Gallery: Financial Advice from Five Movie Heroes

John Nersesian

Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby: Diversify and Hedge

great-gatsby.jpg

Jay Gatbsy’s vast fortune is amassed through undiversified means—bootlegging. Jay is all-in on a single industry, and, in the end, this destroys his legacy. Imagine if he would have had a few less parties and put the money he would have saved into the stock market (in the early 20s, no less!). A well-balanced portfolio diversified across industries and asset classes is the best protection against downward market volatility and outside risk. If both fixed income and equities are currently making you nervous, look into alternative strategies as a way to obtain positive risk-adjusted returns.

Tony Stark from Ironman: Discretionary Expenses Are Best Spent on our Passions

iron-man.jpg

Tony is a man obsessed with developing his futuristic suits, and when he has money to spend, that is where it goes. Of course, Tony supports his seemingly endless R&D budget with revenues from the largest weapons manufacturing company in the world. Likewise, why spend $100 on a fancy sushi dinner when what you really wanted was a pair of nice running shoes. Discretionary expenses are personal and should be allocated carefully to achieve personal goals related to personal passions.

Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind: Be Grateful for What We Have

scarlett-ohara.jpg

Scarlett O’Hara’s life takes more than a few financial detours, but her poor attitude and sense of entitlement stay constant. Eventually, this does not work out for her, and she comes to appreciate the little things in life too late. Satisfaction with your current circumstances does not necessarily mean complacency. It makes resisting temptation and saving less difficult, which will pay dividends in the long term. Clients should consider increasing their 401(k) or IRA contribution and readjusting happily to a slightly lower level of spending, while increasing their retirement savings.

Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World: Be Wary of Predatory Investments

waynes-world.jpg

When Benjamin, a slimy TV executive, pays Wayne and Garth $5,000 to film their show, they think they have hit the jackpot. That is until they realize that Benjamin now owns the rights to their show. Unfortunately, they learn a painful lesson about not researching an investment before jumping in head-first. Dangerous and predatory investment opportunities abound. While investor protection laws exist, a careful and thorough review process before handing over control of your clients’ assets is the best defense against being “had.”

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Integrity Beats Deception

charlie-willy-wonka.jpg

Yes, Charlie’s golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory was a genius stroke of luck. But the way he behaves and outclasses the other golden ticket holders once he has the opportunity makes all the difference in his eventual success. His path to financial security is paved with good intentions. Yours (and your clients’) should be too.

 

Previous Post
Newer Post

Leave A Comment

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This