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 is Your Advisor Trading So Much?
More activity doesn’t always mean better investing. Ashley explains why excessive trading can create commissions, taxes, and lower after-tax returns — and why both advisors and DIY investors should pay attention to turnover.
👉 Watch the full video above to see what your tax return reveals about your investments.
_____________________________
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/
A Huge Tax Refund Isn’t Always a Win
A lot of people celebrate a big refund — but Ashley explains why that isn’t always a sign things went well. In many cases, it means you gave the IRS your money all year instead of keeping it invested or available for your own goals.
👉 Watch the full video above to think differently about your tax strategy.
_____________________________
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/
Don’t Waste Your Lowest Tax Years
A lower-income year isn’t always something to minimize — sometimes it’s an opportunity. Ashley explains why lower tax years can create room for Roth conversions and strategic capital gains decisions, especially in the first years of retirement.
👉 Watch the full video above to see how tax planning can shape 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/
Your Tax Return is a GOLDMINE
Most people file their tax return away and never look at it again. Ashley explains why your return is actually one of the best planning tools you have — giving clues that could help reduce taxes and make smarter financial decisions for the year ahead.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn what your tax return may be telling you.
_____________________________
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/
Your Tax Return is a Goldmine--Don't Just File it and Forget it!
Most people file away their tax return and never look at it again.
That may be one of the biggest missed opportunities in personal finance.
Ashley walks through the key things to look for on your tax return — not just to understand what happened last year, but to make smarter decisions going forward. Income, tax brackets, deductions, Roth conversion opportunities, portfolio tax efficiency, retirement planning, and avoiding unnecessary taxes can all leave clues inside your return.
🕒 Chapters
00:00 Why your tax return is more valuable than you think
00:39 Why tax-aware planning matters long term
01:26 Step 1: Understand your income and tax bracket
02:31 Step 2: Identify future low-tax opportunities
04:49 Step 3: Review deductions and missed opportunities
06:17 Step 4: Watch for age-related tax milestones
07:11 Step 5: Analyze interest and dividend income
09:22 Step 6: Look at trading activity and turnover
11:04 Step 7: Know your income thresholds
11:32 Avoiding higher taxes and IRMAA surprises
12:40 Refunds, penalties, and tax withholding
13:49 Don’t ignore your tax return after filing
14:34 Why now is the best time to plan ahead
_____________________________
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/
Why Retirees Need 12 Months of Cash
If you’re taking withdrawals from your portfolio, market volatility matters differently in retirement. Ashley explains why keeping a full year of withdrawals in safe, liquid reserves can help you avoid selling investments during a downturn — especially when markets get chaotic.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn all 5 critical moves you need to make if you're planning to retire in 2026. https://youtu.be/XnSs3cGl0DA
_____________________________
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 Tax Surprise Waiting in Retirement
A lot of people assume taxes get easier in retirement — but often the opposite happens. Social Security, withdrawals, capital gains, Roth conversions, and investment income can all interact in ways people don’t expect. Ashley explains why retirement tax planning requires more strategy, not less.
👉 Watch the full video above to learn all 5 critical moves you need to make if you're planning to retire in 2026. https://youtu.be/XnSs3cGl0DA
_____________________________
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 “Honeymoon” Stage of Retirement
The first few months of retirement can feel incredible — like a permanent vacation. But eventually the novelty fades, and the bigger question becomes: what do you actually want your life to look like? Ashley explains why planning your lifestyle matters just as much as planning your money.
👉 Watch the full video above for more retirement moves to make before 2026: https://youtu.be/XnSs3cGl0DA
_____________________________
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 Critical Moves You Must Get Right to Retire in 2026
** Did you watch the first 5 critical moves to get right if you're planning to retire in 2026? Watch it here: https://youtu.be/iQIhVdCqDzs **
Retirement isn’t just about hitting a number — it’s about making sure your life, investments, taxes, and finances are actually set up to support the transition.
Ashley walks through five additional retirement moves that become especially important as you approach retirement in 2026. From emergency reserves and investment risk to taxes, lifestyle planning, and simplifying your finances, these are the areas that often get overlooked until they become problems.
A lot of retirement mistakes don’t happen because people failed to save. They happen because people don’t adjust their strategy as retirement gets closer. The years leading into retirement require a different mindset — one that focuses more on flexibility, risk management, and long-term sustainability.
_____________________________
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 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.
Economic & Market Update | July 2023
Stocks continued to climb a wall of worry in the first half of 2023. The S&P 500 was up nearly 16% this year at the close of the second quarter, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has climbed 3.8% this year, despite soft economic data, prominent bank failures, fears about the debt ceiling, and continued worries about an imminent recession.
Economic & Market Update | April 2023
Stocks rallied sharply to start the year as inflation subsided and investors grew increasingly confident that the Federal Reserve was nearly done raising interest rates.
Economic & Market Update | January 2023
2022 will go down in history as one of the worst years for both stocks and bonds ever
Economic & Market Update | July 2022
Stocks and bonds are having their worst 6-month start to a calendar year in decades.
Economic & Market Update | April 2022
The central concern, at least for Americans, is the current state of inflation and how our leaders plan to address it.
Economic & Market Update | January 2022
We remain optimistic about 2022, but we expect more muted returns on stocks and a challenging year for bonds…
Market & Economic Outlook | July 2021
Stocks continued to climb in the second quarter finishing up 8.2% as Covid-19 cases plunged 96% and almost 70% of U.S. adults got vaccinated. While concerns about the Covid Delta variant and inflation have investors on edge, the stock market performance in 2021 remains strong…
Market & Economic Outlook | April 2021
Stocks climbed over 5% in the first quarter as new COVID-19 cases dropped dramatically (down over 75% from the previous six-week period), vaccinations became widespread (181 million doses delivered and over 93.6 million having received their first shot), and the economy kicked into high gear.
