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
Market & Economic Outlook | January 2021
The S&P 500 Index ended 2020 at an all-time high, gaining +16.3% for the calendar year. That is remarkable given the fact we went into a very deep recession earlier in the year.
Market & Economic Outlook | December 2020
November turned out to be the best performing month since April with the Index rising 10.8%. Investors shrugged off the spike in new Covid-19 cases, record deaths, and increased hospitalizations.
Market & Economic Outlook | November 2020
Stocks tanked in late October due to record Covid-19 cases and uncertainty surrounding the Presidential election. Surprisingly, stocks rallied sharply following the election as the market celebrated gridlock.
Market & Economic Outlook | October 2020
We officially kicked off a new bull market when stocks rallied sharply in July and August, propelling the S&P 500 Index to new all-time highs. Historically, when a new bull market begins, the S&P 500 Index rises on average 46% over the next 12 months.
Market & Economic Outlook | September 2020
As the U.S. economy continues to reopen, the Atlanta Fed is projecting GDP will grow +29.6% in the third quarter, with further strength expected in the 4th quarter.
Market & Economic Outlook | August 2020
Despite the economy suffering its worst quarterly GDP decline ever, down -9.5%, stocks are knocking on the door of new all-time highs. Many investors are concerned about the run-up in stock prices, but when you consider
Market & Economic Outlook | July 2020
Stocks finished the second quarter up 20% – its best quarter in over two decades! That’s remarkable considering business was brought to a standstill. In just a few months, we have witnessed a bear market, a recession, and subsequent recovery compressed in a short span of time.
Market & Economic Outlook | June 2020
While we think that stocks are still at risk for continued volatility, the economic news should gradually improve from here, and we may be on the precipice of a new bull market!
Market & Economic Outlook | May 2020
Following the fastest bear market on record (down 35% in 23 trading sessions), stocks turned in their best April in 82 years and their best monthly gain since 1987!
Market & Economic Update | April 2020
The coronavirus pandemic caused the fastest bear market ever – down 32% in just four weeks. Sheltering in place and social distancing will bend the curve of the virus, but it will also result in a recession, massive unemployment and economic hardship.
