John Stoltzfus, chief market strategist at Oppenheimer.

Related: Over half of Americans have $0 in stocks

Janet Yellen is watching: All of these developments will be carefully monitored by the Federal Reserve, which is poised to raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade. Wall Street now expects the first rate hike not to come until September.

While rising rates can make stocks look less attractive, the Fed has signaled the pace of liftoff from near 0% interest rates will be gradual and delicate.

After all, Fed chief Janet Yellen knows one of the worst thing for consumer spending and the broader economy is a tumbling stock market.

Related: 5 stocks Wall Street is betting will tank

CNNMoney (New York) April 12, 2015: 10:17 AM ET

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Hillary Clinton's economic plans need an overhaul

Clinton is expected to begin her presidential campaign this weekend, yet she's stayed mum on the economy -- something she hammered on during the 2008 campaign.

"She's a blank check at this point," says Dean Baker, co-director for the Center for Economic and Policy Research. "She'll be pressed to take positions."

America's economy has come a long way from 2008. Back then, the country was headed toward a recession. The unemployment rate was climbing -- eventually on its way to 10% -- while America's housing market was collapsing. The divide between Wall Street and Main Street was just beginning to widen, some argue.

Now, unemployment is down to 5.5% -- not far from its target level. Last year was America's best year of job growth since 1999. However, some big issues remain. Inequality is worsening and most people's wages have barely grown.

How Hillary approaches inequality, as well as her relationships with Wall Street and Main Street, will be key to her success in this campaign.

Here's how Hillary may shift her approach for 2016:

Related: 'Hillary' websites going for up to $295k

1. How will she tackle Inequality?

Then: Clinton heavily criticized President George W. Bush for his handling of the economy in 2008. She zeroed in on jobs losses, rising inequality and no wage growth.

While the economy hadn't fallen off a cliff yet -- unemployment was 5.6% when she lost the primary race -- her inequality rhetoric resonated with many Americans.

A Republican president ineligible for another election presented an easy punching bag for Clinton on inequality.

"President Bush had one final chance tonight to acknowledge what the American people have known for years: that the economy is not working for middle class families," Clinton said of Bush's State of the Union address in January 2008.

Now: Those problems haven't changed much under President Obama, but Clinton is unlikely to throw the same darts at her former boss.

Inequality is arguably worse now, and wage growth remains the economy's sore spot. In 2008, median weekly wages were $796 -- the exact same amount at the end of 2014, adjusted for inflation, according to the Labor Department.

Clinton must carefully calculate an inequality message without distancing herself from Obama's economic achievements, experts say.

"It s a very different world" from 2008, says Gary Burtless, an economist at the Brookings Institution. "There's more anger out there about the economy and inequality. She'll modify the rhetoric she uses."

Related: The tough task of going through Hillary's emails

2. Too cozy with Wall Street?

Then: The stock market boomed during Bill Clinton's time in office. Hillary liked to remind Wall Street of that in 2008. The tech boom, free trade agreements and bull market were all hallmarks of President Clinton's economy.

Bill had cemented a relationship with Wall Street that Hillary benefited from in 2008, says Larry Sabato, a politics professor at the University of Virginia.

"She was the candidate of Wall Street" in 2008, says Sabato.

Now: Wall Street is still expected to doll out millions to Hillary's campaign, but she must tip-toe more carefully around that support, experts say. The recession generated a scathing image of the bankers who helped finance Hillary's run in '08.

Most recently, democratic senator Elizabeth Warren is hammering big banks for more reforms and could press Hillary and others to take stance as well.

Hillary will have to find the balance between appealing to the Warren democrats that want greater financial change and Clinton's loyal Wall Street donor base, experts say.

"She'll want the populist rhetoric but also the money," says Sabato. With the Clintons, "the money comes first and it may be completely separate from the rhetoric."

Related: He serves BBQ to Bill & Hillary Clinton

3. Can she connect with Main Street?

Then: Clinton ridiculed President Bush in 2008, telling USA Today that the "moneyed class" had reaped all the benefits of his economy.

As a New York senator -- and former First Lady -- she championed middle class jobs, minimum wage laws and pushed for health care reform.

Several years later, Clinton's relationship with the moneyed class is much more public and perhaps political dynamite for her economic policies during this campaign.

Now: Average Americans are still struggling. Inequality is a much bigger issue than it was eight years ago, propelling Thomas Piketty's 700-page book "Capital in the 21st Century" to bestseller status last year.

Experts say Clinton's problem will be connecting with typical Americans. Since leaving the State Department, Hillary has made a fortune on speeches and her book, on top of Bill's well-known wealth.

Knowing this perception, Clinton plans to hold small campaign events this week geared at giving face time to average folks. How Clinton tries to relate to Americans on hot topics like inequality, middle class jobs and the federal minimum wage could be key early on.

Clinton has already tried once to convince Americans she had it hard. One political slip-up came when she wrote in her book, "Hard Choices" that she and Bill were "dead broke" when they left the White House in 2001. The comment was widely viewed as out-of-touch with Main Street realities.

"It was just bizarre," says Baker. The Clinton's wealth "is not anyone's idea of flat broke."

Related: 'President' Hillary Clinton: Good for stocks?

CNNMoney (New York) April 11, 2015: 9:05 AM ET

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Hillary Clinton's economic plans need an overhaul

Clinton is expected to begin her presidential campaign this weekend, yet she's stayed mum on the economy -- something she hammered on during the 2008 campaign.

"She's a blank check at this point," says Dean Baker, co-director for the Center for Economic and Policy Research. "She'll be pressed to take positions."

America's economy has come a long way from 2008. Back then, the country was headed toward a recession. The unemployment rate was climbing -- eventually on its way to 10% -- while America's housing market was collapsing. The divide between Wall Street and Main Street was just beginning to widen, some argue.

Now, unemployment is down to 5.5% -- not far from its target level. Last year was America's best year of job growth since 1999. However, some big issues remain. Inequality is worsening and most people's wages have barely grown.

How Hillary approaches inequality, as well as her relationships with Wall Street and Main Street, will be key to her success in this campaign.

Here's how Hillary may shift her approach for 2016:

Related: 'Hillary' websites going for up to $295k

1. How will she tackle Inequality?

Then: Clinton heavily criticized President George W. Bush for his handling of the economy in 2008. She zeroed in on jobs losses, rising inequality and no wage growth.

While the economy hadn't fallen off a cliff yet -- unemployment was 5.6% when she lost the primary race -- her inequality rhetoric resonated with many Americans.

A Republican president ineligible for another election presented an easy punching bag for Clinton on inequality.

"President Bush had one final chance tonight to acknowledge what the American people have known for years: that the economy is not working for middle class families," Clinton said of Bush's State of the Union address in January 2008.

Now: Those problems haven't changed much under President Obama, but Clinton is unlikely to throw the same darts at her former boss.

Inequality is arguably worse now, and wage growth remains the economy's sore spot. In 2008, median weekly wages were $796 -- the exact same amount at the end of 2014, adjusted for inflation, according to the Labor Department.

Clinton must carefully calculate an inequality message without distancing herself from Obama's economic achievements, experts say.

"It s a very different world" from 2008, says Gary Burtless, an economist at the Brookings Institution. "There's more anger out there about the economy and inequality. She'll modify the rhetoric she uses."

Related: The tough task of going through Hillary's emails

2. Too cozy with Wall Street?

Then: The stock market boomed during Bill Clinton's time in office. Hillary liked to remind Wall Street of that in 2008. The tech boom, free trade agreements and bull market were all hallmarks of President Clinton's economy.

Bill had cemented a relationship with Wall Street that Hillary benefited from in 2008, says Larry Sabato, a politics professor at the University of Virginia.

"She was the candidate of Wall Street" in 2008, says Sabato.

Now: Wall Street is still expected to doll out millions to Hillary's campaign, but she must tip-toe more carefully around that support, experts say. The recession generated a scathing image of the bankers who helped finance Hillary's run in '08.

Most recently, democratic senator Elizabeth Warren is hammering big banks for more reforms and could press Hillary and others to take stance as well.

Hillary will have to find the balance between appealing to the Warren democrats that want greater financial change and Clinton's loyal Wall Street donor base, experts say.

"She'll want the populist rhetoric but also the money," says Sabato. With the Clintons, "the money comes first and it may be completely separate from the rhetoric."

Related: He serves BBQ to Bill & Hillary Clinton

3. Can she connect with Main Street?

Then: Clinton ridiculed President Bush in 2008, telling USA Today that the "moneyed class" had reaped all the benefits of his economy.

As a New York senator -- and former First Lady -- she championed middle class jobs, minimum wage laws and pushed for health care reform.

Several years later, Clinton's relationship with the moneyed class is much more public and perhaps political dynamite for her economic policies during this campaign.

Now: Average Americans are still struggling. Inequality is a much bigger issue than it was eight years ago, propelling Thomas Piketty's 700-page book "Capital in the 21st Century" to bestseller status last year.

Experts say Clinton's problem will be connecting with typical Americans. Since leaving the State Department, Hillary has made a fortune on speeches and her book, on top of Bill's well-known wealth.

Knowing this perception, Clinton plans to hold small campaign events this week geared at giving face time to average folks. How Clinton tries to relate to Americans on hot topics like inequality, middle class jobs and the federal minimum wage could be key early on.

Clinton has already tried once to convince Americans she had it hard. One political slip-up came when she wrote in her book, "Hard Choices" that she and Bill were "dead broke" when they left the White House in 2001. The comment was widely viewed as out-of-touch with Main Street realities.

"It was just bizarre," says Baker. The Clinton's wealth "is not anyone's idea of flat broke."

Related: 'President' Hillary Clinton: Good for stocks?

CNNMoney (New York) April 11, 2015: 9:05 AM ET

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