If you haven’t noticed the latest trend of “What I Spend in A Week” videos that have exploded all sides of YouTube, then you’ve been sorely missing out. This trend started to boom around mid-late 2019 and has garnered even more attention and has even had individual YouTube channels created just to make and review these types of videos. When it comes to money, every person who born is expected to eventually know how to make it…yet as most millennials have pointed out, we never actually learn how to properly do that. And not just learn how to make it, but keep it…save it, invest it. It’s pretty incredible that for an object that makes the world go around, we as humans are expected to just kind of “figure it out.”
On that note, enter YouTube, specifically YouTube channels that create personal finance videos. The first series I ever saw was “Money Tours” by Glamour. This series follows women of different demographics, salary ranges and money habits. Some are in credit card debt, some have student loan debt, some are frugal and others are big spenders. No matter who you are, you will be able to relate to someone’s story. Especially as a college student, it can be interesting to see other’s job titles, the salary they receive for that work and what the cost of living is for their area.
For those who are looking for more “professional” help, or tips when it comes to saving and investing, look to blogs like “The Financial Diet.” The Financial Diet makes incredible videos about biggest money regrets, different ways to earn money, the perception of money in TV and film and other tips. My personal favorite and their podcasts with CEOs, celebrities and other content creators.
As young adults, the rise of financial honesty through media can be beneficial as we move into the next phase of life. Since we’ve all grown up with a warped sense of financial milestones, like leaving college without debt, or buying a house by 25, being able to peek inside the bank statements of other 20-somethings helps us re-define our financial milestones.