We're Here Because Money Shouldn't Be Mysterious
Back in 2019, three accountants sat in a Sydney café watching friends struggle with basic budgeting. Not because they weren't smart — but because nobody had ever explained it properly.
Finding the Right Financial Education Path
Different life stages need different approaches. Here's how we help people figure out where to start based on where they actually are right now.
Just Starting Out?
You're in your early twenties, maybe landed your first proper job. Money's coming in but disappearing fast. Our Foundation Program walks you through the basics without making you feel like you should've known this already.
- Setting up your first real budget that actually works
- Understanding superannuation before you lose years of growth
- Building emergency funds (even on tight income)
- Avoiding the debt traps most young adults fall into
Got Some Experience?
You've been managing money for a while but feel like you should be doing better. Maybe you've got savings sitting in low-interest accounts or you're wondering about property investment. Our Intermediate track helps you level up.
- Investment fundamentals beyond just buying ETFs
- Tax strategies that genuinely save money
- Property considerations for the Australian market
- Balancing current lifestyle with future security
Looking Ahead?
Maybe you're thinking about starting a family, changing careers, or just want proper financial security. We cover the planning nobody talks about until it's almost too late.
- Long-term wealth building strategies
- Insurance decisions that matter (and ones that don't)
- Estate planning basics for real people
- Creating actual financial independence plans
How We Built This Thing
meleniqavora didn't start with a business plan. It started with Callum teaching his housemates how to track expenses on a shared spreadsheet. Then those housemates told their friends. By late 2019, we were running informal workshops from a borrowed office space in Parramatta.
The Accidental Start (2019)
What began as helping friends became something bigger when 30 people showed up to our first public workshop. We charged $20 to cover the room rental and realised people actually wanted this information presented in plain language. No financial jargon. No judgment about past mistakes.
Pandemic Pivot (2020-2021)
COVID forced us online like everyone else. But something interesting happened — people opened up more in virtual sessions. They asked questions they'd been too embarrassed to ask in person. We redesigned everything around smaller online groups and individual progress tracking.
Building Something Sustainable (2022-2025)
We moved into proper office space in Blacktown, hired actual educators (not just accountants), and developed structured programs based on what actually worked. Our autumn 2025 intake will be our largest yet — and we're still learning what people need most.
Who's Actually Teaching This
We're accountants and educators who got tired of seeing smart people make avoidable financial mistakes. Not because we're perfect with money — but because we've seen what works and what definitely doesn't.
Callum Prescott
Co-Founder & Lead Educator
Spent eight years at a mid-tier accounting firm watching clients panic during tax season because they hadn't tracked anything properly. Started meleniqavora because explaining things clearly seemed more useful than charging by the hour to fix preventable problems.
Still does tax returns sometimes (keeps me grounded). Runs most of our intermediate and advanced programs. Probably drinks too much coffee during intake periods but that's how the good ideas happen.
CPA qualified, Macquarie University graduate, occasionally writes about Australian tax changes that actually matter to regular people.
Our Next Program Starts September 2025
We keep class sizes deliberately small so everyone gets actual attention. If you're thinking about joining, have a look at what we're offering or just send us your questions.
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