5 Financial Lessons from Holiday Movies
One of the surest signs that the holidays are upon us, other than retailers selling Christmas trees and other holiday decorations next to their Black Friday deals, is the explosion of holiday specials. While you’ll see a lot of new holiday specials, especially on the Hallmark channel, you’ll also see some old favorites return. It’s no exaggeration to say these specials are almost timeless, and kids of all ages can enjoy the adventures of Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the Grinch, among others.
Once you’ve watched these specials a few times, though, you might start to notice that, while they’re all about celebrating the holidays, they also have some important financial lessons to share. The best part? You can use these lessons long after the holidays are over. Here are five financial lessons from holiday movies.
Know What Things Are Worth | Frosty the Snowman
The main plot of the Frosty the Snowman special revolves around less-than-stellar magician, Professor Hinkle, trying to get his “defective” top hat back from Frosty once he realizes it’s actually magic. It’s a pretty good lesson about not getting rid of something without knowing its true value.
If you want to know the true value of something, the best way is to do some research and come to your own conclusion. You might research the odds of you winning the lottery, for instance, or figure out how much compound interest your CD will earn once it matures.
However, the most important thing to know the true worth of is yourself. This doesn’t just mean knowing whether you’re financially fit or keeping track of how much you have in your retirement fund. It means being aware of all your talents, knowing your positive qualities, and making sure your job is paying you what you’re worth.
Follow Your Own Path | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer didn’t fit in because he looked different. His elf friend Hermey, on the other hand, didn’t look different. He could have fit it if he wanted, but he felt he had to follow his own path instead of doing what every other elf did.
A lot of people might feel like there’s a different path calling them, whether it’s getting a different job or even starting up their own company. However, they might be scared to actually follow that path, and understandably so.
The problem with following your own path is that it’s rarely easy. Going your own way takes a lot of planning and hard work, whether you’re taking up a different job than your family wants you to take or opening up your own business. There’s also no guarantee you’ll succeed.
Despite that, if you have a dream that’s calling you, you owe it to yourself to at least try. According to several surveys, the biggest regret people have at the end of their lives is that they weren’t true to themselves. Also, if you have a goal you’re passionate about, you’re almost guaranteed to work harder and longer at it, which substantially increases your chances of success.
Money Isn’t Everything | The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Everyone knows that money is important, and the more money you have the nicer things you can buy. Here’s the thing—there are a lot of important things that money can’t buy, like the love of your family, the respect of your kids, or real, lasting happiness.
This is especially important to remember in a period where inflation is making prices skyrocket and people are getting discouraged that their money isn’t going as far as it used to. Just keep in mind that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to have a happy holiday. It’s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of the holidays, but the holidays have always been about your love for your friends and family.
It’s Okay to Not be Okay | Charlie Brown Christmas
If you look at the promotional artwork for A Charlie Brown Christmas, everyone looks pretty happy. Either Charlie Brown is looking at his pathetic little Christmas tree with a great big smile on his face, or Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang are all standing smiling in front of the rejuvenated Christmas tree.
However, as anyone who has actually seen A Charlie Brown Christmas knows, those images are a bit misleading. The entire plot of the special is that Charlie Brown feels depressed and isn’t able to get into the holiday spirit, while the other kids (and Snoopy) are less than helpful.
Charlie Brown isn’t alone, though. The last few years haven’t been easy on anyone, and during the holidays we’re not just supposed to be happy, but also put in a lot of behind-the-scenes work to buy gifts and decorate your home.
If you only take away one thing from watching A Charlie Brown Christmas this year, it should be that it’s okay to not be okay. Being stressed or depressed doesn’t mean you’re somehow weak or defective. In fact, the worst thing you could do is to keep your problems to yourself. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone, whether it’s a family member, a partner or even a mental health worker.
It’s worth pointing out that one big reason a lot of people don’t ask for help, especially financial help, is because they’re afraid of the answers. You might find out, for instance, that your doctor will inform you there’s something seriously wrong, or a financial advisor will inform you that your financial situation is worse than you thought.
The reality, though, is that while you might not like the answers you get when you ask for help, the end result is almost always positive. When you ask for help, you get the opportunity to move forward, whether this is due to you getting more information or because you’ve learned new skills that will help you move closer to your goal.
Have a Happy Holiday Season With First Alliance Credit Union
Holiday specials are fun for children of any age. They’ve also got some important financial lessons hidden in their stories. You can learn some valuable lessons about knowing the true worth of things, the real value of the holidays, and asking for help if you need it.
If you’re looking for a little help this holiday season, you can become a member of First Alliance Credit Union for only $5. In addition to getting help from our member advisors, you can also get guides to help you create a budget, build up your savings, and even pay off debt. Plus, you can get no-hassle loans to help you deal with unexpected holiday expenses, and a straightforward rewards credit card with a competitive interest rate and no annual fee.
