foster your financial literacy
Listen, watch, and read our most up-to-date content on retirement, investing, the current market, and more.
foster your financial literacy
Listen, watch, and read our most up-to-date content on retirement, investing, the current market, and more.
Podcasts
Youtube Videos
Why This Video Found You (And What to Do About It)
If this video made you stop scrolling, you probably already know you’re being too frugal in retirement. Ashley encourages retirees to rethink where spending could bring more meaning, fulfillment, and generosity — instead of letting fear quietly run the show. Your money isn’t just for safety; it’s also for purpose.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn how to spend with confidence and intention in retirement.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
5 Signs You’re Being Too Frugal in Retirement
Overspending gets all the headlines when it comes to the biggest mistakes retirees make. What gets overlooked is often just as impactful of a problem: it’s being too frugal. Ashley walks through the warning signs, from skipping meaningful expenses to watching your portfolio grow faster than your withdrawals year after year. Your money is meant to support a fulfilling life, not sit untouched out of fear.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn how to spend with confidence and purpose in retirement.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
The Retirement Mindset That Needs to Change
The habits that helped you save and build wealth can quietly hold you back in retirement. Ashley explains why being too frugal often comes from fear — not wisdom — and how that mindset can rob you of joy, generosity, and purpose. Retirement isn’t about sitting on the couch protecting every dollar; it’s about living well with intention.
👉 Watch the full video above to hear Ashley’s perspective on finding the balance between financial security and actually enjoying your retirement.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
High Earners Over 50: Your 2026 401(k) Catch-Up Rules Just Changed
Ashley breaks down how the new 2026 401(k) rules depend entirely on your FICA wages, not your total household income. If your FICA wages in 2025 are above $145,000 and you’re over 50, your catch-up contributions must be Roth-only. But if you're self-employed or have low W-2 wages, you may still be able to choose pretax or Roth — even with a high overall income.
👉 Watch the full video above for a complete walkthrough of how these rule changes apply to different income situations.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
Roth vs. Traditional 401k Pretax: The Flexibility Retirees Need
Ashley explains why having nearly all your retirement savings in a pretax 401(k) can lead to massive tax bills once required minimum distributions kick in. Every dollar withdrawn is taxed as income, leaving retirees with fewer options and less control. Even though Roth contributions mean giving up a deduction now, the long-term flexibility can be worth far more.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn why balancing Roth and pretax savings is crucial for a smoother retirement.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
Big 401(k) Changes in 2026 — Are You Ready?
Starting in 2026, anyone over 50 with more than $145,000 in FICA wages will be forced to make 401(k) catch-up contributions as Roth only. Ashley breaks down what’s changing, who’s affected, and how this could impact your retirement savings strategy. If you’re maxing out your 401(k), these new rules matter — and you’ll want to plan ahead.
👉 Watch the full video above for Ashley’s complete walkthrough of the 2026 401(k) rule changes and what to do now.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
Big Changes Coming For 401(k) Savers Over 50 In 2026
Big changes are coming in 2026 that could impact millions of 401(k) savers — especially high-income earners over age 50 who plan to max out contributions. Ashley Micciche breaks down exactly what’s changing, who is affected, and what you need to do now to avoid surprises later.
If your FICA wages exceed $145,000 in 2025 and you're age 50+, you will no longer be allowed to make pre-tax catch-up contributions starting in 2026 — those must go to Roth only. Ashley explains how FICA wages differ from household income, how to verify whether this rule applies to you, and why this shift might actually benefit your retirement strategy long-term.
You’ll also learn how contribution limits are changing in 2026, what to do if your employer does not offer a Roth option, and why this may be the perfect time to rebalance pretax vs. Roth savings to reduce taxes in retirement.
👉 Watch through to the end for your 3-step action plan to navigate the new rules with confidence.
🕒 Chapters
00:00 Big 401(k) rule changes arriving in 2026
00:31 Why this matters for high-income savers over 50
01:03 The $145,000 FICA wage threshold explained
01:37 Pretax vs. Roth catch-up contributions — what’s changing
02:01 What stays the same for paycheck deferrals
02:31 2025 vs. 2026 contribution limits
03:26 Super catch-up rules for ages 60–63
04:27 Why contributions drop again at age 64
04:49 Why this change may actually help your retirement
05:13 The dangers of having too little Roth money in retirement
06:13 Pretax bucket problems & RMD issues
06:35 Why Roth flexibility is so valuable
06:59 What if you have no FICA wages? (self-employed)
07:26 What if your employer doesn’t offer a Roth 401(k)?
08:20 Why every plan should add a Roth option
09:10 How IRA rules differ — and why they aren’t affected
09:38 Your 2026 action plan: Step 1 — Verify wages
10:07 Step 2 — Check Roth availability in your 401(k)
10:24 Step 3 — Ensure you’re actually maxing out
11:01 Why payroll mistakes are common
11:22 Recap of the new 2026 rules
11:51 Final thoughts from Ashley
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
If One Investment Fails… Will Your Retirement Too?
Ashley explains why having more than 15% of your net worth in a single stock or investment exposes you to life-changing risk. If 80–90% of your wealth is tied to one company, even a 50% drop can derail your long-term financial security. Diversifying — even when it means paying taxes — is far safer than letting one investment dictate your entire future.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn how to reduce concentration risk and protect your retirement.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
The S&P 500 Story That Should Scare Overconcentrated Investors
Ashley shows how quickly the “top companies” change by pointing out that the giants of 1985 — IBM, GE, GM, Kodak — have vanished from today’s S&P 500 leaders. If your financial future depends on a single company or investment, that’s a risk you can’t afford to ignore. If losing it would wreck your net worth, it’s time to diversify now, not later.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn how to reduce concentration risk and protect your long-term wealth.
_____________________________
Thanks for watching! Want to hear more? Check out my daily podcast: Retirement Quick Tips wherever you listen to podcasts:
::: Podcast website: https://retirementquicktips.com/
::: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2DI2LSP
::: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3KCQakz
::: iHeart Radio - https://bit.ly/3ViRNc4
Get a daily dose of retirement advice with the Retirement Quick Tips podcast! Each episode is 3-5 minutes long and jam-packed with actionable advice to help you live a financially secure and fulfilled retirement.
_____________________________
Get in touch:
Ashley Micciche, QPFC, CRPC, CeXP
CEO, True North Retirement Advisors
https://www.truenorthretirementadvisors.com
Disclosure: https://truenorthretirementadvisors.com/disclaimer/
Monthly Market Updates
Economic & Market Update | 4th Quarter 2025
4th Quarter 2025 Commentary – Optimism over AI was the main driver behind stock market gains, leading the S&P 500 to a 16% return in 2025.
Economic & Market Update | 3rd Quarter 2025
3rd Quarter 2025 Commentary – The U.S. stock market hit new highs in the third quarter of 2025 and grew 8% overall for the quarter. Gains were broad across most sectors of the market,
Economic & Market Update | 2nd Quarter Update 2025
2nd Quarter 2025 Commentary – After a plunge at the beginning of the 2nd quarter following the Liberation Day tariffs, the U.S. stock market finished the quarter with a stunning recovery.
Economic & Market Update | 1st Quarter Update 2025
1st Quarter 2025 Commentary – The S&P 500 struggled to recover after entering correction territory (a decline of 10% or more) in early March and finished down 4.6% for the quarter
Economic & Market Update | 4th Quarter 2024
4th Quarter 2024 Commentary & 2024 Outlook – Stocks rose over 23% in 2024, due to a resilient U.S. economy
Economic & Market Update | 3rd Quarter 2024
2nd Quarter 2024 Commentary – Stocks have been in a new bull market since October 2022 and have risen to all-time highs. During this period, the S&P 500 Index has risen 33% with most of the gains coming from big tech companies.
Economic & Market Update | 2nd Quarter 2024
2nd Quarter 2024 Commentary – Stocks have been in a new bull market since October 2022 and have risen to all-time highs. During this period, the S&P 500 Index has risen 33% with most of the gains coming from big tech companies.
Economic & Market Update | 1st Quarter 2024
1st Quarter 2024 Commentary & 2024 Outlook – Stocks have reached new all-time highs due to lower inflation and an acceleration of earnings. The economy and markets remained incredibly resilient in 2023, which has continued in the first quarter of 2024
Economic & Market Update | 4th Quarter 2023
Several troubling signs point to a recession ahead in the next year. With the Fed near the end of its rate hike cycle, we believe it’s a good time to start locking in attractive yields. Stocks may show further weakness from here, but as opportunities in AI become reality, it could be the green shoot the U.S. economy needs to avoid a serious downturn.
Economic & Market Update | September 2023
Several troubling signs point to a recession ahead in the next year. With the Fed near the end of its rate hike cycle, we believe it’s a good time to start locking in attractive yields. Stocks may show further weakness from here, but as opportunities in AI become reality, it could be the green shoot the U.S. economy needs to avoid a serious downturn.
