SOME cash-strapped families in the UK have taken their big-spending habits to the Monopoly game board. In fact, exhibitors at the London Toy Fair said last week that the poor economy has boosted the sales of all sorts of board games. Instead of going out for a movie and popcorn, more people are staying home to play games, cards or marbles. "We are actually pleased with the recession, because when the world is falling apart, everyone recalls their childhood memories and buys marbles," Sarah Campbell, a sales manager at the House of Marbles, told Reuters. Meanwhile, the makers of Monopoly continue to update the classic game. Players still buy real estate and charge rent to players who land on their property. But now the game features debit cards instead of "cash".