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Money is a scary word. As the economy buckles under recent pressures, we are told time and time again to brace ourselves.
But how do we prepare? It’s not like we were ever taught about financial strategy in school. Saving money is an expectation, of which we have little formal education. Yet, we all have some basic understanding of how it works.
We learn through our surroundings, and games have been teaching us finance skills subconsciously since we can remember.
Here are the biggest money-saving lessons, found in the most unlikely of games.
Practicing self-restraint
Saving money takes hard work and dedication. But spending it takes mere seconds. Learning restraint implements logic into general buying habits — what to buy, how much for, and when to leave it alone. For me, understanding restraint was a hard lesson to learn.
The irony isn’t lost here, but poker is the most effective teacher of self-restraint I know. There’s a lot to be learned from poker, including the fact there is no reliable quick money scheme.
Like economics, poker is a game of tactics with real money at risk. To succeed you must think logically — what to raise, when to check and how to fold. Bet too big and too recklessly, ninety-nine out of a hundred times you’ll go bust.
If you want to learn more about poker, I recommend researching £5 minimum deposit casinos. By placing a £5 minimum deposit you can play without wagering too much of your own money. Small, infrequent bets are the key to learning restraint.
Apply the game to your day to day life: Do you need to spend big on a pair of trainers, or is splashing out another bad hand?
Planning for the future
We need a sense of direction to climb the ladder of success. But in harsh reality, we also need money. The world isn’t a fairytale and we are rarely afforded opportunities. For the majority, achieving our dreams takes a lot of hard work.
The Game Of Life is a childhood favorite of mine. Looking back, it teaches far more than who gets the luckiest throw of the dice. As far as boardgames go, its a fairly accurate map of aspirations and future opportunities.
The game teaches us saving money affords a level of security, which facilitates happiness but does not equal it. Money is a protector, letting you support what you love; whether it be a family, hobby, or anything in between. The important takeaway is that saving money should not be scary, so long as you know what you are saving for.
Back in the real world. If you are confused by banks bombarding you with offers and savings accounts, take a look at premium bonds. There is zero interest, but a far greater deal of security, given that bonds are a government-supported scheme.
Premium bonds are a steady, low-risk way to store money until your next big adventure. But after all, it’s your life to play.
Repayments and investments
Sometimes, to save money in the long term you need to invest. For me, and many like me, this comes in the form of tuition fees.
Student loans are something I am expecting to pay back for many years. But my degree affords some great opportunities; from supporting myself financially with a dream job, to moving away and starting an exciting new journey.
Likewise, Animal Crossing teaches you a good investment is well worth the original cost. Despite the video games series’ storybook facade, finance and negotiation are its narrative backbone. As your island expands, numerous mortgages and debts are owed to Tom Nook, the raccoon storekeeper. In the game, investing in the most profitable buildings, lets you pay the money back and continue improving the island.
The next step is to expand upon the real world. Take a look at some simple financial investments to get yourself started. Soon you will be shocked at the reward.
Recommended reading: Stuck At Home? Save Money Today!
Money-saving skills are learned from the most unlikely places. From games consoles to card games, there are lessons to be gained from our surroundings. Check these games out and test your financial know-how.
