Let’s get straight to the important news:
There’s a Netflix documentary that just premiered TODAY* titled Get Smart With Money.
Somehow, the well-known Mr. Money Mustache and a few friends ended up participating in its creation, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome!
You can watch it here (which will greatly aid the movie’s success!): https://www.netflix.com/title/81312877
Now, let’s explore the backstory to this unusual situation. Why did I agree to be part of this? Am I not supposed to be retired? Do you earn a lot by being in a Netflix production? Does this lead to fame and a change in lifestyle? Read on for the answers to these questions and more.
The Origin
One sunny afternoon in December 2020, I received an email from the co-owner of a production company with the subject line:
Feature Documentary – Personal Finance.
Inside was a wonderfully crafted proposal for a movie, along with a heartfelt request for me to be one of its featured individuals.
I went through my usual emotions: I felt honored that someone wanted me involved in their project, then apprehensive about adding to my workload when I was already busy enjoying meaningful pursuits in retirement. Finally, I felt compelled to quickly respond with something like, “Thank you, I’m honored, but I must decline. However, I could help out via email as a casual consultant if you need ideas.”
That plan fell through. The filmmaker turned out to be Kristin Lazure, who brought her co-founder Stephanie Soechtig into the fold, and together they run Atlas Films, which is one of the top documentary companies in the country.
Atlas has produced incredibly insightful films on topics such as food, public health, firearms, political cover-ups, and many others, all of which are engaging and action-driven. Upon reviewing their past work, I recognized that Atlas isn’t just about creating entertainment or capitalizing on cheap controversies. They are dedicated to uncovering deeper stories aimed at fostering positive social change.
I thought, “How could I say no to this, especially when my goal with this MMM hobby is to make a difference in the world?”
I understood that while filming and being on camera could be challenging and might take away from the time I’d typically devote to writing blog posts, it would likely reach a much larger audience for each hour spent. Additionally, it would connect me with a new demographic of Netflix viewers who probably aren’t typical blog readers.
Plus, aside from my serious, responsible facade, I figured it would be thrilling to take part in such a significant, exciting experience. How cool would it be to visit a friend’s house and encourage them to watch YOUR OWN NETFLIX MOVIE!?
So I accepted, and the project progressed rapidly. Before we knew it, we were spending all of 2021 engaged in a series of filming days, recorded Zoom calls, and various entertaining experiences.
Some aspects were indeed tough—like squeezing onto my deck with a dozen crew members under the scorching July sun, trying to appear relaxed while answering interview questions and periodically wiping gallons of sweat from my forehead. Yet, almost all of it was immensely enjoyable, fostering wonderful new experiences and friendships among all of us.
One thing you’ll notice if you watch the film is that while I talk about how challenging this process was, I merely make occasional appearances—performing a few bike tricks, playing with tools, and offering some sage financial advice to assist my students along the way. This is because much of our content was edited down at approximately a 100:1 ratio. The film covers a lot of territory with many people, yet it manages to feel natural and cohesive.
My favorite part is likely that my old concept of the “Purchase Justification Machine,” first introduced in a 2019 article about my decision not to buy a Tesla, made it into the movie as a humorous animated graphic—showing Kim as she browses Amazon while riding her Peloton.
Money and Fame
Oh, and no, we didn’t earn much at all—especially if you consider it on an hourly basis. Documentaries like this have substantial production budgets for high-quality crews and equipment, yet they somehow convince on-camera participants to effectively donate their time.
If you value fame or exposure, that could be viewed as a form of compensation. However, for me, any additional fame would be a drawback—there are very few real-world benefits and several downsides related to privacy that can, in extreme cases, pose dangers. Still, I considered myself just one of many individuals in the movie, a small player in the vast ocean of Netflix. Weighing that against the benefits of promoting better financial and lifestyle choices, I optimistically decided that the positives outweighed the negatives. I’ll keep you updated on how this unfolds now that the movie is released!
So What’s The Movie About?
Atlas Films brought together four financial experts, each with distinct backgrounds and styles (Pa
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Let’s get straight to the main point: A new documentary titled Get Smart With Money was released on Netflix TODAY*. Somehow, the old Mr. Money Mustache and a few of his friends found themselves drawn into participating...