Personal Finance Starter Kit
Building your financial literacy
One of the things I miss about "Old Twitter" is Follow Fridays. Today's post is a revival of that, but with a twist.
As an economist, I'm always looking for ways to improve financial literacy and understanding of the economy. An easy way to do that, especially early in your journey, is to develop an understanding of the language and concepts of personal finance and economics. Today, I am sharing with you the social media profiles of educators and creators who produce sound and enjoyable content.
Here are my current favorites on different platforms that blend practical money advice with a fundamental understanding of how economics affects your wallet:
Newsletter
Money with Katie - Personal finance hot takes you'll actually enjoy, and Katie often references economic research in ways that make sense for everyday decisions. Her takes on housing markets and inflation usually align with what the economic data actually shows. Sign up for the newsletter.
Her book was recently released, and I just purchased my copy. Buy Rich Girl Nation.
Podcast
I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi - I love the behind-the-scenes look into couples’ finances, but what impresses me as an economist is how Ramit applies behavioral economics to real relationships. His approach to "money scripts" aligns perfectly with what research shows about how our psychology drives financial decisions. Listen to the latest episode below.
Instagram
Personal Finance Club - Clear, data-driven content that doesn't fall for financial fads. Jeremy, a retired 36-year-old, manages the account. His wealth tips are simple: live below your means and invest early. He does a great job translating complex financial concepts without losing the nuance. One of his recent posts that I enjoyed compares the returns to Jerry Buss’ investment in the Lakers to the returns from investing in the S&P 500. Check it out below.
Instagram Runner up
Mckenzie Mack - She's sharing her journey to financial independence with impressive video editing and visual communication skills. What I appreciate most is her honest approach to the behavioral side of money management. She does a great job communicating her values and how she has designed her financial life to support that.
YouTube
The Money Guy Show - Solid, research-backed advice that doesn't chase market trends. Their "Financial Order of Operations" reflects good economic thinking about opportunity costs and marginal returns. Their YouTube channel is an excellent resource for learning about technical concepts. I enjoy watching their episodes while on the elliptical or when I am running on a treadmill.
For Couples
Modern Husband Podcast - Brian Page brings 15 years of personal finance and economics education experience to Modern Husband Podcast. Brian is recognized as the National Educator of the Year, a CNN Money Hero, and a former Working Group Member of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability. I have known Brian for years. He was an educator here in Cincinnati, and a great one. He leverages his teaching skills and ability to communicate to help us understand the world of personal finance.
Along with co-hosts Christian Sherrill and Dr. Bruce Ross, they cover "managing money and the home as a team.” Their show addresses the economic reality that most financial decisions happen in households and the importance of having a united front when it comes to finances.
The Takeaway
The economist in me loves these creators/educators because they understand that good personal finance is, in fact, personal. Spreadsheets help, but only if you know your values, the economy, and the psychology of your financial decision-making.
Your turn: Which creators help you connect economics to your money decisions? I'm building my resource list and would love your recommendations.
What did I miss that should be in the next Personal Finance Starter Kit?
Happy Follow Friday!
-Dr. A
From the Archives
Got a new job and want to figure out how to set a budget? Check out this newsletter that breaks down how to budget a $60,000 salary.
First, thank you for sharing! Second, I'm glad to see The Money Guy Show make the list. I've always enjoyed the clips I've seen of them when they pop up on my feed. They're advice seems really sensible.
Thanks for surfacing some great content creators.