Blog

Staying out of debt is one of the most powerful financial decisions you can make, because it keeps your future income working for you, not for yesterday’s choices. When you avoid debt, you buy freedom—the freedom to say yes to...

Over the last few months, we have been notified by several Nucor locations about an uptick in 401k loans and hardship withdrawals. I think it’s time for a quick review of the negatives. When you borrow from your retirement account, you...

Over the last few months, we have been notified by several Nucor locations about an uptick in 401k loans and hardship withdrawals. I think it’s time for a quick review of the negatives. When you borrow from your retirement account, you...

Start the new year strong by focusing on four smart financial moves that can set the tone for long-term success. First, review last year’s spending to understand where your money actually went and identify areas to cut back (yes, I...

Here’s a few financial tips before year end. If you use the Nucor Health Care Savings Account (flex spending account), check your balance. Make sure to use any fund above your carry over amount before year end (remember, “use it or...

As Open Enrollment is about to begin, there will be many important benefits to review and consider. However, this is also a good time to review your 401k allocation and 401k contributions. Have you increased your contributions yet this...

Social media gets a bad rap for a lot of reasons—but financially, one of the biggest issues is how it can make us feel like we’re not “keeping up with the Joneses.” What you SEE on the surface may be hiding a darker reality. Instead,...

I’ve talked to several Teammates across the Country this year who are wanting to buy rental properties. Getting into real estate may sound glamorous but the reality is when you are paying a loan with higher interest rates, rising...

Everyone makes mistakes in life, including financial ones—sometimes many of them. The important thing is not to let past mistakes repeat themselves and hold you back from a successful financial future. Here's my “tough love” advice:...

In our meetings this year, we are seeing a higher percentage than normal of people with very low or non-existent emergency funds. We preach the importance of emergency funds in the financial planning process. Why? They help guard...

Recently, while reviewing the general finances of a couple different Teammates we found they were paying a pretty big unnecessary expense…PMI (Primary Mortgage Insurance). In both cases, they had purchased their homes around 2018-2019...

Football is big in my household and being from Nebraska, one of our football legends is Ndamukong Suh. While he is best known for being a mean and nasty defensive lineman in college and the NFL, he’s actually a smart businessman off...

The current “retire at 65 model” was built back in the 1930’s when the average person didn’t live long after they retired. Fast forward to 2025 where (if we are lucky) retirement can be 2 or 3 decades! Maybe you want to retire early...

Got a summer vacation planned? I hope you do. As a financial advisor I encourage you to spend some of your hard-earned money creating memories with family and friends. Otherwise, what are you working for? However, listen...

A Harris Poll found that 81% of adults aged 55 or older were more likely to make their financial decisions based upon current news headlines. Yikes! With the current state of affairs in our Country, every time you turn on the news you...

If you got a big refund or owed far more than you expected on your 2024 taxes, there’s a chance you can make some adjustments on your W-4 Form with Nucor to help this year. This can be confusing. Ideally, visit with your CPA or tax...

Markets don’t like uncertainty, and they are reacting accordingly. However, as an investor in your Nucor 401k every week, now is a great time to be following the sage advice of Warren Buffett who tells us, “Be fearful when others are...

With your recent Profit-Sharing contribution deposit in your 401k and the latest market volatility, now is a great opportunity to rebalance your portfolio. If you have been using the CalmWater portfolio models, our research analysts...

We’ve been hearing from a lot of Teammates who are EXCITED to be getting a refund after filing their 2024 taxes. Sure, it’s like a big adrenaline hit when you find out you have a refund check coming your way (and you start dreaming...

“When it comes to investing, you need to think LONG TERM”. Ever heard anyone say that? What does that really mean? If you invest with a short-term mindset, you will experience a lot more ups and downs (volatility) which can be...

I read an awesome statement yesterday that really resonated with me: “Taking longer isn’t failure.” Let that sink in. We live in a “got to have it now” society where immediate gratification FEELS like success. Don’t be fooled. True...

Ever heard of “Spaving”? Basically it’s a way for retailers to sucker you in to spending more money by offering you some type of savings. This tactic is running rampant now in digital retail through social media groups, text...

What’s your interest? We get a lot of questions about Money Market versus High Yield Savings Accounts (HYSA). For instance, my basic bank savings account is currently paying a whopping 0.25% (yes, that was sarcasm)! However, you can...

In a recent email with a Nucor department manager, he wrote this airline safety message in reference to financially helping out family members. He had mentioned how he has talked to many Teammates who are the financial safety net for...

The Holidays are know as the “giving season”. Unfortunately, we are seeing way too many Nucor Teammates “giving” to banks and lenders recently! A couple weeks ago, one of our advisors was on a 3-day visit at a Nucor location and met...

Financial troubles are normally not caused by INCOME problems as much as they are caused by SPENDING problems. The psychological part of money can be difficult to master. For many people, their budgeting method goes like this: Paycheck...

Year-end is quickly approaching. While true tax planning should take place much earlier in the year, here’s a few last minute tax opportunities to consider. If you still have money in your Nucor HCSA (Health Care Spending Account),...

It’s the “final countdown” to make changes to your benefits during the Nucor open enrollment period. Here’s a few financial planning items to consider. If you want/need to increase your life insurance up to 5x or add Long Term...

Taxes are one of the most confusing concepts for Americans. Understand this: The total amount you make is NOT the amount you are taxed on. Here is an example of how it breaks down for Federal income taxes: Gross Income = Every dollar...

Open enrollment is underway! Not only is this a great time to make sure all of your insurance coverages and benefits are up to date, but it’s a perfect time to look at your 401k. Have you increased your contribution percentage yet this...

Open enrollment is coming SOON! There is a big opportunity for you to consider this year. You will be able to increase your Term Life insurance coverage and/or get enrolled (or increase coverage from A to B) in Long-term Disability...

Open enrollment will begin soon and now is a great time to start thinking about possible changes to your benefits. Have you gotten married or divorced in the last year and haven’t changed the beneficiary information on your insurance...

The phrase “history repeats itself” is never more apparent than when we look at our own family. Even though we may not think our kids and/or grandkids are paying attention to us…trust me, they are. They see our lifestyle choices,...

I saw this post on “X” (formerly Twitter) the other day: “I’m first world poor”. Which means I own a smart phone and an expensive laptop so I can go online and check that I have no money in the bank. While it made me laugh, I...

With the recent movements in the stock markets along with our freshly updated Nucor 401k portfolio models, NOW would be a great opportunity to rebalance your 401k. If you have never done it yourself and find the process a little...

If you have kids, you may well be aware of 529 college savings accounts that allow you to save money for their future education needs. The money grows tax-free and can be distributed Federal tax free as long as it is exclusively used...

I recently had a young Teammate who had a truck payment of over $1,000 month tell me he “can’t afford to put any money in his 401k right now.” I told him to “enjoy his new 1.6-million-dollar truck.” He gave me a confused look as I...

As we continue to focus on financial wellness throughout this year, I want to discuss the most basic principal to building wealth. “Finance 101” teaches us that an ASSET = something that has financial value that you own or control with...

What do you think is the biggest expense in your life? Raising your kids? Paying for your house/rent? While both of those are huge expenses, TAXES will likely be the biggest expense in your life! Most of you have either filed your...

I’ve been hearing a lot of concern around Nucor Divisions lately about the dramatic increase in the number of 401k loans. I just want to take a moment and remind you that this is not “free” money. Remember, when you take a 401k loan,...

Fidelity Investments recently released their current 401k data which shows the average person in their 20’s has $17,700 in their 401k while the average person in their 50’s has $212,400. Every situation is different based on your...

Google search “investment calculator” and run these numbers. Let’s assume the investor is 21 years old and wants to invest $1,000. Put in an annual estimated rate of return at 9% and the money will stay invested until they turn 65 when...