BUSINESS & MONEY // Financial Responsibility
2021 Financial Perspective
by Dawn Johnson - Feb.01.2021

Jason Marshall is an award-winning Financial Professional and native of Little Rock, AR. He is a strong advocate for creating multigenerational wealth, and is on a mission to financially empower those within his community. He takes what he learns about the financial services industry and educates his current and future clients. A portion of his mission is to position as many as he can to have the strongest financial future possible.
With the end of what may collectively be one of the more challenging years in recent history, many are re-evaluating most aspects of their life. Health, wealth, and wisdom are at the forefront of many minds. We are all rethinking relationships with food, people, money, and ways to improve our spending and budgeting habits. With a pursuit of financial freedom being the first-time priority for some, and an ever-evolving goal for others, we met with Jason Marshall to get his take on how to improve your financial situation in 2021.
With the end of what may collectively be one of the more challenging years in recent history, many are re-evaluating most aspects of their life. Health, wealth, and wisdom are at the forefront of many minds. We are all rethinking relationships with food, people, money, and ways to improve our spending and budgeting habits. With a pursuit of financial freedom being the first-time priority for some, and an ever-evolving goal for others, we met with Jason Marshall to get his take on how to improve your financial situation in 2021.
If you could go back in time and change one financial decision you have made, what would it be? (What would you want your younger self to do differently)?
I would encourage my clients to make sure that they are "acting their wage", not to overspend, and not to live at or below their means. It can be the best way to manage your finances no matter what your income
I would encourage my clients to make sure that they are "acting their wage", not to overspend, and not to live at or below their means. It can be the best way to manage your finances no matter what your income

What do you think our readers should focus on during the first half of 2021?
First, start with the basics. Start living on the 80/10/10 rule: give 10% of their income, save or invest 10%, and spend the rest. Get with a financial professional to build a bridge to meet your financial goals. Also, to become more financially literate, you need to get in a position to have a financial plan.
First, start with the basics. Start living on the 80/10/10 rule: give 10% of their income, save or invest 10%, and spend the rest. Get with a financial professional to build a bridge to meet your financial goals. Also, to become more financially literate, you need to get in a position to have a financial plan.
What is a piece of advice or financial trend that you think Arkansans are not paying attention to or taking seriously? But should?
Get your protections in order, such as life insurance. It's timeout for Go Fund Me campaigns and fundraising when and if there is an emergency.
Get your protections in order, such as life insurance. It's timeout for Go Fund Me campaigns and fundraising when and if there is an emergency.
What is a good rule of thumb to consider when deciding to get serious about your financial situation?
You have to have a budget! You will need to figure out how much you have coming, as well as how much you have to spend and manage. This makes for better management of your finances, no matter the income.
You have to have a budget! You will need to figure out how much you have coming, as well as how much you have to spend and manage. This makes for better management of your finances, no matter the income.

What do you think is the best way to address debt?
The snowball effect - start on the smaller debt account; once that account is paid off, you then take the money you were paying and add it to the next account's payments. You attack debt from smallest to largest. A lot of credit cards are offering credit card relief due to COVID-19. You can knock those out faster if you can take advantage of the credit card relief.
The snowball effect - start on the smaller debt account; once that account is paid off, you then take the money you were paying and add it to the next account's payments. You attack debt from smallest to largest. A lot of credit cards are offering credit card relief due to COVID-19. You can knock those out faster if you can take advantage of the credit card relief.
Can you provide a few steps to get started when addressing your financial concerns?
Get on a budget and/or seek out a financial professional to help you address your financial concerns. Jason states financial professionals have experience creating a budgetary analysis. They can help you plan to increase income, decrease debts, distribute funds differently, and other courses of action to address your financial concerns. There is no one size fits all plan, and a financial professional can customize a plan for you and your family.
Get on a budget and/or seek out a financial professional to help you address your financial concerns. Jason states financial professionals have experience creating a budgetary analysis. They can help you plan to increase income, decrease debts, distribute funds differently, and other courses of action to address your financial concerns. There is no one size fits all plan, and a financial professional can customize a plan for you and your family.