I hadn’t watched Boyz n the Hood since my teen years. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was worried it would trigger emotions I wasn’t ready to feel. But a few months ago, I watched it with my teen for the first time, and instead of the overwhelming sadness I expected, I found myself feeling at home, like I was visiting an old part of my life.
One I was happy to leave behind, but thankful for, because it made me who I am today. We sat there, eating Ritz crackers with honey jalapeño cream cheese, Nutter Butter cookies, and leftovers, and I found myself thinking about the lessons in the movie and how they still apply today, not just in life, but in the way we handle money, opportunity, and the decisions that shape our futures.
The Power of Financial Choices in Survival and Opportunity
One of the biggest takeaways from Boyz n the Hood is how different opportunities, or the lack thereof, shape the futures of each character. Tre had his father, Furious Styles, guiding him toward higher education and teaching him about discipline, while Doughboy and Ricky had fewer resources and more environmental obstacles. It’s a stark reminder that financial literacy and mentorship can be life-changing.
The Wealth Gap and Access to Knowledge
Tre’s father wasn’t rich, but he understood financial responsibility. He gave Tre guidance that many in low-income communities don’t receive. Imagine if more kids had that kind of financial education, learning about credit, investing, and building wealth instead of just survival. The gap between struggle and success often isn’t just money, it’s knowledge.
Building Wealth Starts with Education
Even if you didn’t grow up with someone like Furious Styles teaching you financial lessons, you can still break the cycle. Learning about investing, budgeting, and financial independence is the key to ensuring the next generation has opportunities beyond survival.
Generational Wealth vs. The Streets
Boyz n the Hood highlights a painful truth: many people stay trapped in cycles of poverty because they don’t have access to the tools to escape.
Doughboy’s path wasn’t just about bad choices, it was about limited choices. Financial stability gives people the power to make decisions based on growth, not just survival.
Breaking the Cycle
For many of us who grew up with financial struggles, the goal isn’t just to make money, it’s to make sure the next generation doesn’t have to experience the same instability. Whether it’s investing in assets, teaching financial literacy, or even just saving enough to have an emergency fund, these small steps are how cycles change.
When you feel like no one cares about you, you often find that you don’t care about yourself. Therefore, a future isn’t something you have in mind. At least that was true for me, until I became a parent and finally had someone to love who would love me back just the same.
That shift in perspective changed everything. It wasn’t just about surviving anymore; it was about making sure my child never had to feel that way.
Investing in the Future Matters
Instead of focusing only on survival, think about long-term growth. What small financial steps can you take today to ensure stability for yourself and your family in the future?
The Cost of Survival: Emotional and Financial Trauma
Growing up in an environment where financial security isn’t guaranteed affects more than just your bank account, it impacts your mindset. Many of us who have experienced financial instability develop a scarcity mindset, which can make it hard to take risks or invest in ourselves.
Learning to Shift from Scarcity to Abundance
Doughboy’s final speech in the movie, where he talks about how nobody cares about what’s happening in his community, resonates deeply. When you grow up without financial stability, it can feel like the world is against you. But shifting from a mindset of survival to a mindset of opportunity is key to breaking free from that feeling.
I remember a time when I felt like nothing I did mattered. When your environment tells you that your future is either prison or an early grave, you don’t make plans, you just try to make it through the day. But once you realize that there’s more out there, that you can take control of your future, that’s when things start to change.
Financial Stability is More Than Just Money
True financial independence isn’t just about having money, it’s about having the peace of mind to make choices that aren’t driven by fear.
Whether it’s building an emergency fund, starting an investment portfolio, or simply learning more about personal finance, every step toward financial literacy is a step toward freedom.
Mentorship, Guidance, and Breaking Cycles
One of the most powerful parts of Boyz n the Hood is the role of Furious Styles. He represents what so many young men, especially in underserved communities, need: mentorship.
The same applies to financial success. Having someone to guide you, even indirectly, can make a huge difference.
Finding Your Financial “Furious Styles”
If you didn’t grow up with financial guidance, the good news is that today, there are countless resources to learn from, books, podcasts, blogs, and mentors who are willing to share knowledge. Seeking out financial mentorship, whether through online communities or personal connections, can help bridge the gap.
I never had a Furious Styles in my life, but I had books, I had trial and error, and I had the sheer will to never feel powerless again. Sometimes, you have to become your own mentor until you find the guidance you need.
Be Open to Learning and Teaching
If you’ve learned financial lessons the hard way, share them. Whether it’s teaching your children about money or helping someone in your community, passing down financial wisdom is how real change happens.
Lessons on Scarcity, Wealth, and the Small Joys in Life
Sitting there with my teen, watching a movie I hadn’t touched in years, eating a mix of snacks that felt like home, I realized something: financial freedom isn’t just about escaping hardship. It’s about having the ability to enjoy the little things without stress.
Appreciating What Financial Stability Allows
Wealth isn’t just about having money, it’s about having choices. Being able to enjoy a movie night with my kid, without worrying about bills or what’s next, is its own form of financial success. It’s a reminder that money should work for you, not control you.
Financial Freedom is About Living on Your Terms
The goal isn’t just wealth, it’s freedom. Whether that means having enough saved to take a break when you need it, being able to invest in yourself, or just enjoying life’s small moments without worry, financial independence is ultimately about control over your own life.
Final Thoughts
Boyz n the Hood is more than just a movie, it’s a lesson in survival, opportunity, and the power of choice. Watching it again, I saw not just the pain, but the hope. And that’s what financial freedom is about, too. It’s about knowing that even if you come from struggle, you can create a different future. One where survival isn’t the only goal, where you have the power to thrive.
The Broke College Student 
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