Real People Teaching Real Skills

No scripts. No lectures from textbooks. Just practical budget wisdom from people who've actually been there.

Our instructors aren't just finance professionals who decided to teach one day. They're folks who rebuilt their own financial lives, made mistakes, learned hard lessons, and now want to share what actually worked. You'll get straight talk about money management from people who understand the struggle because they've lived it.

Instructor Cletus Roberge teaching budget fundamentals

Cletus Roberge

Emergency Fund Specialist

Cletus spent seven years digging out of debt after a layoff in 2015. He'll tell you exactly what worked and what was a complete waste of time. His approach focuses on building small wins that actually stick rather than grand plans that fall apart by February.

Instructor Zenobia Terwilliger discussing spending patterns

Zenobia Terwilliger

Spending Pattern Coach

After tracking every dollar for three years straight, Zenobia knows where money disappears. She helps people identify their actual spending triggers without the guilt trip. Her sessions feel more like conversations with a friend who happens to know a lot about budgets.

Instructor Radcliffe Utterback reviewing budget strategies

Radcliffe Utterback

Long-Term Planning Guide

Radcliffe started planning for retirement at 42 after realizing he had nothing saved. Now at 54, he's on track and wants to help others avoid the panic he felt. He specializes in creating realistic plans that adjust as life happens, because it always does.

How We Actually Teach This Stuff

Forget sitting through PowerPoint presentations. We work through your actual financial situation using real numbers and real scenarios. It's messy sometimes, but that's the point. Money management isn't neat and tidy, so why pretend it is?

  • Your Numbers, Not Examples

    Bring your bank statements, credit card bills, whatever you've got. We'll work with what's actually happening in your life, not some theoretical family of four with a perfectly average income.

  • Small Steps That Build

    We start with one area. Maybe it's tracking coffee purchases for two weeks. Maybe it's setting up one automatic transfer. You'll leave each session with something specific to try, not overwhelmed by a complete financial overhaul.

  • When Plans Break Down

    Your car will need repairs. Your kid will outgrow their shoes faster than expected. We spend time on what to do when the budget doesn't work because that's where most people give up. Having a backup plan matters more than having a perfect plan.

Budget planning session with real financial documents

Common Questions About Learning

People ask us these things all the time. Here's what you need to know before starting.

Getting Started Basics

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  • Do I need to be good at math?

    If you can add and subtract, you're fine. We're talking basic arithmetic here, not calculus. Most budget work is just writing things down and comparing two numbers.

  • What if I'm already behind on bills?

    Then you're exactly who should be here. We've worked with people in all situations. Being behind doesn't disqualify you from learning how to manage money better going forward.

  • How long until I see changes?

    Most people notice they have better awareness of spending within three weeks. Actual financial improvement depends on your situation. Some see breathing room in two months, others take six months to turn things around.

Schedule and Time Commitment

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  • How much time does this take?

    Sessions run 90 minutes. You'll want to spend about 30 minutes a week working on your budget between sessions. That's it. We're not asking you to become a finance expert, just to pay attention for a bit each week.

  • When do courses start?

    Next group begins September 2025. We run sessions in fall and winter because summer gets too unpredictable with vacations. Spring 2026 dates will be posted by December.

  • What if I miss a session?

    Life happens. We record everything and you can catch up. You can also schedule a 20-minute call with your instructor to go over what you missed. Missing one session won't derail your progress.

What You'll Actually Learn

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  • Is this just about cutting expenses?

    No. That's part of it, but we focus more on understanding where your money goes and making conscious choices. Sometimes cutting expenses helps. Sometimes you need to earn more. Sometimes you just need better organization.

  • Will you teach me about investing?

    Not really. We stick to budget foundations. If you can't track your spending and build a small emergency fund, investing advice won't help much. Get the basics solid first, then worry about growing wealth.

  • What tools do I need?

    A notebook works fine. If you want to use spreadsheets or apps, that's great too. We'll show you free options during the first session. The tool matters way less than actually using it consistently.

Support and Next Steps

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  • Can I get help between sessions?

    Yes. Email your instructor anytime. Most respond within 24 hours on weekdays. We also have a group chat where people share what's working and what's frustrating them. You're not doing this alone.

  • What happens after the course ends?

    You'll have all the materials and can keep working on your own. Some people come back for a refresher session six months later. Others join our monthly check-in group that meets the first Tuesday of each month.

  • How do I sign up?

    Contact us at contact@hiveralumosia.com or call +1 709 651 7494. We'll set up a quick 15-minute call to make sure this is what you're looking for and answer any questions we didn't cover here.