SPENT

SPENT is an online game about surviving poverty and homelessness that challenges players to make it through a month with $1,000. It’s been around since 2011, but I didn’t play the game until I saw it mentioned in Helaine Olen’s book. While playing the game, I found myself saying “no” to a lot of things: My theoretical kid running out to the sidewalk on a hot summer day because she hears the ice cream truck coming. Can she please get something? Nope. Can’t afford it. Being invited to a free concert by friends but not being able to go because I don’t want to spend the money for a sitter. And then there was this: While running low on cash, choosing between taking an extra shift at work to make some money and missing my kid’s school play, or going to see my kid. It’s a bunch of WWYDs basically. If you haven’t played before, give it a go here. And learn more about the game here.

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