Game of Loans: 10 Money Lessons from Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones.

Love it or hate it, this popular HBO series contains a wealth (pun intended) of very important social and economic lessons that we’d all do well to pay attention to.

Just like in the real world, the rise and fall of the different Houses vying for the throne is intertwined with money. In fact, Game of Thrones is somewhat unique in just how important the financial planning of the characters is to the various plot-lines.

So, just how real is this fantasy?

Here are 10 money lessons from Game of Thrones and their real-life implication to your finances.

1. Winter is Coming

“Winter is coming,” the motto of House Stark.

While the meaning behind this dark foreboding is of vigilance and preparation for the harsh winters of the north, we would do well to apply this same principle to money.

The seasons of Westeros are unpredictable in their duration, the summer season at the beginning of the series having lasted 10 years. With such a long summer, it was predicted that the coming winter would last as long or longer.

You’d better have quite the stores piled up if you hope to survive a 10-year winter in the north.

Just as the members of House Stark preach preparation for the coming winter, you would be wise to prepare yourself for a financial winter by paying off debt and building up savings.

Like the winters of Westeros, you never know when a financial pitfall will hit, or for how long it will last. Having a healthy store of savings, as well as little liabilities, will prepare you to survive even the longest of financial winters.

Everyone hopes for long summers and mild, short winters, but it’s much better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

No matter how careful you are, an unforeseen event will eventually impact your finances.

Winter is coming, prepare for what’s ahead.  

2. A Lannister Always Pays His Debts

The unofficial motto of House Lannister.

While this line often took on a more sinister meaning in the series, the underlying principle remained the same.

The House of Lannister was well-known for paying their debts, both monetarily and otherwise, which allowed them more leeway in continually borrowing, buying, or coercing whatever they wanted throughout the series. Whether it was money, men, favors, or protection, the promise of a Lannister was always good enough to strike a deal (that and their rumored stores of gold).

Simply put, the Lannister’s were running with a credit score of 850 at the Iron Bank.

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