Hi there,

Before you jump into working with me, or even book that first session, I want to tell you a little more about how this all works. Not just the logistics, but the mindset, the method, and what to expect if you’ve never done this kind of work before.

Let’s start with the word “budget.” It’s a loaded one. A lot of people hear it and immediately think: restriction, guilt, rules, and spreadsheets. Maybe you’ve been to a “budgeting workshop” before and spent most of it adding up what you spent last month and promising to do better next time. Maybe you think of budgeting as a tool to keep you in line, or something that tells you what you shouldn’t do.

That’s not what I teach.

To me, budgeting means looking forward. It means deciding, in advance, what you want your money to do, and then checking in with those decisions as you go. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about staying in relationship with your money, adjusting when life happens, and making intentional choices with the dollars you have right now.

The method I use is rooted in zero-based budgeting (where every dollar gets a job)and envelope-based budgeting (where you create categories for spending so you can actually see how your money is allocated.) But even more than that, it’s about developing awareness. Budgeting, as I teach it, is about clarity, attention, and choice.

This work always starts with the money you already have.

What’s in your checking account right now?
What needs to happen before your next paycheck arrives?
What unmade money decisions are sitting in your mental inbox, waiting for you to deal with them?

This isn’t about how to earn more. It’s about knowing exactly what to do when money shows up so it doesn’t drift away without you noticing. You don’t need to overhaul your income or change your life overnight. You just need a way to work with what’s already in your hands.

I use a tool called YNAB. It’s technically a budgeting app, but I think of it more like a spending planner. It’s built to support this exact approach: deciding in advance what your money is going to do. You assign dollars to specific categories, track what’s actually happening, and adjust your plan as needed.

It’s not just about looking forward or backward. It’s about staying in touch with both. Tracking your spending is what allows your budget to evolve. It helps you spot patterns, course-correct, and build a plan that gets better with time.

YNAB lets you work with the money you have right now, while also showing you the story of how you’re using it. It’s not about restriction. It’s about awareness.

But let me be clear: YNAB is just the tool. The real work is in how you think about your money, how you make decisions, and how you show up for this process over time. That’s what I help with.

If you’re wondering what kind of time this all takes, here’s the truth: it takes more time at the beginning. During setup, you’re learning a new tool, building new awareness, and maybe looking at numbers you’ve been avoiding. But once it’s up and running, this doesn’t need to take over your life. A minute or two a day. A quick check-in each week. A longer pause once a month to review and plan ahead. Eventually, it becomes second nature and something you trust. Something you can count on. Something that helps you stay grounded, even when life gets unpredictable.

This work is not investment advice. It’s not retirement planning. It’s not about insurance or products. It’s not a crash course designed to whip your finances into shape. And it’s definitely not a shame spiral about what you should have been doing all along. I’m not here to come for your comforts, routines, or joy. I’m here to help you see what’s happening with your money - clearly, calmly, and without judgment - so you can make choices that actually align with your life.

We’ll start with a simple 45-minute conversation, what I call a “Let’s Look at Your Money” session. There’s no prep needed. You talk, I listen. We explore what’s feeling unclear or frustrating. I ask some questions. You start to get a clearer picture of your current money system. And if it feels like the right fit, we’ll talk about what it would look like to keep going.

If you decide to move forward, we enter a coaching phase I call “Let’s Direct Your Money.” It’s a one-month partnership where we work together to build your spending plan using YNAB. We’ll have a 60–90 minute kickoff session to get things moving, and then we schedule follow-ups as needed based on where you are, what you need, and how the process is feeling. You’ll also have access to me between sessions (through Voxer, email, or short check-ins) so you’re not figuring things out alone. The cost for that month of support is $500.

There’s no rush. No pressure. No timeline you have to follow. Just an invitation to finally look at your money and start directing it with intention.

If you're curious and ready to take the next step, I’d love to talk. Head over to my Work With Me page to learn what that looks like, and schedule your free “Let’s Look at Your Money” session.

Best,

Allegra