Title: Money Tips We Can Learn from Walter White
Imagine you’re a high school chemistry teacher, struggling to pay medical bills for your teenager with cerebral palsy. Now add a terminal brain tumor and poor health insurance to the ordeal. Walter White from the hit show “Breaking Bad,” faced these challenges and came out surprisingly savvy in handling money matters.
Before we start, just a heads up, no spoilers please, as I’m still only in season two!
1. Embrace the Side Hustle:
Walter White, despite being a chemistry genius, was grappling with finances. By turning his skills into a profitable side business, he proved the worth of a good side hustle.
Now this doesn’t mean you should start a meth lab like Walter! (Seriously, don’t. It’s illegal and wrong.) But take a moment to evaluate your skills. Could you turn them into a source of income, aside from our day jobs? Here’s a list of 114 side hustle ideas to get you started.
2. Always have a Plan B:
Walter knew the value of a back-up plan. When his supply couldn’t meet the demand, he creatively found an alternative ingredient to keep his business running. It even gave his product a unique edge in the market.
So, whatever you’re doing, be it work, retirement planning, or saving for your child’s education, always consider a Plan B. It might yield better results than your original idea.
3. Stand your Ground:
Sometimes, a superb product isn’t enough. Walter had to figure out how to distribute the product he had created. After a failed attempt by his partner Jesse, Walter approached the distributor himself, brimming with confidence. And it worked!
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want in life, whether it’s a promotion or better service rates. You’ll be surprised by what it can do for you.
4. Seek Professional Help:
At a point, Walter realized that he needed professional help. Despite being costly, taking advice from experts, like Saul Goodman in the series, saved him a lot of trouble later.
If you’re setting up your own business, consulting a lawyer or an accountant could save you from messing up. Understand that professional expertise is valuable and worth investment.
5. Be Transparent with Your Family:
Tension builds up in the White’s household as Walter keeps his meth cooking operation a secret from his wife, Skyler.
The lesson here is, be honest with your loved ones. While surprises gifts are cool, major life decisions should not be kept secret. Open communication, in a way, makes your family a team, all playing from the same playbook.
Following these financial lessons doesn’t mean you have to start like Walter White (please, don’t do that!). But adapting these principles in your financial decisions can definitely make a difference.
Keep in mind; these are suggestions, not encouragements, to get into illegal activities. Bear in mind the consequences Walter had to face!