Matthew J Whitehead

US Patent:

20160284233, Sep 29, 2016

Filed:

Mar 27, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/671301

Inventors:

Matthew Whitehead - Davie FL, US

International Classification:

G09B 19/22
G09B 19/00

Abstract:

A board game for teaching the principles of personal finance whereby significant wealth may be accumulated includes a playing board having a first, Daily Grind, track and an interconnected second, Diamond Cut. Each player selects a game piece and begins the game on the Daily Grind track. Collectively, they start by making formative level decisions and purchases that influence how they start financially, professionally and personally. The items they buy in the Formative stage are added to their game piece. Then they take turns rolling the dice one time and based on the outcome combined with their earlier decisions they get to choose from the set of matching game cards. The Game Card is configured as a combined Income/Balance Sheet, and basic accounting rules of personal finance are carefully followed in updating the Game Card while a player progresses along the Daily Grind, initially in Growth Mode. The Daily Grind track includes spaces on which a player can land which presents unexpected financial obstacles, but the Daily Grind also includes spaces which present financial opportunities. By prudently investing as opportunities arise, a player may obtain passive income in addition to a salary. At a designated time, all players shift playing modes from growth to Transition Mode where they also begin to focus on future generations. Once a player's Self-sufficiency Quotient exceeds their expenses, two different things result 1) the player moves to the Diamond Cut for further play, and 2) all existing players in the Daily Grind reset as their next generation and they restart playing as their family member and continue to play to exit the Daily Grind. On the Diamond Cut, a player enjoys the greatly improved life of one who has accumulated significant wealth and they now focus on advanced items of Wealth Protection and Generation Transfer. The Diamond Cut track includes spaces on which players experience advanced elements along with interaction with players in the Daily Grind. By prudently positioning to handle key situations, a player earns diamond cuts. However, provision is made for unexpected problems in various Diamond Cut spaces along which a player moves. Thus, a player's ongoing financial condition while on the Diamond Cut is also carefully updated using basic accounting principles of personal finance, wealth management, and estate planning (tracking their progress on separate sheets). The game is played in accordance with formal rules which include provisions for declaring a winner.