It’s time for Budgeting Bootcamp!
Create a sustainable 12-month budget and savings plan in two days (without breaking a sweat).
You’re in the right place if...
You feel yourself scrambling to get through each day as you safety pin the front of your shirt back together on your way out the door, order three hashbrowns at the coffee shop because the breakfast sandwich is too expensive, and tell yourself you’ll make up for the $50 you just “borrowed” from your savings account (which 100% will not happen). You're tired of scraping by and watching your bank balance creep lower and lower... but you don't know where to start.
You've been fantasizing about living on your own since forever, but this new chapter you were so excited about is turning sour. You wanted Hallmark-movie magic but, instead, simple everyday stuff makes you want to climb back into a bedsheet burrito never to be seen again. How is it your coworkers look like they totally have their shit together? Why not you?
You want to be the responsible adult who pays their credit card bill in full every month, buys organic vegetables, and says things like “yes, I’ll add avocado for $2”, but all the advice you're getting sounds more like judgement. You’re tired of hearing that if you just quit drinking Starbucks lattes all your financial troubles would magically be gone. You know there’s a better solution out there.
Does this sound familiar?
You reluctantly climb out of your pajamas and tug on a pair of jeans before heading out to a birthday dinner your bestie just reminded you is happening tonight. You’ve known about it forever. How did you forget?
There’s no way you’ll get there in time if you stop to buy a gift, so you decide to buy a round of drinks instead. Grown-up birthdays don’t taste like sheet cake anyway, they taste like cocktails served with tiny umbrellas.
You’ve never been to this restaurant before and, as you look through the menu, you realize it’s because it’s a little outside of your usual price range. You do the math for the birthday cocktails, decide you aren’t that hungry, and order an appetizer.
At the end of the night, the server hands you the machine to pay and your heart drops when you hear the clang of an error message. "Insufficient Funds" flashes across the screen. So awkward...
Avoiding eye contact, you reach for your credit card, knowing full well that you won't have the funds by the end of the month to pay it off in full.
When you get home, you promise yourself that you'll make a change. And you hope this time it sticks.
You're a smart cookie!
That's not the problem.
Building the independent and low-stress lifestyle of your dreams is about more than a great spreadsheet.
You understand that you need to save more than you spend.
You know that you shouldn't carry a balance on your credit card.
You don’t want to dip into your savings account.
But you did it all anyway. Why?
What's preventing you from taking the action you want to take?
What habits and behaviours aren't serving you right now?
The "why" is most important. You see, it's not just about having a great budget template.
It's about nurturing the money mindset you need to actually see it through!
It's all about you. The secret to sustainability and success is personalization.
The savings plan that your best friend swears by may not work for you.
The viral money hacks you saw on TikTok may not work for you. And that's okay!
It's time to create a system that plays to your strengths and meets you where you’re at right now. That's why it's my policy to give you plenty of options to explore so that you can discover what works best for you and your life.
Adulting is hard!
And yet, it feels like there's this expectation for you to simply "figure it out". Isn't it about time you get the sparkly, hair-blowing in the wind teen-movie experience you deserve? Where's the sparkle?
You deserve minimal stress and maximum confidence as you take on this exciting new chapter.
You deserve to put all that time and energy spent stressing over #adulting into the things that fill you up.
Say “buh-bye” to budgeting nightmares and experience the joy of using a budget to make your dreams come true.
Hi, I'm Mel!
Your Life Skills Coach, #adulting expert, and- first and always- big sister. I help young adults who are tackling independent life let go of that little voice telling them they "can't", so they can become the badass adult they dream of being. My superpower is my ability to customize organizational tools to meet your specific individual needs. Guaranteed.
I'm passionate about helping young adults navigate the twists, turns, and traps of independent life. So, whether you're...
A person who's trying their best but feeling totally overwhelmed by the responsibilities of independent life. You want to hit refresh, but you know you'll need to dig a lot deeper than free templates on Pinterest for any real change.
A student longing to get out of their dodgy apartment, without resorting to a diet of ramen noodles... but doesn’t know where to start.
A graduate entering the workforce for the first time with a part-time job that leaves you wanting more and an internet browser full of bookmarked career listings.
A go-getter who wants to move out of their parents house but, no matter how excited you are, every time you make a plan you miss your deadlines, dip into your savings, and fail to follow-through.
A 20-something who has been on their own for a while, but has realized that the quick-fixes just aren't cutting it anymore. You've had too many close calls with credit card debt and you're eager to try something new and find long-term solutions.
Don’t just take my word for it!
Kelsey Corey
Emotional Fitness Coach,
Energy For Impact
Mel presented solutions that integrated the way that my brain worked. I was also impressed with learning her tips and tricks for creating an action plan that is NOT overwhelming. I particularly love that you can literally bring ANY AREA of your life that needs organizing and Mel is able to support. I am sure to be back for more!
Rachel Wynn
Feminist Business Coach,
@feministwynn
I'm a productivity tool fiend and feel like I've tried #AllTheThings.
I felt like she really heard me and then tailored the information to what would be best for me. I had even mentioned that I was a visual learner and she wrote some concepts on a whiteboard!
Ildi Arlette
CEO,
Results Continuum
Mel asked great questions that get to the heart of my priorities. She gave me quick tips that made a difference right away AND more long term solutions. She has excellent attention to detail.
Introducing the Budgeting Bootcamp Mini-Course
Create a sustainable 12-month budget and savings plan in only two days, without breaking a sweat.
Complete with co-working sessions, beginner-friendly templates, and step-by-step guidance.
Day One
Stop wondering where your money went! Learn how to effectively track your expenses so that you have a concrete understanding of your current spending habits. Paired with an evolving Money Mindset, you'll be all set to create an epic and sustainable budget.
Includes:
We kick off with Spreadsheets For Beginners so that you can get comfortable with the fundamentals we’ll be using in the templates during the mini-course.
Tracking expenses is fast and easy with the Expense Tracker template. Understanding your spending habits is the foundation of a sustainable budget. What you're collecting is data. Data that will allow you to build yourself a budget using real numbers, not guesswork. Putting in this work up front will bring you clarity around your spending habits and allow you to budget with ease. Best of all, you'll feel confident that you know where you're at right now.
It's time to get curious about your Money Mindset. This is a crucial first step because your attitude and prejudices towards your money drive your everyday financial decisions. So, getting curious about them and addressing any attitudes that aren't currently serving you will help you reach your financial goals. This self-reflection will bring you clarity around your finances. A weight will lift, leaving you energized.
Day Two
Leave behind the idea that the purpose of a budget is to deprive yourself. Instead, start seeing budgeting for it's true purpose: making your dreams come true. This mindset shift turns a stressful chore into an exciting opportunity. So dream big!
Includes:
Get ready for my signature 12-Month Zero-Sum Budget Template! The cash flow component is important because it allows you to plan for any periodic fluctuations in your income and expenses. Knowing you have a long-term plan for financial stability will leave you feeling hella-empowered!
You'll create a savings plan for your Emergency Fund, because an emergency fund is your first line of defense against debt. It will help you cover unexpected expenses like car repairs or detrimental cellphone-in-the-toilet-bowl incidents. Knowing you have this cushion will bring you peace of mind.
Next, you'll create a detailed savings plan for other long-term and short-term financial goals. Because you deserve to achieve them!
The most challenging part isn’t creating the budget, it’s seeing it through. So, you’ll learn strategies to implement your budget day-to-day as well as long-term.
Bonus!
Take on Budgeting Bootcamp with confidence knowing you have 90 days of access to the replays and templates.
Get 90 days of access Mindset Essentials: How To Overcome Adulting Roadblocks!
A workshop hosted by Life Skills Coach Mel Hall and NLP Mindset Coach Swati Hegde.
The Budgeting Bootcamp Mini-Course
March 26th and 27th from 10 AM - 2 PM EST
Can’t join me live? You have 90 days of access to all the course materials including replays.
Includes:
All the fundamentals of budgeting:
Spreadsheets For Beginners
How To Track Your Expenses
Nurturing Your Money Mindset
Building A Zero-Sum Budget
Creating The Savings Plan Of Your Dreams
Implementation: WTF Do I Do Now?
Beginner-friendly templates and step-by-step guidance:
The 14-Day Expense Tracker
The 12-Month Zero-Sum Budget
The Savings and Debt Repayment Planner
Co-Working Sessions so that you have both the accountability and the support you need to get it done!
Bonus: 90-day access to all the course content, templates, and replays.
Bonus: 90-day access to Mindset Essentials: How To Overcome Adulting Roadblocks
Total Value = $400+ CAD
You Pay $299 CAD (tax inclusive)
Once you've completed the payment, you'll receive a confirmation email which includes the links and details for the event.
You belong in the Bright Future Blueprint program if...
You want to start managing your money, without sacrificing your social life.
You're excited to build life-long organizational and money management skills, without needing a 'Type-A' personality.
You want the support and accountability to get it done, so that you have more of the one thing money can't buy: TIME!
You want to feel confident that you have the skills to adapt, no matter what life throws at you.
Want to join me on March 26th & 27th?
Are you ready for Budgeting Bootcamp?
If you’ve read this far, that means… you haven’t taken action yet and are clearly having a challenging time deciding whether this is right for you.
Ultimately, taking charge of your personal finances is 100% up to you. I’ll help you master the tools you need, but it’s your commitment to make.
And if you’re wondering whether you can actually put together a complete and sustainable 12-month budget in two days, the answer is yes, you can.
When it comes to budgeting, you generally have 2 options:
You can get help from parents and other adults, filling in any gaps with YouTube tutorials
You can pay a professional to manage your money
And there’s nothing WRONG with either of these (in fact, I’ve fallen into countless YouTube wormholes myself exploring budgeting strategies and spreadsheet equations)
But here’s what you need to consider... one of those options will cost you an enormous amount of time and the other will cost you an enormous amount of money.
Think of it like learning how to drive.
You could ask your parents or another loved one to teach you. That help is free, but... relying solely on them may not be good for the family dynamic.
Or, you could take an Uber (no need to learn at all!) It’s easy and effective, but... long-term it will cost you a fortune.
Neither of those options sounds very appealing, do they?
So, instead, you sign up for driving lessons. Your driving instructor is a no-strings-attached third party who helps you learn the rules of the road, gives you in-car lessons, and teaches you defensive driving. Now, you’re feeling confident behind the wheel, but there are even more long-term benefits. You’ll no longer need to rely on Uber (kaching!) and as a better, safer driver you’ll have fewer accidents and accidental nicks and scratches (kaching!). No wonder driving lessons have become the norm!
Budgeting Bootcamp is like taking driving lessons.
No need to spend countless hours watching YouTube tutorials
Get the judgement-free support you deserve from someone who actually enjoys budgeting
Invest in life-long skills
Pay less than what the average New Yorker spends on Uber in 3 months (yeah, I googled it)
Save money long-term by learning strategies to manage your own household budget, build savings, and avoid debt