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:...

In this special solo episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, CDFA, breaks down the newly passed One Big, Beautiful Bill Act—yes, that’s really the name!

Signed into law on July 4th, this sweeping piece of legislation (affectionately nicknamed “OB3”) will impact everything from your tax brackets to your charitable deductions, and much more in between.

Whether you’re a retiree, parent, small business owner, or high earner, Melissa walks through what’s changing, what’s staying, and what you need to know to navigate the financial road ahead.

⚖️ Key Topics Covered:

• 🧾 Tax Brackets & Deductions: 2017 rates are now made “permanent,” with small tweaks and no sunset provisions—yet.
• 👵🏽 Seniors Win Big: A new $6,000 deduction and reduced taxation on Social Security (but only for four years…for now).
• 👶🏽 Families with Kids: Increased child tax credit and the introduction of a new “Trump Account” for minors.
• 🏠 Homeowners & Itemizers: Mortgage interest deduction remains capped at $750K—but now includes mortgage insurance premiums.
• 💸 SALTs Revived: The state and local tax deduction cap is increased to $40,000 for many, offering potential relief for homeowners in high-tax states.
• 🍽️ Tipped & Hourly Workers: Temporary deductions for tips and overtime income, subject to income thresholds.
• 🚗 New Car Loan Deduction: But only for U.S.-assembled vehicles purchased after 2024 and under strict income limits.
• 🌱 Clean Energy Credits: Act fast—many are phasing out earlier than expected.
• 🏛️ Estate & AMT Revisions: Estate tax exemptions rise to $15M per person in 2026, and AMT thresholds shift downward.
• 👩🏽‍💼 Small Business Owners: Expanded access to deductions like Section 179, QBI (199A), family leave credits, and retirement plan incentives.
• 🎓 Student Loans & 529s: Parent PLUS loans capped; 529 plans expanded for apprenticeships, therapy, and some non-degree programs.

📬 Resources Mentioned:

• Melissa’s deep-dive blog post on OB3

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:...