Tommy Mayo, Modern Woodmen of America

06/05/2026

Looking for a way to enrich your child's summer? Get them involved in a volunteer event!

At Modern Woodmen, we have opportunities for your kids to make an impact through chapter events, member programs and more.

Ask me how!

06/04/2026

I wasn't always the guy who had it figured out.
I was a single oilfield hand up until the age of 25 making bank with all the toys and trucks that a young man could want. No plan at all.
Then life changed fast.
Got married then had a kid on the way. Wife had complications with the pregnancy, and we went from two incomes to one. I was roughnecking in '09. I sold all my toys and stuff just to take care of my new family. Buying a DVD at Walmart was splurging. Times were tight and I had to learn quick.
Once we got our footing and adjusted to living on one income we made a decision, we were going to try to live off of one paycheck. All the bills. All the expenses. Covered by one check. Did we pull it off every single time? No. But it's what we strived for. Keep in mind this wasn't at today's prices either.
We became very frugal. Simple people living a simple life.
We didn't buy the biggest house or the newest vehicles. We bought dependable vehicles that kept us within our budget. If something wasn't necessary and it would take us beyond that one paycheck, we waited.
When we paid something off we didn't run right out and trade it in or replace it with a new payment.
We made extra house notes so that when the day came we'd outgrown the house we weren't in a bind. We bought additional land. We improved what we had.
I also learned to keep money in different buckets, didn’t know that was what I was doing at the time, have it working for me instead of just sitting or disappearing. It wasn't nearly what it could have been with what I know now but it was a start.
The Good Lord blessed us with a growing family and as the family grew so did the income with promotions, going overseas or moving to the drillships.
My wife is a registered nurse. Between the two of us we could have had quite the living. That frugal lifestyle we built is what allowed her to stay home and raise our kids as the family grew.
Even after getting laid off and going to work in the plants, we were okay. Had money put back. Lived within our means. It didn't break us because we had built a life that could handle it.
I'm not saying this is how it has to be done. I by no means did everything right.
But I do believe there were a lot of things we did right. Budgeting, planning and discipline.
I just wish I knew then what I know now. It would have made a big difference. This was the path that led to where I am now. That's a big part of why I do what I do now. Those conversations nobody was having with me back then, that's what I show up to have with people every day.

06/04/2026

There's still time to order a free tree from the Arbor Day Foundation.

Just log into your online member account to find the order form. And while you’re there, don't forget to explore. Your online account is the go-to place for plan details, member programs and more!

Don't have an account yet? Sign up today!

06/03/2026

Just as physical fitness helps your body perform well and recover from stress, financial fitness helps your finances function smoothly and withstand economic challenges over time.

Looking for tips on how to improve your financial fitness? Let's meet!

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Ten things I wish someone had told me when I was working offshore.
I learned most of these the hard way.
1. Build a 3-6 month emergency fund. Contracts end without warning. Broken leg needing surgery. The phone stops ringing. You need runway.
2. Max out your 401k or at least make sure you are meeting the match. You're making good money now. Use it. Most guys don't touch this until it's too late. My advice came from my pusher who asked if I was in it, not even sure if I was old enough at the time and he said to get in it when I could. I said yes sir.
3. Disability and life insurance are not optional. You work in one of the most hazardous industries in the world. Your family shouldn't find out the hard way that you weren't covered. Back to the broken leg needing surgery, out for 3 months.
4. Plan for taxes before they plan for you. Overtime and bonuses push you into brackets fast. I've seen guys owe a lot of $ at tax time because nobody warned them. Also beware of who does your taxes, audits can be unfriendly.
5. Knock out high-interest debt while the money is there. The income won't always be this high. Use the window.
6. Automate your savings. If it hits your checking account first you'll spend it. Pay yourself before you see it.
7. Don't tie all your investments to energy. You already have enough exposure to this industry — your paycheck. Your investments shouldn't make the same bet.
8. Have a between-jobs plan before you need one. Know exactly what you'd cut, what you'd draw from, and how long you could last. Before the call comes.
9. Invest in your skills. The certifications that make you more valuable in a downturn are the same ones that get you the better contracts in an upturn.
10. Work with someone who actually knows this industry. Not someone who's heard of it. Someone who's been there and understands irregular income, rotation schedules, and what your benefits actually mean.
I spent 17 years out there and 4 years in plants. Some of this I'm still working through myself. But I know one thing, having someone in your corner who actually understands your world makes all the difference.
If you're working offshore or in the plants and want to talk through where you stand, lets conversate.

05/29/2026

Congratulations to the winners of our scholarship competition!

Between the competition for high school seniors and the competition for members 21 and up, we gave away $622,000 to 370 member students.

See the full list of winners here:

05/28/2026

Ever wonder what our logo really means?

The shield represents the protection we provide our members. Look closer and you’ll see the clouds form an eagle’s head watching over the communities we serve.

05/27/2026

Graduating college this month? Here are four money tips to keep in mind before starting your first full-time job.

Psst ... don't stress. I'm here to help with any questions!