This is a special episode for us, in part because we both love this movie. But ... it's also a bit of a send-off for us. We're taking an indefinite hiatus - more on that in the episode. We've loved making this podcast and hope to be back soon, but need a little time off. In this episode, we discuss estate tax issues, whether Andy Dufresne was awful…

Guest host Doug Cunnington stops by to talk about one of his favorite flicks, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. We got into whether real or fake Christmas trees are more economical, decided that Cousin Eddie is actually a Zen-master whom we should all emulate, got into van/RV life, and finally talked all about the Christmas bonus check Clark G…

The holiday fun continues this week with the classic film It's a Wonderful Life. We talk about whether Mr. Potter was actually all that bad or just a savvy investor, the value of building a community of people who care about you, why panic-buying OR selling is always a terrible idea, and finally talk about why the offer of salary 8x what you're cur…

It's the holiday season! Which comes with SO. MANY. MONEY. ISSUES. We use the comedy Four Christmases as a launching point to talk about all kinds of holiday-related spending issues. We get into the cost of holiday travel and whether you should visit family at Christmas or take off for exotic destinations. We also debate the value of spending caps …

As we approach the holiday season, cozy favorites like Pride and Prejudice always call to us. So this week, we're doing a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes: Pride and Prejudice. We talk about the Bennet family's finances, debate just how rich Mr. Darcy was, and discuss why you should save money for a rainy day so you don't feel pressured …

Happy Thanksgiving! This week, we're publishing the audio from the presentation we gave at Rocky Mountain CampFI in July 2022. We go over many of our favorite examples of outlandish on-screen spending, and talk about how the unrealistic portrayals we see on TV affect our psyche. We also discuss our strategies for inoculating ourselves against this …

In the last episode of our Tom Cruise series, we're tackling Rain Man. This 1988 Oscar winner has its moments, and it's brimming with money lessons. We debate whether the estate tax (the DEATH tax) is a good or bad thing, go over the stats on how many people are actually affected by it, and analyze the argument that the estate tax is awful for smal…

The Tom Cruise love (hate?) fest continues. The 1988 film Cocktail is on the Razzie's list of the 100 most "enjoyably bad" films ... and for good reason. But even though the film is bad, the money content is amazing. We cover whether inventions are a good pathway to wealth, whether Tom Cruise's character should've gone to college, what the GI Bill …

We're on a 90s Tom Cruise kick! This week, we're relying on Carla's legal knowledge to figure out just how ridiculous the plot of The Firm is. Spoiler alert ... it's SUPER ridiculous. We talk about starting salaries for big firms, what Mitch McDeere's earning potential was, and why basically all the decisions in this film were, to use a legal term,…

Show me the money!!! Jerry Maguire is full of quotable lines and epic money mistakes. How should Jerry have gone about leaving his job? Should Dorothy Boyd have gone with him? And was Rod Tidwell quiet quitting the NFL?? You can find our blog posts and more at: www.penniesandpopcorn.comFollow us on Twitter at: @penniesnpopcornFollow us on Instagram…

This 1985 hidden gem is ALL about financial independence and chasing a more meaningful life. It's also a bit of a cautionary tale. You probably haven't seen this film, but you should still give this episode a listen. We follow the main characters David and Linda on their journey to "dropping out of society" and analyze how they manage (and mismanag…

This is 40 came out ten years ago, but the film's money lessons resonate just as much today. We talk about partner communication over finances, when second mortgages make sense, how much accountants cost, and how to draw boundaries on lending money to family. Also, Robert tattles on Carla and dredges up an 18-year-old fight. You can find our blog p…

Did you know that October 13 is officially Treat Yo Self Day?? Parks and Rec characters Donna Meagle and Tom Haverford created this holiday that exists for just one reason: pamper yourself! We talk about whether this is a good concept, what a Treat Yo Self day Carla-and-Robert-style would look like, and also get into the numbers of how much Tom and…

We've been wanting to cover Wild since we started this podcast. Thru-hiking is near and dear to our hearts, as we attempted to trek all of the PCT in 2019. Though we didn't make the whole way, we had an incredible time and we LOVE backpacking. This week, one of our thru-hiking besties stopped by to talk about all things PCT-related. We talk gear, h…

It's the final episode of our Back To School series! This week, we're covering Season 2, Episode 18 of Gilmore Girls, Back In The Saddle Again. We discuss whether aptitude tests have any merit at all, and delve deeply into the mental health issues that can often follow retirement. We also dig into the oft-quoted statistic that early retirement = ea…

Ohh, Adam Sandler. King of the utterly inane comedy. In keeping with our September Back to School theme, we're covering Billy Madison this week. This comedy may be ridiculous, but the money lessons aren't. We get into how businesses should plan for transitions to the next generation, how to give your kids a good head start in life, and the cost of …

We will never stop trying to make fetch happen. In honor of September and a hint of fall weather, we're focusing this month on movies and shows that have a "Back to School" theme, and we're starting with a cult classic: Mean Girls. This hit from the mind of Tina Fey features money tidbits galore. How much do prom dresses cost? How much did Ms. Norb…

We're suckers for a John Williams and Steven Spielberg collab ... but turns out that we were ALL suckers when we watched this movie. Because this film - allegedly based on Frank Abagnale's real cons - is actually just based on Frank Abagnale's lies. None of his claims have been verified and in fact have been directly contradicted. But the completel…

Opa! Time to get Greek. We talk about just how much weddings actually cost and toss out some fun ideas for venues that won't cost you a fortune (and might make you a legend among your friends). We also get into parental expectations and talk about just how much a country club membership can set you back. Finally, we kick around letting our backgrou…

This show is one of our all-time favorites, and it's jam-packed with money lessons. So much so that we are tackling just the pilot episode for starters. We talk about how much a stand-up comic can expect to make, balancing the pursuit of a dream with the day-to-day reality of bills, and we also delve into the debate of whether your job should BE yo…

We can't resist digging into the gals of Sex and the City one more time to learn some important lessons about investing. Is the stock market too volatile to be a good idea? What exactly IS insider trading? Did Martha Stewart do it? Did Samantha do it? Have YOU done it? Also - we go over The Rule of 37, which might just change your life!…

The original Mary Poppins came out in 1964, and it still holds a special place in our hearts. This movie teaches us about finding joy in work, golden handcuffs, and balancing investing for the future with enjoying today and charitable giving. We also get into the weeds about how much Michael would have if he'd taken his father's advice and "investe…

This 2006 hit film is bursting with big stars and big life lessons. Should you take a job that's not in your field for the connections? Do you have to dress to fit in at the workplace? Is the fashion industry evil? How should romantic partners support each other through difficult times at work? You can find our blog posts and more at: www.penniesan…

Heeeey yooouuu guuuuys! It's time for The Goonies! How much was the treasure actually worth? Who would've had the legal right to it? And what the heck was going on with the real estate situation in Astoria, Oregon? So many questions - and we've got the answers! You can find our blog posts and more at: www.penniesandpopcorn.comFollow us on Twitter a…

I don't think it's too far off to say that the FI community is Fight Club without the fighting. In this special episode, we sit down with Doug Cunnington and Carl Jensen from our sister (brother?) podcast Mile High FI and talk about consumerism, the meaning of life, and lots of fun facts about Fight Club. You don't want to miss this one! You can fi…

Friends is maybe the best example of wildly unrealistic spending we see on screen. That apartment on a waitress salary? Eating out all the time? The crazy coffee habit? Not even a little realistic. In this episode, we talk about how to discuss money amongst your real friends. And we also talk about the very common problem of how to split the check.…

About a Boy is ALL about financial independence. The main character has never worked a day in his life. And yet, he feels rather empty. In this episode, we talk all about the point of life and work and how important it is to find something to fill your time during retirement at any age. Oh and also ... we talk a lot about rap. You can find our blog…

Any show about high-end New York real estate is bound to be bursting with money issues. In this spoiler-free episode, we talk how much it would cost to live in the real version of The Arconia building, how much classical musicians can earn, and the dynamics of kids giving money to aging parents. Oh, and Robert goes on a rant about tipping. You can …

Who doesn't love learning money lessons from raunchy rom coms full of poop gags? We talked about being sensitive to other's financial situations and goals, why sentimental gifts are better than flashy ones, what it means to be a failure at an endeavor, and just how much it can cost to be a bridesmaid and throw a bachelor/bachelorette party. You can…

This is more of a serious episode, friends. In light of the Uvalde shooting, we looked back at a classic documentary about gun violence in America. We talk abut the economic effect of guns in America, what contributes to gun violence, and how the media's focus on fear affects our daily lives (including our economic choices). We listened to Chris Ro…

A musical episode of The Simpsons delving into whether the middle class is officially dead? YES, please! This episode covers how much harder it's getting for the middle class to make ends meet. We discussed everything from check cashing companies to what typical middle class jobs are expected to grow in the future, to the rising rent prices and wha…

This week, we're traveling back to the early 1800s to check in with our good pal, Jane Austen. We talk about the Bennet family's finances, debate just how rich Mr. Darcy was, and discuss why you should save money for a rainy day so you don't feel pressured to marry someone like the dreadful Mr. Collins. We also talk about whether vacation homes mak…

Upon rewatching this movie as an adult, three things are abundantly clear: (1) Grandpa Joe is the devil incarnate, (2) Veruca Salt's family spent a FORTUNE trying to find a golden ticket, and (3) Willy Wonka is the world's worst succession planner. You don't want to miss this one where we put a dollar value on a lifetime supply of chocolate and tal…

1998 was an innocent time. People thought solitaire and minesweeper were the most distracting things technology would throw at us! We talked about how to manage your attention in this crazy world, why pivoting (a la Kathleen Kelly) is incredibly healthy, even if it's forced on you, and whether the main characters' lifestyles are realistic given the…

How much money does Bruce Wayne have? How much would it cost to be Batman? Is it even a good use of his wealth? How does wealth disparity affect a society? We cover all this and so much more in this episode! Did you know we’re not just a podcast/YouTube channel but also a blog?? Check out our blog posts on every episode, including this one, where w…

Are we on a Rosie Perez kick? You betcha. Even though Carla is no sports fan, we delved into this basketball flick because it's brimming with money lessons. When do you leave a partner who you're financially incompatible with? What does a gambling addiction look like and how can you treat it? Do you need designer clothes to go on job interviews? We…

Rebecca Bunch, the lead character of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, is kiiind of a mess when it comes to money. In this episode, we talk about how she was so detached from her finances that she didn't know how much her paycheck was and hadn't checked how much money she had to her name in over five years. We discuss just how valuable personal finance trackers…

What can you learn about investing from a steamy romance set in the early 1800s? A lot! In this show, we talk about index funds and why they're such a smart way to invest. We also explore the attitudes toward work and how they've shifted over the years, wealth inequality, and whether it's ever a good idea to walk away from money and privilege. (And…

Are your finances in such disarray you're considering turning to a life of crime? That's the plot of Good Girls. We talk about how these characters got to their unenviable positions, how they could've gotten out of them besides becoming criminals, and talked about how critical it is for both spouses to be in the know about the family's finances. Di…

The movie may be pure fluff, but our discussion is anything but! We talk about the gift tax, what to do with a windfall, whether leaving your job when you have the financial means to do so is actually a good idea, and how to pick a good financial partner in life. And Robert gets a little angry about lotteries and goes on a math rant. This is can't-…

The MLM bash-fest continues. This week, we explore how many of the pieces of MLMs that make them so terrible actually aren't unique to the MLM-verse. Buuut - they do take all those bad elements and combine them into one. And not only that, but they crank them up to 11. We also dig into the toxic brand of "feminism" that LuLaRoe pushes hard. Did you…

It's time to sink our teeth into multi-level-marketing companies, also known as MLMs. The documentary LuLaRich does a stellar job exploring the downfall of one of the most successful MLMs in recent history: LuLaRoe. In this episode, we debate whether MLMs are ever a legitimate model, talk about what percentage of people actually make money at MLMs,…

Lose yourself in Pennies and Popcorn! It's time for Eight Mile. We talked about getting inspired to chase your dreams, how to spot vultures who prey on those with dreams, how important it is for partners to be honest with each other about their financial mistakes, and the power of finally taking action and not just day-dreaming. Did you know we’re …

We have a special guest today! Amberly Grant from Amberly Grant Finance stopped by to chat about Inventing Anna, the Netflix show about a fake German heiress who took New York by storm. We talked about what the rush is to "make it" at a young age, why we're so obsessed with glamour, how women are scrutinized for their fashion choices, and ... oh ye…

It's time to analyze the most popular Netflix show of all time! We dive into gambling addictions, whether there is any sum of money that could entice us to play the game, income inequality, and finally discuss the hedonic treadmill and how too much money can cause you to hate life as much as not having any money. Did you know we're not just a podca…

How much money do you win for medaling at the Olympics? Does the government pay you to train? Who are the richest Olympians of all time? And how much do the host cities spend? We tackle all these and more in our special Olympics episode! Also check out our blog post over at www.penniesandpopcorn.com where we talk about the psychology of winning an …

Stealth wealth is awesome. Buuut ... you can take it to extremes when it comes to your significant other. We talk about when to reveal finances to a partner, the cost of clothing, and gossip about some crazy expensive weddings.By Carla Cash and Robert Davidson

You're gonna need a bigger boat! Except ... don't buy a boat, they're expensive. In this episode, it's time to analyze profits vs. safety, what happens in real life after a shark attack, and chat about the fact that Hooper (Richard Dreyfus) was actually financially independent! Be sure to check out Mile High FI's episode about The Indiana Jones of …

Just how much money has Carrie Bradshaw spent on shoes? Could she really afford her lifestyle? What mistakes led her to being nearly homeless? And should friends talk about money or even lend each other money?By Carla Cash and Robert Davidson

Is blackjack the way to get rich quickly?!? What would it take to start a blackjack ring? And just how big is your edge over the house if you're a top-notch card-counter? We also cover the cost of medical school, whether Laurence Fishburne (aka Morpheus) will beat you up if you try to count cards, and whether you can do Vegas on a budget.…