10 Movies That Teach You How to Manage Your Personal Finances

10 Movies That Teach You How to Manage Your Personal Finances

Managing personal finances can be a daunting task, especially for those who have never received formal education on the subject. However, you don’t necessarily have to take a finance course or read books to learn the necessary skills. In fact, you can glean useful insights from movies that feature characters who successfully or poorly manage their money.

Here are 10 movies that can teach you how to manage your personal finances:

1. The Pursuit of Happyness

Based on a true story, this movie follows a struggling salesman and single father Chris Gardner, as he overcomes homelessness, unemployment, and financial struggles to land a job as a stockbroker. The movie highlights the importance of hard work, determination, and perseverance in financial success.

2. The Big Short

This movie depicts the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, and how several characters predicted and profited from it. The movie highlights the importance of understanding the economy, financial markets, and the risks of investments.

3. Slumdog Millionaire

In this movie, a young boy from Mumbai becomes a contestant on the popular game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The movie teaches the importance of financial literacy, and how knowledge of how money works can help achieve financial success.

4. The Wolf of Wall Street

This movie tells the story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who defrauded investors out of millions of dollars. The movie highlights the importance of ethical behavior and avoiding fraudulent schemes.

5. Catch Me If You Can

This movie is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale, who posed as an airline pilot, doctor, and lawyer before being caught by the FBI. The movie highlights the risks of living beyond your means and the consequences of financial fraud.

6. Confessions of a Shopaholic

This movie follows Rebecca Bloomwood, a shopping addict who falls into debt. The movie teaches the importance of budgeting, saving, and avoiding impulsive spending.

7. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

In this movie, the lead character Walter Mitty goes on a journey to find a missing photograph, which leads to self-discovery and pursuing his dreams. The movie teaches the importance of setting financial goals and working towards them.

8. A Simple Plan

This movie follows three men who discover a small plane that crashed in the woods, carrying millions of dollars in cash. The movie highlights the temptations of easy money and the consequences of greed.

9. Jerry Maguire

In this movie, sports agent Jerry Maguire struggles with personal and financial issues after losing his job. The movie teaches the importance of diversifying your income sources and saving for unexpected events.

10. The Money Pit

In this comedy movie, a couple buys a house that turns out to be a money pit, causing financial and personal strain. The movie highlights the importance of doing due diligence before making financial decisions and being prepared for unexpected expenses.

In conclusion, watching movies can be an entertaining and informative way to learn about personal finance. The above-listed movies can teach valuable lessons about budgeting, investing, ethical behavior, and various financial risks. By learning from movie characters’ successes and failures in managing their money, you can develop financial literacy and make informed decisions about your finances.