Imagine navigating life’s financial decisions like a strategic game. That’s the essence of “playing for life”—making smart choices to ensure long-term financial stability and growth. For some of you guys in Gen Z, balancing income, investments, and other financial priorities can feel overwhelming. But what if you could take control of your financial journey in a fun and engaging way?
Let your Tita Jellybeans shed some light on this and share some of my own experiences.
Strategies to Play for Life
Manage Your Resources
Think of managing your money like playing a resource-management game. In my case, creating a budget was my first step towards financial control, setting spending limits and regularly adjusting them as my financial situation changed. This approach helped me avoid unnecessary expenses and prioritize savings.
Build a Survival Kit
An emergency fund is like your in-game survival kit. My first financial goal was to save three months’ worth of living expenses. Automating transfers to a separate savings account ensured I stayed on track. This fund became a lifeline during unexpected events, such as medical emergencies, providing me peace of mind and a sense of financial stability.
Defeat the Debt Boss
Take it from me: conquering debt can feel like defeating a powerful game boss. I found it best to prioritize paying off high-interest debts first, which significantly reduced my financial burden over time.
Avoiding new debts and focusing on paying off existing ones is crucial in my journey toward financial freedom, so you can bet I sometimes hide my credit cards during peak shopping season.
Invest in Power-Ups
Investing is like collecting power-ups that boost your abilities in a game. You might hear this all the time but it is best to start early. It will enable you to benefit from compound interest, significantly growing your investments over time. Diversifying your portfolio will also reduce risks and maximize returns.
Prepare for the Endgame
Planning for retirement is akin to preparing for the inevitable endgame. I’ve seen firsthand how something you may be counting on from your work or family may just disappear into the void. Anticipating your future needs and making regular contributions to retirement accounts are some of key steps I would recommend as you prepare for your future.
Sun Life is Your Partner for Life
Still find yourself at a loss at game of personal finance?
Fortunately, Sun Life aims to equips individuals like you with the tools and knowledge needed for lifetime financial security and healthier lives. Its latest initiatives emphasize financial literacy through gamification, making learning about finance engaging and accessible to more Filipinos, especially those in younger generations.
Play for Life Online Game
Sun Life’s new game, Play for Life: A Game of Choices, mirrors real-life financial decisions. Launched in June 2024, this single-player online game allows players to achieve life goals by making strategic financial and life choices. From selecting a career to navigating life’s ups and downs, the game offers a realistic financial journey that ends with players accumulating enough play money to reach their goals. Want to play it with your squad? Take heart: a multi-player version of the game is set to launch soon.
Know more about it here.
Play for Life Boardgame
At a recent media conference held at Conrad Manila, I had the chance to try a more immersive, table-top boardgame version of Play for Life: A Game of Choices. Together with fellow attendees, I chose characters (such as a teacher or a BPO agent) and rolled the dice which led to life decisions (such as having a baby or investing in education) or circumstances (such as medical emergencies) that have either short-term or lasting impact on my finances which, in turn, affect how I get to achieve a financial goal. The experience was enlightening, demonstrating how financial decisions impact our lives. Through the gameplay, I gleaned insights from my decisions as well as from fellow players.
During this event, Sun Life unveiled its latest digital video commercial featuring celebrity ambassadors Piolo Pascual, Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli, and Matteo Guidicelli playing the board game. They also shared their experiences and learnings from the game and from their real-life experiences, making the event both informative and enjoyable.
The good news is that you can experience this table-top version of the boardgame. All you need to do is visit your nearest Sun Life branch. A Sun Life Financial Adviser can serve as your game master and guide you through your game play.
Life-Size Game Tour
For those seeking an even more interactive experience, a life-size version of Play for Life will be touring select areas around the country. You can navigate giant game boards and make real-life choices at these locations and dates:
- SM Sta Rosa from July 27 to 28, 2024
- SM Lanang in Davao from August 24 to 25, 2024
- SM Iloilo from September 14 to 15, 2024
Table-top boardgame versions will also be available during these activations, so you can play it with your family and friends.
Travel and Giftaway Vouchers Up for Grabs
Have an existing Sun Life policy? You can get a chance to win a Php100,000 travel voucher to Japan or Giftaway vouchers worth up to Php10,000! All you need to do is play the Play for Life game by participating in any of the mall activations or playing online, then submitting the form at the end of the game. Winners will be drawn up among eligible Sun Life clients via an electronic randomizer. Promo runs until October 31, 2024.
Know more about this promo for clients here.
Non-Sun Life clients also have the chance to win a trip for two to Vietnam or Giftaway vouchers worth up to Php10,000. Just play the online version of Play for Life and fill out the “Double the Pot” form. Winners will be selected via a raffle draw among eligible entries, and announced on September 18, 2024.
Know more about this promo for the public here.
“Rank Your Money Moves” on TikTok
Sun Life has also launched an interactive TikTok filter called “Rank Your Money Moves.” This gamified filter lets you rank your priorities such as love life, food, and travel, providing a fun financial personality type based on their choices. Trying out the filter was a fun way to reflect on your financial priorities and gain new insights.
Try it out here.
It’s time to turn your game plan into actual moves towards financial freedom. Consult a Sun Life advisor to create a personalized financial strategy or visit Sun Life’s website for more information. By taking proactive steps today, you can secure a brighter and more stable financial future.
So my dear young ‘uns, embrace the game of life with confidence and strategy, and let Sun Life be your partner in achieving financial success.
Check out my previous posts about financial freedom:
Check out my posts about Sun Life:
Jellybeans in the City 