Every December, we go back to the same holiday classics.
They make us laugh, cry, and sometimes… rethink our life choices.

But hidden behind the snow, the music, and the nostalgia are real lessons about planning, values, and financial behaviour.
Here are three iconic Christmas movies, and what they can teach us about money.

1. Home Alone,  Always Have a Plan (and a Backup Plan)

Kevin McCallister didn’t plan to be left home alone…
But once it happened, he adapted fast.

From budgeting his groceries to securing the perimeter to thinking five steps ahead, Kevin does something many adults struggle with:
he builds a plan, executes it, and leaves room for surprises.

Financial lesson:

Life throws curveballs. Markets swing. Jobs change. Unexpected bills show up.

A solid financial plan works the same way as Kevin’s blueprint:

• Prioritize the essentials (roof, heat, groceries).
• Prepare your defences (emergency fund, insurance).
• Stay flexible when something unexpected happens.

And like Kevin’s final escape to the treehouse, having a backup plan can make all the difference.

2. It’s a Wonderful Life, Your Wealth Is Bigger Than Your Balance Sheet

George Bailey spends most of the movie believing he’s failed financially.
But when everything seems lost, the community he supported for decades shows up to save him.

His story is a reminder that:

• Money matters, but
• relationships, trust, and long-term decisions matter even more.

Financial lesson:

Your real wealth isn’t just financial capital, it’s social capital:

• The people who trust you
• The community you build
• The long-term habits that quietly compound over time

George didn’t realize he’d been “investing” in relationships for years, and they paid the biggest dividend of all.

In finance, the same is true:
Consistency beats shortcuts.
Reputation beats short-term gain.
Small decisions compound into meaningful outcomes.

3. A Christmas Carol, Your Financial Future Changes When Your Behaviour Changes

Ebenezer Scrooge is the classic example of someone who is “rich” but not wealthy.

He hoards money.
He avoids joy.
He focuses on the past instead of the future.

Only when he confronts the consequences of his choices, with the help of a few ghosts, does he understand a core truth:

Financial well-being is shaped by behaviour, not income.

Financial lesson:

Like Scrooge, many people struggle not because of lack of resources but because of:

• Financial avoidance
• Fear of change
• Short-term thinking
• Not understanding their “why” behind money

Once Scrooge changes his mindset, everything changes:

• He gives generously
• He invests in others
• He starts using money as a tool, not a shield

A reminder that healthy financial habits start with clarity, purpose, and a willingness to improve.

Final Thought: Holiday Movies, Real-Life Lessons

These three films are classics for a reason, they’re entertaining, but they also cut deep.
They each show that money isn’t just about spreadsheets or rate of return. It’s about:

• Preparation (Home Alone)
• Values and relationships (It’s a Wonderful Life)
• Behaviour and mindset (A Christmas Carol)

As you enjoy your holiday favourites this year, take a moment to think about your own financial story, where you are today, where you want to go, and what might need to change in the new year.

Because unlike the movies, we don’t get a visit from three ghosts or a perfectly timed snowstorm…
But we can learn from the lessons they leave behind.