Women's Money Wisdom

Hosted by Melissa Joy, CFP®

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Aug 2026

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You’re working hard, caring for everyone else, and managing a thousand details a day - but when was the last time you focused on your finances? As a woman, you might carry the emotional and logistical weight of caregiving, parenting, career-building, and household management. It’s no wonder financial planning tends to fall to the bottom of your list -yet it’s one of the most important tools you have for protecting your future, your family, and your peace of mind. Women’s Money Wisdom is here to change that. Hosted by Melissa Joy, CFP®, founder of Pearl Planning in Dexter, Michigan, this weekly podcast is your space for practical insights and relatable advice to help you take control of your financial life. From investing and retirement to navigating life transitions and shifting your money mindset, you'll gain the clarity and confidence you need to make empowered decisions. Maybe you’re preparing for retirement, juggling the needs of both kids and aging parents, or growing a business you’ve built from the ground up. You want to build wealth in a way that reflects your values. You want guidance that honors your full life, not just your portfolio. And most of all, you want a trusted partner who sees the whole picture, not just the numbers. If you’re ready to stop putting yourself last - at least financially -this podcast is your starting point. Subscribe to Women’s Money Wisdom and make your financial future a priority. The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https://pearlplanning.com/

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September 8, 2026Episode 34031 min

Ep 340: No One Tells You What to Do First: An Operating System for Life's Hardest Transitions with Samina Bari

After her husband Doug's sudden death in 2023, Samina Bari discovered that having a will, a trust, and a team of trusted professionals in place made almost no difference in the chaos that followed. What she needed was not a checklist, but a guide, someone or something to tell her what to do first, second, and third while she was too overwhelmed to think clearly. That gap became the foundation for Farewell, the first life admin operating system built to help individuals and families move through loss, divorce, aging parent care, and other major life transitions with clarity instead of chaos. Samina joins Melissa Joy, CFP®, to talk about what she calls life administration, the emotional, legal, financial, and practical work most of us postpone because it is simply too heavy to face. She explains how Farewell uses an empathetic AI to meet people where they are emotionally, break large to-do lists into manageable steps, and walk families through everything from locating vital documents to navigating an aging parent's finances. The conversation also turns personal, as Samina shares what she wishes more people understood about supporting someone through the loss of a spouse, and why she wrote Don't Call Me Widow to help close that gap. What You'll Learn Why Samina calls the tangle of legal, financial, and emotional tasks after a major life event “life administration,” and why no system existed to manage it How Farewell's empathetic AI checks in on how you're feeling and curates next steps accordingly What to expect when gathering essentials like death certificates, and why timing and sequencing matter How families can delegate tasks and control what each member can see and do Why the planning phase, before a crisis hits, is where tools like Farewell add the most value How financial advisors can use Farewell to see client progress and offer more integrative support What Samina wishes people understood about showing up for someone who has lost a spouse About Samina Bari Samina Bari is the founder and CEO of Farewell , the first life admin operating system for financial advisory firms and their clients. She spent three decades leading more than $40 billion in biotech mergers and acquisitions before the sudden death of her husband, Doug, in 2023 revealed a systemic gap in how individuals and families navigate loss and major life transitions. Samina is an Operating Partner at How Women Invest and the two-time Amazon bestselling author of Don't Call Me Widow and I Can, I Will and I Did: Lessons on Life, Love, and Leadership . Learn more at saminabari.com and withfarewell.com . The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

September 1, 2026Episode 33946 min

Episode 339: Go Ahead: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked (and Didn't) with Joseph Moore, PhD

Historian and investor Joseph Moore, PhD, spent over a decade digging through 300 years of American financial advice to find out what actually worked, and what everyday people, not just the Rockefellers of the world, were told to do with their money. In this conversation with Melissa Joy, CFP®, Joseph explains why Americans used to say “go ahead” instead of “get ahead,” what that shift in language reveals about self-reliance and the American dream, and why perspective on how hard life used to be (one and a half shirts per person in 1870, no flush toilets well into the twentieth century) can reframe how we think about today's challenges. They also dig into a subject close to Melissa's heart: the long, well-documented history of women managing, investing, and building wealth, from Ladies' Home Journal financial columns to Abigail Adams quietly out-investing John Adams. Joseph shares what his own real estate investing taught him about the myths of passive income, makes an unlikely defense of personal finance gurus, and reflects on how his working-class upbringing in rural South Carolina shaped a book that became a national bestseller. What You'll Learn Why Americans historically said “go ahead” instead of “get ahead,” and what that language reveals about self-reliance versus collective pessimism How dramatically material life has improved in the last 150 years, and why that context matters when comparing today's challenges to the past Why the idea of a long history of stay-at-home moms is a myth, and how women's self-employment and part-time income kept most American families afloat The overlooked history of women investing in mortgages, securities, and real estate going back to the 1700s, including Abigail Adams's investment returns Why real estate is not always a passive investment, and what it actually takes to make money owning it A historian's case for what personal finance gurus get right, and where their advice tends to fall short Why saving a percentage of every paycheck in the stock market is newer advice than most people realize The power of living on one income and investing the other, a strategy with roots stretching back generations Guest Bio Joseph Moore, PhD, is a national bestselling author, historian, and investor whose self-experimentation with history's wildest financial strategies made him financially independent in his mid-40s. His writing has appeared in The New York Times and through HarperCollins and Oxford University Press. His new book, How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked (and Didn't) , is an instant USA Today bestseller. You can find his free newsletter and more of his writing at josephmoorebooks.com , and follow him on Instagram . The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

August 25, 2026Episode 33843 min

Ep 338: The Midlife Plot Twist: Rewriting Your Money, Relationships, and Life Story with Lindsay Goldwert

Midlife comes with plenty of taboo topics that rarely get discussed together: money, sex, and the fantasy of burning it all down. Melissa Joy, CFP® sits down with Lindsay Goldwert, a writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Slate, and MarketWatch, and the author of Bow Down: Lessons from Dominatrixes on How to Be a Boss in Life, Love, and Work, a Glamour Magazine Best Book of 2020. Lindsay is now the co-author of The Midlife Plot Twist: How to Reboot Your Life Without Burning It Down (Even If You Really, Really Want To), out this September. She and Melissa talk about why it is so hard for women to ask for what they want, and why that difficulty tends to build up quietly until it boils over. The conversation covers why financial planning benefits from a therapist's sense of empathy, how couples can use a financial planner as a neutral party for hard conversations, and why proactively involving a financial planner before a relationship ends, not after, tends to lead to better outcomes for everyone. Lindsay and Melissa also get into how small, incremental investments in friendships, hobbies, and curiosity pay off over a lifetime, why knowing what you do not want is just as valuable as knowing what you do want, and why midlife deserves to be treated as a plot twist worth celebrating rather than a crisis to survive. What You'll Learn Why asking for what you want is especially hard for women, and how that difficulty compounds over time if left unaddressed Why a good financial planner should function like a financial therapist, holding space for feelings as well as numbers How bringing a financial planner into a relationship can give every partner's voice a seat at the table, and why that matters most in unequal power dynamics Why getting financial planning support before a relationship ends, rather than after, tends to lead to fairer and faster outcomes How to have tough money conversations with aging parents about wills, executors, and financial oversight before a crisis forces the issue Why small, incremental investments in friendships, hobbies, and curiosity are a legitimate use of money for long term health and longevity Why knowing what you do not want anymore is just as valuable as knowing what you do want Why midlife deserves reframing as a plot twist to celebrate rather than a crisis to survive Guest Bio: Lindsay Goldwert is an editorial director and writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Slate, MarketWatch, and many others. She is the author of Bow Down: Lessons from Dominatrixes on How to Be a Boss in Life, Love, and Work (Simon & Schuster, 2020), a Glamour Magazine Best Book of 2020, and the co-author, with Gabrielle Moss, of The Midlife Plot Twist: How to Reboot Your Life Without Burning It Down (Even If You Really, Really Want To) (Running Press, September 2026). Connect with Lindsay: Website: lindsaygoldwert.com Instagram: instagram.com/lindsay_goldwert Melissa Joy, CFP®, is the founder and president of Pearl Planning, a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm based in Dexter, Michigan. Pearl Planning is a registered investment advisor with the Securities Exchange Commission. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. This podcast offers news, commentary, and generalized research, not personalized investment advice. Nothing on this podcast should be interpreted to state or imply that past performance is an indication of future performance. All investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a tax professional before implementing any investment strategy. Mellissa Joy hosts the Women's Money Wisdom podcast, where she talks with experts and everyday women about the real financial questions and challenges women face. Lindsay Goldwert is not a client of Pearl Planning and is not being compensated for sharing her opinion and experience with our firm. The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

August 18, 2026Episode 33740 min

Ep 337: Retirement Myths, Busted: What Financial Planners Really Think About Retirement with Stephanie McCullough

Retirement talk tends to fixate on a magic number, but Melissa Joy, CFP®, and fellow financial planner and podcaster Stephanie McCullough argue the real work happens well before and long after that number is reached. In this candid conversation, the two planners compare notes on what they see in their own practices: clients who retire on a fixed rule of thumb only to discover it doesn't flex with real life, retirees who under-spend out of fear even when the plan says they can afford more, and families quietly overwhelmed by aging parents' finances, unspoken inheritances, and adult children who haven't yet launched. Melissa and Stephanie also dig into the myths that shape how people think about retirement long before they get there, from the outdated idea that retirement equals age sixty-five, to the belief that a portfolio should get more conservative simply because a client is getting older. They close with a rapid-fire round covering the most overrated retirement rule of thumb, the most underestimated expense, and what people should and shouldn't be losing sleep over, before reflecting on how their own work with retirees has shaped how they each plan to retire themselves. What You'll Learn Why the idea that retirement equals age sixty-five is outdated, and how ageism, layoffs, and longer lifespans complicate that math Why Melissa and Stephanie now encourage many clients to spend more, not less, in the early years of retirement The difference between a plan “failing” and a plan needing adjustment, and why that framing matters Why the four percent rule and age-based portfolio allocation are two of the most overrated pieces of retirement conventional wisdom The most underestimated retirement expenses, including Medicare surcharges (IRMAA) and dental care How to navigate family conversations about aging parents' finances, inheritance, and adult children who still rely on financial support Why having a plan for aging in place, or choosing not to, is one of the most overlooked parts of retirement planning Why even confident self-managed investors need a transition plan for handing off financial management as they age The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

August 11, 2026Episode 33637 min

Episode 336: Even More Than Money: Designing a Financial Life on Your Own Terms with Shanna Due

What is money actually for? On this episode of Women's Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP®, welcomes Shanna Due, CFP®, founder of Due Financial and editor of the book series More Than Money and Even More Than Money, back to the podcast to talk about her newest project. Shanna walks through how a group of advisors turned an idea into a traditionally published book, why the follow-up book needed to go further than the first, and how the five-purposes framework, living, changing, dreaming, giving, and enduring, reframes money as a tool for a meaningful life rather than an end in itself. The conversation also digs into how readers can use the book to find and vet a financial advisor, from understanding the alphabet soup of credentials to knowing what questions to ask and what a real advisor relationship looks like over time. Melissa and Shanna talk candidly about permission to spend versus permission to save, giving during your lifetime, and why finding an advisor you genuinely like and trust matters just as much as their credentials. All proceeds from the book benefit Third Decade, a nonprofit that provides long-term financial coaching to people rebuilding their financial lives. What You'll Learn How a group of financial advisors turned an idea into a traditionally published book, twice Why Even More Than Money was built around a five-purposes framework: living, changing, dreaming, giving, and enduring The difference between a must-save mindset and giving yourself permission to spend Why giving during your lifetime can be as meaningful as giving through an estate How to decode financial advisor credentials and know what questions to ask before hiring one What a real financial advisor relationship looks like, from one-time projects to ongoing partnerships Why liking and trusting your advisor matters as much as their technical expertise How the book's proceeds support Third Decade, a nonprofit providing long-term financial coaching The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

August 4, 2026Episode 33529 min

Episode 335: The R.E.A.L. Method: Making Confident Real Estate Decisions After 55 with Donna Castillo

Real estate decisions carry enormous financial weight, and yet many people navigate them with a realtor who treats the work as a side hustle rather than a true advisory relationship. Melissa Joy, CFP® sits down with Donna Castillo, a top 1% producer realtor with Intero Real Estate Services in Silicon Valley, to talk about what separates a transactional agent from a real financial partner. Donna shares how she works with clients neighborhood by neighborhood, weighing schools, square footage, and competitive dynamics so buyers can win a home without overpaying by six figures. The conversation turns to Donna's R.E.A.L. Method, a framework she created specifically for homeowners over 55 who are weighing whether to stay put, downsize, or explore new options like an ADU or a 55-plus community. Melissa and Donna cover capital gains exposure on long-held homes, the role of a good lender in structuring financing around equity compensation and investment portfolios, and why having candid family conversations about aging in place, trusts, and estate plans is one of the most generous things a person can do for the people they love. What You'll Learn Why working with a realtor who treats real estate as a true advisory relationship, not a side hustle, matters most on high-value transactions How hyper-local market knowledge, down to the specific street, shapes a competitive offer strategy The R.E.A.L. Method: a framework built for homeowners 55-plus to evaluate reality, equity, available options, and lifestyle impact How capital gains exclusions work for primary residences, and why the math differs for single versus married homeowners How a 1031 exchange can defer capital gains on rental property, and why the full proceeds need to stay in real estate Why using investment portfolios, RSUs, and other equity compensation to finance a home purchase requires careful tax planning with the right lender The importance of having proactive conversations with family about aging in place, trusts, and estate plans before a crisis forces the decision Connect with Donna: Website: donnacastillo.com Facebook: facebook.com/gotodonna The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

July 28, 2026Episode 33428 min

Episode 334: The Most Important Financial Decision You Will Make

Most investors assume the key to building wealth is picking the right stock. Melissa Joy, CFP®, says the far more important decision is how you structure your portfolio in the first place, and how much risk you choose to take on. In this solo episode, Melissa breaks down asset allocation, the mix of cash, bonds and stocks that make up an investment portfolio, in plain language, without requiring a finance degree to follow along. Melissa walks through the fundamentals of stock and bond investing, explains the common shorthand investors use to describe their portfolios (like 60-40 or 80-20), and shares how she helps clients think through allocation decisions using broader, 15 to 20 percent notches rather than micromanaging every 5 percent. She also digs into the questions that matter most when setting your own mix: your time horizon, your investing psychology, your tax situation, and how you would actually feel if your portfolio dropped 20 to 30 percent for an extended period. The goal, she says, is not the perfect allocation. It is one that helps you stay invested through both difficult and exuberant markets. What You'll Learn What asset allocation actually means, and why it matters more than picking individual stocks The differences between cash, bonds and stocks, and the pros and cons of each How to read portfolio shorthand like 60-40 or 80-20 Why Melissa builds portfolios in 15 to 20 percent notches instead of fine-tuning by 5 percent increments How time horizon, investing psychology and tax considerations shape the right mix for you Why the first days of retirement can be the riskiest, and how allocation needs can shift over time How to check your current asset allocation and decide whether it needs adjusting The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

July 21, 202636 min

Episode 333: Protecting Your Family From AI-Powered Scams and Fraud With Patrick Coughlin

AI has made everyday life more convenient, but it has also given scammers a powerful new set of tools. In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, is joined by Patrick Coughlin, CEO of Savi Security and author of the new book The Dark Side of the Boom: How Scammers Hijacked the AI Revolution. After building and selling a cybersecurity company to Splunk, Patrick shifted his focus to protecting everyday families following a deeply personal experience: a sophisticated AI voice cloning scam that targeted his own mother. Patrick walks through how AI tools are supercharging scam operations around the world, why imposter scams have become the most reported fraud type in the country, and the practical habits families can build to protect themselves, from creating a family code word to running a second channel check before sending money. Melissa and Patrick also discuss the role financial advisors and trusted contacts can play in catching fraud early, and how parents can talk to kids and teens about digital safety without shame. What You'll Learn How an AI voice cloning scam targeted Patrick Coughlin's mother, and what helped her recognize it in time Why digital fraud now costs Americans almost $200 billion a year and has grown eightfold since the launch of ChatGPT The "five families of fraud" and how scam organizations around the world specialize like businesses Why imposter scams are now the number one reported fraud type, making up 33 percent of all scams in 2025 What a "hot zone" moment looks like, and the three ingredients scammers rely on to pressure victims How a family code word and a second channel check can stop a scam before money changes hands Why caller ID can be faked, and what to do instead if you get a call from your bank's fraud department The role trusted contacts and financial advisors can play in catching fraud early How to talk with teens and aging parents about scams without shame, and why younger generations are targeted more often than they realize How free tools like ScamWise can give you a fast second opinion on a suspicious text, email, or piece of mail Download the Digital Fraud Protection Guide Connect with Patrick: LinkedIn Follow Patrick: Instagram Savi Security: Website Savi Security LinkedIn: LinkedIn Savi Security Instagram: Instagram The Dark Side of the Boom: Book The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

July 14, 2026Episode 33232 min

Episode 332: Budgeting for Beauty: The Financial Side of Med Spa Investing with Stephanie Stewart

What would it look like if your financial plan actually included a line item for aesthetics? Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with Stephanie Stewart, PA-C, founder of The Aesthetic Method , an award-winning medical spa in Ferndale, Michigan, to have the honest conversation that most financial planners and patients avoid entirely. From the secret dollars women squirrel away for skincare to the emotional weight of wanting to invest in how you look and feel, this episode brings a private topic into the open where it belongs. Stephanie shares her remarkable path from emergency medicine to entrepreneurship, sparked by a car accident at 15 that required years of facial reconstructive surgeries. She opens up about the real cost of injectable treatments, what a full face assessment actually looks like, and how to find a provider you can trust. Melissa and Stephanie also explore the parallel between financial planning and aesthetic medicine, two fields built on transparency, trust, and the courage to say no when it is not the right fit. What You'll Learn How burnout in the emergency department led Stephanie to found The Aesthetic Method in 2018 Why women often keep aesthetic spending secret, and how to change that conversation What happens during a full face assessment and how a personalized treatment plan is built The difference between neuromodulators, bio-stimulators, and filler, and how long each lasts Real cost ranges for common injectable treatments, from 500 dollar Botox sessions to 3,500 dollar Sculptra plans Green flags and red flags to look for when choosing a med spa provider Why a provider willing to say no is a sign of someone looking out for you How financial planners and aesthetic professionals share a standard of care worth seeking out Connect with Stephanie theaestheticmethod.com Instagram: The Aesthetic Method The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...

July 7, 2026Episode 33139 min

Episode 331: Getting Out of Debt: What Nonprofit Credit Counseling Can Do for You with Bruce McClary

Debt is one of the most emotionally charged topics in personal finance -- and one of the most common. This week Melissa Joy, CFP®, sits down with Bruce McClary, lead spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), to take the stigma out of the conversation and walk through what it actually looks like to get professional help with debt. Whether you're watching balances creep up, fielding collection calls, or just feeling the financial squeeze of a world where credit card interest rates are hovering around 23%, this episode is for you. Bruce brings decades of front-line experience as a former credit counselor, debt collector, and lender to the conversation. Together, he and Melissa break down how nonprofit credit counseling works, what a debt management plan (DMP) actually involves, and how it compares to for-profit debt settlement companies -- including the details those TV commercials conveniently leave out. They also cover when bankruptcy might be the right move and where to find trustworthy, low-cost help. What You'll Learn Why debt struggles are more common than you think -- and affect households at all income levels What happens during a free initial credit counseling session with an NFCC member agency How a debt management plan (DMP) works, including reduced interest rates, eliminated fees, and account re-aging What unsecured debt is and which types of debt can be enrolled in a DMP The real math behind for-profit debt settlement programs -- and what those commercials don't tell you How student loans, medical bills, and other debt types fit into the bigger picture When bankruptcy might be a suitable option and how nonprofit counseling factors into that process Where to find a verified nonprofit credit counselor through NFCC.org or by calling 1-800-388-2227 The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https...