I just watched the movie Tranformers last Sunday. Never thought that it was a lengthy one – 2 hours 30 mins! There are several scenes in the movie that provide personal finance lessons. If you missed out some or never even notice any, here are the money lessons listed below:


image: Transformer movie tickets

Scene 1.

Sam Witwicky got a used car. His father financially made a right choice to get Sam a decades old car. The old Camaro cost $4000. I am just curious, does it really cost that much for a very old Camaro? A new 8th Generation Honda Civic is only priced $17,000 in the US now.
When my son grows up in the future, I will make sure that his first car is a used one too!


Image: Sam bought this old Camaro with $4000

Later in the movie, the Autobot Bumblebee transformed into a new Camaro.


Image: New camaro as Bumblebee

Quotes from the movie:

  • Bobby Bolivia: A driver don’t pick the cars. Mmm-mm. Cars pick the driver.
  • Ron ‘Sparkplug’ Witwicky: [drives past a Porsche dealer] I’ve got a little surprise for you, son.
    Sam ‘Spike’ Witwicky: No, no, no, no! Dad! Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!
    Ron ‘Sparkplug’ Witwicky: Yeah, I am. You’re not getting a Porsche!
  • Mikaela: So for a super advanced robot why does he turn into a piece of crap camero?
    [Bumble Bee opens his passanger side door and lets Mikaela and Sam out and takes off speeding down the tunnel]
    Sam ‘Spike’ Witwicky: Oh great you just pissed him off. There goes $4000 just speeding away.
    [Bumble Bee pops a side wheelie and scans another car]

[youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hbm5ZTp_nMg]

Lesson 1: Get a used car as your first car

Benefits:

  • Pay less for a car, result in higher net worth
  • Pay less for auto insurance
  • Car depreciate in value over time. The more you save the more you gain 🙂
  • You’ll never know that the car is actually an Autobot or Decepticon (just kidding larr)

Scene 2.

Sam Witwicky need $1000 plus three A subjects in order to get the free car from his father. Thus, he made a presentation about his grandfather’s Arctic expedition and tried to sell off his glasses. The spectacles is also listed at eBay auction. In real world, you can get the glasses in year 2008. It is now being auction for charity over US$3,050 at eBay.


Image: The Witwicky glasses used as movie props with case.

Quotes from the movie:

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXxTOQnRGCo]

Lesson 2: Liquidate your junk

Benefits:

  • earn extra money
  • liquidate your junk instead of throwing them away.
  • it is even better than recycling
  • Probably you will get noticed by Optimus Prime (just kidding 🙂 )

Scene 3.

A Decepticon crushed a store. A kid said that “I sure hope they have insurance”. How could a business live without insurance? You should insure your machine, your shop, and also your own life.

Quotes from the movie:

  • Cafe’ kid 1: [after a Decepticon has crushed a store] I sure hope they have insurance.

Lesson 3: Insure your business

Benefits:

  • your assets is protected from disaster
  • your business can still continue operation when the key person is unable to perform due to premature death or dread disease.

Scene 4.

Captain Lennox is desperately calling Pentagon. But he got stuck at the telephone operator asking him to produce a credit card. Credit card is really a helpful tool because you don’t have to have cash to make a purchase. But be extra careful of how to use your credit card. In most case of emergency, a credit card with remaining credit will be helpful most of the time. Bring your credit along whenever possible.

Quotes from the movie:

  • [Captain Lennox is using Epps’ credit card to call the Pentagon while his men fight Scorponok]
    Captain Lennox: Okay, it’s a Visa…
    International Operator: Also, sir, have you heard about our Premium Plus full service call package?
    Captain Lennox: NO I DON’T WANT A PREMIUM PACKAGE!


Image: Captain Lennox

Lesson 4: Credit card helps

Benefits:

  • Credit card statement is the easiest way to track your expenses
  • Credit card give you a better cash flow because you only need to pay the amount before due date. Normally it is 20-50 days after you made the purchase
  • Credit card gives rebate
  • Credit card is useful during emergency when you don’t have much cash

Did I miss any money lesson from the movie? Please share you view in the comment.

KCLau
KCLau

Personal finance author and trainer

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