When we hear the word “mortgage” many of us think of budgeting, a home of our own, a safe space for family and friends, and unfortunately, mortgage payments. While owning a home of your own is one of the biggest investments of a person’s life, it doesn’t need to be daunting, or scary.
It’s important for children to not be intimidated by this aspect of adulthood. Instead, allowing them to use resources that speak more to where they are at in age, will slowly encourage them to make smart choices later on. As usual, when I come across something that parents may be interested in, I share it. I’ve done it with products for your home, and I do it all of the time with restaurant reviews. Today’s discovery is Mortgage Calculator. I am not big on video games, and I will always prefer books to them, but sometimes, I give games such as these the green light. As long as there is no violence, I’m at least open to the idea of seeing if a game is suitable.
We’ve come a long way when it comes to the resources available to us. It’s possible to have fun and learn at the same time.
As a parent, one of the things I like about mortgagecalculator.org is the fact that they have a gaming section that consists of educational games. For example, Hero Elementary Treehouse Trouble allows kids to use their knowledge of shapes to build a treehouse. Or, LEGO City Adventures, which allows users to build their own cities and gain revenue from properties.
As described on their official website, the list of games offered cover a variety of topics:
- Money Games: counting money and making change. We also have a couple of games featuring new-fangled concepts of money including Bitcoin and the modern-day tulips – NFTs.
- Real Estate Games: buy and sell properties, make a thriving LEGO city, and clean up a mess or germs. You can also build stable structures, or use dynamite to blow up structures.
- Food Business Simulation Games: run a coffee shop, grocery store, farm, or another restaurant.
- Business Simulation Games: build a mining business, run a jewelry shop, become a florist, or become a corporate overlord.
- Software Development Games: STEM games teaching children about coding logic along with how software is made and tested, along with an idle clicker game focused on building successful startup businesses
- Office Politics Games: whimsical ragdoll clicker game can be used to explain internal competition, conflict resolution & team building, and an endless runner
- Other Fun Games: games we like but which did not neatly fit in any of the above categories – recycling, green energy, and a couple of food-related games
By using the services offered on Mortgage Calculator, adults can budget for their mortgage, while their children can play and learn.
Understandably, parents can be (and should be) concerned about what their children are viewing online. We highly encourage adults to look at the website in its entirety before allowing their children access. Parents should see the several benefits of such games for themselves! Here are a few screenshots I took while checking Mortgage Calculator for myself:
I must say, looking at some of their games (even as an adult) had me interested. (That competitive gene in me was itching). I wanted to create more properties to get more cash flow. I wanted to invest that money and see it grow with the help of a new property. It’s due to this allure that kids will also have the desire to see their city grow, but in order to do that, they’ll need to be wise with their financial choices. See? Educational and fun!
As adults, it’s up to us to figure out ways to educate our kids in a manner that speaks to them.
If you tell a child that they’re about to play a game about investing, odds are, you’ll struggle to get them interested. Tell a child that they’re going to play a LEGO game, and well, you have their attention. They will be eager to see what is involved! Of course, every child is different. This is why there are multiple games for them to try! Do you have a Powerpuff Girl fan? There’s a game for them! Do you have a future real estate tycoon in your home? They, too, will have a fun time!
Parents should prepare their kids for future saving, investing, and home ownership. There are many ways to do this throughout their lives, and not all of them need to be “boring”. The trick is to find a way for the children to learn as they have fun. On https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/money-games/ you’ll find a variety of games, and there is something for all ages. (I mean, really… who doesn’t like Lego?!).
Take a look at their site, and let me know which games your child(ren) will most likely enjoy! Do you have other tips and tricks for fellow parents when it comes to getting children slowly acclimated to money and spending? Have you spoken to your kids about the home they live in and what had to be done in order to make it so? Let me know! And, if you try Mortgage Calculator, leave me a comment telling me about what your kids thought!
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