- I have a copy of the first or second edition of Your Money or Your Life, can I use earlier editions of the book, or is the latest edition necessary?
You can use an older version of the book. The nine-step program is exactly the same. The only difference will be some of the examples given to explain the steps and perhaps a new Preface or expanded Appendix. The OnLine Study Group contains specific page references to both the 2nd (1999) and 3rd (2008) editions of Your Money or Your Life.
- I'm very busy. Do I need to be available at a specific time each week in order to participate in an OnLine Study Group.
The short answer is "No."
We have designed the OnLine Study Groups so they are flexible with your schedule. The only time specific requirement is that you complete and post your assignments on or before the day they are due. You don't have to be available at a specific time.
- My partner and I want to register for an OnLine Study Group and do the study group together. Are we supposed to register and pay as one joint participant or two separate participants?
Ask the following questions:
- Do you keep your finances together or separately?
- Will you be answering questions together or separately?
If together, then you can register as one participant.
If separate, then you should register as two participants.
Note: Even if you answer "together" for both questions, you may want to register separately if you know that your answers to questions may be different.
Only you and your partner can decide.
- My partner doesn't have any interest in doing the program. Is it pointless for me to go it alone?
Often what happens, your partner will eventually show interest. The key is to not say too much about. Just stick to it, makes little changes, does your homework diligently, but don't make a big deal out of it. As you do the assignments, consider your own finances separately to the extent that you can. Simply do what makes the most sense to you. There is no "right" way.
- What if I fall behind the rest of the group?
First of all, don't feel bad (remember the mantra, "No shame, no blame"). Getting behind happens, even with the best of intentions. What should you do? Continue with your most current assignment and continue participating in the discussions. It is never too late to post discussion topics, even topics from a few sessions back. It is the discussion element that best enriches and propels a group. Your participation is extremely significant, even if it is "late." The important thing is that you make every attempt to respond to all posted items.
- What should I do if after reading the topics posted on the Discussion Forum, I don't have anything new to add?
Go ahead and post a brief comment saying something like, "I agree too." Posting is one of the only ways your group knows you are actively participating. Think of each session as a meeting. If you agree, say so. If you have anything to say, even what may appear as the tiniest of observations, please add it to the conversation. You never know what others may find very helpful. And if you don't agree, please add that too. Let your group know where you are at, what you find helpful, what isn't helpful, where you are having problems, or what may be keeping you from moving on — it all adds so much. The more you can contribute to the discussion, the more your group will gain. "Hey — is anyone else having troubles keeping track of every penny?" — that's one surefire way of keeping the learning going.
