The Visiting Teaching Message for February is “Managing Resources Wisely and Staying Out of Debt”. I was really drawn to the last paragraph of the message, where it talks about how we need to exercise faith in the Savior to be better in sacrificing our wants in order to meet our own and others’ needs.
In order to demonstrate the need we have to tighten our purse strings, I made a little purse with the quote printed on the inside flap, and filled it with coins that have the five key steps to financial freedom printed on them.
All you really need to make your own purses to share with the sisters you visit teach is some adhesive (I used double-sided tape) and 1 sheet 8 1/2 x 11 paper. I used scrapbook paper, but you could use whatever you have on hand – you could stamp or embellish copy paper or cardstock and get a similar result.
Everything else is extra – you could get by without it, and still have a cute handout to share.
I used a green flower brad as an accent on the purse flap, and a piece of adhesive velcro to close it up (you could just use tape or a sticker). I found some chocolate coins that I glued the “five keys” onto, but they also looked really cute going solo, with the same pattern as the purse on the back.
Begin by downloading the purse and coin pattern here in English, or here in Spanish. Cut out the purse and fold on the dotted lines. Make creases where the bottom of the purse meets the front and back. Apply adhesive on the flaps sticking out from the base and the back of the purse.
Press the base flaps to the back flaps, then do the same with the front to the back.
Apply adhesive to the handle edges and press to the inner sides of the purse.
I then punched a hole and added the green flower brad.
I pressed the velcro on top of the brad’s legs and carefully placed the other side of the velcro to the front of the purse so it would be positioned to close correctly.
As you share the message, you can begin by emptying the purse of its coins, then dropping them back in one at a time as you discuss the “five keys”.
Enjoy!
POST EDIT # 1 from the comments: “Just letting ya’ll know I found coins yesterday at Target in the dollar section (7 chocolate coins in a bag for $1.00) They must be out for St. Patties Day :)”
Thanks, Malinda!
POST EDIT #2: My mom lives overseas, where transportation is difficult, so the sisters often get together in groups to do their visiting teaching. This is what she wrote about how she used this month’s message: Just wanted you to know that I did the February lesson with my ladies – 5 of them on Tuesday night. They loved it. I had them cut out and fix their own purses and Carol even took the stuff home to do as a family home evening with her family. I made vegetable soup and wheat bread and we talked of eating at home and making economical meals. Fun idea! Thanks, mom! xoxo
That is such an adorable idea!! You are so creative and I love looking at your posts each month! You are so inspirational and motivating. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this great calling! xo
You've done it again! 🙂 So cute!
You are great, thanks for sharing your talent. I've got two purses made and the coins ready to go – now I am excited to call and get my appointments set.
What an adorable idea! Thank you so much for sharing!
This is such a great idea! I have to give a mini-lesson on money matters, aka, budgeting…this would be a perfect handout! Thankyou for sharing.
You are so clever and quick! Thanks for sharing…I am already excited to visit for February and I'm not quite done with January yet!
Just doing my VT for January and got back on to print off more handouts and saw February's post already! what an inspiration to be on top of things! Thank you for making VT more exciting, I can't wait to visit my sisters and share the spiritual message in a fun way!
I am so excited to go in Feb. This is SO CUTE! Thanks for sharing. You are awesome.
I love this! Thank you!
I can't believe you're already doing February! This is such a cute idea–I am going to make these, maybe even a few extras for myself. SO CUTE!
Very cute!! How can anyone forget a message with a visual reminder this cute?! Happy to have found your blog! I love visiting teaching, your passion for it is exciting!
I LOVE it!! I enjoy giving my VT cute things when I visit. I think I'm going to have to do this. THANKS for sharing. (came by from Sugardoodle)
Did you use a Cricut to cut out the purse? If so, what cartridge did you use. Thanks for the wonderful idea
Cute site! Thank you for doing this. I love the little purse and coins. Fun idea.
No Cricut usage here! Just paper and scissors. 🙂
I just found your blog and I am definatly coming back again and again. Very cute Ideas!!
OH, I really love this idea and am SO excited to go VT in February. It's not my turn to teach, but I am going to make these anyways.
What a fun and creative idea! You have some major talent! Thank you for sharing it!!
Thanks for sharing…I plan to check back each month! This is nice to give my sisters that are hard to reach, I feel like I can still let them know we're thinking of them enough to leave a little goodie w/ a message by their door along with the RS newsletter our ward does & the v.t. message.
These are sooo cute….but also put the VT message in perspective. Thank you sooo much, what would I do without YOU. Thanks for all your talents and sharing.
This is my first time visiting this site. I love the great ideas you have. I can not wait to see next months Ideas. Thank you so much.
I love this! Thank you for your great ideas:)
My sister just sent me the link to your blog and you are my new hero. You've just made me look like a great visiting teacher, because when I give out this little bag with the message they are going to be wowed. Just like I was. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
http://www.sevenclowncircus.com
I haven't been a visiting teacher for about 10 yrs. I'm able to go now but I have older(80-90)ladies that I visit. Do you have any ideas for them I don't think that they would love this idea like I do. Very creative!! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this adorable idea. You are a very creative woman! Thank you so much for sharing this idea with so many! I look forward to watching your future ideas!
Thank you SOOO much! You are so creative! I cannot beleive you already have Feb's up! Where did you find the chocolate coins?
I actually got my chocolate coins in the Christmas clearance bins, but I have also seen them in the candy aisle of several grocey stores. Good luck – I hope you find some!
I love your idea! I even think I can make it but I can't figure out how to download the pattern. Help!
Thanks everyone!
And, Christine – just click on the "here" link underneath the 3rd picture. It should give you the dialog box asking if you want to download the pdf file.
I made 20 of those little purses! They are soooo cute and easy to make! I couldn't find chocolate coins that were reasonable (I'm doing a mini-RS lesson) so I order bubble gum coins (100 for about $5) AGAIN thankyou for a great idea!
Wow! You're amazing. This is my new favorite go-to for ideas for VT. Can't wait to make them. Thanks for sharing!!
I love your blog and look forward to each month's message! When I tried to download the template it said that the file had been damaged and could not be repaired. I was wondering if you could send it to me directly. Also, where did you find the chocolate coins? I can't find them anywhere! Thanks so much!
carachilds at gmail dot com
this took me literally 5 minutes to make. great instructions and so easy and super cute. the sisters i visit teach think I come up with these ideas every month, but I tell them where I get the ideas from.
is there any way I could get just the purse template without the quote or circles on it? thanks. my email is kristamccvisalia@gmail.com
I'm having problems opening this straight from your blog. I had no problem this morning. I made one to take with me VT. They loved it and I want to make one to go tomorrow, but now I can't get it to print. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. It says Adobe file can't be repaired???? It's probably me;) (I can't be repaired though!) If you have time can you e-mail it to me? kellydobbins2003@yahoo.com. I'll try again tomorrow morning if not! Thanks!
I love your ideas. They are easy, simple to follow & super cute to boot! Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us & helping us to become better visiting teachers. I can honestly say I have started off the year by following & using the ideas you have shared and you haven't lost me yet!! Your ideas inspire me to be a better visiting teacher. Thanks again. God bless you.
I am also interested in getting the purse pattern without the saying for my daughter's birthday party favors. If you could, could you email it to jolleys136@hotmail.com
O my good Heavens, this is fantastic. I have made them for all my VT sisters. If you don't want the saying inside , make an original, put a piece of paper over the text, and make your own "inside". Thank you somuch for sharing your talents with us. Now I have the purse and the shoes!!!! WOW!!!!
some of you want to know how to make it without the inside quote or the coins… she told you to use scrap paer, you can also make a copy of hers, than make you own copy by putting a piece of paer on the quote before making an other copy. Just don't cut out the coins if you don't want them.
Just letting ya'll know I found coins yesterday at Target in the dollar sectino (7 chocolate coins in a bag for $1.00) They must be out for St. Patties Day 🙂 Thanks again- I am having such a blast making these!!!
I got my paper but forgot to look on the back to see if the reverse color was light enough for the print. It was a light brown butr the words still printed fine. Remember to look on the reverse for a light color 🙂
What a fun find…your ideas are wonderful. Thank you for sharing your time and talent. I am excited to check back again and again. 🙂
Thank you very much for sharing your talent in such a generous way! It really is such a kind service and inspiration for us to fullfill our callings as vistiting teachers. Amazing. Truly an example of your faith and charity. THANK YOU!
FYI: World Market sells chocolate coins too, yummy european chocolate. I bought some for my VTs yesterday, thanks for this fun idea!
Is there any way you can e-mail me the template?
I can do that – I just need your email address!
Thanks!! It's betty_boop_12_30@yahoo.com
SO CUTE!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
I'm in awe that you had this posted a month ago. Thank you so much for sharing your love of VT with the rest of us that need a little help in the creativity department! I found you via Katie at VT Surprise – I'm so glad she told us about you!
How I do I get the pattern for the purse? I will be doing my visit teaching on tuesday, and I would love to make these for my sisters.
Thank you for your wonderfuls ideas.
How I do I get the pattern for the purse? I will be doing my visit teaching on tuesday, and I would love to make these for my sisters.
Thank you for your wonderfuls ideas.
6th paragraph down, click the word "here" in blue.
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I am appreciative of people like you who can do this and are willing to share with others.
Thank you.
I made these for my sisters and they LOVED them. They were so much fun to make. Thank you for sharing your creative ideas.:)
Your blog is wonderful! Thanks for taking the time out to do this each month. The rippling effect of it is enormous! You're being a missionary in your own little way 🙂
You are so blasted clever! Thanks
Thank you for such a great idea. My VT sisters just love my handouts! They tell me they look forward to my visits each month. (of course I give you credit too!) 🙂
Denise
You are the best example!!! Thank you for your wonderful idea!
Have a fabulous day yourself!
Sister Petersen
Such a cute idea, you are so great to share it with us. We love it.
I love it! I will do it in spanish for my sisters! Please keep posting your awesome items! I love your website!
This is adorable. Thank you. i am adding you to my list of blogs to visit!!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea. I just made it for the ladies I VT and they loved it, too! Thanks for sharing your great ideas!
You just have THE most adorable ideas. Thank you SOOOO much for being willing to share them with us! I REALLY appreciate it!!
I am so happpy to have found your Blog. For someone who is not creative, creative,you are truely a blessing. Thank you for sharing your adorable ideas. Having such a creative visual aid will make the point of the message very memorable.
I meant to also say- thanks for putting "Teaching your children" number 5. I visit several single, never been married, never had children, women who are very sensitive to those facts. I will just leave out #5 for them so their feelings aren't hurt. 🙂
this is such a gorgeous idea..can't wait to make it for my sisters. thanks for the download!!
Fabulous! Just what I need to take to my sisters before the month runs out on me! Thanks so much.
The purse was an excellent idea. My VT girls loved it, so did their kids. Great for FHE too. I really love your blog. I like how the background isn't busy. It is easy to read and follow. Thank you!
I love your ideas! The sisters in Sydney Australia are being blessed by your creativity. Thank you for sharing them =)
So dang cute! Was fast and fun to put together.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I just found your blog – I love this idea. Thanks for putting these ideas together! I just made 2 of them to use tonight – they went together really fast!
Love this! Thanks!
Thank you!!!!!!! I'm going to go whip this up just in time for my VT'ing this afternoon. Great blog! I'm adding you to my RSS feed this very second!
This is darling! I love this idea. Thanks for sharing the template and everything. 🙂 I'm also going to be a follower of your awesome blog. Have a great day!
I love this!
I made a couple for my VT sisters today. Here are my results. I thought I knew where chocolate coins were but the grocery store didn't have any. I went with golden eggs instead. So fun. Thanks again!!!
http://stier-family.blogspot.com/2010/02/visiting-teaching.html
This is SO CUTE!!! I will be making these for my VT sisters today! THANKS!!! I'm going to be visiting your blog often! 😉
You're awesome!! I made some for my VT sisters AND one for my daughter for our FHE lesson tonight about money/saving/tithing. She'll love it!!
Thank you so much for this wonderful idea!! I made the purses for all of our VT sisters (5) and they all loved it!
I will certainly visit you blog often…
'Groetjes' from Vlissingen, The Netherlands,
Birgitta van Eijzeren.
WOW, you are amazing!!! I have used many of your creative ideas…keep them coming!!!
Thanks this is so cute! I'm adapting it for my Beehive class lesson on budgeting 🙂
Que bonito gracias!!! lo pondre mañana en mi blog en tu honor saludos
I was wondering, if I could have this in spanish for a lesson on the first Sunday???
thank you
Perfect! I realize this post is about 3.5 years old, but as is true with the gospel, it never goes out of date! I’m doing this with my companion, but I’m also the YW president in our branch. Your ideas are a great way to teach our young women the important values they need BEFORE they join Relief Society. Thank you!