Want your kids to develop healthy money habits? There is a new educational website out there that will do just that. Best of all? This learning opportunity is in the form of a fun game. Kids won’t even realize that they are learning.
My Savings Quest is a free interactive online game that teaches kids all about personal finance. it covers the basics of earning money, budgeting saving and spending. The game is a great resource for parents and teachers, and it would make a great addition to many home school curriculums.
When you first start the game, you’ll be asked to pick a character. You can customize this character’s appearance, including the color of hair, clothes and background. Next, you can choose a career for your alter-ego. Each career has a different salary and different tasks or jobs that must be completed to earn that money.
Other real life decisions that are simulated in the game include picking a place to live, prioritizing expenses, such as rent and taxes, and choosing how to spend and save. As a player, you can select a savings goal, such as a big screen TV or set your own savings goal (buying mom a present, getting an iguana, whatever makes sense as a motivational tool).
All along the way, the friendly voice and helpful text prompts explain everything, making even a subject that stumps many adults easy to understand. The graphics are brights and clear without being too silly, cutsie or crowded.
The game is probably suited for ages seven through high school, but my five-year-old still had lot of fun playing the game and learning. It prompted more than a few discussions about money and even led to a request on his part to be given a chance to earn some real money of his own.
If you have children, or even if you want a brush up on budgeting for yourself, check out My Savings Quest by clicking here. I would love to hear your feedback about the site, so after you try it, come back and leave a comment!
Mary Ann Romans writes about her family’s money saving secrets in the Frugal Living Blog here at Families.com
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