This is the summer of the hero, and with more than a dozen action-packed tales of good versus evil in theaters, audiences have their pick of whichever big-budget blockbuster suits their tastes. An online survey commissioned by the National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) and conducted by Harris Interactive in May 2012, finds that nearly four out of five U.S. adults indicate that someone in their household plans on attending movies this summer. And that means big business for the movie studios. According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), The Avengers raked in $47.2 million over the Memorial Day weekend, upping its four-week total to $524 million, while Men in Black III debuted in its opening weekend with $70 million.

Since the very first comic books, superheroes have been used to reveal aspects of the human condition in interesting ways, and this summer’s modern film adaptations are no exceptions. Whether theatergoers choose to watch a team of earth’s mightiest heroes, a crew of scientists on a space mission or a masked defender on the verge of retiring his cape, they can take away some useful lessons in personal finance.

The Avengers: Unemployment is Challenging, But Support Can Help
The Avengers assembles film heroes from the past several years, including some who have been “out of work” for quite some time. Captain America, for example, fought in World War II, but spent nearly 70 years in a coma-like sleep until he was revived by agent Nick Fury and tapped to join the Avengers. Facing an unexpected layoff or period of unemployment comes with challenges that can arise quite suddenly, but some basic steps can help:

• Take time to understand the severance package.
• Consider unemployment eligibility, including insurance coverage.
• Manage spending and maintain good credit to help prepare for better days ahead.

The Dark Knight Rises: Save and Prepare for Retirement
In The Dark Knight Rises, Bruce Wayne, Batman’s billionaire secret identity, is older, and both his life and his home, Gotham City, have changed. Batman is faced with hanging up his cape and retiring from a life of crime fighting. Bruce Wayne might be a billionaire, but it doesn’t take that level of income to plan a useful retirement budget. Start retirement planning now:

• Calculate an appropriate level of savings, based on factors such as the number of years you have left of employment and additional sources of retirement income.
• Consider opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) in addition to the retirement plan offered by your employer.
• Create a retirement paycheck to make your retirement savings last a lifetime.

Nine Ways to Save at the Movies

1. Buy a ticket to a lower-priced matinee show
2. Eat at home before the movie and pass on theater refreshments
3. Take advantage of discounts for students or seniors
4. Join the theater’s loyalty program to earn rewards (such as discounted snacks or free tickets)
5. Skip 3-D or IMAX showings, which can almost double ticket prices at some theaters
6. Buy bulk tickets, www.bulktix.com, especially for family outings
7. Monitor daily deals or group coupon websites
8. Redeem credit card rewards or use a cardholder’s discount
9. Wait a few weeks and watch the movie at a discount, second-run theater

To learn more, visit www.nefe.org.