If you've ever won at The Game of Life, you know that success depends on making the right moves at the right times. You have to choose a lucrative career, decide when to buy a house or get married, and then reach retirement with enough money to live well.

Of course, you also have to respond wisely to all of the surprises that The Game of Life sends your way.

These days there are many different versions of The Game of Life—from one with a SpongeBob SquarePants theme to one based on The Wizard of Oz. But did you know that the very first edition of the game was created over 150 years ago?

The Game of Life was originally called The Checkered Game of Life. It was designed by Milton Bradley, the celebrated board game pioneer, in 1860, and its purpose went well beyond fun and games. Bradley hoped that his game would teach people how to make wise and moral decisions—ones that would help them avoid poverty and disgrace in real life.

The original Game of Life resembled a checkers board but included spaces representing much darker themes than what today's players would recognize. Cards and dice were not used in the original game because they were associated with gambling; and Bradley, therefore, considered them inappropriate for the moral instruction his game was supposed to provide.

The Checkered Game of Life was an immediate success for Milton Bradley, and he went on to create many more popular board games.

In 1960, the Milton Bradley company introduced an updated version of the original game, this time called simply The Game of Life. It was supposed to provide a more cheerful and upbeat experience, with brighter colors and fun playing pieces in the shape of automobiles. The new version also emphasized the rewards of Pay Days rather than the threat of disgrace and poverty.

One thing that didn't change, though, was the game's objective and the strategy required to win it: you had to choose your path carefully, making wise financial decisions similar to the ones that people make in real life.

And just like real life, playing The Game of Life doesn'talways go the way you expect it to go. For instance, you might lose your job and end up in debt. Or you might have to pay taxes that you didn't save enough money for.

Of course, some of the surprises are good: You might receive several big pay raises, earn money from investing, or even receive a massive inheritance.

Although The Game of Life is a board game, it can teach players a few things about money management and personal finance. For instance, in real life as in the game, it's important to make smart, informed decisions, to plan for setbacks, and to minimize risks. These are the kinds of moves that help people achieve financial success.

Like The Game of Life, this course is designed to help you think through the kinds of financial decisions you'll need to make as you go through life. Each module focuses on one specific topic related to planning your own financial future. If you pay attention and choose wisely, you can succeed in the actual game of life. And if you get another chance to play Milton Bradley's game, that certainly wouldn't hurt your chances, either.