Inspire Team

Past, Present and Future Finances

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#personal finance
60 +

Goal

This activity aims to foster open and reflective discussions about personal finances, particularly for individuals impacted by generational trauma. Participants will explore their past, present, and future relationships with finances, recognizing the influence of historical experiences and aiming to build a positive and reciprocal connection with financial well-being.

Materials

    Instructions

    1. Introduction to Financial Reflection

      • Provide an overview of the activity's purpose: to reflect on personal experiences with finances, acknowledging the impact of generational trauma and aiming to break down stigmas surrounding financial discussions.

    2. Breakout Room Setup

      • Assign learners to a breakout group. Prepare these in advance.

      • Assign each group a discussion leader as well as a notetaker

        1. Remind notetaker to take general comments from the conversation, but not anything specifically attributable to a person, unless that person wants to share with the broader group.

      • Instruct learners to focus their conversation on three sections:

        1. Past experience with finances

        2. Present experience with finances

        3. The future relationship they want to build with finances.

    3. Reflecting on Past Finances

      • Learners share their past experiences with finances, considering how their own unique experiences, upbringings, and personal history may have influenced their beliefs and behaviors.

      • Encourage openness and honesty, emphasizing that this is a safe space for sharing.

      • Use the Guiding Questions in Appendix A to facilitate this section.

    4. Discussing Present Financial Experiences

      • Learners share their current relationship with finances, considering any changes or challenges they have faced.

      • Breakout room leaders facilitate discussions, encouraging learners to relate to each other's experiences.

      • Use the Guiding Questions in Appendix A to facilitate this section.

    5. Exploring Future Financial Relationships

      • Learners envision the financial relationship they want to build in the future.

      • Emphasize the importance of breaking away from historical stigmas and learning to live in a reciprocal relationship with finances.

      • Use the Guiding Questions in Appendix A to facilitate this section.

    6. Rotating Through Rooms

      • Rotate through breakout rooms to listen, offer support, and gain insights into learners’ reflections.

      • Use this time to engage in one-on-one conversations with each group and provide guidance if needed.

    7. Bring group back together

      • Bring learners back to the main room for a collective reflection period.

      • Invite each group notetaker to share back some of the highlights from their conversation.

      • Capture each highlight in a sticky or post it note.

    8. Sharing Insights and Emojis

      • When all of the groups are done sharing, invite learners to use a dot/emoji voting system to showcase the experiences or feelings that resonate with them as well. Groups can walk around the room or look through the digital whiteboard to view/engage with conversations from other groups that also have meaning for them.

      • Discuss common themes or challenges identified during the reflection.

    9. Closing Reflections

      • Facilitate a debrief using the questions provided.


    Background

    Preparation

    For Digital Whiteboard users: Ensure learners have access to the digital whiteboard.

    Prepare breakout groups in advance for both virtual and in person sessions.

    Assign a discussion leader and notetaker for each group.

    Familiarize yourself with potential challenges related to generational trauma and financial discussions.

    Technology Considerations

    Ensure participants have access to the chosen platform (Miro or alternative) and provide any necessary instructions for its use.

    Additional Context

    Acknowledge the sensitivity of the topic and emphasize the confidentiality of the space.

    Remind learners that everyone's journey is unique and valid.

    Tips for Localization

    Consider cultural nuances and sensitivities when discussing generational trauma and financial experiences. Encourage participants to share insights from their cultural perspectives during the debrief.

    Debrief Questions

    • In what ways can you support each other in building positive and reciprocal relationships with finances?

    • As you share about your money experiences, what things do you notice that are the same or different from others? How can learning from each other help us understand different ways to handle money?

    • How could this activity influence conversations about finances within your community or support network?

    • Did anything stand out to you in the conversations?

    • How did the activity help to break down stigmas when talking about finances?

    • What insights or strategies can be shared to empower individuals impacted by generational trauma in their financial journeys?


    Appendix A: Breakout Group Guiding Questions

    Guiding Questions on Past Finances

    • What word(s) would you use to describe your past feelings around finances or your relationship with your finances in the past?

    • How have your past experiences with money shaped the way you think and act about finances today?

    • Can you point to events or things from your past that still affect how you handle money? How do these experiences influence the choices you make with your money now?

    • Why is it important to look back and understand how your past with money can help you make better decisions now and in the future?


    Guiding questions on Present Finances

    • What word(s) would you use to describe your current feelings around finances or your current relationship with your personal finances?

    • What money challenges, successes or changes are you facing right now? How do these things affect how you manage your money every day?

    • When talking about money with family, friends, or others, how do you handle those conversations? Are there any ways that work well for you?


    Guiding questions for future finances

    • What word(s) do you want to use to describe your future relationship with your finances?

    • Picture the kind of relationship with money you want in the future. What values and choices do you want to follow when it comes to money?

    • Think about old ideas or beliefs about money that you want to change. How can you actively work to get rid of those ideas and make better money choices in the future?

    • How will having a good relationship with money help you in the long run? What positive impacts can it have on your life?

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