Money Doesn't Have to Feel Complicated
We started phorentavial in 2019 because budgeting advice felt either too rigid or too vague. You'd get spreadsheets that looked like engineering blueprints, or you'd hear "just spend less" — neither helped much.
What actually works? A realistic plan that fits how you live. Not some fantasy version where you never eat out or buy coffee. Your actual life, with room for what matters and awareness of where money slips away.
Built From Real Experience
We've been where you are. These milestones show how we got here.
Started in a Shared Office
Callum Dempsey spent three years as a financial counselor watching people struggle with budgets that didn't match reality. Most advice assumed you had perfect discipline or unlimited time. He wanted something different — practical help that acknowledged actual human behavior.
Expanded Beyond Canberra
Word spread through referrals. People appreciated having someone walk them through their actual spending patterns without judgment. We added remote consultations and started working with clients across NSW and Victoria. The approach stayed the same: look at real numbers, find realistic adjustments.
Built Our Tools
After explaining the same concepts hundreds of times, we developed planning tools that clients could use between sessions. Nothing fancy — just clear frameworks for tracking expenses and setting goals that don't require changing your entire lifestyle overnight.
Still Learning, Still Adapting
Every client teaches us something about how money works in real households. Rising costs changed priorities this year. People need different strategies now than they did in 2023. We adjust our guidance based on what actually helps, not what sounds good in theory.
How We Think About Money
These aren't corporate values we put on a wall. They're principles that shape every conversation we have.
No Judgment Zone
Everyone overspends on something. Maybe it's takeaway, maybe it's hobbies, maybe it's keeping up appearances. We look at the numbers without making you feel bad about past choices. What's done is done. Let's figure out what works going forward.
Reality Over Perfection
A budget you can actually follow beats a perfect plan you abandon by week two. We build in buffer room and plan for the fact that unexpected costs always pop up. Life happens. Your budget should account for that.
Clear Explanations
Financial jargon makes simple concepts sound complicated. We explain things in plain language and show you exactly why we're suggesting what we're suggesting. You should understand your own money situation completely.
Our Process Is Straightforward
Most people know roughly where their money goes. The trick is seeing the full picture clearly enough to make useful changes. Here's how we help with that:
Look at Actual Spending
We review three months of real expenses. Bank statements don't lie. This shows where money actually goes, not where you think it goes.
Find the Priorities
Some expenses can't change. Some you don't want to change. Some you'd happily cut if you noticed them. We sort through all of it to find adjustments that won't make you miserable.
Build a Flexible Plan
Your budget includes regular expenses, savings goals, and breathing room for life. It should feel sustainable, not restrictive. If you hate following it, it won't work.
Adjust as You Go
We check in monthly for the first quarter, then quarterly after that. Circumstances change. Income shifts. Goals evolve. Your budget should too.
Callum Dempsey
Lead Financial Advisor