Getting a Head Start on College Savings
College can become one of the largest expenses a family faces, which makes college savings an important part of many financial plans. For the 2025–26 academic year, the average total student budget at a public four-year in-state college is approximately $30,990. That includes more than tuition alone—it may also include housing, food, books, transportation, and […]
Gap Insurance for Leased Cars: Do You Need It?
Leasing a vehicle often requires less money upfront than purchasing one. However, a smaller initial payment can also create a financial gap if the vehicle is stolen or declared a total loss early in the lease, which is where gap insurance for leased cars may come in. Standard collision or comprehensive coverage generally pays the […]
Your First Year of Retirement: What to Expect
One morning, you wake up with nowhere you have to be. Your first year of retirement can bring both freedom and adjustment. There is no commute, no meeting, and no inbox waiting for an immediate response. After years of deadlines and responsibilities, that freedom may feel wonderful. Then another question may appear: Now what? Retirement […]
Four Steps to Valuing an Estate
Determining an estate’s value, known as estate valuation, is one of the first major responsibilities an executor or personal representative may face. An accurate valuation can affect estate tax filings, probate documents, beneficiary distributions, inherited-property basis, insurance claims, and decisions about whether to sell or retain assets. At True North Wealth Management, we help families […]
Four Reasons Young Adults Need an Estate Plan
You may be young, have limited savings, and believe estate planning can wait. But estate planning for young adults does more than distribute wealth after death. It also protects your wishes, identifies trusted decision-makers, and gives loved ones clear instructions during an emergency. At True North Wealth Management, we believe every adult should have a […]
Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: Which Should You Choose?
Buying a home is one of the largest financial commitments most people make. Beyond choosing the property and negotiating the price, you also need to decide how to finance the purchase, including whether a fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgage better fits your situation. One important decision is whether to choose a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate […]
Five Often-Overlooked Tax Deductions
No one wants to pay more tax than required. Yet taxpayers sometimes miss valuable deductions because they overlook eligible expenses or fail to keep the necessary records. At True North Wealth Management, we believe tax planning should work alongside your investment, retirement, and estate strategies. Here are five tax opportunities worth discussing with your tax […]
What Is the FIRE Movement? Financial Independence and Early Retirement Explained
Does the idea of retiring in your 50s, 40s, 30s, or even earlier appeal to you? That goal is at the heart of the FIRE movement. The FIRE movement, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, has attracted people who want more control over their time and less dependence on a traditional career timeline. FIRE […]
How to Find a Lost 401(k) or Forgotten Retirement Account
Changing jobs can create new opportunities—and leave old retirement accounts behind. If you’re wondering how to find a lost 401(k), you’re not alone. After years of career changes, company mergers, address changes, and plan-provider transitions, it can become surprisingly easy to lose track of a 401(k), pension, profit-sharing plan, or other workplace retirement benefit. The […]
The Many Ways to Measure Inflation
When inflation makes headlines, the conversation often stops at one number. In practice, there are several ways to measure inflation. Prices rose 3%. Or 4%. But which number? Measured how? And by whom? The U.S. government publishes several inflation measures. Each one looks at spending in a different way. Understanding the differences can help you […]