Welcome to the Marshall Art Easel. Go ahead and ease on in. This isn’t your typical artist’s setup with oils and pastels, but it’s the perfect place to catch a quick stroke of financial wisdom from each Marshall Art episode. After all, every episode drops in a small tip or insight to help you sketch smarter choices, blend better habits, and color in a brighter financial future. No fuss, no jargon, just simple, practical guidance you can use right away. So, pull up to the easel and let’s make your financial picture a masterpiece, one easy stroke at a time.
Episode 11, The Marshall Art of monitoring your investments OR keeping your future on cruise control!
Set a reminder to check your investments quarterly. Use internet tools for your brokerage’s dashboard to take a look at performance vs. benchmarks, asset allocation balances vs. targets and fees and dividends!
Episode 10, The Marshall Art of selecting renter’s insurance OR when your ceiling drips but your wallet doesn’t!
The easiest way to inventory your belongings in case of a loss: take photos or a video and put this in a safe place. Don’t forget to update this from time-to-time!
Episode 9, The Marshall Art of checking your paycheck OR making sure you’re set with the net!
Compare your current paycheck to the previous one [for any differences and absence of expected differences]. If you only have time to do one thing each pay period, this is it!
Episode 8, The Marshall Art of what you can afford for your housing OR condo’s and condon’ts!
Lenders and lessors are in the business of approving loans or applications, not protecting your budget. Just because they say yes doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, especially if it starves your savings goals or your lifestyle!
Episode 7, The Marshall Art of leasing versus buying a car OR renting the wheels or buying the deal!
Finance companies have been known to set the residual value, or the expected worth of the vehicle at the end of the lease, higher resulting in a lower monthly lease payment and creating a lease-end trap if you're not careful. Before buying a leased car, check the market value of the vehicle. Compare it to the residual value. If the market price is lower, negotiate or walk away!
Episode 6, The Marshall Art of effectively using credit cards OR shop till you drop, a real problem!
Use less than 30% of your credit limit [of your credit card]. Lenders love that and your credit score will go boing!
Episode 5, The Marshall Art of borrowing from your 401(k) OR borrow from your 401, not ok!
You actually pay taxes not once, but twice when you borrow from your 401(k). I don’t know about you, but I don’t like paying taxes in the first place, but I have to; but paying them twice, I don’t have to. Repayments are made with after-tax dollars. Then in retirement, when you withdraw that money? You get taxed again. Yep, same money, taxed twice!
Episode 4, The Marshall Art of determining your 401(k) contribution OR getting the 411 on your 401, k!
Your 401(k) doesn’t count as an asset when applying for loans, and pulling money out early comes with penalties!
Episode 3, The Marshall Art of building your savings OR raving about saving!
Social Security alone likely will not cut it [support you in retirement]!
Episode 2, The Marshall Art of boosting your credit score!
Your rent usually doesn't affect your credit score unless your landlord decides to report it. So, paying rent usually doesn't boost your score, but missing it might ding it!