I’ve often written here about the disappointing lack of financial education in schools, and it’s this same dearth of vital information that has apparently led to a new special airing on ABC this Friday:
Schools teach us almost everything, but not “Money 101.” For the basics on finance, turn to UN-BROKE: What You Need to Know About Money. It’s an unconventional look at the fundamentals of everyday finance with all the facts about credit cards, mortgages, stocks and bonds, investing and 401(k)’s, in a fresh new format combining information and humor. The one-hour special airs FRIDAY, MAY 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Here’s an example video of actor/producer Seth Green’s take on the MTV show “Cribs”:
I encourage you and your families to watch the show, as TV networks almost never take time out of their programming schedule to present the kind of information that, while basic, refuses to graduate to “common knowledge.”
Personally, I plan to set the DVR to record it, and then skip the commercials.
Updated February 10, 2011 and originally published May 26, 2009. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the RSS feed or receive daily emails. Follow @flexo on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more updates.
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Luke Landes founded Consumerism Commentary in 2003 and has been building online communities since 1990. Luke, also known as Flexo, has contributed to PC World Magazine, US News, Forbes, and other publications. 
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ll be very curious to see how this is presented. Thanks for the heads up.
Great! Actors and comedians advising people on finances put on by a major media outlet. I’ll check it out right after my self LASIK procedure I learned how to do on YouTube.
That’s a fair point, Brandon, but look at it this way: they could be playing a re-run of “Wipeout”.
Depending on the advice and the receiver of said advice, the “Wipeout” re-run could be far less dangerous.
The things taught in colleges and schools are not an education, but the means of education.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson