Financial Planning Through Real Experience
Most people struggle with budgeting because they're following someone else's system. We've spent years working with families who had the same frustration—trying to make generic advice fit their actual lives.
Our approach is different. You'll work through your own numbers, your own goals, and your own financial situation. Not theory pulled from textbooks—just practical methods we've seen work for hundreds of people navigating similar challenges.
The autumn 2025 program runs for eight weeks. Small group sessions mean you'll get actual feedback on your personal budget, not just watch someone lecture about concepts.
What You'll Actually Learn
We break down financial planning into manageable pieces. Each module builds on the previous one, but you can adapt the pace to fit your schedule.
Understanding Your Current Position
Before planning where you're going, you need clarity on where you stand. We'll map your income streams, regular expenses, and those irregular costs that always seem to surprise people. You'll leave this module with a clear picture—probably the first honest one you've had.
Setting Goals That Make Sense
Generic financial goals rarely work because they ignore your priorities. We'll help you identify what actually matters—whether that's building an emergency fund, saving for a specific purchase, or just feeling less anxious about money each month.
Building Your Budget Framework
This isn't about restriction. It's about allocation. You'll create a system that reflects your priorities and accommodates the reality of how you live. Some categories will need more flexibility than others—that's normal and we'll show you how to plan for it.
Managing Variable Income
If your income fluctuates, traditional budgeting advice falls apart quickly. We'll cover strategies for smoothing irregular earnings and building cushions that prevent those lean months from derailing everything.
Dealing With Debt Realistically
Debt adds complexity but doesn't have to be overwhelming. We'll look at different repayment strategies and help you choose one that fits your situation—not just the mathematically optimal approach that ignores human psychology.
Maintaining and Adjusting
Life changes and your budget should too. The final module focuses on review systems and adjustment triggers—how to know when your plan needs updating and how to make those changes without starting from scratch.
Who's Teaching This
Brynn Castellano
I've been working with personal finance clients since 2016. Started helping friends sort out their budgets and realized there was a massive gap between academic financial advice and what actually works for people juggling real responsibilities.
Most of my experience comes from one-on-one consultations—which means I've seen hundreds of different financial situations and the patterns that emerge across them. The program reflects those patterns, not abstract theory.
Marwin Drewitt
I handle the analytical side—helping people understand their spending patterns and identifying areas where small changes create meaningful impact. Background in data analysis, but I translate that into plain language.
Been teaching budget workshops since 2019. The group format works better than people expect because everyone's dealing with similar challenges, just with different numbers attached.
Group Size
We cap sessions at 12 participants. Large enough for diverse perspectives, small enough that you'll get individual attention when working through your specific situation.
Time Commitment
Two hours weekly, plus maybe another hour reviewing your own finances between sessions. It's manageable alongside work and other responsibilities.
Materials Provided
You'll receive spreadsheet templates and planning worksheets—tools you can continue using long after the program ends. No proprietary software required.
Autumn 2025 Schedule
Program runs September through October. We're offering both Tuesday evening and Saturday morning sessions to accommodate different schedules. Registration opens in July.