Last Updated on May 27, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Future Me Problems is a lighthearted card game by Mattel, inspired by Sarah Andersen’s beloved webcomic Sarah’s Scribbles. Designed for 2–4 players aged 7 and up, it playfully celebrates procrastination by rewarding players for indulging in distractions and cleverly avoiding responsibilities.

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How to Play Future Me Problems

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Objective

Accumulate the most points by collecting Distraction cards while steering clear of Responsibility cards. The game concludes when a player draws the dreaded Large, Important Task card, triggering the final scoring.

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Components

• Schedule Deck: 54 cards that dictate your actions each turn.
• Activity Deck: 42 cards comprising:
  • Distractions: Fun activities that earn you points.
  • Responsibilities: Tasks that cost you points.
  • Large, Important Task: A single card that ends the game when drawn.

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Setup

1. Shuffle both the Schedule and Activity decks separately.
2. Insert the Large, Important Task card into the middle of the Activity deck.
3. Deal each player a starting hand (as per the game’s instructions).
4. Determine the starting player.

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Gameplay

Players take turns in a clockwise direction. On your turn:

1. Play a Schedule Card: These cards allow actions such as:
   • Drawing from the Activity deck.
   • Forcing other players to draw.
   • Swapping cards.
   • Skipping turns.
2. Draw Activity Cards: Based on your Schedule card’s instruction, draw the specified number of Activity cards.
   • Distractions: Add to your score.
   • Responsibilities: Subtract from your score.
   • Large, Important Task: Ends the game immediately.
3. End of Turn: Discard used Schedule cards and replenish your hand as per the game’s rules.

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Ending the Game

The game concludes instantly when a player draws the Large, Important Task card. All players then tally their points:

• Distractions: +1 point each.
• Responsibilities: -1 point each.
• Large, Important Task: -5 points to the player who drew it.

The player with the highest total score wins!

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Strategy Tips

Pass the Buck: Employ Schedule cards that force opponents to draw, increasing their chances of encountering Responsibilities or the Large, Important Task.

Maximize Distractions: Aim to collect as many Distraction cards as possible.

Avoid Responsibilities: Use Schedule cards strategically to sidestep Responsibility cards.

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Video Tutorial