Growing up, I spent countless hours playing board games with my siblings. Each one taught me valuable lessons about cause and effect, decision-making, and the thrill of friendly competition. Among all the games I played, Monopoly was one of my favorites.
As a kid, I had a straightforward strategy in Monopoly: buy prime properties, collect bigger rents, and amass wealth. It seemed like the ultimate recipe for success. Back then, I didn’t understand the complexities of managing finances or running a business. The game also created the illusion of unlimited resources. It was harder to go bankrupt since you could always rely on collecting rent.
Sun Life Coffee and Play for Life
Fast forward to today, when I had the opportunity to participate in Sun Life’s Play for Life Gameboard sessions during an event called “Coffee and Play” at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) in Bacolod City. Sun Life, in collaboration with CBTL, has been hosting a series of interactive game sessions designed to integrate financial literacy with fun and engaging gameplay. These events cater to a wide range of groups, including employees, business owners, and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), with specialized versions of the game tailored to their needs.
Naturally, I applied the same tactics I used in Monopoly, thinking it had similar mechanics. Big mistake.
My Humbling First Round
The game began with everyone picking a character card. Each character represents a different lifestyle and financial background, and it affects the starting point of the game. I ended up being the dependent of a land-based OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker). My character had a monthly salary of P50,000 and regular expenses of P20,000—already a challenging balance to manage in real life, let alone in the game.
We started with a fixed amount of starting money and a set income based on our character. Unlike Monopoly, where you can rely on rent and chance cards, Play for Life asks you to make decisions based on your character’s specific circumstances. I had to be strategic about when to buy cards, which services to secure (like insurance), and how to manage my finances as unexpected events popped up.
The game progresses in a series of rounds where players make decisions about spending, saving, investing, and preparing for life’s curveballs. Every round, you might encounter surprise expenses, like medical bills or emergency situations, or find yourself presented with opportunities, such as investments or career advancements. Some expenses or opportunities are predictable, but the game keeps you on your toes with random events that shake up your finances.
The Twist
In my excitement, I made a bold move early on. I thought securing insurance at the start of the game would protect me from unexpected expenses, but I didn’t realize that my income was scheduled and wouldn’t be available at the exact moment I needed it. My character’s monthly salary came in predictable amounts, but I couldn’t use it whenever I wanted. So, when an unexpected expense wiped me out on my very first dice roll, I went bankrupt. It was a humbling yet eye-opening experience. Rather than feeling defeated, I used it as an opportunity to observe the strategies of other players.
How the Game Ends and How a Winner Is Determined
Unlike Monopoly, where the game ends when only one player remains, Play for Life doesn’t require you to bankrupt other players. Instead, the game ends when players have made all their rounds, and each has had the opportunity to make decisions on how they would prepare for long-term financial stability. The winner is determined by the player who has the most net worth at the end of the game, which is calculated based on their income, savings, investments, and how well they managed their expenses throughout the game.
This shift in focus from wealth accumulation to wise financial management is what makes Play for Life so unique. It’s about making smart decisions that lead to stability and preparing for the unexpected, not just collecting the most wealth.
Lessons I Learned
- Wisdom Over Wealth
The goal of Play for Life isn’t to hoard money—it’s to manage your resources wisely. This mirrors real life: success isn’t about how much you earn but how well you use what you have. - The Value of Guidance
A good financial adviser can make all the difference. Whether in the game or in real life, having someone to guide you through challenges can help you avoid costly mistakes and make better decisions. - Accepting the Uncontrollable
Both life and the game throw curveballs. Unexpected expenses or events are inevitable, but how you adapt to them determines your long-term success. - Learning from Loss
The beauty of Play for Life is that you can start over with the lessons learned from your first round. Similarly, in real life, financial setbacks can be powerful teachers. Mistakes aren’t failures if they help you grow.
Why You Should Try the Play for Life Gameboard
Sun Life’s Play for Life Gameboard is more than just a game—it’s a hands-on approach to understanding financial literacy. Unlike Monopoly, it challenges you to think critically about income, expenses, and the importance of preparing for the unexpected.
In Play for Life, I realized that wealth isn’t the only goal. It’s about making informed, strategic decisions that ensure long-term success and stability. It emphasizes the importance of financial preparation, not just for today but for life’s unpredictable events.
The game taught me valuable lessons that extend far beyond the board. It’s not just about building wealth but also about making smart, informed decisions to achieve your goals.
A Fresh Perspective on Financial Planning
My experience with Play for Life was both humbling and enlightening. It reminded me that financial success isn’t just about making bold moves—it’s about strategy, adaptability, and continuous learning.
This game, hosted by Sun Life Philippines in collaboration with CBTL, is an exciting, interactive way to understand the importance of financial literacy. Coffee and Play events like the one I attended are part of a wider initiative to engage more Filipinos in discussions about money management and financial planning, tailored to different groups like business owners, employees, and OFWs.
Ready to Play and Learn?
If you’re interested in trying Play for Life and taking your financial literacy to the next level, here’s how you can join:
- Attend an Event: Watch out for upcoming events like the Coffee and Play. Sun Life regularly hosts interactive game sessions, and you can join the fun with family, friends, or colleagues.
- Contact a Sun Life Financial Advisor (FA): Reach out to a Sun Life FA to learn more about the game, upcoming events, or to book a personal game session. Your FA will also guide you through financial planning and share how to maximize the experience.
- Play Online: If you can’t attend an event in person, Play for Life is available online. It has a single player version and a multiplayer version. Connect with a Sun Life FA to explore the virtual version and start learning at your own pace.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your financial knowledge in a fun, engaging way. Join a Play for Life session and start making informed, strategic decisions for your future today! Then, if you can, come back to this blog and share your own lessons. Or perhaps you attended the Coffee and Play at CBTL—I’d love to hear about your experience too!
