Grand Theft Auto IV has been getting plenty of press lately. Newspapers, magazines, and news programs are all up in arms about the intense level of violence portrayed in the game. Murder, stealing, drug use, and prostitution are all center stage in the latest iteration of the series. Parents are freaking out because of what their children might take away from this game. After all, violent crime sprees aren’t what you want to teach impressionable children.

But with all the controversy surrounding what children will learn from this game, one important issue has been completely overshadowed: Sound financial advice.

Saving income
In GTA IV, Niko Bellic (the main protagonist) arrives at Liberty City with only the clothes on his back and dreams for making it big. While he probably won’t be reporting his income to the IRS, he keeps his earnings and allows them to accumulate over time. By ensuring a consistent cashflow, Niko teaches people the importance of working a job with a steady income. And with a steady income, you can move on to another great personal finance trait.

Budgeting
Sure, Niko’s source of income isn’t the most reputable means of earning a living, but his income exceeds his expenses. When playing GTA IV, players can purchase a great number of things, ranging from food and clothing to exotic weaponry. These items can cost a considerable amount of money, and players have to learn to spend their money wisely. You can either by a whole bunch of cheap pistols, or you can save your cash to purchase a top-of-the-line grenade launcher. These skills naturally carry over to the real world, where we have to make every day decisions on what we can and cannot afford.

Career progression
How many people are stuck in dead end jobs with no opportunity for advancement? In GTA IV, Niko arrives at Liberty City without a resume or any applicable job skills. But, just like in real life, hard work and perseverance allow Niko to slowly climb the corporate ladder. Just like in real life, you don’t become a manager of a department right away. It takes long hours on the job with many sacrifices along the way. GTA IV teaches these ideals as you maneuver Niko through a fictional criminal underground.

So while the media might be up in arms about the level of violence in GTA IV, I believe there are some worthwhile lessons to be taught from the game. If you look past the gang violence, murder, robberies, high speed chases, and general lawlessness you might find there is a miniature world that helps teach sound advice when it comes to personal finance. Now if you would excuse me, I have a car to steal.