How We Actually Teach Money Skills
Real conversations about budgeting that stick with you beyond the session
We've found that people don't need another lecture on spreadsheets. What works is sitting down together and figuring out where your money actually goes—then building habits that feel natural to your life. Our approach started in 2019 when we realized most budgeting advice assumes everyone's finances look the same.
We Start Where You Are
Most people come to us feeling a bit overwhelmed by their spending. Maybe they've tried budgeting apps that never quite fit. Or they've got conflicting advice from relatives about what they "should" be doing with their money.
Here's what we do differently: we ask you to bring your actual bank statements from the last three months. Not to judge—to understand. Because your spending patterns tell a story about your life, your priorities, and sometimes the little emergencies that throw everything off track.
From there, we build a budget framework that matches how you actually live. If you're someone who eats out with friends every Friday, we don't tell you to stop. We figure out how to make that work alongside your other goals. The best budget is one you'll actually follow in November when life gets busy.
Three Things That Guide Our Sessions
After working with hundreds of people across Australia, these principles keep coming up
Context Matters
Someone living in Sydney's rental market faces different challenges than someone in regional Queensland. We adjust our guidance based on your actual cost of living and local financial realities.
No Shame Zone
We've seen it all—the impulse purchases, the ignored bills, the "forgot about that subscription" moments. Our job isn't to make you feel bad about past decisions but to help you make different ones going forward.
Small Wins First
We don't ask you to overhaul your entire financial life overnight. Usually we start with one category—maybe dining out or subscriptions—and get that under control before moving on. Success builds momentum.
Who You'll Work With
Our educators come from different backgrounds but share one thing: they remember what it felt like to struggle with money management. That perspective shapes every conversation.
Callum Hargrave
Lead Educator
Spent five years in retail banking before switching to education. He's particularly good at explaining loan structures and helping people understand what their mortgage actually costs over time.
Sienna Whitlock
Budgeting Specialist
Former accountant who realized she preferred teaching people to manage their day-to-day finances rather than filing their taxes. She's developed our category-based budgeting framework that most participants use.
Rhys Bellamy
Planning Guide
Worked in financial counseling for a community organization before joining us. He's especially skilled at helping people navigate financial recovery after unexpected setbacks or major life changes.
Ready to Get Your Budget Sorted?
Our next group sessions start in September 2025. We keep groups small—usually eight people—so there's plenty of time for individual questions. Or if you'd prefer one-on-one guidance, we offer that too.
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