Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar.” Gracchus – The Gladiator

Gladiator. What a movie! There are six films us men are allowed to cry at. The Great Escape, The Dirty Dozen, Saving Private Ryan, Shane, Cool Hand Luke, and the Gladiator. And say it very quietly, but I’ll confess that I recently took my three year old daughter to see “Inside Out” and yes, I cried. I blubbered in as a manly a way as I could. That scene with Bing Bong, the imaginary friend and...he...they…take her to the moon...oh my god…it’s happening again, so sad…gather yourself man!

Gladiator. I’m not saying that I cried, and I’m not saying that I didn’t. What a flick though. A throwback to the epic movies I watched as a young lad during the Easter holidays. It really does transport you back to the time of the Romans. A time of brutality and decadence. A time of unrivalled poetry, thought, design, art, and of course the ultimate party theme, still going strong at Frat house parties the world over…The Toga Party.

The times were also common for something else. The Romans were fantastic at what I call "Noise”. You can call it slight of hand, smoke and mirrors. It all comes down to one thing. Distraction.

The Gladiatorial games were paid for by The Emperor. A series of games that would entertain the masses, and distract the poor from the thought of revolt.

Throughout history there are countless examples of how some would tell you that, we the people, have been distracted by “Noise”. Television is another example.

The late great Edward R. Murrow warned “Unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse, and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it, and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.”

I’m not a conspiracy theorist, and I’m not saying that we are all a deluded mass (Maybe we are, but then how would I know). But I am concerned. It is my belief that Financial literacy in New Zealand, and in fact the world over is far too low. And for me it’s the little things that could make a huge difference. Education. Advice. Small learning's.

If you don't have MySky and have to watch commercials, you won’t have to wait long for the “Noise” that is “Get a hot home loan rate right now!” For me it's starting to feel like an infomercial “Call now and you’ll also get a Samsung Phone…a few thousand dollars…and call in the next 90 seconds and we’ll baby sit your two little girls for a week while you and the Missus go to Fiji for a week…” wait a minute, I’m getting carried away. But you get my point.

We are so conditioned by the “Noise” that is a Mortgage, as a product, is about a great rate. The news, papers, a bulk of the commentary on the mortgage market is all rate driven. I hear very little education for the masses. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that rate is an inconsequential part of the equation, when it comes to getting ahead in life. But at the end of the day, if I’m not good with my money, then I’m not good with my money. Give me the best rate in the world but my 30 year terms will remain a 30 year term because that’s what my calculated payments are based on. A great rate does not equate to paying off a mortgage quicker.

Without a plan. Without our family goals. Without good professional advice, I know our tramp  up the hill of life, would be that little bit trickier to navigate, and a slower journey.

I dearly wish that my friends would delve deeper than just the conversation on rates. Haggling to get an extra .25 bases points off their % rate when the fact is most of them do not know;

• What comes in to their household each month
• What goes out of their household each month
• Where it’s going
• What’s left over

So. My message to friends and anyone else out there who may have happened upon my ramblings, because there is a point...

Amazing support is out there. Excellent professionals who will provide education, advice, and guidance on things other than “Want a great rate mate?” There are tools that exist to help you manage your household finances. Dear readers, take control. Dim the “Noise” and understand where you want to go in life. Before doing this you’ll need to understand where you are first. There is help to do this. Get out there and find it. You owe it to your future self.

As for old Maximus Aurelius. Well, let’s be honest, who didn’t cry at that last scene. Swords are locked, blood is shed. The haunting wail of Lisa Gerrard kicks in as the score rises, and then the life fades from his eyes. Maximus wakes to see his family in the afterlife…oh my god…welling up…going again…oh Maximus, now you are free!

“Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you're already dead! Brothers, what you do in life…echoes in eternity.” Maximus – The Gladiator

I’m off to rent Under Siege 2. If you know of other movies I'm officially allowed to cry at feel free to share.