Documentary Status Update

Posted by Braun Mincher on January 4, 2009

Since we filmed our 51st interview for the documentary on Friday in Northern California (we plan to do +/- 100 total, so are now more than half way done with interviews) and it is now a new year, I felt this to be a good opportunity to write a quick summary of what we have completed so far and give everyone a status update on our exciting film project.

We started filming for The Secrets of Money: The Documentary Movie, just over a month ago and have been keeping ridiculously busy, to say the least. We spent most of December filming in Colorado, but now we are on the road for the next 2 months to finish the remaining interviews. In January and February, we will be traveling coast-to-coast, from LA to New Hampshire and everywhere in between, capturing on camera more interesting perspectives on the topic of financial literacy and trying to find out why schools generally do not teach this important subject at any level.

Although about half of our interviews are with “real people” everyone can relate to, the balance will contain a variety of well-selected and interesting educators, students, government officials, celebrities, personal finance experts and others. So far, the interviews have been nothing short of fascinating and I am confident that we are getting material that will shock, entertain, educate and inspire viewers, and will hopefully lead to change as it relates to how and where financial literacy is taught.

He is a summary of just some of the interviews we have already completed:

• United States Senator – Says financial education should be the “top priority” for every school.
• President’s Financial Literacy Council Member – Thinks both schools and parents share a responsibility for financial education, but neither are doing anything about it.
• Retired High School Principal – Has “no clue” why schools do not require financial literacy classes.
• Bestselling Author – Feels that schools are committing “child abuse” by not teaching basic personal finance skills to all students.
• Real Estate Attorney – Says consumers have “no clue” what they are signing when it comes to real estate and mortgage closings.
• Well-known Personal Finance Blogger – Gets 200,000 people per month to visit his site and teaches them the basics of financial literacy since the schools do not.
• Dog Groomer & Plumber – Became “financially free” by age 40 and share their secrets of success.
• 28 Year Old Web Developer – Makes $39k/year, but has $40k equity in his modest condo and $40k in retirement savings. Probably one of the most truly “happy” people we have interviewed.
• 27 Year Old Teacher – $65k in credit card debt and has no clue where to turn.
• 39 Year Old Police Officer – Lots of credit card debt and too much house than he can afford all because he was never taught about personal finance.
• 23 Year Old Plumber – After loosing his $100k/year job is now living in his van and not sure where his next meal will come from. Blames never being taught in school about basic financial literacy.
• 34 Year Old Landscaper – Makes $35k/year and works hard, but loves his life, has no debt and just got married.

And, here are just several of the remaining interviews we still have coming up:

• TV Host & Author – Specializes in “Financial Interventions” and has a unique way of providing financial education.
• Nationally Syndicated Personal Finance Columnist – Sees the lack of financial education everyday.
• Young Physician – Went back to get this MBA, because even with all of the education received through medical school, still was never taught even the basics of personal finance.
• Young couple – Getting ready to graduate from college and trying to figure out how to pay for their wedding.
• Coverage of Jump$tart Financial Literacy Event in New Hampshire – teaches to both students and their parents.
• Coverage of “Money X” Event in Los Angeles – uses an engaging MTV Awards style production to appeal to students.

Thanks to everyone for your continued interest and support of our documentary film project exposing the state of financial literacy (illiteracy) in America. We are still planning for the movie to be released nationwide in May 2009. Please be sure to visit our website at www.SecretsOfMoneyMovie.com for frequent updates and our new FAQ’s page. Happy 2009!