At The Nurts, we love championing local talent—and in this edition of our Local Creators Spotlight, we're excited to introduce you to Saw Shin Yin, the mind behind The Money Genius card game.
This parent-designed educational tool was created by a mum who wanted to make financial literacy fun and accessible for her own children. In this Q&A, Shin Yin shares her journey from kitchen table prototype to a game that’s now helping families across Malaysia talk money with confidence.
1. What inspired you to create The Money Genius, and how did the idea first come about?
The inspiration came from a simple car ride conversation with my daughter during Chinese New Year. She asked, “How come Grandma and Grandpa are retired but still have money to buy me milk and Yakult?” I casually mentioned terms like retirement and passive income, which sparked even more questions from her.
That one moment made me realise the power of curiosity—and how little tools exist to explain these concepts in a fun, visual way. That’s when I decided to create something playful yet meaningful to help children understand the basics of money.
2. Can you walk us through the design and development process?
It started with a basic idea: create a game that makes money concepts engaging for kids. The first version was literally drawn on black-and-white A4 paper. I tested it with my daughter and her friends—who promptly told me it was “too dull and flimsy.” 😅
Their feedback guided every step of the development process. I switched to colourful, matte-finished cards, added illustrations, and refined the content until it was both sturdy and visually exciting. I also designed special power cards that teach problem-solving through play. The whole journey was fuelled by the desire to make financial education more enjoyable and less intimidating.
3. What were the biggest challenges in bringing your game to life?
The hardest part was simplifying complex money concepts so they could be easily understood by kids. I constantly tested the game with children, tweaking visuals and fine-tuning the gameplay until it struck the right balance between fun and educational.
Another challenge was the game manual! Making the instructions clear and intuitive took several rounds of revision, especially when introducing special card functions and gameplay mechanics.
4. Any funny or unexpected moments during the process?
Yes! One of the funniest moments was when my daughter’s teenage friends played the black-and-white version. It was printed on regular paper and literally tore apart mid-game. That became a running joke—“Mummy’s game too intense for A4 paper!”
It also motivated me to make the cards not just functional, but really durable.
5. How did you test the game, and what kind of feedback helped shape the final version?
I tested it with my daughter, her friends, and their parents. The kids loved the concept but craved more colour and excitement. Parents, on the other hand, appreciated the real-world connections and the way the game opened up money-related conversations at home.
Their insights helped me develop a product that’s not only educational but also family-friendly and engaging across age groups.
6. What are your best tips for families playing The Money Genius?
Play together as a family—and play it more than once! Each round can spark different conversations. Use the game as a springboard to discuss real-life topics like inflation when grocery shopping, budgeting during birthday planning, or tracking electricity bills together. It’s a great tool for developing money awareness through everyday life.
7. What makes The Money Genius different from other games?
It was born out of real-life parenting, not from a textbook. It’s not just a game—it’s a flexible learning tool that grows with your child. It helps them grasp complex financial ideas without feeling overwhelmed.
It also integrates life skills like decision-making, budgeting, and critical thinking—all in a way that feels fun, not like homework.
8. Do you have a favourite memory from seeing someone play your game?
Yes! I once watched my daughter explain budgeting to her younger brother at his birthday party, and later, she casually told her dad why bread prices had increased—“It’s inflation, daddy.” 😄
Seeing her apply those concepts in real life made me realise the game was truly working. It was one of my proudest moments as both a parent and a creator.
9. What do you hope players take away from the game?
I hope they walk away with curiosity, confidence, and the courage to ask questions about money. If the game can spark thoughtful conversations and help children feel empowered around financial topics, then I know it’s doing what it was meant to do.
10. Why did you choose to collaborate with The Nurts?
Partnering with The Nurts has been a game-changer—pun intended! 😄
They’ve helped The Money Genius reach more families, and their support in handling marketing and sales allowed me to focus on refining the product. I’m grateful for their belief in the mission and their role in amplifying the impact of this little idea born from one big question in the backseat of a car.
