What if the hardest part of retirement isn’t financial—but emotional?

Retirement isn’t the goalpost we’ve been taught to chase. It’s a major life transition, and according to retirement researcher and financial planner Dan Haylett, many people arrive unprepared—not because the math is wrong, but because they never planned for what comes next.

Melissa Joy, CFP® sits down with Dan—author of The Retirement You Didn’t See Coming and host of the Humans vs Retirement podcast—to explore the emotional landscape of retirement and why most planning misses the mark. Together, they unpack the “Retirement Reinvention Curve,” a three-phase, eight-stage model that reflects the psychological shifts retirees experience.

They go beyond the portfolio to talk about identity loss, the illusion of a permanent vacation, and how to find rhythm, purpose, and joy in life after work.

Whether you're preparing to retire or helping clients make the leap, this conversation will shift your perspective on what truly matters most.

💡 Key Themes Covered:

• Why financial planning should be 70% life and 30% numbers
• The five pillars of a thriving retirement: Purpose, Identity, Relationships, Structure & Wellbeing
• What most people miss when they focus only on "retiring from" instead of "retiring to"
• The emotional curve of retirement—from shock to elation to flourishing
• How to navigate identity loss when the job title goes away
• Tools for couples to align their personal and shared retirement visions
• Why your post-retirement rhythm matters more than your withdrawal rate
• How relationships shape retirement happiness more than wealth

🔗 Resources:

• Dan's website: www.humansvsretirement.com
• Podcast: Humans vs Retirement
• Book: The Retirement You Didn’t See Coming
• Connect with Dan: LinkedIn – Dan Haylett

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:...

What if your biggest financial setbacks were actually the foundation for your comeback?

Tax professional and financial literacy advocate Michelle Campbell joins Melissa Joy, CFP® for a powerful conversation on shame-free money management, taking control of your financial future, and rising from the ashes—literally.

Michelle shares her journey from five evictions and over $500K in debt to becoming an IRS-enrolled agent, nonprofit founder (Hashtag Stability), and author of the memoir Bluebird. With honesty and heart, she reveals how facing her numbers changed everything—and how she now helps others do the same.

Together, they unpack the emotional weight of debt, the myths that keep people stuck, and how understanding tax law can be a radical act of empowerment—especially for women and those overlooked by traditional financial systems.

This conversation is for anyone who’s ever felt behind, buried by shame, or unsure where to start. Spoiler alert: the first step is just looking.

💡 Key Themes Covered:

• Getting honest: Why knowing your numbers is the first step to freedom
• Breaking the silence around debt, shame, and financial trauma
• The biggest myths about budgeting, credit, and investing (and what’s actually true)
• What to know about debt collectors, credit reports, and disputing errors
• Why tax literacy is a superpower—especially for business owners
• How Michelle uses her story to educate and advocate through Hashtag Stability
• Why success isn’t about having it all—it’s about understanding what you actually want

Connect with Michelle:

ByMichelleCampbell.com

Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/bluebirdmemoir/

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:...

Summer often invites us to pack in travel, events, and to-do lists—but what if the most powerful move you could make right now is to slow down?

In this solo episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, reflects on her own slower-paced Michigan summer and the meaningful lessons it’s brought—about happiness, well-being, money, and the beauty of doing less with more intention. Drawing inspiration from the slow living and slow money movements, Melissa shares personal stories, client experiences, and practical ideas for embracing a slower rhythm in both your financial life and everyday choices.

Whether you're managing a hectic calendar or simply trying to spend more intentionally, this conversation offers a grounding reminder: small joys and deliberate choices add up to a truly rich life.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why slowing down can increase your happiness, contentment, and financial clarity
• How the slow money movement parallels the principles of long-term investing and sustainable living
• Why “less but better” spending habits often lead to greater satisfaction
• How to audit your subscriptions, triage financial decisions, and adopt a summer spending pause
• The link between gratitude, joy, and long-term financial success
• Real-life strategies to savor the season without overspending

Melissa also shares a must-read article from The New York Times on finding “microjoys” in daily life—a beautiful reminder that happiness doesn’t always require a major overhaul.

📩 Tiny Little Joys: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/well/happiness-positivity-tiny-little-joys.html?unlocked_article_code=1.S08.MfIZ.W_os-KboW4X-&smid=url-share

Slow Money Movement: https://verifiedinvesting.com/blogs/education/the-slow-money-movement-long-term-investing-in-a-fast-paced-world

#WomensMoneyWisdom #SlowMoney #FinancialWellness #MindfulSpending #JoyInTheLittleThings #IntentionalLiving

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:...