Whatever you want to study, it’s easier with some visuals that go along with it. With documentaries you get to learn so much, so fast that you’d be missing out if you don’t indulge. What’s more, they entertain you just as well as any movie. If you’re a finance major you’re sure to be bored out of your mind staring at numbers each day so watching documentaries makes for the perfect break in the monotonous routine. Here are some productions that any finance major would find enjoyable. Enjoy!

Money for Nothing: Inside the Federal Reserve

When it comes to financial markets, the central bank is a good place to start if you wish to understand the monetary system. This documentary, Money for Nothing: Inside the Federal Reserve, explores what the Federal Reserve is, what do they do and how it impacts the economy, and more. This piece particularly focuses on the policies of Alan Greenspan that led to the 2007 crash. We’re sure you’ll find it interesting.

Broke

You’d think that if you won the lottery your problems would end and you’d be set for life, however, that is never the case. Many people that come into a lot of money fast, tend to end up being broke and if you’re wondering why that is the case, then this is the documentary for you. Broke focuses on why the illustrious athletes can’t hold onto money, but that is not all. If you’re looking to understand healthy spending habits and all about improving financial health, this is a good place to start.

Trader

Trading is as much luck as it is analyzing numbers and the superstitious Paul Tudor Jones is trying to balance both. A hedge fund manager, Jones managed to predict the 1987 economic downturn accurately using Elliot Wave graphs and of course intuition. This documentary follows his life as he uses his analyses and gut feeling to help the children in New York City graduate from high school. You’d think this would be a tale of greed, but it is so much more in every ways so make sure you check it out.

25 Million Pounds

Nick Leeson was a British trader who started his career as a clerk at Morgan Stanley and became a rogue trader towards the end. His biggest accomplishment was bringing an old British Bank, Barings, to its knees. The bank had an elite clientele like the Queen which is what makes this story all the more interesting. You get to see what it’s like to deal with dishonest traders and learn from someone who committed fraud themselves.

Frontline: “Breaking the Bank”

Another great documentary on the American banking crisis, Frontline: “Breaking the Bank” looks in to the $800 million that were accepted by banks in Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) due to irresponsible management. These funds that were injected in the banking system ensure the largest banks would never fail. The documentary gives one insight on the crisis and helps you understands how free market responds to it.

The Ascent of Money

The paper money you see today is not how the world has traded for the past millennia. If you’d love to learn how the money we used today came into the form we’re using then this is the perfect documentary. Niall Fergusons takes you through the history of the financial world starting from ancient Babylonia to the 2008 crisis.

Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy

Globalization has changed the financial world forever and this production documents it all. It takes you behind the iron curtain to see Russia from where it tells a captivating tale of how the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s response to it. It also highlights other important events like when deregulation became prevalent. Money and power are closely connected and seeing it from the lens of world powers is sure to help you better grasp the implications of the world.

Life and Debt

Those living a debt free life are to be envied. In today’s world you’d have a tough time remaining free of these chains for sure. This documentary though focuses on debt of countries. European Union was once adamant on helping struggling Portugal and Greece to rise by bailing them out via debt lending but since then the tactics have changed and with documentary you get to know why.

Final Words

So, what are you waiting for? This calls for a guilt-free binge session. Grab some popcorn and find a comfy chair to sit on, you’ve got some studying to do. Just make sure you have a good cable connection that offers such educational content. If you’re subscribed to Wow cable channels this won’t be a problem. With so many great channels to look forward to, you can’t go wrong.