Something you might enjoy ...

Since on occasion, I have seen messages that tend to the philosophical side of life, I thought some of you might be interested in a site that I recently designed for a friend (I'm no Linda Caroll!). Not so much the design as the content and what's being offered.

I really don't intend this as a plug. I just think some of you contributors might enjoy looking and reading what's on the site.

Nan
WRITING ... Etc.




Here it is ... take a look.

This post is just to make a correction in my email address -- I don't know how that other one got there! It's still active, but I NEVER check it.

N.

Hi Nan.... :)

Thanks for pointing us to the site.... Interesting....

I think games really can be very beneficial.... I didn't really understand this until I purchased and played Cashflow 101 a few times....

What I noticed is that playing a *game* designed for teaching, is quite different from reading a book. In a sense, you are "learning by doing" but in a simplified environment....

For example, "Cashflow 101" is mostly about teaching you how to control your finances, use bank borrowing wisely, and a good method how to invest in real-estate. And it's actually fun too. :)

I found the experience was very different from just reading, since you can't help but start to THINK differently when you play a game like this....

I also recently mentioned "Capitalism Plus," a computer business simulation game.... Some have called it "Cyber Bill Gates".... I'm going to try that game out too and report back....

Why play a game, rather than do it "for real?" The idea is to make all your mistakes in the "virtual" environment, so instead of losing thousands of dollars in real life, you first lose thousands of dollars in a game. Then, once you have mastered the "virtual" environment, if it is a good simulation, you will actually be able to take many of these skills into real life....

It's like the simulations that figher pilots may use, for instance. Instead of flying a real plane, first they fly a simulation. Then, if they crash, they're not dead, and haven't destroyed many millions of dollars worth of equipment. They can hone their skills in the virtual environment....

And a good business simulation could potentially do the same thing. You could learn some vital skills by making mistakes, but without the thousands of dollars it could cost you in real life....

For that reason, I felt Cashflow 101 was actually a good purchase, I did start to think differently after I played it a few times. And Capitalism Plus seems to have some good reviews too (check my other post on this)....

I also believe some more "standard" games like Poker also teach you various skills related to business and deal-making.... Even monopoly teaches you the value of acquiring assets that make you money, like houses and hotels! You can't win in Monopoly without acquiring income-producing assets.... And this is a good lesson for real-life too.

A caveat is that you can't learn *everything* from a simulation. No simulation, I think, could do that, particularly in something as complicated as business. The trick is to work with simulations, but make sure you then make the jump into real life.... (Some get stuck in the "simulation world," and I believe that's a mistake....)

Thanks, Nan,

Cheers,

Dien


Cashflow 101-related stuff can be found here....

Hi Dien,

I became acquainted with Rich Dad, Poor Dad about 2+ years ago and went on to purchase "Cashflow 101".

Our family plays this game during get togethers and it certainly DOES make you think differently.

The first time we all played it, I managed to win...in spite of drawing lots of the 'doo-dad' cards! :)

Ah, but my sons quickly caught on... and I don't even mind that they now usually win since I'm proud that they seem to have grasped his concepts well...and taken them to heart. I have also purchased "Cashflow 202" for them but I haven't had the opportunity to play that yet. How about you?

Thanks for giving the URL to Robert Kiyosaki's website. I have wondered if others were as intrigued by his work as I have been. After just now viewing his discussion boards, it appears that he has developed quite a following.

Cheers to ya, Dien, this Wednesday morning!

~Amber

> For example, "Cashflow 101" is
> mostly about teaching you how to control
> your finances, use bank borrowing wisely,
> and a good method how to invest in
> real-estate. And it's actually fun too. :)

> I found the experience was very different
> from just reading, since you can't help but
> start to THINK differently when you play a
> game like this....

Hi Amber!

> Our family plays this game during get
> togethers and it certainly DOES make you
> think differently.

YES.... I found this quite surprising, actually! It is a funny experience... You really do start to *think* differently....

> The first time we all played it, I managed
> to win...in spite of drawing lots of the
> 'doo-dad' cards! :)

Yes, I first played with a friend and I beat him. (Must be all the business/finance reading I do....)

But then I played against my brother Thomas (who has posted here before), and he beat me the first time.

I guess since since he's studying finance at university, that may have helped!

At first, it took us about 3 hours to get out of the "rat race", but last time we were both almost out in around 45 minutes.... :)

But you really do learn a lot....

> Ah, but my sons quickly caught on... and I
> don't even mind that they now usually win
> since I'm proud that they seem to have
> grasped his concepts well...and taken them
> to heart. I have also purchased
> "Cashflow 202" for them but I
> haven't had the opportunity to play that
> yet. How about you?

Ah, I don't have Cashflow 202 yet... I may get it later on.... :)

Thanks Amber.... I think Robert Kiyosaki will probably start a trend, actually, and I wouldn't be surprised if educational business/investment games could really grow in the years ahead.... Because they really are probably one of the best educational tools around! :)

Cheers :)

Dien




Believe in your daydreams.... read Amber's incredible story.... :)

Nan wrote:

>I thought some of you might be interested in a
> site that I recently designed for a friend
> (I'm no Linda Caroll!). Not so much the
> design as the content and what's being
> offered.

****Nan, you are the greatest YOU that there is! Don't forget it!

Great site with interesting content and great streamlined design as well. Thanks for posting it!

I recently had a discussion about creating a game about living with passion, some folks had some REALLY neat ideas...think its definitely a compelling place to start the mind working.

Thanks again, and don't forget the first part of this post, y'hear? We California Gals need to remind each other of our own wonderfulness sometimes!

Hugs,

JULIE

Glad you enjoyed the site -- I thought you might! :-)

I don't have many good things to say about Bakersfield (even though I was raised there), but it does boast a few good folks -- my kids for one ... and you for another.

Thank you!

Nan
WRITING ... Etc.


Prosperity is only a game away!