Board game anyone?
It’s the Easter Holidays (Yay!) But let’s face it, we’ve had our fair share of rainy days, and it’s pretty darn likely that we have a few more to come before it’s time to go back to school.
Well – what a GREAT opportunity this is to learn about money!
We’ve put together a list of the best games out there to learn about managing your finances in the real world.
Whether that’s making sure you’ve got enough to buy your groceries for the week, pay your mortgage for the month, or to bail out an investment that has gone bust, why not test the waters and discover how it all works! The further down the list you go, the higher the sums of money, and the bigger the risks of spending, saving, buying, and investing become.
1. Starting out: Learning money basics with the little ones … (Ages 5-9)
EXACT CHANGE
Learn about the size, shape, and relative value of different coins with this brilliant starting point for maths and money in the real world.
MONEY BAGS
Move around the board and collect money for completing household jobs, then save up your coins to earn as much money as possible and win the game!
ON THE MONEY
Work out how much money you have to spend, what you can spend it on, and how much change you will get, using colourful cards in this basic counting game for under 10s.
2. The basics of financial independence: Career decisions, earning evaluations and spending setbacks … (Ages 8-13)
THE GAME OF LIFE
Think you can manage a budget? Wait till real life gets in the way! Make sensible decisions and persevere with what you have to win the game!
PAY DAY
Experience waiting for your monthly pay check and see if you can make it last!Learn all the important lessons of life right here.
MONOPOLY
It’s the age old favourite and it’s well-loved for a reason; underspend and you will lose; overspend and you’ll go bust!
3. The next level: Learn how markets and the economy work and take advantage with your own stocks and shares! (Ages 10-16)
CASHFLOW
Like Monopoly, but with way more factors to negotiate. You’re not just acquiring property, but other assets too. Not to mention that everything is subject to an unstable stock market …
DAYTRADER
Now you’re managing a series of assets, a family budget, and working up the career ladder at the same time. You better be good at juggling!
CHARGE LARGE
This game is all about credit and keeping it afloat – but use your platinum card wisely, and don’t shirk on the repayments – or you’ll be in serious trouble.
4. The big dogs: for any wannabe bankers out there, this is a great place to start! (12 and above)
BILLIONAIRE TYCOON
So, your budget is now in the billions and your financial decisions involve entire companies … with a global economy at stake, will you make the right decisions?
