How a board game is changing attitudes towards investing.

Getting out of the rat race is the name of the game.

“You start in the rat race at the middle of the board,” says Julie Cavassa of Life Tools, who is giving locals a chance to play the board game Cashflow 101. “Passing payday, paying bills...until your passive income is equal or more than your monthly expenses.” Players are assigned positions in society, and given real-life liabilities. Once out of the rat race, whoever accumulates the most money wins.

If the game sounds real life, that’s the idea. Designed by investment wizard Robert Kiyosaki, author of best-seller Rich Dad Poor Dad, Cashflow 101 works on increasing financial literacy and investment opportunities.

Cavassa used the game in seminars. She and Luanne Hutchings of My Private Liason learned so much from it that they wanted to share it.

“The game changed my approach to creating the financial independence we all talk about,” she says. “We wanted to open the door for people in the community to see how they are looking at their finances.” They bought four games and began holding semimonthly game sessions.

While “financial literacy” and “fun” may seem strange bedfellows to some, participants disagree.

“It was easy to understand and actually very fun,” says Dede Duncan, a public relations and marketing director for Salinas-based Hydro Turf.

Cavassa says it’s especially relevant here on the Peninsula.

“It’s important in Monterey County because we have such a high cost of living…people can’t afford a house so they buy a BMW...that just takes you to the place where you’re dependent on a job.”

Linda Shepard, a realtor with Keller-Williams Realty, took away good experience and insight. “No matter your education level,” she says, “if you understand money, you can win in the big game of money and life.”

THE CASHFLOW PLAYING CLUB meets at the Central Coast Creative Center, 455 Reservation Rd., Marina, Wednesday, March 8, at 7-10pm. $15/person (portion of proceeds goes to local charities). reservations required. 884-9672.