💬 Are you leaving money on the table by not understanding your equity compensation?

Equity compensation is no longer reserved for top tech execs—it’s becoming a standard part of pay packages across industries. In this empowering and informative episode, Melissa Joy , CFP® breaks down the increasingly common but often misunderstood world of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

Whether you already receive RSUs or are considering a job offer that includes them, this episode is packed with essential knowledge to help you make confident, informed decisions.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

What RSUs Are - A quick breakdown of how they work and why they matter.

Vesting & Taxes - Why timing matters—and how to avoid surprise tax bills.

Women & Equity Pay - Why women often miss out—and how to change that.

Smart Strategies - How to handle vested shares and reduce risk.

Big Picture Planning -Ways to fold RSUs into your overall 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:...

Is now a smart time to buy a home—or just a risky financial move?

On this episode of Women's Money Wisdom, host Melissa Joy, CFP® sits down with returning guest and mortgage specialist Erica Powers CMPS®, CDLP®, NMLS#739673. First Merchants Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and a Member FDIC. She unpacks the ever-changing housing market and what it means for your money moves.

With over 20 years of experience and certifications in divorce lending and mortgage planning, Erica helps us cut through the confusion about mortgage rates, affordability, and refinancing strategies.

Together, Melissa and Erica explore:

🏡 The real reasons mortgage rates rise and fall—spoiler: it's not just the Fed
📍 Regional housing market trends across the U.S.—from inventory shortages to insurance issues
💡 How to evaluate if refinancing makes sense (and how to find your break-even point)
⏳ Advice for buyers on when to act and why trying to time the market is a myth
📈 What adjustable-rate mortgage holders need to know before their reset

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, thinking of refinancing, or just trying to understand how rates work, this episode will leave you feeling more informed and financially empowered.

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 your retirement plan based on outdated assumptions—or real-world trends?

In this episode of Women’s Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP®, breaks down how retirement is changing—especially for women and Gen Xers.

From unexpected post-retirement spending spikes to the growing trend of phased retirement, Melissa shares insights on what today’s retirees really need to be thinking about.

You’ll hear why traditional assumptions about retirement may no longer apply, how inflation and rising costs are impacting timelines, and why confidence levels vary so dramatically between generations and genders.

Whether you're planning decades ahead or approaching retirement soon, this conversation will help you understand the trends, risks, and planning opportunities shaping the future of retirement.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why retirement spending often increases—not decreases—right after leaving the workforce
• The impact of inflation and rising living costs on retirement timelines
• Confidence disparities across age groups and between men and women
• Commonly underestimated costs in retirement—especially healthcare
• How phased retirement is changing the traditional retirement model
• The importance of flexible, forward-looking planning strategies

Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to build a retirement strategy that’s both realistic and resilient—regardless of where you are in your journey.

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:...