I grew up watching the Simpsons, and I loved everything about it. As I got older, I began to understand even more of it. But I saw some interesting teachings in it that I didn’t even think about. And it’s about personal finance, especially looking at Homer.
Let’s take a look at a few of the key points and give ourselves a laugh for a bit and some good old nostalgia, even though the Simpsons are still currently on the air. Season 30!!
1. MONEY IS THE PRIMARY MEANS WE USE FOR BUYING STUFF
My mother explained the concept of money to me in two words – barter system. If you want a phone, you give money in return. How much you exchange is up to you.
2. SOMETIMES YOU’RE BETTER OFF PAYING A LITTLE EXTRA TO ENSURE GOOD QUALITY.
It’s always better to buy something of a higher quality at a higher price because it is worth it. Or, another way to look at it is to buy a good quality lunch box with stainless steel containers and tough but easy-to-wash carrier for $50 that’ll last two to three years when used with care than to buy a cheap plastic tiffin box that’ll wear done within a year for $20.
3. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A VALID INSURANCE POLICY.
Having a valid insurance policy has often been mixed with the basic needs for survival, and for good reason. Having an insurance is an assurance for the future – a health insurance comes in handy when healthcare costs are soaring. A car insurance comes in handy when your Moe has to make up for his losses (just kidding).
4. THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY TO BE MADE IN TELEMARKETING…
This one isn’t really a money lesson, it’s more of a shrewdness to make a telemarketing company profitable. Contrary to wide belief, call centers and telemarketing services aren’t always scammers. With apt knowledge about money, what would go where and what price to quote – there really a lot of money to be made in telemarketing.
5. …AS LONG IT’S BASED ON A LEGITIMATE PRODUCT OR SERVICE, THAT IS.
Of course.
6. AMUSEMENT PARKS CAN BE REALLY REALLY EXPENSIVE.
If you think logically about it, something must be holding those Cliffhangers and Carousels and all, don’t you think? And if you are willing to go to an amusement park, then you better make sure to stack up some serious cash to have fun. My personal favorites have always been a roller coaster and those things which go up, up and so high and then decide to drop us straight towards the center of the earth…and catch you at the last.freaking.moment.
7. FOR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO DIG, THERE’S ALWAYS A BARGAIN TO BE FOUND SOMEWHERE.
I personally hate bargaining but my father loves to. I have seen him bring down the prices of daily life necessities to at least 50% of the selling price. I always feel bad for the seller…but each one to his own, eh?
8. THOSE THAT SAY MONEY CAN BUY LOVE GENERALLY AREN’T THE SHARPEST TOOLS IN THE SHED.
I won’t exactly start singing various songs about how “money can’t buy me love cant buy me love oh…
9. AS LONG IT’S BASED ON A LEGITIMATE PRODUCT OR SERVICE, THAT IS.
Unless you have an expensive hobby like collecting antique silver pieces and maintaining their shine. In cases of extreme emergency and live-or-die dilemmas, money can buy you safety and relief and yet, never love. You get all the things close and remotely close to Love, but not love itself.