Key Takeaways From The One Big Beautiful Bill
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduces sweeping changes to the U.S. tax code that could impact how you plan for taxes and manage your finances.
Can You Manage Your Cooperative 401k Plan Correctly?
Did you know that the S&P 500 Index Mutual Fund available to you through your NRECA 401k options has historically averaged a return of approximately 10 percent? Did you know over that same period of time the average cooperative employee in the 401k plan has averaged a return of only 3.9 percent?
Is Gold Actually A Hedge Against Inflation?
Well according to my television and the financial "news" media the economy was on the verge of collapse this past April. The financial "news" media seemed excited about that and also excited to mention that gold had broken through to new all-time highs! And while that is sort of true because gold recorded a new nominal high price, that's not the whole truth. Nominal in this context means unadjusted as it pertains to inflation which, in the end, is all that really matters. They tend to leave the adjusted for inflation part out because it's not as sexy and doesn't excite people as much.
You Must Consider Taxes When Deciding Between The NRECA R&S Lump Sum & The Annuity Option
If you are eligible for the NRECA R&S Plan, you MUST consider the tax scenarios when deciding whether to take the lump sum option or the annuity option. You essentially have a winning lottery ticket and just like a real lottery ticket, the IRS is waiting for their piece of the action.
Your NRECA 401k Options Explained In Plain English
Today I want to discuss, what I feel, is the single most important benefit the co-op offers you. And that is your NRECA 401k plan. It’s important because it’s the fastest and simplest way for you to grow your wealth over time.
Companies Are Rational, The "Stock Market" Isn't
Companies and what's referred to as the "stock market" are two different things. Companies are rational. The "stock market" is irrational. When you begin to realize that we are long-term goal-focused investors and we are owners of successful companies rather than just investors in the "stock market" you can change how you perceive the panic that the financial "news" media assaults us with on a 24/7 basis.
11 Questions You Should Ask Any Financial Advisor You Interview
I created this list as an education piece for any electric cooperative employee to use as they interview different financial advisors. My goal isn't that everyone who visits my site decides to work with me. My goal is to help you make an educated decision as you work through this process. If you are retiring soon or just exploring a relationship with a financial advisor, be sure to ask these 11 questions during the interview process. And interview at least three advisors. That should give you a good idea of whom you want to work with and why.
The Three Main Stock Market Indexes Explained
Everyday the financial “news” tells us the status of the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite because these are the three most followed indexes by media and investors. I’ve found through the years that many people have no idea what an index is or specifically what these three indexes represent. Today I’m going to give you a Cliffs Notes version of what an index is as it relates to the stock market, a brief explanation of the three major indexes
Should We Get Out Of The Market Until Things Settle Down?
The impulse to get out of the market before something bad happens is an impulse in all of us but it's at best only half of a strategy. What impulse would you listen to for re-entry to the market? Impulses don't make a strategy, but they can totally destroy a strategy.
Should You Sell? Should You Buy? Should You Invest More?
It depends on your goals, your long term financial plan, your age even factors into things here. Let's just run through these options real quick.
Why Should You Pay A Financial Advisor? You, Your Advisor and The Big Mistake.
As your advisor we are a walking talking insurance plan hired to protect one of the largest assets you own, your retirement nest egg. The difference being that unlike most insurance plans we protect you before a disaster strikes, not after the damage has been done.
Why All Of Us Should Embrace Temporary Market Declines
Today I want to discuss why you should actually embrace temporary market declines rather than fear them. I said temporary because they all are temporary and always have been temporary and will always be temporary.
Volatility Isn't Risk And Temporary Decline Isn't Permanent Loss
It seems there are many people who can't distinguish between risk and volatility. Volatility isn't risk. They aren't the same thing at all.
Why Is The Stock Market So Volatile At Times?
If you follow financial "journalism" at all you will inevitably hear how volatile the market is and how you should take action to protect yourself from the volatility. However, when we turn off the "news" and look at things rationally, we can see a completely different story. One that is actually true. It's not the market that is volatile. It's the investors that are volatile.
The Emotional Cycle Of The Average Investor
The picture associated with this blog shows what the average investor not working with an advisor often does.
The Importance of Rebalancing Your Portfolio
One of the most underused, overlooked and unappreciated practices in investing is rebalancing your portfolio on a yearly basis. There's an old saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Disciplined rebalancing, however, is as close as you can get to a free lunch. Let's explore why.
