Financial clarity shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle
We started menquoriva because too many people in Port Macquarie and beyond were getting advice that sounded impressive but left them more confused than when they started. Money matters deserve straight talk and practical guidance.
How we got here
Back in early 2019, I was sitting across from someone who'd just told me they didn't understand their own super statement. Smart person, decent job, completely lost when it came to reading what should've been straightforward information.
That conversation stuck with me. Because it wasn't a one-off. Week after week, I'd meet people who felt embarrassed about not knowing financial basics. But here's what I realized — the problem wasn't them. The problem was how financial education was being delivered.
So we built something different. menquoriva focuses on making financial concepts actually make sense to real people living real lives on the NSW coast and throughout Australia. No jargon walls. No assumptions that everyone understands compound interest or tax brackets.
What drives our approach
These aren't corporate values dreamed up in a boardroom. They're the principles that shape every workshop we run and every resource we create.
Plain language always
We translated a typical bank's investment document once. Took three hours to make it understandable. That's ridiculous, and it's exactly why we refuse to hide behind financial terminology when everyday words work better.
Real scenarios only
Our examples come from actual situations we've encountered. Not textbook cases. When we talk about budgeting challenges, we're referencing conversations we've had with people facing rent increases or unexpected medical bills.
Context matters
Financial advice that works in Sydney doesn't always translate to regional NSW. We understand the local economy, job market realities, and cost of living variations that affect people's financial decisions here.
Questions welcomed
There's no such thing as a stupid question in our sessions. Someone once asked us to explain what equity means five different ways before it clicked. We happily did it, because that's what learning looks like.
Honesty about limits
We're educators, not financial advisers. We'll help you understand concepts and options, but we won't tell you exactly what to do with your money. That distinction matters, and we're upfront about where our role ends.
Progress over perfection
Nobody goes from financial confusion to complete confidence overnight. We celebrate small improvements and realistic progress rather than pushing some idealized version of financial mastery.
Our journey so far
From a single workshop in a borrowed community room to becoming a recognized resource for financial education across the region.
Started with weekend workshops
Twelve people showed up to our first session. We covered basic budgeting and ran an hour over because the questions kept coming. Realized we'd tapped into something people genuinely needed.
Adapted during lockdowns
COVID forced us online faster than we'd planned. Turned out to be a blessing — suddenly people from regional areas who couldn't make our in-person sessions could join. Our reach expanded significantly.
Launched structured programs
Created our six-week financial foundations course after dozens of requests for something more comprehensive than one-off workshops. First cohort had 34 participants from across NSW.
Opened permanent location
Finally secured dedicated space in Port Central. Having a consistent location made everything easier — especially for people who prefer face-to-face learning over video calls.
Expanded resource library
Developed downloadable guides and reference materials based on the most common questions we were fielding. These supplements to our courses have become unexpectedly popular on their own.
How we actually teach this stuff
Financial education gets a bad reputation because most of it is either painfully boring or unnecessarily complicated. We've worked hard to find a middle ground that actually engages people.
Our approach mixes explanation with practical exercises. We break down concepts, sure, but then we have you apply them to scenarios that mirror real life. That's where understanding actually happens.
Small group sessions
We cap our workshops at 15 people. Larger groups sound efficient, but they don't allow for the kind of discussion and individual questions that make learning stick. When someone's confused, we want to know immediately.
Flexible pacing
Some concepts click instantly. Others need more time. We build flexibility into our schedule so we can slow down when needed rather than rushing past important ideas just to stay on track.
Relevant examples
We use scenarios based on actual situations from our community. Housing market conditions here, local employment patterns, regional cost variations — these details matter when you're trying to apply concepts to your own life.
Follow-up support
Learning doesn't end when the session does. Participants can reach out with questions as they're working through their own finances. We typically respond within a day or two with clarification.
Want to know more?
Our next series of workshops starts in late 2026. If you're interested in building practical financial skills without the usual confusion, we'd be happy to chat about whether our programs might work for you.
Get in touch