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Money Lessons for Teens from Movies: Margin Call
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Money Lessons for Teens from Movies

Hi! I’m Elhadj Toure, an incoming freshman at the University of Washington and a proud Sammy Rabbit Be the Change Financial Literacy Ambassador. This is my third article in the blog series: Money Lessons for Teens from Movies! Today, I’m turning my attention to the movie — Margin Call! Let’s dive in and discover what this eye-opening film can teach us about money, risk, and financial literacy!

Risk, Responsibility, and Returns

What happens when the people handling your money do not fully understand the risks behind it?

That’s the central question in Margin Call, a tense drama unfolding over a 24-hour period at a Manhattan investment bank in the early days of the 2008 financial crisis. When a junior risk analyst uncovers data showing the firm is dangerously overleveraged in mortgage-backed securities (worthless financial products poised to sink the company) the discovery races up the chain of command, culminating in a high-stakes moral and financial showdown.

But Margin Call isn’t just about Wall Street. It’s a story about greed, ambition, and the ethical compromises that can ripple through entire communities when leaders make decisions without complete information. For high school and college students, the film offers valuable insights into leadership, crisis management, and personal finance.

Here are four financial lessons from Margin Call every student should know.

1. Recognize Risk Before It Becomes a Crisis

The story kicks off when a senior risk analyst, let go during company layoffs, passes crucial data to a junior colleague. That junior analyst finishes the forecast and uncovers a sobering truth, the firm is dangerously overexposed to risky mortgage-backed securities and teetering on the edge of collapse. The clock is ticking, and action is urgent.

Student Tip

Before investing in anything, stocks, crypto, or lending, take time to assess the risks. Even small exposures can snowball fast. Always know the worst-case scenario and decide if you can afford to handle it.

2. Ethics Matter Even Under Pressure

When the data reaches top leadership, the company chooses survival at any cost, ordering a fire sale of toxic assets. Traders are pushed to unload more than 90% of the firm’s bad securities within hours, lured by huge bonuses. The result? Short-term gain, but a lasting breach of trust with clients and colleagues.

Student Tip:

Financial pressure can tempt you to cut corners or follow unethical trends. Don’t. Staying honest and considering how your decisions affect others builds a reputation you can count on, one that lasts far longer than a quick win.

3. Leaders Must Communicate Clearly When Stakes Are High

As the crisis deepens, executives debate the costs, reputational damage, personal losses, and public fallout. Characters like Sam Rogers and John Tuld demonstrate that decision-making under uncertainty demands clarity, accountability, and decisive action.

Student Tip:

When working in teams, whether splitting rent with roommates or planning a group fundraiser, lay out financial plans and clear expectations from the start. Communicate assumptions, risks, and potential problems openly to avoid misunderstandings and costly mistakes.

4. Crisis Management Requires Fast, Informed Action

In Margin Call, executives race to coordinate a high-stakes sell-off within hours to prevent total collapse. It takes accurate data, rapid decisions, and decisive leadership. Any delay could have meant the firm’s end.

Student Tip:

Tackle personal money crises early. If unexpected expenses hit, act fast, outline your options, seek advice, and identify resources. A bit of quick research and timely action can prevent a small setback from becoming a financial disaster.

Final Thoughts

You may never work on Wall Street, but you will face decisions involving financial risk. Your ability to ask the right questions, understand the facts, and act with integrity will matter far more than the size of any paycheck.

Take One Action Today

Here are three small steps to grow your financial literacy:

  • Watch Margin Call

  • Look up key terms from the film for yourself, such as margin call, mortgage-backed securities, and leverage

  • Talk to someone like a finance teacher or join a student group on money or investment, such as The Economic Literacy Initiative or the Young Investors Society

Being financially informed is not about having all the answers. It is about asking hard questions, staying curious, and taking responsibility for your choices.

Connect with our Featured Guest Blogger

Learn more about Elhadj, connect with him on LinkedIn: Elhadj Toure

More Thinking from Elhadj

Supporting Youth Entrepreneurs: ET’s Featured Affiliate Relationships

At Sammy Rabbit, we believe in empowering young leaders and entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact. That’s why we’re proud to support and spotlight the entrepreneurial journey of Elhadj Toure, a Sammy Rabbit Be the Change Financial Literacy Ambassador.

As part of his growth as a youth entrepreneur, Elhadj has developed several affiliate relationships with products and services he personally finds valuable and relevant. These partnerships reflect his individual interests, experiences, and financial goals.

Here are two: (1) Acorns $40 Bonus (2) Self: Improve Credit Score

We want to be clear: these are Elhadj’s affiliate relationships, not SammyRabbit.com’s. We’re simply sharing them to support his entrepreneurial journey and to provide you, our readers, with the opportunity to explore additional tools and resources.

As always, we encourage you to do your own research and make informed decisions about whether any product or service aligns with your goals, values, needs, and interests.

Stay tuned as we continue to cheer on Elhadj and other young leaders making a difference!

Attention Young Leaders

We welcome and invite you to participate in Sammy's 'Be the Change' financial literacy initiative for college and high school students.

(1) Join peers advancing awareness on the importance of early age, youth, and family financial education by having your journey into financial literacy featured as a Sammy Rabbit Guest Blogger.

(2) Then volunteer as a Sammy Rabbit Ambassador or Intern championing financial literacy in your community and around the globe! Learn more in these blogs or by CONTACTING Team Sammy today! We welcome your questions and suggestions on Sammy Rabbit and his mission to get kids, families & communities financially literate.

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