Budget Foundations Program

Most people don't fail at budgeting because they can't do math. They fail because they're following a system that doesn't fit their life. Our autumn 2025 program starts with your actual spending habits and builds from there.

Reserve Your Spot
Budget planning workspace with laptop and financial documents

Finding Your Starting Point

Everyone comes to budgeting with different situations. Maybe you've tried apps that didn't stick, or spreadsheets that felt like homework. Here's how we figure out what actually works for you.

Are you currently tracking any spending?
If you're starting from scratch, we begin with a two-week observation period. No judgment, no restrictions—just watching where money actually goes. Many participants are surprised by what they discover. One person from our 2024 pilot found she was spending €280 monthly on takeout coffee, but only €40 on the gym membership she claimed couldn't afford to keep.
Complete beginner Tried apps before Using spreadsheets
What's your biggest budgeting frustration?
Different problems need different approaches. If you lose track mid-month, we focus on weekly check-ins instead of monthly reviews. If unexpected expenses always derail you, we build buffer categories first. The curriculum adapts based on where people actually struggle—not where financial advisors think they should struggle.
Running out before payday Irregular income Managing multiple accounts Partner disagreements
How much time can you realistically spend weekly?
This matters more than people think. A system that requires 90 minutes weekly won't work if you have 20 minutes. We show you what's possible within your actual schedule. Some participants do everything during their Monday morning commute. Others prefer Sunday evening reviews. Both approaches can work—but only if we design for your reality.
15-20 minutes 30-45 minutes 60+ minutes
What financial goal matters most right now?
Generic budgeting advice says "pay yourself first" and "build an emergency fund." But maybe you need to stop overdrafting before you can save anything. Or perhaps you're already saving fine—you just want to spend guilt-free on things you enjoy. We help you build toward your actual priority, not someone else's financial philosophy.
Stop living paycheck to paycheck Save for specific purchase Pay down debt Spend without guilt

Who's Teaching This

No finance celebrities or Instagram gurus. Just people who've built budgeting systems that actually survived contact with real life—including job changes, kids, divorces, and the occasional financial disaster.

Dylan Roth budget program instructor

Dylan Roth

Variable Income Systems

Spent eight years freelancing before figuring out how to budget without a regular paycheck. Now teaches the system he wished someone had shown him in 2017 when his income fluctuated between ₩900,000 and ₩5,400,000 monthly.

Petra Voss budget program instructor

Petra Voss

Couple Finance Coordination

Helps partners align their money habits without turning every dinner into a budget argument. Her approach: figure out what you actually value, then build a system that lets both people feel heard. Works with couples ranging from students to semi-retirees.

Marcus Albrecht budget program instructor

Marcus Albrecht

Debt Reduction Planning

Paid off ₩43,000,000 in mixed debt over four years while supporting two kids. Focuses on psychological strategies that keep you going when progress feels invisible. Big believer in celebrating small wins and building momentum gradually.

Sienna Drake budget program instructor

Sienna Drake

Spending Psychology

Former marketing analyst who understands why we buy things we don't need. Teaches recognition of emotional spending triggers without making you feel bad about being human. Her students learn to spot the difference between genuine want and impulse reaction.

Twelve Weeks, Real Progress

The program runs September through November 2025. Weekly sessions are Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:00 PM Korea time, with optional Saturday morning workshops for people who need extra help or want to dig deeper into specific topics.

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Weeks 1-3: Understanding Your Baseline

Before changing anything, we need to know where you're starting. This phase is about observation and pattern recognition—not restriction.

  • Track current spending without altering behavior
  • Identify fixed versus variable expenses
  • Spot emotional spending triggers and timing patterns
  • Calculate your actual monthly average needs

Weeks 4-6: Building Your Framework

Now we create categories that match your life. Not the categories some app designer thinks you need—the ones that actually make sense for your spending patterns.

  • Design custom category system based on your patterns
  • Set realistic limits using baseline data
  • Build buffer categories for unpredictable expenses
  • Choose tracking method that fits your schedule

Weeks 7-9: Testing and Adjusting

The first budget never survives contact with reality. This phase is about rapid iteration—trying things, seeing what breaks, fixing it quickly.

  • Run your system through a full month
  • Identify friction points and workflow problems
  • Adjust categories that don't match reality
  • Develop recovery strategies for overspending

Weeks 10-12: Long-Term Sustainability

A budget only works if you can maintain it after the program ends. We focus on building habits that don't require constant willpower or daily attention.

  • Automate recurring transactions and transfers
  • Create minimal-effort tracking systems
  • Plan for major life changes affecting budget
  • Build quarterly review process for staying aligned