BUDGE | Ongoing 1-1 Financial Planning, Coaching, and Advocacy Program
We are not currently taking new clients. Please contact us at letsbrunch@brunchandbudget.com to get added to the waitlist
Budge requires a minimum 1-year commitment to join
We've learned that's how long it takes to build a financial foundation and systems and habits that have long term success!
Budge is perfect for you if:
✨You’re excited to make a real change and are ready to be held accountable to the commitments you make
✨You’re ready to do some candid self reflection on where you are with your finances, where you want to be, and what it will take to get there
✨You want clarity on what progress looks like, how much progress you’re making, and where you need to improve
✨You need someone to guide you through where to start, help make sense of everything, and act as your financial advisor, coach, and cheerleader
✨You’re open to experimenting, learning, and don’t mind putting a little time and elbow grease into tracking your finances
✨You want to finally have a healthy relationship with money (and if you’re a couple, have a healthy relationship with each other about money!)
STRATEGY CALLS + FINANCIAL PLAN
The Budge program starts with 4 strategy calls done within 6-8 weeks:
1 | TECH CALL
The first video call will guide you through how to use the technology to organize your finances and categorize your expenses. You'll learn how to review your expenses closely and begin to understand how your personal cash flow works.
2 | CORE VALUES CALL
We'll help you hone in on a personal Core Values statement that we'll use as our guiding light for our strategy and recommendations. We'll learn more about your goals and priorities and delve deep into your relationship with money and the values you hold near and dear to you.
3 | FIVE STAGES CALL
We'll go through the b&b Five Stages to Financial Legacy and determine which stage you're in so you know what you've done so far, where you are now, and exactly where you're headed. This is where we'll start to shape your Recipe for Wealth.
4 | CASH FLOW CALL
Our cash flow call will give you a clear idea of where your money is going - what's coming in, what's going out and why. We'll come up with strategies for how to organize you bank accounts, automate your bills, and and create a system that works for your goals and lifestyle.
WHAT WE COVER IN YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN
We'll get to everything, promise 🙂
MONTHLY CASH FLOW & EXPENSE TRACKING
SAVINGS & BANK ACCOUNT ORGANIZATION
CREDIT SCORE & REPORT ANALYSIS
DEBT PAYDOWN STRATEGIES
INVESTMENTS & RETIREMENT (401K/IRA/ETC)
TAX PLANNING
INSURANCE & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
ESTATE & LEGACY PLANNING
Here's what's included:
Four Strategy Calls
We will have 4 strategy calls to get your entire plan put together. These calls will happen about 1-2 weeks apart within the first 2 months.
Monthly Progress Calls
We will meet once per month for 30 minutes to make sure you're making continuous progress and make sure you have a clear monthly game plan for your cash flow, tasks, and habits
Financial Advocate Calls
It might be calling a collections agency, student loan servicer, your accountant, or some other financial entity and you have no idea what you need to say or ask. We'll jump on the phone with you and have your back.
Your Personal Financial Portal
Finally, everything in one place. Your financial portal will have all of your accounts linked, all your expenses, balance sheet, debt paydown plan, bills calendar, and best of all, the ability for us to see everything you see. You'll have lifetime access to this portal.
Your Action Steps List
After putting that big financial plan together, it can feel like everything is priority. We'll help you not only keep track of everything, but also give you total clarity on what to focus on and prioritize each month.
Unlimited Email Support
Never ask google for financial advice again. Email us whenever you need help on something, whether it's an offer for a credit card, a weird email from work, or if you're wondering how to afford a big purchase. We'll help you figure it out.
We are not currently taking new clients. Please contact us at letsbrunch@brunchandbudget.com to get added to the waitlist
30-MIN MONTHLY PROGRESS CALLS + EMAIL ANYTIME
Now that we've put your plan together, it’s time to get to work and let the rubber meet the road, in a way that works for you. Many of our clients tell us these monthly calls give them time and space to make room for their finances.
We'll review your monthly financial tasks, your cash flow, and your habits so you'll know exactly what needs to get done each month. Didn't get to it last month? No worries, we can re-prioritize and might even be able to knock some tasks out together on the call! You can also send unlimited emails to your financial planner in between calls as things come up.
Getting to financial clarity doesn't happen overnight, but we will be with you every step of the way to make sure you're making progress on your actions, habits, and goals.
LET US BE YOUR FINANCIAL ADVOCATES
Sometimes, the hardest part about getting your financial stuff done is knowing what to say to that financial institution on the phone or how to answer that weird question on an application. Now you have us on your side.
A huge part of the work we do and how we can serve you is to be your financial advocate. We ask you to loop us into emails with any other financial professionals you work with (accountants, attorneys, HR depts, mortgage lenders, etc.) and we'll get on the phone or do a video call as needed for things like:
- Talking to your student loan carrier or collections agency and asking all the right questions
- Finally opening that IRA
- FINALLY rolling over your old 401k(s)
- Making sure your 401k contributions and beneficiaries are set up properly
- Talking to your HR about your employer benefits
- Applying for a new credit card
- Navigating medical bills, FSA websites, etc.
- Helping you through the mortgage/home buying process
- Talking to your accountant about your tax planning needs (business structures, tax returns, SEP IRA contributions, weird IRS letters)
No matter the task, we've got your back. (This is many of our clients' favorite aspect of the program!)
ONGOING SUPPORT & ACCOUNTABILITY
Your finances and your goals are a constant moving target, but by this point, you’ll understand this whole financial planning thing is actually a lifelong process in disguise!
Once we set a foundation for your finances, we'll be able to get you to the next level. Budge will be with you every step of the way for all the new decisions you need to make and new opportunities you're ready to take.
After the first 12 months, you switch to a month-to-month plan. You can choose to keep meeting monthly and your rate will be revisited based on your current income, or you can choose to meet every other month or once per quarter and your rate will be adjusted down based on how much support you need. If you feel you've gotten a solid financial foundation, you can also choose to cancel the plan anytime.
BUDGE is NOT for you if:
❌ You’re looking for a “quick start” plan or financial planning advice by the hour
❌ You don’t have the time to commit or room in your schedule to examine your finances more closely and build new habits and routines
❌You’re looking for the next money “hack,” shortcut, hot investment tip, or tax loophole
❌ You want us to do all the work for you
❌ You’re not ready to unpack your financial baggage or talk about your relationship with money
❌ You don’t trust technology and don’t want to put all your information (or feelings!) in a website (even if it’s bank level encrypted)
❌ You never check your email (seriously, a lot of the work happens through email!)
❌ You want to meet in person regularly (everything is done virtually)