5 Best Movies to Teach Important Money Questions
There are some films that teach us lessons we didn't expect. All that you need to do is look a little deeper at the meaning behind the story to find your own personal parable. This is the basis for any good story telling: to have something beneath the surface that rings true to real life. Seeing a film that follows this rule will always make it a more rewarding viewing experience.
When it comes to learning about money, modern and classic cinema are both full of examples. Check out these flicks that do more than entertain, they also teach us a bit about finances, and the do's and dont's of personal money handling.
The 80's were fraught with problems, from an increase in street level drug trade to fashion faux pas that no one wants to remember. But a major source of strife was the blatant insanity that was on Wall Street. Perhaps paralleling today's world, big business ran everything with a hand not afraid to slap the face of the little guy. In fact, the entire basis of the movie was greed...sound familiar?
The lesson here seemed to be that while you can get ahead in business by acting like a psychopathic two-year-old with a heavy wallet, it isn't a way to live. In the end, such a lifestyle will eat you alive.
Some offers should be refused. But even knowing the risk involved with getting into the pocket of a mafia boss, it can still be too tempting to pass up. Or so the central storyline in The Godfather seems to show us.
But there is great danger in such obvious risk taking. Not just with criminal leaders of the underworld, either. Risky loans, mortgages we can't afford, bad investments and stock trade...it might seem like an offer you can't refuse. However, you will be sure to pay for it with more than you bargained for.
Forget the comedic genius surrounding this iconic cult film. The real lesson here is in how far people will go for the green, and in the case of the characters of this film, the answer is really freaking far.
The main character is oblivious but loveable, and one of the few who is only looking for what is fair, not what is easy.
So, yes, I will say it: we can learn a lot from The Dude.
This movie might be a little hard to put into a financial context at the face of it. But if you really look hard, the message lingers right on the edges, and an important one, too.
Think of the cowboys who go against their extraterrestrial foes...what are they after? Gold, the chance to strike it rich with a single blow. They have come for money, they will die for money, and all on an off chance that there is any to be had. Just like people often risk everything for investments like risky stocks, and loose everything in the process.
Yes, I really want you to learn an important financial lesson from this “chubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff”. In this remake of the classic character tales, Winnie misreads a note from Christopher Robin and thinks he is in trouble. So he and his friends go on a risky (and unnecessary) rescue mission to save their buddy.
So what is the lesson here? That understanding before you act on an investment is extremely important. Not only that, but you should never neglect to read the fine print.
What are some movies that you feel teach us about money in a way relevant to today's financial world? Let us know in the comments!
Author Bio: Jessy Troy is a money expert and blogger for Credit Card Finder, the free resource on balance transfers offering a number of money-related money tools.
When it comes to learning about money, modern and classic cinema are both full of examples. Check out these flicks that do more than entertain, they also teach us a bit about finances, and the do's and dont's of personal money handling.
1. Wall Street (1987)
The 80's were fraught with problems, from an increase in street level drug trade to fashion faux pas that no one wants to remember. But a major source of strife was the blatant insanity that was on Wall Street. Perhaps paralleling today's world, big business ran everything with a hand not afraid to slap the face of the little guy. In fact, the entire basis of the movie was greed...sound familiar?
The lesson here seemed to be that while you can get ahead in business by acting like a psychopathic two-year-old with a heavy wallet, it isn't a way to live. In the end, such a lifestyle will eat you alive.
2. The Godfather (1972)
Some offers should be refused. But even knowing the risk involved with getting into the pocket of a mafia boss, it can still be too tempting to pass up. Or so the central storyline in The Godfather seems to show us.
But there is great danger in such obvious risk taking. Not just with criminal leaders of the underworld, either. Risky loans, mortgages we can't afford, bad investments and stock trade...it might seem like an offer you can't refuse. However, you will be sure to pay for it with more than you bargained for.
3. The Big Lebowski (1998)
Forget the comedic genius surrounding this iconic cult film. The real lesson here is in how far people will go for the green, and in the case of the characters of this film, the answer is really freaking far.
The main character is oblivious but loveable, and one of the few who is only looking for what is fair, not what is easy.
So, yes, I will say it: we can learn a lot from The Dude.
4. Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
This movie might be a little hard to put into a financial context at the face of it. But if you really look hard, the message lingers right on the edges, and an important one, too.
Think of the cowboys who go against their extraterrestrial foes...what are they after? Gold, the chance to strike it rich with a single blow. They have come for money, they will die for money, and all on an off chance that there is any to be had. Just like people often risk everything for investments like risky stocks, and loose everything in the process.
5. Winnie The Pooh (2011)
Yes, I really want you to learn an important financial lesson from this “chubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff”. In this remake of the classic character tales, Winnie misreads a note from Christopher Robin and thinks he is in trouble. So he and his friends go on a risky (and unnecessary) rescue mission to save their buddy.
So what is the lesson here? That understanding before you act on an investment is extremely important. Not only that, but you should never neglect to read the fine print.
What are some movies that you feel teach us about money in a way relevant to today's financial world? Let us know in the comments!
