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First, what is Cashflow 101? It's like Monopoly but all grown up. It is a realistic simulation of how you play cashflow in the real world only in this game you don't really lose your shirt and you learn how to win in the real world. It is fun, challenging, educational. Now I know what to do.

Now, Here are my game tips ...

1. Build a game "team." These are people you want to play with, grow with. I played with the same team 2x/month for six months. Now we are playing with real money! (and supporting each other.)

2. Always, no matter, what forgive yourself at the end of each game. I was so angry a couple of times that I was speechless. Once I realized where 200K had gone and why ... Like Robert says "Mistakes are simply indications of what you did not know." Get the lesson - let it go & move forward.

3. Try playing just the "Banker" position. Notice how respectfully you are treated by others when you are in control of their money!

4. When you pull your income/occupation card ask yourself how you feel ... Do you feel like a winner going into the game? How does that relate to how you feel in real life?

5. Don't drink alcohol while you are playing the game - you need your wits about you just like in real life ...

6. Have fun developing a system that works for you. You will take your system plus the knowledge plus your intuition into the real game and win!

7. Educate yourself! In addition to the game have your group read and discuss a financial book - financial opportunities ... financial dreams ...
Notice how little you are doing this now ...

8. Include your kids. The best gift you'll ever give them is financial literacy - the confidence that goes with knowing what to do and how to do it.

A perk - you'll know what they are up to because they'll be home playing with their friends! One of mine Loved it so much he would even play it solitaire!

Now ... more Cashflow 101 Game tips from other players ...

TIP #1: Never...Ever...Quit.
I believe that there are many things to understand to succeed at the game. But, for me, the most important is: NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER QUIT -- ON YOURSELF! No matter how you feel, NEVER QUIT!
– Kathleen M 

TIP #2: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone.
CASHFLOW 101 is so powerful because it reflects your true behavior and allows you to take risks in a safe environment. Step out of your comfort zone, and do things you may not feel comfortable doing in the “real world.” You’ll be amazed at how it changes your perspective.
– Jack N 

TIP #3: Celebrate the Joy of Success.
The biggest 'tip' I have learned so far is that your way to wealth is the joy- not the wealth- you achieve. This became very clear to me after playing dozens of times and realizing that I would actually SKIP the Dreams on the Fast Track! I was more interested in winning the game than 'golfing around the world.'
– Jeff B 

TIP #4: Focus on Your Goals.
I found that while playing the game, I would focus on the 'negative' spaces – "Baby" or "Downsized" – and hope not to land there. I was focusing specifically on what I didn't want, and, oddly enough, landing on those spaces most often. I began to repeat the numbers I WANTED to have come up, and just as oddly, those numbers seemed to come up more than mere chance would support. The lesson is simple: focus on your goals, not on what may go wrong.
– Hugh C 

TIP #5: Only Take Advice from Successful People.
When the Opportunity Card comes up, some people look to fellow players for guidance. Make sure that those you take advice from are having success and on their way to getting out of the Rat Race!
– Cal J 

TIP #6: Your words are your reality. Never Say “Can’t.”
There is ALWAYS a way. Think outside the box. Find a way to make your “can’t” a “can.” 
– Grace N 

TIP #7: Take Note of Your Overall Habits.
After playing the game, take note of your overall habits- good and bad. Evaluate how those habits helped or hindered your game play. In the next game, make a concerted effort to change the habits that may have prevented you from getting out of the Rat Race.
– Toni E 

TIP #8: Get Rid of Bad Debt.
The thing that has expedited my exit from the Rat Race: Paying off ‘bad debt.’
– Bridget S 

TIP #9: Create Your Own Rules.
Creating your own rules (or modifying the game rules) can make CASHFLOW 101 more challenging. For instance, play a game where you and your teammates: (a) Pass on purchasing $1 & $5 stock deals; (b) Remove $0 down real estate transactions; (c) Remove all the doodad cards that are $100 or less.
– Dylan B 

TIP #10: Don’t Limit Yourself.
Along with bad debt, there is good debt. Don’t limit yourself to your cash on-hand. The lower the price of the stock, the more money you should borrow. When you eventually sell your shares, your rate of return will more than make up for any bank payments you have to make.
– Roosevelt C 

TIP #11: Give Back.
Giving back is a necessary step in getting out of the Rat Race. Newton’s law states, “For every action there is a reaction.” Give and you shall receive.
– Lisa N 

TIP #12: Put Your Ego on the Shelf.
The game has showed me some things about myself I never would have guessed- like the fact that my ego gets me in more trouble than anything else. The deals you turn down count just as much as the deals you make. Don't let your ego get you in over your head.
– Tami R 

TIP #13: Be Able to Make Quick Decisions.
As Robert says, “Fortune favors the prepared mind.” When the “Opportunity Card” comes up, you need to be able to determine if it is a good or bad deal quickly. Otherwise, just like in the “real world,” you might miss a great opportunity.
– Phil L 

TIP #14: Learn From Your Mistakes.
Mistakes are opportunities to learn something new. Take risks, make mistakes… and be smarter for it!
– George C 

TIP #15: Give Feedback to Fellow Players, Not Advice.
Feedback occurs after the action, advice happens before the action. Your fellow players will learn more if you tell them what they did and how they might try a different approach next time, rather than telling them what to do and how to do it.
– John D 

TIP #16: Reinvest Your Cash.
Don’t let it sit there doing nothing… get your money working for you so you can get out of the Rat Race!
– Jenny M 

TIP #17: Learn From Others.
Take note of fellow players’ winning game strategies. Next time, test them out for yourself.
– Cheridan S  

TIP #18: Overcome Fear.
Fear isn’t the problem; it’s how you handle fear: specifically, the fear of losing money. Losers are defeated by failure. Winners are inspired by it.
– Jorge T 

TIP #19: Always Look For Opportunities.
No matter where you are in the game… always be on the lookout for opportunities.
– Elle J 

TIP #20: Reflect on Lessons Learned.
Always think about what you can learn from the game you just played. You may not always have time to reflect on the game as it is played (and sometimes it is more interesting NOT to play, but to just observe!), but you should always take time later to think about the game and what it taught you. This is part of the educational process and so it should be savored. You can learn a lot about how investing works, how well your investment strategies pay off, and what it takes to exit the real Rat Race.
– Dave G

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