Money Conversations That Actually Matter
Join us throughout 2026 for practical workshops where Australians share real budgeting experiences. No fluff, no miracle fixes—just honest discussions about what works when managing household finances.
Upcoming Events in 2026
We're organizing sessions across Melbourne where people who've navigated tough financial choices share their stories. These aren't theoretical presentations—they're conversations with folks who've actually restructured debt, built emergency funds, and figured out how to budget on irregular income.
14 March 2026
The Variable Income Reality Check
Friday 6:30pm - 8:30pm • Bentleigh East Community Hub
Three freelancers and small business owners walk through how they built budgets without steady paychecks. Includes the spreadsheets they actually use and mistakes they made along the way.
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28 April 2026
Household Emergency Fund Workshop
Sunday 2:00pm - 4:30pm • Bentleigh Library Meeting Room
A panel of four families discuss how they saved their first three months of expenses. What actually worked, what didn't, and how long it genuinely took them to get there.
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19 June 2026
Debt Restructure Stories
Thursday 7:00pm - 9:00pm • Brighton Community Centre
Real people who consolidated credit cards, negotiated with lenders, and created payment plans share the process. We'll cover what conversations to have and which options might fit different situations.
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Meet Declan Whitworth
Community Financial Educator
Declan spent fifteen years helping Melbourne families work through budget challenges. After watching too many people get overwhelmed by generic financial advice, he started organizing these practical sessions back in 2021.
He'll be facilitating the June debt restructure conversation. His approach is straightforward—he asks good questions, keeps discussions focused, and shares resources that people can actually use the next day.
"Most money advice sounds great in theory but falls apart when your car needs repairs or someone loses their job. I prefer hearing from people who've dealt with those exact moments and found ways forward."
Workshop Format Comparison
We've tried different structures over the past few years. Here's what's included in each type of session we're running in 2026.
| Element | Panel Discussion Format | Interactive Workshop Format | Deep Dive Session Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Group Size | 40-50 participants | 20-25 participants | 12-15 participants |
| Speaker Stories | 3-4 speakers | 2 speakers | 1 speaker |
| Q&A Time | 30 minutes | 45 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Small Group Work | No | Yes, 40 minutes | Yes, 75 minutes |
| Template Resources | Basic spreadsheets | Customized workbooks | Complete toolkit |
| Follow-up Materials | Email summary | Email summary plus recordings | Full resource pack plus recordings |
| Networking Time | 15 minutes before/after | 30 minutes with refreshments | 45 minutes with refreshments |
What We've Covered Before
Since launching these sessions in 2023, we've hosted conversations on various budgeting challenges. Here's what people have shared so far.
Single Income Family Budgeting
November 2025
Five families discussed managing household expenses on one income stream. Topics included childcare costs, insurance priorities, and building savings while covering essentials. Attendees received budget templates adapted for single income situations.
Credit Card Consolidation Workshop
August 2025
Three participants walked through their debt consolidation journeys—what they wish they'd known beforehand, how they chose between options, and realistic timelines for paying down balances. Included comparison worksheets for evaluating consolidation offers.
Seasonal Income Planning
April 2025
Four people working seasonal jobs shared how they budget across high and low income months. Discussion covered setting aside funds during busy periods, managing lean times, and planning for irregular expenses throughout the year.
First Home Savings Discussion
February 2024
Six couples who'd saved deposits discussed their approaches—from aggressive savings plans to longer timelines with balanced lifestyles. Covered realistic savings rates, sacrifice trade-offs, and staying motivated during multi-year savings periods.