In the face of rising gas prices, inflation, and a housing crisis comes Netflix’s newest original documentary Get Smart With Money. Directed by Stephanie Soechtig, the documentary follows four people from varying socioeconomic backgrounds facing unique financial struggles across the United States. To achieve their goals, they are paired with a financial coach who helps sort through the bills, spending habits, and modes of income to change their money mindset. The four coaches —Peter Adeny, Tiffany Aliche, Ross MacDonal, and Paula Pant— provide the subjects with guidance and advice tailored to their situation.
As a Gen Z person who doubts they will ever own a home, the documentary felt incredibly relatable. Although the subjects came from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, it was easy to resonate with their frustration. Why can’t I fund my life even though I have two jobs and work 50 hours a week? Will I be running from student loans my whole life? Is my daily oat milk latte from the local cafe really the source of my financial problems? Many financial issues facing Generation Z tend to be systematic, which can feel overwhelming. But Get Smart With Money is a gentle reminder of things that can be controlled within finances. The documentary covers basic financial literacy like reducing, spending, budgeting, saving and investing. It’s an approachable first step in gaining financial literacy in a time that is oversaturated with information. The documentary follows these four individuals through a year of scrimping, saving, and setbacks. At the end of the year nobody has become a millionaire, but everyone is in a better financial place: debts have decreased and budgeting is not a traumatic experience. It’s a real ending that reassures its viewer that it can get better and the taking the first step is possible.
