On... Monopoly

Monopoly is a great game that I played as a kid, not realizing how close it mirrors the real world that we live in.

According to @GuyImprov (see figure below), "Imagine playing Monopoly and never buying any assets or investments that generate income. Imagine you just went around collecting $200, giving your money to the rich, and trying to stay out of jail. That is how most people live their lives".

That is indeed very true and exactly what 90% of my education entailed. From the start of school to the day I graduate University - I was trained to be a cog in a machine, as they say. The sole purpose of my education was to train me to be a good worker.

There were very few topics on Financial Planning. I'm sure there was; but not at any useful level that would leave a mark on my mind. The pathway ususally looks something like this --> Study Hard --> Graduate from University --> Become a Worker --> Work Hard --> Become a Boss --> Retire. Thing like what is money. What is inflation. How to beat inflation. What are assets and how to grow your assets. Those topics were not a primary focus of my education.

In school, we were taught to be a hard worker and keep collecting our pay checks until the day we retire (Retirement is also an interesting topic by itself). Very little is said in terms of buying and growing assets. Here is where the game tips in favor of those who are shall we say "Financially Educated".

Those whose family are financially literate, have an upper hand as they teach their kids to buy assets. Because assets are the most efficient way to grow your wealth. Just as in the game of Monopoly, our focus should be to buy as many financial assets as possible. Nobody plays Monopoly to go around the board collecting 200$. Yet, that is how most people live their lives.

Monopoly is a very popular game and most people have played it a couple of time. Yet, the message that the game seeks to deliver is lost on us.