Determined to avoid stress over their finances, four Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students have sparked a financial revolution on campus. Final-year students, Aurene Graciella, Tina Aw, Charmaine Chia, and Sally Manik, from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information have launched an eye-catching initiative: Playing with FIRE.
Diving into the FIRE movement, achieving Financial Independence, Retire Early, they are on a mission to inspire young Singaporeans to take control of their financial futures.
Fired Up To Spark Financial Awareness
The story behind Playing With FIRE is as relatable as it is inspiring. Like many students on the brink of graduation, Aurene, Tina, Charmaine, and Sally were grappling with big questions about adult life and money after their schooling years.
“How do we save for the future?”
“Can we afford to follow our dreams?”
“What does financial freedom even mean?”
These questions fuelled for their journey. The team resonated with the ongoing FIRE movement after encountering stories of people who had turned disciplined savings and investment strategies into early retirement dreams.
What struck them was not necessarily how achievable these principles are, but rather the importance of getting started. And so, Playing with FIRE was born — not just as a project but as a passion to demystify financial jargon and empower young adults to start their own journeys toward financial independence.
Source for all images: Playing With FIRE
(Back, from left, Aurene Graciella and Tina Aw. Front, from left, Sally Manik and Charmaine Chia)
What sets Playing with FIRE apart is the authenticity each member brings to the project, sharing their own financial challenges and aspirations. Many students also resonated with the challenges and uncertainties they have over their financial futures in Singapore – which is regularly ranked as one of the most expensive places in the world to live.
Read Also: Why The Cost Of Living In Singapore Is So High
Aurene is the queen of frugality. Known for her budget-friendly habits and a talent for finding side hustles — from banquet serving to warehouse gigs — she dreams of early retirement to travel the world.
Tina, once an impulsive shopaholic, is striving to transform into a disciplined planner. Her ongoing journey from overspending to embracing strategic saving serves as a beacon for those struggling to curb their spending habits.
Charmaine, who admits an addiction to Luckin Coffee’s Velvet Latte, strikes a balance between enjoying life now and saving for a future – with an aspiration to retire by 50. Her message? Striving for financial independence doesn’t mean having to give up on small joys.
Sally, the team’s finance translator, simplifies complex concepts for the group. Her goal is to retire early enough to travel spontaneously, explore her hobbies, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Centy: The Five-Cent Hero with a Big Personality
At the heart of the project is Centy, a plucky five-cent coin who serves as both a mascot and a guide for financial newbies. Whether exploring budgeting tips or unpacking investment basics, Centy keeps the tone light and relatable – appealing to its audience of undergraduate students.
The team carefully crafted Centy’s narrative to reflect the ups and downs faced by young adults navigating personal finance. From making sense of income to resisting the allure of impulse purchases, Centy’s tales feel like conversations with a close friend.
Through Centy, Playing With FIRE aims to strike a balance between education and entertainment, which is no small feat in the often intimidating world of finance.
Read Also: 4 Reasons Why Financial Literacy Is Important For Young Singaporeans
A Treasure Trove Of Resources And Engagement
The Playing with Fire website is filled with engaging content and interactive features that make learning about money enjoyable.
Its Money Mindset Quiz helps you identify your financial personality. Are you a cautious saver, a carefree spender, or somewhere in between? The quiz provides personalised insights and tips to improve your financial habits, based on your financial personality.
Those overwhelmed by financial jargon can browse the Starter Glossary to build your financial vocabulary. This curated list breaks down financial terms that undergraduate students and first-jobbers may encounter in their everyday lives.
Complex terms like “compound interest” and “index funds” are simplified into bite-sized, digestible explanations.
The Tale of Centy series follows Centy through relatable financial challenges, such as creating a budget or dealing with unexpected expenses. By presenting financial concepts as part of an engaging narrative, this section of Playing With FIRE makes learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.
The team also shares their personal experiences on their Read This! section, creating a supportive space for young adults to learn from one another. They’re building more than just a platform—they’re fostering a community.
FIREstarter: Upcoming Event On Financial Independence, Retire Early
As Playing With FIRE continues to grow, the team behind it is exploring new ways to engage their audience, by expanding their library of resources and more engaging content.
Another major initiative is their FIREstarter event on 2 March 2025, Sunday, 2-5pm at NTUC Centre, Room 801. The team behind Playing With FIRE will host a panel discussion dedicated to reimagining and kickstarting financial independence and early retirement (FIRE), especially for youths.
Hear from industry experts from various walks of life, including DollarsAndSense Co-Founder, Dinesh Dayani and many more, this session aims to inspire young adults to take charge of their financial journeys in an impactful way.
Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your path to FIRE – and register for the event!
Through their passion, creativity, and authenticity, the team behind Playing with FIRE is proving that financial literacy doesn’t have to be daunting. It can be empowering, liberating, and even fun. Whether you’re a student starting your first budget or a young professional looking for financial independence, Playing with FIRE has the tools, guidance, and inspiration to help you succeed in your financial goals.
Read Also: Financial Stability, Financial Independence, And Financial Freedom – What’s The Difference?
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