Real People, Real Financial Solutions

We started Cleverly Bond because we got tired of seeing families struggle with budgets that just didn't work in the real world.

How We Got Started

Back in early 2023, Marcus was helping his neighbor figure out why their family budget kept falling apart every month. Despite following all the "expert" advice online, they were constantly overspending and feeling frustrated.

That's when it hit us. Most budgeting advice treats everyone the same — but a young family in Perth has completely different needs than retirees in Melbourne. We realized people needed budgeting strategies built around their actual goals, not generic templates.

So we started small. Just helping folks in our local community create budgets that actually made sense for their lives. Word spread, and here we are — still focused on the same thing: making budgeting work for real people with real goals.

Our Three-Step Method

We don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every family has different priorities, and your budget should reflect that.

Goal Discovery

We start by understanding what actually matters to you — whether that's buying a home, planning a family holiday, or building an emergency fund that lets you sleep better.

Reality Check

Next, we look at your real spending patterns. Not what you think you spend, but what actually leaves your account each month — including those sneaky subscription services.

️

Custom Framework

Then we build a budget framework that works with your lifestyle. If you're not a spreadsheet person, we won't force spreadsheets on you. Simple as that.

Meet the Team

We're just regular people who happen to be really good at helping others make sense of their money.

Marcus Chen

Founder & Lead Financial Strategist

Marcus spent eight years working for a big bank before realizing that most financial advice completely ignores how people actually live. He started Cleverly Bond after helping dozens of friends and family members create budgets that didn't make them miserable. When he's not crunching numbers, you'll find him coaching his daughter's soccer team or attempting to grow vegetables in his backyard.

Riley Thompson

Senior Budget Planning Specialist

Local Focus

We understand the unique financial challenges facing Australian families — from rising housing costs to school fee planning.

What We Believe

Financial planning shouldn't be about restricting your life — it should be about making your life possible. We believe everyone deserves a budget that helps them reach their goals without feeling like they're living on bread and water.

That's why we focus on sustainable strategies that work long-term, not quick fixes that fall apart after two months.

How We Work Together

Our process is designed to be straightforward and collaborative — no confusing jargon or overwhelming homework assignments.

Initial Chat

We start with a relaxed conversation about your current situation and what you're hoping to achieve. No judgment, just honest discussion about where you are now.

Budget Design

Together, we create a budget framework that fits your lifestyle and priorities. We'll test it for a month and make adjustments based on how it actually works for you.

Ongoing Support

Life changes, and your budget should change with it. We provide ongoing support to help you adapt your financial plan as your circumstances evolve.

Our Values in Action

Practical Over Perfect

We'd rather give you a budget that works 80% of the time than a "perfect" system you'll abandon after two weeks.

No Financial Shaming

Everyone has different relationships with money. We meet you where you are, not where we think you should be.

Goals Before Rules

Your budget should help you achieve what matters to you — not follow someone else's idea of the "right" way to spend money.

Ready to Build Something Better?

Let's have a conversation about creating a budget that actually works for your life and goals.

Start the Conversation