True North Retirement Advisors

Micciche Money Principle #2: Giving

This feels pretty self explanatory but I value the principle of giving back to your community!

Of course donating money is great but that's not realistic for everyone and quite honestly, not always the most valuable to those you are giving back to!

Maybe you are really handy and can help your local church or school by fixing things they'd usually have to pay for. Or maybe you're like my husband and you're a CPA and help your local church with their finances.

A goal my family hopes to reach one day is to have our largest monthly "expenditure" be spent on giving. It's a lofty goal for most people and may not happen, but having this principle helps shape our strategy of spending as a whole.

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👉🏻 https://linktr.ee/retirementquicktipswithashley

Micciche Money Principle #1: Lifestyle

Lifestyle is fairly broad when it comes to money principles but it's basically referring to how you spend your money, how you make your money, how much you work, etc.

For example, maybe you strive for a lifestyle grounded in work and making money. You might work more hours than the average person and maybe make more money that the average person in order to fund the lifestyle you want to have.

Ideally, the main goal here is that we want to avoid materialism. You don't need to be living in squalor, but, your whole purpose is hopefully not to only spend the money you make on temporary happiness.

Looking for more retirement quick tips? Find them wherever you listen to podcasts!

Looking for more tips on retirement?

Check out my YouTube channel Retire With Ashley.

You'll find short videos to help you make your best retirement decisions, even while I'm on maternity leave!

Don't forget to subscribe so you're notified when new content hits the page. Happy Retiring!

In my 40 years, one thing I’ve focused on is being a better person to those I love most.

Sure, a stranger might compliment you, but when it comes to your closest friends and family—what would they say about you?

One way I work on this is by being intentional with the 5 Love Languages. If you’re not familiar, or aren’t sure what your own love language is, I highly recommend taking a free quiz online.

In my personal life, I always try to consider others’ love languages so I can show love in a way that truly resonates with them.

So, which love language speaks to you most?

♥️ Acts of Service
♥️ Quality Time
♥️ Receiving Gifts
♥️ Physical Touch
♥️ Words of Affirmation

I just got a raise, what do I do? 💵

A common topic that comes up is raises and what to do with that extra money!

There's an important list to follow and the order matters!

1. Bulk up your emergency fund ($1k+)
2. Match your employer max contribution
3. Tackle high interest debt
4. Save 10% of income for retirement
5. Vacations, new car, etc.

🎧Looking for more tips on how to navigate retirement, no matter how close you are to it? Tune in daily to Retirement Quick Tips with Ashley! Click the link in comments.

When most people think about protecting themselves from inflation, they focus on investments.

And that's important.

But one of the most effective ways to fight inflation has nothing to do with your portfolio.

It has to do with how you manage your spending.

Inflation doesn't just affect your investments—it affects your everyday life. Groceries cost more. Insurance costs more. Utilities cost more. And unlike market downturns, inflation doesn't usually reverse. Prices go up, and they tend to stay there.

That's why retirees need an inflation-aware strategy that goes beyond stocks, bonds, TIPS, and I Bonds.

In today's episode, I share practical ways to protect your lifestyle from inflation, including why paying down adjustable-rate debt and simply paying closer attention to your spending can make a bigger difference than many people realize.

One of the most powerful financial habits isn't budgeting perfectly—it's awareness.

🎧 Listen to today's episode of Retirement Quick Tips to learn how small adjustments today can help protect your retirement lifestyle for years to come.

👇 What's one expense you've noticed has increased the most over the last few years?

Today is a special day—it's actually the due date for my fifth baby! 😊

Since I record these episodes in advance, we'll have to see whether baby has arrived by the time you're hearing this. If I happen to disappear for a bit next week, you'll know why!

In today's episode, I'm talking about a part of your retirement portfolio that many people assume is "safe" but can still be impacted by inflation: bonds.

When inflation rises, interest rates often rise too. And when that happens, the value of existing bonds can fall—especially longer-term bonds. That's why I believe retirees need to be thoughtful not just about owning bonds, but about which bonds they own and how long those bonds take to mature.

For many retirees, keeping bond maturities shorter can help reduce the impact of rising rates and inflation while still providing stability in a portfolio.

The key takeaway? Don't abandon bonds—but don't ignore inflation risk either.

🎧 Listen to today's episode of Retirement Quick Tips to learn how inflation affects bonds and why bond maturity matters more than many retirees realize.

👇 Do you own bonds in your portfolio, or are you relying more on CDs and cash for stability?

Inflation quietly steals from retirees every year.

You may not notice it right away, but over time, the same retirement income buys less and less.

That's why I believe retirees need to think beyond safety and focus on maintaining purchasing power.

Stocks aren't perfect. They can be volatile. But unlike a CD or bond that's locked into a fixed payment, companies can adapt. They can raise prices, grow earnings, and potentially help investors stay ahead of inflation over the long run.

In today's episode, I explain why inflation is one of the strongest arguments for keeping stocks in your retirement portfolio—and why becoming too conservative too early can create problems later.

🎧 Listen now: https://linktr.ee/retirementquicktipswithashley

I decided that moving at 38 weeks pregnant with baby #5 was a good idea and I also thought it was a good idea to pack my microphone that I record the podcast with sooner than I meant to 🤦🏻‍♀️

I won't be sharing a fresh topic this week so instead, I'm going to share some helpful tips from the past. See you next week 👋🏻

❓The question I get most often from clients when the market is seemingly in turmoil is, "should I make changes to my portfolio?"

It may be a basic question, but it's a good one! ✔

My answer to this is always going to vary greatly on your age, how soon you plan to retire, what your current allocation is, among other things.

Tune into the podcast to find out my tips on when to make changes, and equally as important, when NOT to make changes.

I decided that moving at 38 weeks pregnant with baby #5 was a good idea and I also thought it was a good idea to pack my microphone that I record the podcast with sooner than I meant to 🤦🏻‍♀️

I won't be sharing a fresh topic this week so instead, I'm going to share some helpful tips from the past. See you next week 👋🏻

My life insurance policy is expiring soon, should I purchase another plan?

The conversation around life insurance is an interesting one. It's usually a question that requires an answer specific to each person.

If you are into retirement, have solid savings, and older children who no longer financially depend on you (i.e., college, etc.), life insurance likely isn't necessary anymore.

If you have a child or family member who needs special care and will the majority of their life, a life insurance policy can be a great option to ensure they are taken care of financially once you are gone.

There are many other scenarios to consider which is why it's always a great idea to sit down with a professional and work out the details.

Looking for more tips on retirement? You can listen to Retirement Quick Tips with Ashley wherever you listen to podcasts! 🎙️