New blog section: movies with life and money lessons. We’re starting with Perfect Days.
One Friday in January we watched this film with my wife and daughters. Its simplicity, the minimal plotlines, and its music immediately drew us in. It’s a slow film, but it never feels slow.
📽️ Perfect Days (2023)
🎬 Director: Wim Wenders
👥 Cast: Kōji Yakusho, Tokio Emoto, Arisa Nakano
🏆 Awards: Best Actor at Cannes (Kōji Yakusho), Oscar nominee for Best International Feature Film
📺 Platform: Filmin
Hirayama, the protagonist of Perfect Days, lives a simple, routine life cleaning public toilets in Tokyo. Far from complaining about his job, he finds beauty in everyday details: sunlight filtering through trees, old cassette music he listens to in his van, the pleasure of reading before sleep. Despite having what many consider a modest job, he appears genuinely content with his life.
Financial lessons:
1️⃣ Austerity as a life choice:
Hirayama doesn’t seem to own many material possessions, but that doesn’t mean he lives in poverty. His minimalist lifestyle reminds us that we often seek well-being through excessive consumption, when happiness can actually come from simple, everyday things that often cost little or nothing. A good personal finance tip: spend less than you earn and value experiences over possessions.
2️⃣ Financial self-sufficiency:
The protagonist appears debt-free and doesn’t live beyond his means. This philosophy reminds us of the importance of living within our financial limits and avoiding unnecessary commitments. Sound financial planning involves savings and aligning lifestyle with real income. Comparing him with the characters in Squid Game highlights the value of financial freedom.
3️⃣ Wealth isn’t only monetary:
In a world where success is often measured by money and possessions, Perfect Days shows another path. Hirayama’s wealth lies in inner peace, routine, and connection with his surroundings. A powerful reminder that financial well-being should be a tool to live better, not an end in itself.
4️⃣ The stability of a well-established routine:
Hirayama follows simple routines: working, listening to music, taking photos, reading. This discipline brings him stability and calm — essential elements for good financial management too. Practically, this can mean automatic saving, regular investing, and, as Eloi Noya says, keeping finances “boring.”
Perfect Days reminds us that extreme wealth isn’t necessary for a fulfilling life. Good financial management isn’t only about numbers, but also about how we live and appreciate what we have.
