Date Night Club (April 2020): Get Out Your Financial Toolbox

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Let's start with an icebreaker question ...

What’s the most important money lesson you’ve learned so far?

MONTHLY BUDGET CHECK-IN

  • Did you stay on track this month?

  • Did any surprises come up - positive or negative?

  • Did the way you used your money align with your values?

  • If you got off track, what's 1-2 steps you can each take to get back on track again?

Whether you’re hurting financially, trying to ride the waves, or in a positive financial place, during this month’s date night I want to remind you of the tools you have in your financial toolbox to face whatever comes your way.

Check out this video to get the conversation started ...

Conversation:

Let’s take a look at what you’ve learned. Ask one another:

  1. Discuss childhood financial lessons:

    1. What did you learn from watching your parents/guardians?

    2. Were there challenges that you faced as a family that helped you grow?

    3. Any mistakes your parents/guardians made that you learned from?

  2. Discuss three financial challenges you’ve faced:

    1. What was the challenge?

    2. What was the most difficult part about it?

    3. How did you get through it?

    4. What did you learn?

activities:

Let’s identify the tools in your toolbox …

  1. Make a list of the “tools” that came up during your conversations. These might be financial behaviors, qualities that helped you navigate the challenges, learnings you had, etc. Put your or your spouse’s name next to the specific tools you each have. Have other tools that didn’t come up in the conversation? Feel free to add those, too.

  2. Apply these tools to the current situation you’re facing. What tools from your toolbox might you use to make the situation better? What do you each bring to the table to help you fix and/or anticipate any challenges that may come?

  3. Keep this list of tools handy, so the next time you face a financial challenge you can lean on your individual and collective strengths. As you face new challenges (and glean new learnings), continue to add to your list.

Feeling the hit from COVID-19? Use this week’s blog article to find the help you need.

smart goal CHECK-IN

  • What progress have you each made toward this goal?

  • What progress would you like to make in the next month?

  • How will you hold each other accountable?

See? That wasn't as hard as you thought!

Have questions as you’re digging through your financial toolbox? Send me an email at: grace@classyfrugalist.com and let me know where you’re getting stuck.