Last Updated on March 4, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

The Game of Life: GOALS is an exciting expansion to the classic The Game of Life, where players strive to achieve various life goals while navigating through life’s twists and turns. In this version, players are given specific life goals to accomplish, and the first to achieve their set of goals wins. It adds a layer of strategy and competition, making the journey through life even more engaging and unpredictable.

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How to Play The Game of Life GOALS

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Objective

The goal of The Game of Life: GOALS is to be the first player to complete all of their Life Goals and reach retirement. Players will make decisions throughout the game to help them achieve these goals, earning money, acquiring assets, and managing family life along the way.

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Game Setup

1. Choosing Your Car Token:
   Each player chooses a car token and places it at the start of the board.
2. Dealing Life Goal Cards:
   Players are dealt two Life Goal cards. Each player selects one card to keep and discards the other. This card will guide your decisions during the game.
3. Shuffling the Decks:
   Shuffle the Career, Salary, and other event cards and place them face down on the board.
4. Starting Funds:
   Each player starts with a designated amount of money, which is kept in the bank.

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Game Flow and Taking Turns

1. Spinning the Spinner:
   Players take turns spinning the spinner to determine how many spaces they move on the board.
2. Making Choices:
   On your turn, you can choose whether to go to college, start a family, buy a house, or pursue a career. These decisions impact how you progress toward achieving your Life Goal.
3. Landing on Spaces:
   Players land on various spaces, each with different consequences, such as earning money, paying taxes, or completing parts of your Life Goal.

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Life Goal Spaces

1. Completing Life Goals:
   Some spaces on the board are directly tied to Life Goal achievements. When you land on these spaces, you can work towards completing your goal by collecting money or meeting other requirements.
2. Life Events:
   Players may face unexpected life events that could help or hinder their progress. Keep an eye on the cards you draw to stay ahead.

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Achieving Your Goals

1. Tracking Progress:
   As you complete milestones toward your Life Goal, place your Life Goal card in front of you to track your progress.
2. Earning and Spending Money:
   Money plays a key role in completing certain Life Goals. Be strategic in how you spend or save your money for future opportunities.
3. Building a Family and Assets:
   Some Life Goals require players to have a family or own specific assets. Consider these factors when making decisions during the game.

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Retirement

1. Reaching Retirement:
   Once a player completes all their Life Goals, they can head toward the retirement space. The player must declare that they have completed their goals and proceed with their final move.
2. Finishing the Game:
   The other players continue to finish their turns, but no one else can complete any more Life Goals. Players now tally up their total achievements.

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Winning the Game

1. Final Tallying:
   After everyone has completed their final turns, players calculate how many Life Goals they’ve completed and count their remaining money.
2. Determining the Winner:
   The player who has completed all their Life Goals and has the highest total score wins the game.

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Strategy Tips for Success

1. Focus on Life Goals:
   Early in the game, prioritize actions that move you closer to completing your Life Goal. Having a clear strategy can help you stay ahead of the competition.
2. Money Management:
   Money is important, but it should be spent wisely. Don’t accumulate unnecessary expenses that don’t help you achieve your goals.
3. Adapt to Opponents’ Moves:
   Keep an eye on your opponents’ progress. If they’re getting closer to completing their goals, adjust your strategy accordingly.

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Game Variations

1. Different Life Goals:
   If you want to mix things up, create custom Life Goal cards for a unique experience each time you play.
2. Multiple Rounds:
   For a longer game, consider playing multiple rounds, with the winner of each round earning points. The player with the most points after a set number of rounds wins.

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Learn how to play The Game of Life: GOALS! A strategic, goal-oriented expansion where players work to achieve life goals, make crucial decisions, and race to retirement.