GOODFELLAS: You’re on Your Own
“Everyone had their hands out. Everything was for the taking. And now it’s all over.”
Everything was for the taking in Goodfellas, and “Until recently, money was easy to come by,” says Vice President for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Gail Cunningham. She further advises, “Now interest rates have gone up, credit lines have been lowered, annual fees have been added on, and accounts have been closed.”
Cunningham then compares credit scoring to the paranoia from Goodfellas. The main character, Henry Hill, says in the movie that those who desire to murder you, “always seem to come at a time that you’re at your weakest and most in need of their help.” Cunningham says of Henry Hill’s quote that, “The credit scoring model is similar – pay on time or you’ll suffer immense pain!” – But it will be financial, not physical pain, as ‘it will be a lower credit score – not the muscle – that comes knocking.’
The feeling of desperation and paranoia that Henry Hill feels in Goodfellas is not un-relatable. The article advises that, “When you’re strapped, you might be tempted to utilize payday loans and non-traditional forms of credit that are willing to do business with you…for a price. Instead create a budget, track spending, and try to save.”
Cunningham adds that, “Lack of savings often delivers the financial knock-out punch, causing people to make decisions that aren’t in their best interest.” Just like the paranoia felt by Henry Hill caused him to make decisions that weren’t in his best interest.
