Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Written by: Norah K.

Quarantine boredom is an unfortunate side effect of the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Weeks spent inside, with little flexibility for outdoor ventures, can be draining. Seeing the same people every day, doing the same things…you get the picture. You might choose to pick up a new hobby during quarantine. Video games can be a fun way to kill some time. You can even develop some skills, like problem solving and hand-eye coordination. One game, released during the quarantine, is a popular way of beating quarantine boredom. Upon its release, Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 1.88 million copies in three days in Japan alone, breaking previous sales records held by Pokémon Sword and Shield (1.3 million) and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (1.2 million). (If you’re unfamiliar with ACNH, watch this trailer.) Essentially, your character moves to a deserted island after purchasing a deserted island package from Tom Nook, pictured at left. How does this game about anthropomorphic animals relate to personal and financial management?


In ACNH, you start off in debt to Tom Nook. Luckily for you, Tom Nook offers zero-interest loans with no due dates. You must pay him about 50,000 bells (the game’s currency) to account for your travel arrangements, the accommodations, a NookPhone, labor, and tax. You can also pay your debt in Nook Miles, which can be earned by completing island activities. Once you pay off your initial debt, Tom Nook offers to build you a house, which puts you 98,000 bells in debt. This pattern is repeated; every time you pay off a debt, Tom Nook offers your character a chance to expand their home at greater costs. The game introduces players to a method of debt management known as the debt-snowball method. In the snowball method, you pay off your smallest debts first, working your way up to your greatest debt. In the real world, this greatest debt might be student loans or mortgages. The snowball method is a concept you can apply in both the game and in your future.


To earn bells or miles in ACNH, you can complete activities, such as catching fish, collecting fruits, and crafting items to sell. Some especially lucrative bell-making strategies include selling the “hot item” of the day at Nook’s Cranny (for which you’ll receive twice the profit), selling rare insects or fish (tarantulas, one of the rarest insects in the game, go for 8,000 bells each), and purchasing bell vouchers with your Nook Miles (each voucher gives you 3,000 bells and costs 500 miles). You can also buy and sell turnips from Daisy Mae. Turnip prices vary from week to week; you could either gain or lose your bells in the process. The turnip market is somewhat similar to the stock market. Buying turnips is essentially an investment, and when you sell them, you might lose bells. That’s an important thought to keep in mind when investing in real-world assets. Never expect gains, and don’t invest all of your money in one thing.


One final thing to keep in mind about ACNH is that consistent play is the best way to earn bells. Players can slowly accumulate bells by doing things around their island. In the real world, the best way to earn money is through consistent effort. Just like in ACNH, you can set small goals, or rewards, to encourage saving (like buying a new sweater or saving for a house expansion).


Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a valuable boredom-killer and tool for developing certain money-management skills that can be used in the real world. The adorable villagers and colorful graphics are just an added bonus.

Sources: 

Benjamin, Adam, et al. “How Animal Crossing Made Me a Better Money Manager.” The Simple Dollar, 1 Apr. 2020, www.thesimpledollar.com/financial-wellness/animal-crossing-better-money-manager.

Craddock, Ryan. “Animal Crossing: New Horizons Sold A Whopping 1.88 Million Copies In Three Days In Japan.” Nintendo Life, Nlife Media, 25 Mar. 2020, www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/03/animal_crossing_new_horizons_sold_a_whopping_1_88_million_copies_in_three_days_in_japan.

Lynn, Lottie. “Animal Crossing Money Making: How to Get Bells Fast in New Horizons Explained.” Eurogamer.net, Eurogamer.net, 24 Mar. 2020, www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-20-animal-crossing-bells-money-making-new-horizons-7018.

Ramsey Solutions. “How the Debt Snowball Method Works.” Daveramsey.com, Dave Ramsey, 26 Mar. 2020, www.daveramsey.com/blog/how-the-debt-snowball-method-works.