What do Roth accounts, Dave Ramsey, and emergency funds have in common? They all came up when Melissa Joy, CFP®, opened the floor to your questions.

At the Dexter Summer Festival, Melissa asked community members to submit their burning money questions—and now she’s answering them in this special mailbag episode. From investment strategies to budgeting hacks, she covers the practical, the personal, and the myths worth busting.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Roth IRA vs. Roth 401(k)—which makes more sense for you?
• The pros and cons of Dave Ramsey’s advice
• Smart strategies for building an emergency fund that lasts
• Practical (and realistic) ways to cut expenses
• Mistakes new investors often make—and how to avoid them
• Whether you should pay off debt or save for retirement (spoiler: it’s not either/or)

If you’ve ever wondered what a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ really thinks about these topics—or you’ve been waiting to hear your own question answered—this is the episode to tune in.

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:...

Is the Roth the secret weapon of retirement planning?

Melissa Joy breaks down everything you really need to know about Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s—from how they work and who they’re best for, to why they’ve become a powerful tool for long-term financial freedom.

Whether you're early in your career or already eyeing retirement, understanding the pros and cons of Roth accounts can help you make smarter tax decisions and build wealth that grows—and comes out—tax-free.

Melissa covers:

• ✅ Roth vs. Traditional contributions: what’s the difference?
• 📊 Roth income limits, contribution caps, and how they’ve changed over time
• 🔁 What a Roth conversion is (and when it makes sense)
• 🚪 The “Backdoor” and “Mega Backdoor” Roth strategies
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why Roth accounts can be powerful legacy tools for your heirs
• 🎯 How to build tax diversification into your retirement game plan

This episode clears up common misconceptions and explores the real value of Roths—not just as a savings option, but as a strategic move in your larger financial plan.

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 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:...