To ensure your accountability group is effective and long-lasting, you want to approach it with a plan. Today, I'm sharing tips for running an efficient meeting and elements you should have. 

The more details you can nail down out front, the smoother your team meeting will run. We looking for successful groups to stay focused on debt elimination for the long-term.

When inviting potential accountability partners to participate in a money group, you want to nail down a few specifics. This helps people determine if the group is a good fit. I give you three questions to answer. 

Remember, the research shows that you are more likely to reach your goals if you:

1. Write them down.

2. Share them with a friend.

3. Review them weekly.

But not every friend makes the best accountability partner. We'll look at three characteristics today to help you choose wisely.

We like to talk about the purchases that make great Facebook photos, but not the strings that come attached. The debt for cars, trips, new clothes, etc.

Not focusing on debt and only on the glitz and glamour of stuff will keep us in a loop of needed new stuff and adding new debt. I'm talking about how a debt-focused approach will break this money taboo and debt's hold on your life.

A financial plan could be as simple as your monthly budget or as complex as retirement planning. Not talking about your plan because you're not happy with it or you don't have one can work against you.

Develop that plan, bounce it off others, and let everyone around you know what that plan is. Whatever you do, don't keep silent.

Money is a sensitive subject. Keeping silent about our questions, struggles, or even successes hurts your, your family, and your community.

I'm advocating starting your money groups, find a money mentor, or join me at DebtFreeDivas.org/transform.

Keep the information flowing. 

"My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." Hoesea 4:6

Why it's so important to open up about what you don't know.

Buying a timeshare is right up there with the dumb things we did to accumulate debt. Of course, we didn't pay cash. We finance the initial cost - $7500. The escalating maintenance fees and poorly managed property made this a miserable decision to make in 20 minutes on a vacation.

Yes, timeshares are a waste of time and resources. 

I don't mind sharing my mistakes with money because I know that I've learned valuable lessons. Lessons which have made me smarter with money, more confident in my ability to manage money, and interested in learning all that I can to improve my success with money in the future.

Suffering in silence because we're afraid to admit what we don't know will only hold you back. Learn from my money mistakes. Realize you are not alone!