Our Relief Society Enrichment program is a great program, because it gives us so much freedom.\u00a0 Some of us like a little more structure but let me give you some ideas to create your own structure.\u00a0\u00a0 As my wise daughter said, \u201cAllowing yourself to think outside the box allows the Lord to work through you.\u201d
\nIf sisters really want to impact lives, time needs to be spent on one topic, until it has become a part of you.\u00a0 The beauty of this Relief Society program allows us to spend all the time we need to have fun as we learn and grow together.
\nLet\u2019s be honest, not everyone is interested in straightening out their finances.\u00a0 If two or more are really committed, they will want to get together and decide when they can meet.\u00a0 With only your RS Pres.\u2019s blessing (and she literally doesn\u2019t need to do anything more, unless she wants to join your group), you can decide how you want to go about setting and achieving your goals.
\nFollowing are some ideas for a group to do if they were to focus on financial freedom.\u00a0 (Keep in mind, any topic-with it\u2019s own list of ideas-can be used with this same format in mind. You can plan a list in advance, or come up with any ideas as you go.\u00a0 The important thing is to keep things fun, moving forward, adventurous, and challenging.\u00a0 Push each other, stretch each other, accompany one another and you\u2019ll see the benefits of your perseverance.
\nList of financial activities:
\n1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Find out who, in your ward (or stake) have skills in finance.\u00a0 Have them come and speak to your group, or act as your coach.\u00a0 If they are professional, they may want to be paid for some services.\u00a0 Don\u2019t expect a free lunch from your friends, but don\u2019t be afraid to ask for general (free) help either.
\n2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Come up with various problem areas worthy of discussion and meet as a group to come up with solutions:\u00a0 How to communicate with a spouse about money matters, How to set reasonable expectations in getting out of debt, How to look for and find deals, etc.
\n3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Go DI shopping together.\u00a0 Enjoy a fashion show or a display of what you found and repurposed for your own needs.
\n4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Set goals.\u00a0 When goals are achieved, celebrate together (new goal: how to have a party on little or no money).
\n5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Share cheap and easy-prep meals, storage meals, garden meals.\u00a0 Cook together or come ready to swap recipes and food.
\n6)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Set out for Walmart (or other) with only cash and a list.\u00a0 See who can stay within their cash limit the best and still get everything they need.\u00a0 (No fair going to the store the next day to get the rest.)
\n7)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plan (know where the money is coming from) and organize an expedition to a case lot sale, fruit farm, dry pack cannery, and follow up on how you will use, can, and organize your product.
\n8)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Invite the Young Women, and even the Young Men, to learn what you are learning.
\nIt would be helpful if the Relief Society leaders showed support for sisters working toward their various goals by allowing time on Sundays to give an update on successes, announce what sisters are doing with an open invitation to come whenever interested, and sharing in the enthusiasm of achievement.\u00a0 \u00a0My personal choice is if enough of these groups are going on in your ward, it would be truly motivating to take all of Fast Sunday lesson time and share accomplishments, ideas, plans, goals, etc. with all of the sisters.
\nOther topics for interesting groups:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Food\/Emergency storage collectors
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gardening\/Harvesting\/Canning
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Humanitarian
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reading to schoolchildren, hospital patients, the elderly
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FHE ideas
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scripture study
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Family History\/Temple trips
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cooking\/Freezer meals
\nI could go on, but you get the idea.\u00a0 If you give sisters the chance, and the support, groups will form and come up with interesting and valuable topics and activities. \u00a0Groups may last one month, a few months, a year, or more.\u00a0 The objective is to reach the goals you\u2019ve set for yourself.\u00a0 Remember, we are in the business of perfecting ourselves.\u00a0 \u00a0Just remember to keep it interesting, fun, and challenging.\u00a0 Share the responsibility.\u00a0 Invite anyone to come along.\u00a0 Set goals.\u00a0 Share the joy of accomplishment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our Relief Society Enrichment program is a great program, because it gives us so much freedom.\u00a0 Some of us like a little more structure but let me give you some ideas to create your own structure.\u00a0\u00a0 As my wise daughter said, \u201cAllowing yourself to think outside the box allows the Lord to work through you.\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[223],"class_list":["post-118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-preparedness","tag-enrichment-finances"],"yoast_head":"\n