{"id":2926,"date":"2018-05-11T10:39:59","date_gmt":"2018-05-11T14:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afcpe.org\/?p=2926"},"modified":"2019-04-23T15:44:02","modified_gmt":"2019-04-23T19:44:02","slug":"fridayfollow-making-finance-economics-fun-accessible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.afcpe.org\/news-and-publications\/blog\/fridayfollow-making-finance-economics-fun-accessible\/","title":{"rendered":"#FridayFollow: Making Finance & Economics Fun & Accessible!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Mario Fischel spent more than 20 years as manager of financial advisory programs at the World Bank.\u00a0 Today, he works as a financial education specialist and is the creator of the innovative financial education game, Bulls & Bears.<\/p>

AFCPE: What was your inspiration for Bulls & Bears?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

Mario<\/strong>: Bulls & Bears is a suite of tools \u2013 board game, online game, Guidebook, and lesson plans \u2013 that make the basics of finance and economics fun and accessible for all.<\/p>

We created Bulls & Bears to respond to the dire need for financial education among today\u2019s millennials and youth and the lack of suitable tools to address their needs. \u00a0We put together a multi-disciplinary team of investment, education and gamification experts to create a tool that people of all background enjoy and find useful.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

AFCPE: What audience is the game geared toward?<\/strong><\/p>

Mario:<\/strong>\u00a0The game is suited for anyone age 13+ with an interest in the subject, or an awareness that they should know more about it but are discouraged by its perceived difficulty.<\/p>

For financial educators and counselors, Bulls & Bears offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate support for customers\u2019 \u2013 and their children\u2019s \u2013 financial education.\u00a0 It can be used as a promotional gift for high-value clients, or it can be used for short (2-4 hours) seminars to attract new clients.\u00a0 We offer lesson plans and guidelines for effective classroom use in addition to the board game.<\/p>

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AFCPE: What\u2019s your vision for the game?<\/strong><\/p>

Mario<\/strong>: Make a measurable contribution to financial literacy by being used in all fields of life:\u00a0 schools, newspapers, financial institutions, personal counseling, etc.<\/p>

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AFCPE: As an organization, we are passionate about bridging gaps in the field of personal finance and meeting people where they are in their financial journey. Speak to this from your work.<\/strong><\/p>

Mario<\/strong>: The News Flash cards in the game always get people excited:\u00a0 people read about news from the worlds of business, politics, the economy, etc., and buy and sell assets in anticipation of their impact.\u00a0 Everyone loves to play the market and outsmart their rivals!\u00a0 This has proven to be a terrific learning tool, providing instant feedback and learning-by-doing.<\/p>

I recall the feedback from The National Parenting Center (TNPC) testing session:\u00a0 the news events really got people excited and what\u2019s best, they seemed to retain what they learned!<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

AFCPE: What\u2019s next for the Bulls and Bears team?<\/strong><\/p>

Mario<\/strong>: We are working with a major international news magazine on developing an app, and a foreign game company on developing an international version of our game.<\/p>

Mario answers our Friday 5:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>
  1. Your Why:<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

    Everybody needs personal finance, and they know they need it \u2013 but they\u2019re put off studying it because they think it\u2019s boring and complicated.\u00a0 That may be true \u2013 but only because of the way it\u2019s taught!<\/p>

    People can learn anything if it\u2019s boiled down to essentials and made fun and easy.<\/p>

    1. Your Favorite Quote:<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

      \u201cEverything should be made as simple as possible \u2013 but not simpler.\u201d (Albert Einstein)<\/p>

      1. Your Hero:<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

        Warren Buffett:\u00a0 he focuses on basics, invests for the long haul, ignores fashions, and speaks plain language.<\/p>

        1. Your Favorite Personal Finance Resource:<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>

          \u00a0Reading good newspapers<\/p>

          1. Your best advice:<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>