Building Financial Confidence Through Real Education

We started carquelyvia because too many Australians were struggling with money management basics. Not complex investment strategies or high-finance theory — just practical skills like budgeting, understanding debt, and making informed spending decisions.

How We Got Started

Back in early 2020, I was volunteering at a community centre in Sydney when I noticed something troubling. People would come in asking for help with bills they couldn't pay, but the real issue wasn't their income — it was that nobody had ever taught them how money actually works.

One conversation particularly stuck with me. A single mum earning decent wages as a nurse was constantly stressed about money. She had credit cards she didn't understand, was paying fees she didn't know about, and felt completely lost when it came to planning for anything beyond next week.

That's when it clicked. Financial literacy isn't about teaching people to become investors or entrepreneurs. It's about giving them the basic tools to manage what they earn without the constant anxiety that comes from financial confusion.

Community financial education workshop with participants learning budgeting basics

2,847 People Helped Since 2021

89% Report Improved Money Confidence

156 Workshop Sessions Delivered

43 Community Partners

The People Behind carquelyvia

We're not financial advisers or investment gurus. We're educators who believe everyone deserves to understand how their money works.

Kieran Whitfield

Founder & Financial Education Specialist

Former accountant who got tired of only helping people after financial problems had already started. Now focuses on prevention through practical education that actually makes sense.

Meredith Blackwood

Co-Founder & Community Outreach Director

Spent fifteen years in adult education before joining carquelyvia. Believes financial literacy should be as accessible as learning to drive — practical, relevant, and something everyone can master.

Interactive budget planning session showing practical money management techniques

Our Teaching Philosophy

Financial education shouldn't feel like studying for an economics degree. We focus on the stuff you actually need to know — how to create a budget that works with your real life, understanding what banks aren't telling you, and developing the confidence to make money decisions without second-guessing yourself constantly.

Everything we teach comes from real situations we've encountered. No theoretical examples about people who earn $100k and want to buy investment properties. We work with the budgets, challenges, and goals of actual Australians trying to get their finances sorted.

What Drives Our Work

Plain English Only

No financial jargon, no complex formulas, no assuming you already know things that nobody ever teaches. If we can't explain it simply, we probably don't understand it well enough ourselves.

Practical First

Every lesson connects to something you'll actually use in your daily life. We're not here to make you a finance expert — we're here to help you feel confident about the money decisions you make every week.

Judgement-Free Zone

Money stress is real, and everyone starts somewhere different. Whether you're drowning in debt or just want to understand your payslip better, you're welcome here exactly as you are.

Why Australia Needs Better Money Education

The numbers are pretty sobering. Recent studies show that over 60% of Australians have less than $1,000 in emergency savings, and household debt continues rising faster than wages. But here's what those statistics don't capture — the daily stress of not understanding how to manage money effectively.

We see it constantly in our workshops. Intelligent, capable people who feel embarrassed about basic financial concepts because nobody ever took the time to explain them properly. The good news? These skills are completely learnable when they're taught well.

Group learning session focused on practical budgeting skills and financial planning basics

Ready to Get Your Money Sorted?

Our next beginner-friendly workshop series starts in September 2025. Small groups, practical focus, and plenty of time for questions about your specific situation.

Get Workshop Details