The ESSI Money game supports students to explore the concepts of Earning, Saving, Spending and Investing in an educational and fun way. 30,000 unique players a year can’t be wrong!

Through game play based in a ‘virtual world’, students achieve an understanding of how decisions made over a period of time can have both positive and negative impacts on their financial situation. The game allows students to practise real life financial transactions and experience the consequences in a safe, fun and challenging way.

ESSI Money is targeted to middle years students, although all students from years 7 to 12 are effectively engaged with the game. It has direct links (but is certainly not restricted to) the following curriculum areas:

  • Mathematics
  • Economics and Business
  • Personal Development Programs

ESSI Money is targeted to middle years students, although all students from years 7 to 12 are effectively engaged with the game. It has direct links (but is certainly not restricted to) the following curriculum areas:

  • Mathematics
  • Economics and Business
  • Personal Development Programs

The online platform means that students can use the resource on any browser across all devices, both in the classroom and at home. Teachers have access to rich reporting data that allows them to monitor class game play and support student learning and progress throughout the game.

ESSI Money establishes an environment for students to explore and use a range of basic financial management concepts in the areas of Earning, Saving, Spending, and Investing.

The player is required to undertake a series of financial challenges throughout a virtual six month period, with the objective of achieving the best possible financial result. Actual ‘play time’ is contingent on a number of variables but can take between two and six hours.

The student plays the game on the premise that they are employed, independent, and at least 18 years old, so able to access and use credit.

In addition to Earning, Saving, Spending and Investing, the concept of net worth and the significance of insurance flow through the game.

Players are encouraged to strategise and reflect on decisions made throughout the game by setting goals, creating a budget and making regular diary entries.

ESSI Money desktop and mobile UX displaying the uShop app, with a product marketplace interface showing “This week’s hot items” including items like a Bluetooth speaker ($130), pineapple iTab ($400), plush toy ($1,350), and other products. The screen includes a sidebar of other app icons such as Messages, My Bank, and My Credit, along with a total net position balance display of $1,444. A mobile version of the same uShop screen appears alongside, mirroring the product listings.

The key learning areas are address by the following game elements:

Pink arm labelled “EARN” with an open hand as two dollar bills fall into the palm.

Earning

  • Applying for jobs
  • Planning a career path
  • Receiving and managing wages
Pink piggy bank labelled “SAVE” with a coin dropping in.

Saving

  • Choosing, opening and managing a range of banking products (including term deposits, and savings accounts)
  • Setting goals
  • Budgeting
Winged dollar bill labelled “SPEND” flying away.

Spending

  • Operating a transaction account
  • Managing income and living expenses
  • Budgeting
  • Using direct debit and automatic payments
  • Choosing a credit card
  • Managing credit responsibility
  • Buying and selling online
Orange plant pot labelled “INVEST” with a growing flower and water drops.

Investing

  • Setting investment goals
  • Buying and selling shares
  • Financial planning
  • Risk assessment
  • Superannuation as a lifetime investment
  • Term Deposits

The key learning areas are address by the following game elements:

Pink arm labelled “EARN” with an open hand as two dollar bills fall into the palm.

Earning

  • Applying for jobs
  • Planning a career path
  • Receiving and managing wages

Saving

  • Choosing, opening and managing a range of banking products (including term deposits, and savings accounts)
  • Setting goals
  • Budgeting
Pink piggy bank labelled “SAVE” with a coin dropping in.
Winged dollar bill labelled “SPEND” flying away.

Spending

  • Operating a transaction account
  • Managing income and living expenses
  • Budgeting
  • Using direct debit and automatic payments
  • Choosing a credit card
  • Managing credit responsibility
  • Buying and selling online

Investing

  • Setting investment goals
  • Buying and selling shares
  • Financial planning
  • Risk assessment
  • Superannuation as a lifetime investment
  • Term Deposits
Orange plant pot labelled “INVEST” with a growing flower and water drops.

If ESSI Money sounds like a resource you could use in your classroom, become a Financial Basics Foundation member to access the game
(and all other resources)!

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Safer Technologies 4 Schools badge

ESSI Money successfully qualified to be part of the Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) Product Badge Program in 2024.

The Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) service is a national standardised approach to evaluating digital products and services used by schools across Australia. It is supported by the state and territory governments and the Catholic and independent school sectors.

Learn more at www.st4s.edu.au.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is general educational information. It is not financial advice. Financial Basics Foundation is not a financial advisor. The information is designed to improve your financial literacy by increasing your awareness and understanding of the topics described.