TEACH KIDS MONEY AND PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

SHIMWORLD Feature in The Brunei Times
Read this story on BT Online

Believe it or not, I had never played Monopoly as a kid or as an adult. The last time I came across the name, it was in Robert Kiyosaki’s book, Rich Dad Poor Dad. The game just never appealed to me and I managed to grow up completely ignoring it altogether. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I came across a Special Edition UNIQUELY SINGAPORE version of Monopoly, one that immediately got my attention and definitely one the kids could relate to as they know Singapore well. Certainly, a game that their dad would, in an embarassing but not obvious kind of way, be playing for the very first time.

© Jan Shim Photography

As you can see, it’s very colorful, a very important consideration and factor as far as kids (and first time big kids) are concerned. It scores 10/10 for appeal and design. Using the very familiar Singapore Merlion one of a number of familiar game tokens. Here Jewel uses the Merlion while mine is the Gentleman’s Hat and Jamie’s Antique Car token is elsewhere on the board.

© Jan Shim Photography

Like the actual place and very popular hang out, Clarke Quay is a property you can buy from the bank. A Title Deed card shows ownership of the property. When a player lands on your property, you collect rent but there are rules that apply to mortgaged property and so forth. The game can get pretty intense and at the level my 9 and 7 year olds are playing, it can get competitive and emotional too.

© Jan Shim Photography

Bruneians may find Income Tax unfamiliar territory as we have no such tax. As this is a game, we just consider it one of the many penalties that exist alongside with rental, etc. The game lists many familiar properties that Singapore is known for such as Lau Pa Sat, Newton Circus, Little India and Chinatown, many of which my kids have not actually visited. When they do someday, it will be a place they can associate with.

© Jan Shim Photography

Jewel holds up a Get Out of Jail CHANCE card and to date (continuing from previous play) she now owns the most property including Utilities and MRT stations and she gets good healthy income from collecting rents :). That striped rug next to the board resembles the corporate colours of Standard Chartered Bank and its appearance in this photograph is purely coincidental.

© Jan Shim Photography

Like the real world we live in, banks are responsible for much of the money and properties that exchange hands. It’s no different in Monopoly and this banker is responsible for the bonus payments when luck comes your way.

© Jan Shim Photography

Jewel sells me a Singapore Indoor Stadium property for a bargain price of $100. I’ve had a streak of bad luck and lost much of my money to rents and jail time. It’s comforting to know where she places her priorities when her dad needs help. It’s interesting how a game can reveal a person’s behaviour too.

Here’s the bottom line, I feel Uniquely Singapore Monopoly has greatly reduced the learning curve required for kids to learn about finances and property ownership. As they grow up, their perception of money will undoubtedly change but as business and finance savvy parents, there isn’t such as thing as too young.