Debt Ski Makes Managing Finances Fun

Debt ski gets you thinking

After playing a few rounds of the Debt Ski game, I can’t say I’ll suddenly be better at debt management or credit repair. But if you sit back and analyze the game, it makes a point. It factors in income, necessary spending, discretionary spending and a credit card limit.

This game is targeted at college students, so online payday loans are not an option. Debt Ski might not automatically make you better at managing your personal finances, but it makes a good point, and  it gives good common-sense advice in a fun, modern format.

The game

The Debt Ski concept was developed by 26-year-old college graduate Brian Haveri. “About this Game” on the InDebtEd.com web site explains it best:

mtvU, MTV’s college network, and the Peter G. Peterson Foundation have joined forces to launch Debt Ski, an online, flash video game which spotlights the dangers of excessive debt, challenges young people to avoid destructive financial behavior and spurs fiscally responsible action.

The main character of the game is a pig on a jet ski. Your job is to maneuver your piggy bank  in such a way that you make the right amount of necessary purchases, collect income and either avoid or collect optional items to boost your  happiness level.

InDebtEd web site

Debt Ski is housed on www.indebted.com, a web site dedicated to debt-related education. The site’s tag line says “We’re broke. Let’s fix it.” It has tons of informative statistics about the national debt, average personal debt and student loan debt.

You can also find out if you’re a Savings Guru or a Debt Casualty by taking the site’s Life or Debt quiz. The  quiz asks  you about your spending on clothes, food, electronics and entertainment. It also has a “financial smarts” section on credit cards and budgeting.

Fair warning, though, if you have already racked up a bunch of debt and since changed your spending habits because of it, the quiz won’t be much help. Not that I’m speaking from personal experience or anything.

Win money!

InDebtEd says Debt Ski players can enter to win a $250 prize, which InDebtEd is awarding weekly. I’m assuming you have to make it to a certain level or win the game to enter, because I didn’t come across an entry form.

In short, if you lived lived as though you were trying to beat Debt Ski, you’d be in great financial shape. Debt Ski drives home the point that you must spend the right amount on necessities, save as much money as you can and always pay off your debt. If only real life were as easy as the game.