Some Motivation

As you probably know, movie screenplays go through tons of rewrites. In one of the best movies about the dark side of investing, Boiler Room, had some scenes that were changed or just cut.

One of these scenes dealt with the company 401(k) plan at JT Marlin. We got a copy of the original script that is educational if not as entertaining as the final scene we’re all familiar with starring Ben Aflac. I’m sorry, Affleck. They should really hire him for a commercial and lose the duck…

THE LOST 401(k) SCENE FROM BOILER ROOM

Okay. Here’s the deal.

I’m not here to waste your time. I hope you’re not here to waste mine.

So I’m gonna keep this short.

If you use the 401(k) at this firm, you will save your first million within thirty years.

Okay? I repeat that:

You will save a million dollars within thirty years of your first day of saving in your 401(K).

There is no question whether or not you’ll become a 401(k) millionaire.

The only question is how many times over.

You think I’m joking?

I am not joking.

I am a 401(k) millionaire. It’s a weird thing to hear, right?

I’ll tell ya. It’s a weird thing to say.

I am a f’in 401(k) millionaire.

And guess how old I am. Twenty-seven.

You know what that makes me here?

A F’in senior citizen.

Now, you all seem money hungry, and that’s good.

Anybody tells you money is the root of all evil doesn’t F’in have any.

They say money can’t buy happiness? Look at the F’in smile on my face.

Ear to ear, baby. You want details? Fine.

I drive a Mercedes 560 SEC.

What’s up? I have a ridiculous house in South Beach.

I have every toy you could imagine, and best of all, kids…

I am liquid.

So, now you know what’s possible. Let me tell you what’s required.

You are required to contribute money to your 401(k) to get the company match.

We want winners here, not pikers. A piker balks at savings.

A piker asks how much vacation you get in the first year of your new job. Vacation? Winners ask how much the company match is and what are the investment options in the plan.

People come to this firm for one thing: to slowly become filthy rich.

We’re not here to make friends. We’re not savin’ the manatees, guys.

Okay. The first few years at your job you are basically a trainee.

You save maybe $150 a week with the match.

Word about being a trainee.

Friends, parents, other brokers, they’re gonna give you $hit.

It’s true. $150 a week? Not a lot of money.

Pay them no mind.

You need to learn this savings business, and this is the time to do it.

Your friends are $hit.

Tell them you made 25 grand last month when the market went up 7% and you hit $401,000 in your retirement account, they won’t F’in believe you.

F them! F ‘em!

Parents don’t like the life you lead?

“F you, Mom and Dad.”

See how it feels when you’re makin’ their F’in DeLorean payments.

Now, go home and think about it.

Think about whether it’s really for you.

If you decide it isn’t… It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

It’s not for everyone.

Thanks.