What Classic Sitcoms Get Right (And Wrong) About Money
Do you agree with how pop culture teaches us financial wellness?
If you’ve ever been watching an old sitcom and thought, “How did they afford that?” welcome. You’re not alone.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much money advice we absorb from pop culture without realizing it. My writer friend Zina Kumok wrote a great piece about the financial lessons hidden in classic sitcoms, and once you start looking for them, they’re everywhere.
Those laugh-track moments? They’re often built around very real money behaviors:
Overspending
Avoiding bills
Lending money to friends
Not reading the fine print
Assuming things will “just work out”
Sound familiar?
Take I Love Lucy. Lucy’s bookkeeping chaos is funny… until it’s not. The real lesson isn’t that she’s bad with money. It’s that ignoring your finances doesn’t make problems disappear. It usually makes them louder and more stressful. Financial wellness doesn’t require perfection, but it does require paying attention.
Or remember The Brady Bunch episode where Jan orders a plaque thinking it’s inexpensive, only to learn the price is per letter? That’s a classic reminder to ask the right questions before you spend. Fees, add-ons, subscriptions, interest. What looks affordable upfront can get expensive fast.
Then there’s The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where lending money to a friend creates tension. The lesson isn’t “never help”. It’s that money and relationships mix better when expectations are clear. Financial wellness includes communication, not just math.
And of course, Seinfeld. George Costanza’s financial missteps are what happen when ego drives decisions: negotiating without preparation, overestimating leverage, assuming things will magically work out. Comedy on TV. Stressful in real life.
So the next time you’re rewatching a favorite sitcom, you might notice something new. The laughs are still there—but so are the lessons.
💡 My Financial Wellness tips
Pay attention before problems get loud.
Avoiding money tasks doesn’t make them go away. It usually makes them more stressful later.Always ask what something really costs.
Fees, add-ons, interest, and subscriptions can turn a “small” expense into a big one.Money and relationships need clear expectations.
Lending or borrowing without a plan often leads to tension, not gratitude.Don’t let ego drive financial decisions.
Negotiating, spending, or investing without preparation is entertaining on TV, but costly in real life.Financial wellness is behavioral, not perfect.
You don’t need to get everything right. You just need to stay engaged.
If your financial life sometimes feels like a sitcom plot, it might be time for a new script.
At Financial Wellness Strategies, I help people build practical, judgment-free money habits that actually stick, at work and at home. Financial wellness doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just needs to be realistic.
You can learn more about my workshops, programs, and media work at FinancialWellnessStrategies.com or just message me using the button here!
I did a series of interviews over the holidays..
links to some others recent tv spots:
Financial Resolutions that actually stick
Here are some nice things people say about me!
"Bobbi Rebell is a remarkable financial expert whose workshops are both engaging and transformational. Her ability to simplify complex financial concepts empowers employees to take actionable steps toward financial wellness and long-term stability.”
"Bobbi's presentation was fun and informative! Loved her quick tips that helped me decipher through financial jargon and understand how I can take actionable steps today to achieve my financial goals in the future."
"The session was great. The speaker really opened my eyes to the small positive changes I can make in spending, budgeting, and saving. I am more motivated now to sit down and plan where my money is being allocated!"
PS: I love and appreciate referrals. Please share my information if you know someone who might like to learn more as well! Thank you.
If one of your New Year goals is to raise financially capable kids—without turning every conversation into a lecture—Launching Financial Grownups is a great place to start.
And if you like it please write a 5 star review- THANK YOU!))
Bonus: Gift someone a subscription to this newsletter by sharing using the button below! It’s free and (hopefully in your opinion) will lead to a rich and rewarding future!
Lets connect on Instagram, and LinkedIn and please share any ideas in the comments (or just say hi!).
I truly appreciate your support.
