Personal Finance Documentaries You Should Watch to Improve Your Financial Literacy

Today, I want to convince you to swap your weekend TV show binge for a personal finance documentary. Although personal finance is a personal topic, documentaries can help you feel less alone when making big financial decisions. Since most of us didn't learn about money in school, it's necessary to take a hands-on approach to personal finance education for information and skills to really stick.

Even though I write about money for a living, I'm always looking for ways to improve my financial literacy. I usually suggest reading personal finance books, listening to podcasts, and subscribing to financial newsletters. However, I went down a documentary rabbit hole and discovered the benefit of "watching" personal finance.

There are several films that focus on personal finance, from the bare-bone basics to unpacking scandals like the Game Stop saga. If you already subscribe to streaming sites like Netflix, you already have several documentaries at your fingertips. Here are three documentaries that stood out to me:

The first documentary, "Get Smart With Money," follows four financial experts as they help people with different money struggles. It focuses on the basics: paying down credit card debt, breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, learning to budget while pursuing early retirement, and investing in the stock market. The financial experts work with individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds to unpack their spending habits and set benchmarks for meeting their financial goals.

The second documentary, "The Most Important Class You Never Had," focuses on personal finance education and its impact beyond the classroom. The film meets eight high school educators as they incorporate basic money management into their classrooms, covering savings strategies, investing, budgeting, and preparing for retirement. The documentary serves as a reminder that personal finance education can better equip kids with the financial competency they need to be successful after high school.

The third documentary, "Money, Explained," is a docuseries by Vox that addresses several topics, including credit cards, student loans, retirement, financial scams, and gambling. The series doesn't explain money but focuses on a range of niche topics, from technology's role in financial scams to the history of credit cards and the impact of student loan debt. The documentary emphasizes the human side of finance, exploring how money affects our sense of security and mental health.

These documentaries are great starting points for anyone looking to improve their financial literacy. They offer valuable insights and practical advice, making them an excellent addition to your financial education.

Unlock the Power of Personal Finance: 3 Documentaries You Can't Miss

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