Play More, Spend Less with Game Spent!
Welcome to SPENT – Experience Life on the Edge of Poverty
Introductions
Welcome to SPENT, an interactive online game that challenges you to walk in the shoes of millions who struggle every day to make ends meet. This website is your guide to understanding, playing, and reflecting on the powerful message behind SPENT — a simulation that puts your decision-making to the test in a world where every dollar, and every choice, matters.
What Is SPENT?
Developed by McKinney for Urban Ministries of Durham, SPENT is more than just a game — it’s a reality check. It invites players to imagine life on the margins, where you’re only one unexpected bill away from financial disaster. With just $1,000 to last the month, players must navigate real-life challenges like affording food, paying rent, keeping their job, and protecting their family’s health.
The game presents these choices in a raw, unfiltered way. Should you take your sick child to the doctor or wait it out? Do you pay for car repairs or skip work and risk losing your job? Each choice has consequences, and there are no easy answers — just like in real life.
Why Play SPENT?
SPENT is more than entertainment — it’s education and empathy combined.
By playing the game, you gain a deeper understanding of:
The economic challenges faced by low-income families
How poverty affects decision-making and mental health
The hard trade-offs between necessities like housing, food, and healthcare
The systemic nature of financial instability in modern society
Whether you’re a student, teacher, policymaker, or just a curious individual, SPENT offers a unique, engaging way to explore social issues that affect millions.
Explore Our Site
On this website, you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your SPENT experience:
Play the Game: Jump straight into the challenge with our quick access link to the official SPENT game.
Game Guide: Learn strategies for survival, job options, and how to navigate tough decisions.
Educational Resources: Perfect for classrooms and group learning. We provide lesson plans, discussion questions, and reflective activities.
Real Stories: Hear from real people who live the reality simulated in SPENT. Understand their resilience, struggles, and hope.
Get Involved: Want to help? We offer ways to support organizations fighting poverty and homelessness in your community.
A Game That Sparks Change
Since its release, SPENT has been played by over 4 million people worldwide and has sparked meaningful conversations about inequality, empathy, and social responsibility. By making people feel what it’s like to live with constant financial stress, the game accomplishes what statistics alone cannot.
Conclusion:
SPENT is not just a game — it’s a window into the daily struggles of individuals and families living on the edge of poverty. By simulating the difficult financial and moral decisions people face every day, SPENT challenges players to confront the harsh realities of economic inequality. Whether you’re a student, educator, or concerned citizen, this experience fosters empathy, raises awareness, and inspires action
We invite you to explore, reflect, and share. Use this website as a tool to deepen your understanding, start conversations, and become part of a movement that values compassion, education, and change.