Financial Expedition 2018 | 31 March 2018 | Great Eastern Centre for Excellence
On the last day of March, the highly anticipated Financial Expedition (FINEX) took off with great vigor and enthusiasm as participants ran to different stations around Singapore. Various teams arrived early at the Great Eastern Centre for Excellence, the headquarters of FINEX, to register. By 9:00 a.m., the room was filled with joyful chatter and strategic discussions initiated by the participants.
The energetic participants were then guided into a large auditorium for the opening ceremony. After a brief opening address, FINEX Chairperson Mr. Lucas Leong and Guest of Honour Ms. Regina Chia gave their speeches. Next, the event’s Co-Chairpersons, Mr. Dickson Tan and Mr. Jimmy, conducted a safety and game instruction briefing. Participants listened attentively, eager to gain any advantage. After the briefing, participants were guided to the ground floor to await the commencement of FINEX.
At 10:00 a.m. sharp, the game began with the sound of running feet as each group headed to their respective destinations. Each station’s challenges tested participants both mentally and physically, combining financial literacy with interesting labor tasks. Participants needed to be quick-witted and make swift decisions to earn as many points as possible. They also used an Online Stock Market, an online trading platform where they could buy and sell stocks using points earned from station games. Teams that effectively utilized these tools had a competitive edge.
One of the station games, “Go Premium or Go Home,” was stationed at Marina Barrage. Teams played a real-life version of Monopoly, where they had to buy as many assets as possible. Players chose their preferred type of credit card and paid an annual fee each round. Failing to do so resulted in penalties. Four teams competed to see whose assets had the highest value at the end, determining the rankings.
The stations also featured mini-games that brought great laughter. For instance, “Guess the Words” required one player to guess what another was saying while wearing headphones blasting loud music, often resulting in hilarious miscommunications. “Flip & Match” had participants flip and match cards representing countries and their currencies, enhancing their knowledge in a fun way. “Fork in the Coin” challenged players to roll a 50-cent coin into the tines of a fork, igniting their fighting spirit despite the difficulty. Lastly, “Spin & Throw” involved spinning five times before throwing table tennis balls into a distant bucket within a minute.
Each station game had a 10-minute time limit, prompting teams to play quickly and accumulate points. The competitive spirit was evident as participants pushed themselves to keep up. After each game, rankings were tabulated, with reactions of joy and disappointment from the teams. However, they quickly regained their energy and moved on to the next station.
Other station games included taking pictures of price tags and participating in physical exercises like push-ups, throwing darts at balloons, and shooting cans with a toy gun. It was a memorable, fun, and sweat-filled experience for everyone involved.
The fastest 10 teams to clear all station games and return to headquarters qualified for the finale, where more points could be earned. Even participants who didn’t make it to the finale could still win if their points were high enough. The finale focused on the stock market, where teams bought and sold stocks based on their decisions. They could bid for scenario cards to affect stock prices, requiring clear thinking and good decision-making skills. Some teams even used psychological tactics to gain an upper hand.
While the finale took place, the rest of the participants rested in the auditorium after a sumptuous lunch. A representative from Great Eastern spoke about their prestigious internship program, and club advisor Dr. Koh Noi Keng offered financial planning advice. A lucky draw awarded CapitaLand vouchers and a $65 Sudio Sweden Earpiece to several participants. Ms. Regina Chia, the Guest of Honour, then gave a closing speech encouraging continued learning about financial management.
The closing ceremony commenced at 4:00 p.m., with the highly anticipated prize presentation. Participants eagerly awaited their names to be called. As the winners were announced, there were expressions of disbelief and joy. The winners collected their prizes, satisfied that their efforts had paid off. The event concluded with a mass photo of the participants, Guest of Honour, and committee members.
It was truly an unforgettable day for both participants and committee members. After a tiring day of activities, participants learned many financial literacy skills in a fun manner. The dedicated effort of the committee members over several months culminated in a hugely successful event, well-received by all. As the day ended and everyone headed home for a well-deserved rest, the Financial Expedition 2018 came to a close. We hope that Financial Expedition 2019 will be just as enjoyable and exciting, promising more fun, laughter, and knowledge. Until then!
