How Are Finances like a Sudoku Puzzle?

A Sudoku is a logic-based puzzle that was popularized in 1986 by a Japanese puzzle company. It became popular in 2006 by a New York magazine called The Observer. In order to play Sudoku, you place numbers into a grid, following the rules of the game.

As we were discussing the game yesterday, I realized that Sudoku has many similarities with finances. Sudoku has many things in common with budgeting and keeping track of finances.

Accepting the Challenge

Some people really enjoy the challenge of solving a Sudoku puzzle, but others find it frustrating and avoid trying. It's the same with finances. Some people will tackle their finances like a puzzle and try to make their expenses fit into their budget. They will happily sort coupons and try to save as much money as possible. Others would rather not deal with it at all, and don't even bother to open any financial mail.

Simple Math

The rules of Sudoku are easy. You can only use one number in each row, each column, and each box. The rules of finance are easy too. Increase your revenue, reduce your expenses and invest the difference wisely. The challenge is in finding the right strategy that works in the particular situation.

Only One Number Will Fit

In Sudoku, the total of each row, column, or box must equal to 45. You cannot exceed that number. Likewise, when you prepare a budget, you cannot have expenses that exceed the amount of your revenue. The numbers must fit. There is nothing you can do to change that - it is the rule of the game.

Different Strategies

In both Sudoku and finances, you can apply a number of strategies to solve the puzzle. In Sudoku, you can try to solve horizontally, vertically, or in the box. You can choose to look for locations for particular numbers. There are many different ways that will yield the correct result. Likewise, in finance, you can choose to increase your revenue, reduce your expenses, or do both. You can find lots of little ways to reduce your expenses, or eliminate one big expense. The strategy is completely up to you.

Two people attempting to solve the same puzzle will be able to use different strategies and still be able to solve the puzzle.

Each One is Different

Each Sudoku puzzle is different, and will require a different combination of strategies to solve it. That is the same with finances. Each financial situation is different, and each will require a different strategy to solve it.

It Gets Easier with Practice

The first time you work on a Sudoku puzzle, you will find it to be relatively slow. As you get more practice, you will find that you get faster, as you have learned how to utilize the strategies efficiently. Likewise with finances, the more you work on your finances and the more you learn from experience, the easier it will become.

There's Another One

Once you finish a Sudoku puzzle, there is usually another one to take its place. You can go online, and a new puzzle is presented every day, or you can use a book, which provides a new puzzle on the next page. There is always a slight variation that requires a different strategy. Financial situations continually change, and require you to solve each day as a new puzzle.

Both Sudoku and Finances are Fun

Once you think of it as a game, even though it is challenging, solving Sudoku puzzles can be quite fun and addictive. Finances work the same way. If you accept the challenge, solving financial problems can also be fun.

There are many things Sudoku and finances have in common. They both have rules which must be met, but allow you the flexibility of choosing your own strategy. They both get easier with practice. Both Sudoku and Finances can become addictive and enjoyable.