Comments on: Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition Reinforces a Culture of Debt

By: mpnmom

mpnmom — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:00:06 +0000

If you still can’t go into debt during the game – then how is it different? Yes you’re using the card – but you aren’t charging. It’s like a debit card from your bank. Only difference I see is kids don’t learn to make change – and there’s less pieces to lose. Oh – and now it needs batteries.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:32:43 +0000

Personally I love this. From a nonfinancial stand point it is way faster. It is a lot easier to know how much money you have. You don’t have to deal with not having change. From a financial stand point the game play hasn’t changed at all. You still can’t go into debt. It is a valuable lesson to be able to handle money without having to have the physical cash in front of you. Your children will almost surely own a debit card at some point in their life.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:21:17 +0000

I agree, and was a bit suprised that my youngest son got this from his grandmother. If our children are not going to be in debt worse than our generation, this game is not helpful. They need to realize that a swipe of plastic, has to be paid for somewhere.

By: From Fat to Fit

From Fat to Fit — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:11:56 +0000

So much of this is so wrong! It’s almost like a joke, but it’s pathetically true.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:01:31 +0000

I really, really hate this. Some of the updates to new games are so stupid and this is one of them. If you can, check your thrift stores too for board games. We have gotten almost all of ours for about .75 each. They might not be the newer editions, but we don’t care…especially when the updates are as bad as this.

By: apple pie recipe

apple pie recipe — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:51:34 +0000

Oddly enough, I’ve been looking for this game to pair with the old, cash version. If you use a combination of the two, you can teach kids and teens responsible spending. It works as follows:

1.) Use a piece of paper to keep score instead of the electronic thing.

2.) Deal out cash, assign a credit limit.

3.) Assign a realistic interest rate for the card. I usually make this around 25% per turn.

Young adults will quickly see how fast debt can add up and how hard it is to get out of debt.

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:40:20 +0000

I bought this game, and I personally love it. It makes it easier by not having so much paper around to get lost and damaged…but I see your point about teaching children the wrong idea about money. I never thought of that when I bought it. Oh well, only my husband and I play this anyway.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:24:32 +0000

“No counting” necessary…how sad. This explains why the kids working the drive-thru can’t make change without the aid of a computerized cash register.

By: Shan-Oh

Shan-Oh — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:01:41 +0000

Thanks for a spot on post Frugal Dad! I was as shocked as you are when I saw this. A real sign of our times, huh?

Sadly, it isn’t the only game like it out there. I’ve seen several girl oriented board games that involve shopping and credit cards. The most insiduous was the Hello Kitty one I spied at Barnes and Noble right before Christmas. The recommended age level was six and up, because ‘no counting’ was necessary, as the credit card game piece kept track for you.

Hopefully those of us who are responsible will raise a more frugal generation!