Understanding Money Over Time
Most people think about budgets in weeks or months. But what happens when you stretch that thinking across years and decades? That's where the interesting conversations start — and where your financial picture actually begins making sense.
Explore Our ProgramsQuestions You'll Actually Ask
We've organized our approach around what people really want to know at different stages — not textbook chapters.
Before You Start
The questions that come up when you're considering whether this whole long-term budgeting thing is for you.
- What does ten-year budgeting actually involve?
- How much time are we talking about weekly?
- Can I do this if I'm already working full-time?
- What if my income changes unpredictably?
During the Program
Once you're in, these are the practical concerns that show up around week three.
- How do I handle unexpected expenses mid-plan?
- When should I adjust versus stick to the plan?
- What tools actually work for tracking this stuff?
- How do I involve family in long-term decisions?
After Completion
You've finished the coursework. Now what? These questions help you maintain momentum.
- How often should I revisit my ten-year plan?
- When does it make sense to hire professional help?
- What's the best way to teach this to my kids?
- How do I adapt this for business finances?
Ongoing Support
Long-term budgeting isn't one-and-done. Life happens, and your approach needs updating.
- Where can I get feedback on my revised plan?
- Are there community groups for continued learning?
- What resources help with career changes or relocations?
- How do I stay current with tax law changes?
What Actually Happened: Two Real Examples
The Paterson Family Budget Rebuild
They came in thinking they needed help with overspending. Turned out their real issue was having no framework for distinguishing between today's costs and future investments. Once they mapped their actual priorities across different timeframes, decisions got clearer.
What They Learned
- Tracking needs to match your actual life rhythm, not some ideal
- Kids' activities cost more than their mortgage when viewed over ten years
- Emergency funds work better when sized to your specific risk factors
- Automating the boring stuff frees mental space for bigger decisions
Selby's Career Transition Plan
The hardest part wasn't creating the budget — it was accepting the reality of irregular income and planning around worst-case scenarios. We spent half our time just getting comfortable with uncertainty and building buffers that made the transition psychologically manageable.
Key Takeaways
- Conservative projections beat optimistic ones for career changes
- Health insurance costs often blindside solo practitioners
- Having six months of fixed expenses covered reduces stress immensely
- Quarterly reviews caught problems while they were still fixable
What People Actually Say
I thought budgeting was about restriction and saying no to things. This approach completely flipped that. Now I see it as a tool for saying yes to what matters and being intentional about the timeline. That shift in perspective changed everything for my family.
The best part was having someone point out the blind spots in my thinking without making me feel judged about past decisions.
I've tried three different budgeting apps before this. None of them addressed the actual problem, which was my mindset around short-term versus long-term trade-offs.
Finally, a program that doesn't assume everyone's finances look the same. They actually adapted to my situation instead of forcing me into their template.
How This Actually Works
Our programs start in September 2025 and run through early 2026. Here's the realistic path you'd follow.
Reality Check
Three sessions figuring out where you actually are right now — no judgment, just honest assessment of current spending patterns and obligations.
Framework Building
Learning the tools and mental models for thinking across multiple time horizons. This is where the ten-year perspective starts making practical sense.
Scenario Planning
Creating your actual plan with built-in flexibility for life changes. We work through best-case, likely-case, and challenging scenarios so you're ready for whatever comes.
Implementation Support
Six months of regular check-ins as you put this into practice. Most people need adjustments during this phase — that's completely normal and expected.