With spooky season upon us, it’s that time of year when cinemas fill with new horror releases and audiences everywhere watch from behind their fingers.
But beyond the jump scares and gore, some of the greatest horror classics offer more than just mindless thrills and many reveal timeless lessons about death, humanity, and even money.
Read on to discover what four iconic horror films can teach you about financial planning.
1. The Blair Witch Project and the perils of not having a clear plan
The Blair Witch Project changed the face of horror when it came out in 1999. While its handheld camera and found footage style have now become staples of the genre, at the time, many viewers were left wondering if what they had just watched was real or not.
In the film, three young film students are left in the evil clutches of the forest and its malevolent spirits after arriving unprepared and without a clear plan for making their documentary. One of them even kicks their only map into a creek in a fit of rage.
As such, the film’s terrifying climax is brought about by the hapless leads being woefully underprepared for what lies ahead.
Just as the students found out the perils of not having a clear plan for their journey, you may also encounter trouble and strife without a roadmap for the path ahead, though hopefully with fewer encounters with evil witches.
Creating clear goals based on your principles and dreams allows you to develop financial targets that give you a direction of travel. Regular check-ins and reviews allow you to make necessary course corrections to match any life updates or wider market and economic shifts.
By creating a map and a plan for your financial life, you can be confident that you’re prepared for whatever life throws at you, be it a loss of income, a new grandchild, or the spirit of an old witch…
2. Hereditary and the importance of estate planning conversations
Hereditary follows the Graham family in the aftermath of a tragedy that uncovers a curse passed down by the recently deceased grandmother.
As the story unfolds, the family discovers that she had far more sinister plans for them than they ever imagined. A mysterious cult devoted to the grandmother’s legacy encroaches, and the surviving relatives realise they’ve inherited a lot more than just her estate.
Needless to say, the Grahams suffer horrifying consequences, many of which might have been avoided with a little more openness and preparation. Had they discussed with the grandmother what she intended to pass on, they might have been better equipped for what was coming.
Curses aside, honest conversations about inheritance and estate planning are important for any family. Clear communication about what you plan to leave behind can prevent confusion, minimise disputes, and ensure your legacy offers support and not problems to those you love.
3. Psycho and the pitfalls of holding too much in cash
Psycho is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Yet, all the terrible deaths in the film could have been avoided if Janet Leigh’s character, Marion Crane, had not been tempted by cash in the opening act.
The story begins with Crane stealing $40,000 in cash from her boss. Armed with more money than she’s ever had before, she runs away in a brand new car to start a new life. However, as the rain lashes down, Crane is forced to stop at the Bates’ Motel for the night, and the fateful shower she takes that night is the stuff of cinema history.
The risks of holding cash for most people are not nearly as high as they were for Crane, but there are still pitfalls to be aware of.
Many people are tempted to hold much of their wealth in cash accounts as they offer guaranteed returns and relative security. However, inflation can erode your cash savings over time, and the market has a better chance of keeping pace.
Research by Schroders found that the market has typically had a consistently better chance of beating inflation than cash over every time frame ranging from one month to 20 years.
So, by avoiding the temptation of holding a large portion of your wealth in cash, you can help it to maintain its real value and possibly avoid a series of grizzly and tragic events.
4. The Conjuring and the value of enlisting expert support
In The Conjuring, a young family is haunted by ghostly apparitions, tormented by poltergeists, and terrorised by the spirit of a witch, until they finally seek help from experts.
The film, inspired by the real-life case files of self-proclaimed “demonologists” Ed and Lorraine Warren, takes creative liberties with the truth. But while the Warrens’ real-life claims may not stand up to scrutiny, in the film they duly deliver on their promise to banish the evil presence within the house.
While financial planners might not be able to hunt ghosts or perform exorcisms, their expertise in more earthly matters can be just as valuable.
We’ll work with you to build a clear vision for your life and create a bespoke plan to help you achieve it, whether that means feeling secure about retirement, passing on your estate efficiently, funding your child’s education, or reaching other personal goals.
We may not be able to banish evil spirits, but we can certainly help put your financial fears to rest.
To speak to a financial planner, get in touch.
Email us at hello@vwmwealth.com or call us on 0141 229 4004.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.
The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
