Date Night Club (March 2020): Finding the Right Balance Together

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Let's start with an icebreaker question ...

  • What are three things you’re most grateful for right now? Why?

  • What are three financial decisions you’ve made in the last few years that you’re most grateful for? Why?

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?

During one of the most anxious times in our nation’s history, I know we are all looking for ways to find solid footing again. In today’s date night club, I’m going to help you find more solid footing in your financial life by discovering the right balance of saving, spending, giving, and acquiring. 

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

Conversation:

We’ll begin by taking a closer look at which of these money personalities comes easiest to you and which are a bit of a stretch:

  1. Which of the four money personalities: spender, saver, giver, acquirer comes easiest to you?

  2. Which of these money personalities is a bit of a stretch for you?

  3. Amongst the two of you are there any personalities you don’t have covered? Are there any that are over-represented?

activities:

  1. Find Today’s Balance: Take a look at your budget and see how you’re spending, saving, giving, and acquiring money. Don’t have a budget that you can draw on for this exercise? Take a look at your credit card and bank statements over the last month or two. Or, use my favorite tool, Mint, to help you organize your finances so you can see everything in one place. Don’t miss the unseen dollars — be sure to include anything you’re saving pre-tax through your employer in your calculation.

    1. Which traits are dominant and which have some room for growth?

    2. What percentage of your money are you saving, spending, and giving? How much has your income grown, and are you looking for new ways to grow it?

    3. Draw a pie chart of approximately how much money is going toward saving, giving, acquiring, and spending. NOTE: Acquiring may be a piece of your pie chart or it may refer to how much your pie chart grows from year to year.
       

  2. Create Tomorrow’s Balance: In an ideal world, what would you like for the balance of the four money personalities to look like? Hint: An exactly quartered pie chart isn’t necessarily what you’re aiming for here. You’re aiming for a balance that speaks to both of your strengths and helps you grow in your “blind spot” areas.

    1. Draw the pie chart you’re striving for

    2. Decide on a few small changes you can make to help move your pie chart from today to tomorrow.

Want to learn more about this week’s topic? Check out this blog article.

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 about finding your balance? Send me an email at: grace@classyfrugalist.com and let me know where you’re getting stuck.