
“Prodigality and illiberality are at once excess and defect in the matter of wealth.”
— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book IV, Chapter 1 (Translated by W.D. Ross)
Big Idea
Life’s a wealth-management RPG
→ You’re the Banker → Every dollar spent/saved programs your financial karma
→ Liberality = Balanced transactions (wise giving + smart saving)
→ Prodigality = Crypto-like volatility | Illiberality = Frozen wallet → Both corrupt your credit score
Real-Life Scenarios
Grocery Temptation
→ Virtue Move: Buy needs + donate extras → Unlocks ”Community Builder” badge
→ Vice Glitch: Max credit cards on junk → Debt zombies chase you
Birthday Dilemma
→ Virtue: Thoughtful 30gift→Gains∗∗”HeartofGold”XP∗∗→∗∗Vice∗∗:500 luxury show-off → Reputation meter drops to ”Fake Friend”
Emergency Fund Crossroads
→ Virtue: Save 10% paycheck → Activates ”Future-Proof” shield
→ Vice: Blow savings on NFTs → Game Over: Instant ramen diet
What You Can Do
1. Daily Money Diary
Track 3 days of transactions:
→ Example: “Tipped struggling waiter → +20 Generosity XP”
2. Weekly Budget Patch
Fix financial glitches:
→ Bug: Subscribed 5 streaming services → Patch: Cancel 3 + donate $15/month
3. Role-Play Riches
Ask friends: “If I anonymously donated $100, how would my life storyline change?”