We examine whether inflated perceptions of financial literacy affect financial decision making. Gaps between objective financial literacy and self-reported (perceived) financial literacy (blind spots) predict 19 financial behaviors better than age, gender, income, ethnicity, marital status, self-employment status, and general education levels. Only two predictors, perceived financial literacy and financial education, carried similar levels of predictive power on financial behaviors. Those with inflated perceptions of financial literacy are more likely to miss mortgage payments, receive a collection call, use informal debt, and have poor banking behavior. Those without blind spots make better financial decisions. The differences between those with and without blind spots are more pronounced among individuals with higher education and income.

我们研究了对金融知识素养的过分理解是否会影响财务决策。客观的金融素养与自我报告的（感知的）金融素养（盲点）之间的差距预测出19种金融行为要好于年龄，性别，收入，种族，婚姻状况，自雇状况和通识教育水平。只有两个预测因素，即感知的金融知识和金融教育，对金融行为具有类似水平的预测能力。对金融知识有过高认识的人更有可能错过按揭还款，接电话，使用非正式债务以及银行行为不佳。那些没有盲点的人可以做出更好的财务决策。受过较高教育和收入的个人中，有盲点者和无盲点者之间的差异更加明显。