Life’s challenges come in many forms, and for some fictional TV characters, a loan could be the key to solving their endless woes. Though each faces unique obstacles, a financial boost might just help them out of their long-term struggles.
Although entertaining to watch the seemingly endless financial turmoil of these characters, we can’t help but feel that a quick, easy online application for an RCS personal loan or credit facility could break the pitiful loop. Let’s take a closer look at five beloved TV characters who could greatly benefit from a little financial assistance.
- Joey Tribbiani (Friends)
Joey Tribbiani, the lovable but perpetually broke actor from Friends, could always use a little financial boost. Despite his charm, Joey’s acting gigs were few and far between (at least until a fairly solid run on Days of Our Lives), and his appetite for food—specifically sandwiches—rivals his ability to live within his means. He constantly relies on his friends (mainly Chandler) to cover rent, groceries, and even acting lessons.
A personal loan could have been the key to Joey’s big break, allowing him to fund his acting career without needing to mooch off his friends. Maybe he could finally move out of Chandler’s apartment and into a place of his own—or at the very least, he could afford a wardrobe that doesn’t rely so heavily on mismatched layers. We can live in hope that Joey, would make the right decision, but he could also potentially blow most of the loan on pizza, steak, and a few too many leather jackets.
Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
Homer Simpson has been in more than his fair share of sticky financial situations throughout The Simpsons’ multi-decade run. As a safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Homer is constantly struggling to support his family while dealing with his own questionable spending habits—donuts, Duff beer, and the occasional outlandish purchase.
A personal loan could help Homer with some of his debts (Bart’s school fees, Lisa’s saxophone lessons, Maggie’s diapers). More importantly, it could offer a buffer when Mr. Burns inevitably finds a new reason to dock Homer’s pay. Of course, knowing Homer, the funds would probably go straight into the family’s couch (literally) or for building yet another ridiculous backyard project that would collapse in seconds.
- George Costanza (Seinfeld)
There’s no one better suited to apply for an online loan than George Costanza, the perpetually broke, neurotic underachiever from Seinfeld. George’s life is a parade of misfortune, primarily of his own doing. He’s been fired from more jobs than anyone can count, and his get-rich-quick schemes (like trying to buy the cheapest wedding invitations) consistently backfire.
Luckily, the ability to apply online means that George wouldn’t need to waltz into a bank, sheepishly explaining his lack of income while using words like “potential” and “upside.” Ideally, he could apply for the loan while employed, and use the funds to finance a business course that would help him stabilise his career. However, in all likelihood, he would probably use the money on something absurd, like an investment in human hair wigs or a new pair of shoes to match his vanishing hairline. But with some funds, perhaps George could stop living with his parents, and finally afford that "plush velvet" lifestyle he claims he deserves.
- Max and Caroline (Two Broke Girls)
Max Black and Caroline Channing from Two Broke Girls are the epitome of struggling to get by. Max, a street-smart waitress with a sharp wit, and Caroline, a former socialite who lost everything when her father’s Ponzi scheme was exposed, are constantly hustling to make ends meet. Together, they dream of opening a successful cupcake business, but financial setbacks keep standing in their way.
A personal loan could be exactly what Max and Caroline need to kickstart their bakery and escape the cycle of dead-end jobs. The funds would allow them to expand their business, invest in proper kitchen equipment, and finally move beyond selling cupcakes out of the back of a diner. Of course, knowing their luck, they would get saddled with a sudden emergency that would deplete their recently inflated fund counter, taking them back to square one.
Walter White (Breaking Bad)
Before Walter White’s criminal empire, the protagonist of Breaking Bad was an underpaid high school chemistry teacher with crushing medical bills and a family to support. Instead of heading out to the desert to cook up hazardous chemicals, the intellectually gifted White could have simply opened the browser on his mobile phone or laptop. A well-managed personal loan could have assisted him in managing his finances, allowing him to also potentially fund some form of medical cover, which would have aided his cancer care.
A loan might have helped Walt stay on the straight and narrow, sparing us five seasons of moral decay, and, of course, his iconic transformation into Heisenberg. Though, knowing Walt, he might have used the loan to buy top-notch lab equipment for an entirely different purpose... Still, if someone deserves financial aid for noble (or at least initially noble) reasons, it’s Walt pre-Heisenberg.
Honourary Mention: Michael Scott (The Office)
Michael Scott, the bumbling yet well-meaning boss from The Office, often finds himself in financial trouble due to his lack of foresight. Whether he’s blowing his money on ridiculous gadgets like the infamous plasma TV, or attempting to single-handedly fund his “Scott’s Tots” scholarship promise, Michael’s financial life is a mess.
A loan could save Michael from many of his worst decisions, especially when he finds himself needing to fix the damage caused by his outlandish plans – and could even have been the driving force behind the potential success of the Michael Scott Paper Company, which would have taken the series in a totally different direction. Of course, knowing Michael, he’d probably spend the loan on something unnecessary - like golden Dundie trophies or some kind of pyramid scheme.
Luckily, in the real world, there are simpler ways to alleviate financial concerns with a loan from RCS. Check out our flexible repayment options, with loans of up to R250 000. If you feel that a personal loan could positively assist your current financial needs, head to the official RCS website now to see what you qualify for.
