Saturday, February 19, 2011

Spent



PlaySpent.org is a poverty video game.

No, really. Imagine that you are one of the 14 million Americans who is unemployed. You lose your house and most of your savings. What will you do?

This website offers a click-through simulation, rather like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book, of what it's like trying to make ends meet working a minimum wage job -- or not working at all. It's put on by the Urban Ministry of Durham, NC. Fascinating. Share it with your computer-savvy teenagers and everyone you know.

3 comments:

  1. I'm actually in that spot right now, but I've found that getting creative really makes a difference. I was surprised at how much food I was able to grow on my small deck last year, making my own cleaning products has been a huge money saver, bargaining with my landlord saved more than I thought and when I wasn't able to find a job, I just created my own. Faith plays a big part and some days are hard, but in the end I know it will be worth it especially when the dream of a 10 acre homestead becomes a reality. Great post (:

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  2. Just lived it for 10 long months...hubby's back to work now, thank goodness, but it was pretty scary there for a while. I don't wish that kind of stress on anyone. ~Vonnie

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