Real people, real answers

“The principles my wife and I learned in the class have been very helpful in maintaining a constant focus on long-term financial goals. It would be so easy to get whipsawed by the current markets, but the material covered in the class provided a framework to look at the long picture.” —Bill Lund, Harold B. Lee Library

“Today’s economy is kind of scary. The main thing I’ve done is just kind of stayed the course. With the market going up and down, you kind of want to make a good decision. There really isn’t a real good answer out there that will send you off to the magical kingdom. I have applied Scott Marsh’s advice about holding on.” —Delane Donithorne, Print and Mail Production Center

“Better than before, and (I have) peace that comes from committing to making wiser decisions now than in the past.” —Lin Brown, LDS Philanthropies

“Very successful; even during this economic downturn we have moved forward with our goals as we apply the strategies Mr. Marsh taught in class. In addition, we realized we can’t be discouraged if we are sometimes sidetracked from our long-term goals when everyday-life events happen (illness, home/car repairs, etc.).

“As a couple, we had great fun deciding on and implementing our ‘Million-Dollar Decision.’ I only wish we had kept track of all the money we saved.” —Lisa Cope, BYU Law School

“Many principles taught, I have already practiced over the years. However, I hadn’t been making an extra principal payment on the home mortgage, which I now do.” —Spencer Hawkins, BYU Bookstore

“I was a younger participant with many years before retirement, so I have a lot of time to prepare for it. Some of the things that I learned were where I was in preparing for retirement and what I needed to do to be where I needed and wanted to be. As for the declining economy, I don’t think I have really done anything different; in fact, my wife and I bought a duplex for a real-estate investment. We put thousands into the duplex to fix it up. The course also helped me understand my Flexible Spending Account and how it works for me.” —Jim Dodds, Alumni Aspen Grove

“I have taken the course from Scott Marsh three times. The first time was 1990 something, before 2001. After 9/11/2001, I was deployed overseas. Since coming back in 2002, I have taken it two more times. After I came back from my last deployment, a lot of things changed. I wanted to stay current so I took his class again. I took it a third time because I wanted his updates, especially on the real–estate market (in 2008 and 2009). He said he believed it hadn’t reached bottom yet—which was at that time valuable information for me.

“One of the things he said in the course was to just use the BYU preset mixes—it seems to have worked. Having a military retirement, I’m not under the same stress as those who are depending on TIAA-CREF or their 401(k). Between my military and BYU Master Retirement, I think I’ll be all right, even if Social Security and the stock market aren’t.” —Theodore Okawa, Center for Service and Learning

“I have been successful in the items that I have implemented.” —Kevin Powell, Physical Facilities Director’s Office

“My husband and I are very frugal, financially conservative people. We don’t have any debt. Our house is even all paid for. We don’t lead extravagant lives or feel that we need lots of toys or lots of ‘stuff.’” —Nina Lewis, Independent Study

“I can’t say we have done everything he suggested—we have increased our contributions to the 403(b). Also we have been putting money into Flexible Spending—not sure that was a wise thing to do because this year they cut back so much on what you are allowed to use it for. One of other big things we did (that he taught) is we did create a family trust—I’m sure it was the right thing to do.” —Sharon Call, Risk Management and Safety

“This just enhanced some of the principles my conservative husband and I try to practice.” —Sheila Siggard, Especially for Youth Programs

“No, not at all. I still use the forms and sheets that he gave us to determine whether I’m on target for retirement. I think that his concept of ‘Point of Choice’ is excellent. I’m not aware of any other system that helps to put Social Security, BYU’s retirement, 401(k) and IRAs into a single framework. That was the real value to me.” —Bill Lund, Harold B. Lee Library

“Sometimes it is. Sometimes you want to jump ship and do something else, but so far I am holding on.” —Delane Donithorne, Print and Mail Production Center

“In a couples situation, the ultimate success comes when both people acknowledge the same reality, set the same goals and work on the same plan. This does not always happen with two different people who hold to two different philosophies.” —Lin Brown, LDS Philanthropies

“Most of what Scott preached is not difficult and seemed common sense enough that all of us should be implementing those practices.” —Spencer Hawkins, BYU Bookstore

“Because I am younger and have so many years to go until retirement, I have the advantage of being able to ease into anything that I needed to change.” —Jim Dodds, Alumni Aspen Grove

“It is not difficult; you just have to be willing to work at them.” —Kevin Powell, Physical Facilities Director’s Office

“Of course it is, along with everything else worth doing. We saw how the principles Mr. Marsh taught could make a difference, and we were convinced once we tried it and experienced the difference.” —Lisa Cope, BYU Law School

“Not at all.” —Nina Lewis, Independent Study

“No, he’s excellent. The classes were long, but he has a style that is interesting and stimulating.” —Sheila Siggard, Especially for Youth Programs

“Not too hard.” —Theodore Okawa, Center for Service and Learning

“It takes some initiative. You have to make the effort to make the changes.” —Sharon Call, Risk Management and Safety

“Yes. One of the things he said is to make good habits. On your house payment, he said if you won the lottery or inherit money, don’t pay off the house; invest the money. I did get an inheritance, but I am applying his teachings—and so far I am holding on.” —Delane Donithorne, Print and Mail Production Center

“I have every confidence that these principles do work.” —Lin Brown, LDS Philanthropies

“I have a hope that they will because I have a better understanding rather than blindly moving towards retirement and realizing when I get there that I should have changed some things years before.” —Jim Dodds, Alumni Aspen Grove

“Yes, they do.” —Nina Lewis, Independent Study

“The principles work great.” —Kevin Powell, Physical Facilities Director’s Office

“Absolutely.” —Bill Lund, Harold B. Lee Library

“Yes, we feel that his principles are basically sound.” —Sheila Siggard, Especially for Youth Programs

“Yes, Yes, Yes! One of the things Mr. Marsh teaches is how to expand financial skills based on the simple principles found in the Church’s pamphlet, One for the Money. Simple concepts have powerful results.” —Lisa Cope, BYU Law School

“We have stayed there (regarding investments). We’re trying really hard pay off our home.” —Sharon Call, Risk Management and Safety

“I believe they will, but only time will tell on some of the ideas.” —Spencer Hawkins, BYU Bookstore

“Yes. The principles he uses are very consistent with what we learn in church and what General Authorities have said. I basically have always been that way. It’s not like I had to change my life to be a person who didn’t borrow money or live on credit.” —Theodore Okawa, Center for Service and Learning

“The class is very worthwhile. It didn’t take a lot of effort—it was just a lot of information they gave out, which was good to have. Even if there had been more time involved, it would be worth it. I was very tempted to take the class again.” —Delane Donithorne, Print and Mail Production Center

“Yes, definitely. But it would have been infinitely more helpful to receive this at a much younger age, even at the beginning of my working years. It could have made such a difference in the choices that will be available after retirement.” —Lin Brown, LDS Philanthropies

“Yes, I believe it was worth it. I realized that I wasn’t saving enough for retirement in my 401(k) plan. Making the change should save me some years of extra work in the end.” —Jim Dodds, Alumni Aspen Grove

“The class was very helpful. It gave me the ability to understand how to improve my current retirement planning.” —Kevin Powell, Physical Facilities Director’s Office

“Oh yeah—it was a really good class. We got a lot better understanding of things like life insurance policies, 403(b) plans, etc.” —Sharon Call, Risk Management and Safety

“Yes. Not much work at all, especially when compared to the results.” —Lisa Cope, BYU Law School

“Yes.” —Sheila Siggard, Especially for Youth Programs

“Yes. I felt Scott Marsh is very knowledgeable. His philosophy agrees very well with mine. The only thing I disagreed with was on buying a Buick. Buy used, then keep it as long as you can—it’s what I’ve always done. He points out that you want to find a car whose cost will go down rather quickly, and will last you—that was a Buick.” —Theodore Okawa, Center for Service and Learning

“Yes. I recommend the class to people when we talk about retirement planning or financial woes.” —Bill Lund, Harold B. Lee Library

“Yes. We’ve changed (a little bit) how we invest our money.” —Nina Lewis, Independent Study

“Absolutely!” —Spencer Hawkins, BYU Bookstore

“That’s the only reason I’ve stayed in the market—Scott and his class. I have seen markets jump and fall, 300 one day, 400 the next. I was very tempted to pull out, but if I’d pulled out, I would have lost all that money. He gave some very good principles. Over the last especially six months I’ve had the opportunity to go on my own instincts. Because of him, I’ve at least been able to maintain instead of lose. I haven’t lost my shorts like I have in the past when I followed my own instincts.” —Delane Donithorne, Print and Mail Production Center

“Yes, but I would like to take certain aspects of the course again—such as investing.” —Lin Brown, LDS Philanthropies

“Optimistic is a good description for the class and instructor, and it definitely improved my outlook for today’s economy and the future.” —Spencer Hawkins, BYU Bookstore

“Honestly, I am not terribly worried about today’s economy, but I do feel better prepared for the future.” —Jim Dodds, Alumni Aspen Grove

“I do.” —Kevin Powell, Physical Facilities Director’s Office

“Most certainly.” —Nina Lewis, Independent Study

“We learned that our situation for retirement is so much better than we had imagined. It gave us hope. That hope changed our thinking and actions, and we have made great progress.” —Lisa Cope, BYU Law School

“We don’t necessarily agree with his depth of optimism, but who can predict the future?” —Sheila Siggard, Especially for Youth Programs

“Yeah, except that things kind of rebounded and now they’re not again. Still somewhat fearful, we’ve even considered borrowing from the 401(k) and paying off our house— not sure if that’s a wise thing to do or not.” —Sharon Call, Risk Management and Safety

“I always felt I ought to be OK with military and BYU retirement. When I actually did the numbers because of the Point of Choice exercise, I could see—I am OK.” —Theodore Okawa, Center for Service and Learning

“I guess I still have the fears. You look at the economy, and I don’t think anybody isn’t nervous. I think (Scott) knows better than I—he has a lot more understanding than I. I’m better off following his advice than going off on my own and doing my own thing.” —Delane Donithorne, Print and Mail Production Center

“I have so many years till retirement; I haven’t really worried too much about the economic future. The economy will probably have a few more economic bumps in the road before we get to the end for me. I do think that I am better suited to handle those bumps in the economy than I would have been before Scott Marsh’s class. I am not terribly worried about the economy. I think if everyone else would worry just a little less, then the economy would level out some. But everyone is affected differently.

“As for Scott Marsh’s course, I loved it. I would like to take it again, but bring my wife with me this time.” —Jim Dodds, Alumni Aspen Grove

“This class has helped (us) prepare for the poor economic future.” —Kevin Powell, Physical Facilities Director’s Office

“Preparation and planning stave off fears, but there is a certain (sometimes unpleasant) reality check and consequences to pay for previous procrastination.” —Lin Brown, LDS Philanthropies

“The class helped soften anxieties and the gloom and doom so prevalent in the media and other places. Scott believes the US people and economy will find the way to extended prosperity. I like his optimism but have not fully bought in.” —Spencer Hawkins, BYU Bookstore

“I wasn’t that fearful, but the class helped to put the long-term picture into perspective.” —Bill Lund, Harold B. Lee Library

“No one knows what the future holds, and sometimes not knowing is scary. However, after taking Mr. Marsh’s class we better understand economic trends, long–term outcomes, and the financial options available as we approach various decision-making milestones. That knowledge has allowed a sense of calm in our life.” —Lisa Cope, BYU Law School

“Our major concern was whether or not we had enough money saved up for our retirement years. We really appreciated the formula that Scott shared because by working it out, we realized that we would indeed have enough for our needs. This has brought us great peace of mind. We learned lots and have really appreciated the resources that were on the Internet. From our point of view, the course was extremely beneficial.” —Nina Lewis, Independent Study

“I think we know what we’re doing personally, but knowledge doesn’t necessarily control the economy.” —Sharon Call, Risk Management and Safety

“Somewhat.” —Sheila Siggard, Especially for Youth Programs

“I am still afraid of runaway inflation (like there was under the Carter administration).” —Theodore Okawa, Center for Service and Learning