Most people think managing money means sacrificing what they enjoy. We've learned it's actually about making smarter choices with what you already have.
Lillian Keough, Financial Educator at pulsra-sparq

Lillian Keough

Financial Educator, pulsra-sparq

Finance Doesn't Have to Feel Complicated

We work with people across Taiwan who want practical ways to handle their finances better. Not investment gurus or business moguls—just regular folks trying to figure out where their money goes each month.

Our approach started in 2018 when three finance professionals realized most education materials were either too technical or absurdly simplified. There wasn't much in between.

So we built something different. Real scenarios from actual households in Kaohsiung, Taipei, and Taichung. Budgeting methods that work when you're juggling rent, family obligations, and trying to save something—anything—for later.

Financial planning workspace with documents and calculator
01

Start With What You Actually Spend

Forget the complicated spreadsheets. We begin by tracking real expenses for two weeks. Morning coffee, lunch with colleagues, that subscription you forgot about. Everything counts.

You'd be surprised how many people have no idea where 30% of their income disappears to. Once you see the patterns, adjustments become obvious.

02

Build Buffers Before Big Goals

Everyone wants to save for retirement or a house. But if one unexpected medical bill wipes out your savings, you're back to square one.

We help you create a practical emergency buffer first. Maybe it's one month of expenses. Maybe three. Depends on your situation and risk tolerance.

03

Adjust As Life Changes

The budget you create in January might not work in July. New job, family situations, health issues—life happens.

Our methods adapt because rigid plans usually fail. We teach you how to recalibrate without starting over from scratch every time something shifts.

Personal finance planning session

Small Business Finances

Running a small shop or freelance operation? We cover the basics of separating business and personal money, quarterly tax prep, and cash flow management when income varies month to month.

Household budget review materials

Household Budgeting

Two incomes, shared expenses, individual goals. We've seen every variation of couples managing money together. Learn strategies that reduce conflict and increase transparency without constant negotiations.

Debt reduction planning tools

Debt Reduction Plans

Student loans, credit cards, personal loans—debt piles up faster than you expect. We help you prioritize what to pay down first based on interest rates and psychological wins that keep you motivated.

What Makes Our Training Different

We've been doing this since 2018. Here's what participants tell us matters most.

Real Taiwan Context

All examples use local costs, local banks, local financial products. No converting American advice or pretending costs are universal. Housing in Kaohsiung works differently than Taipei—we account for that.

Group Problem Solving

Small cohorts of 12-15 people. You'll work through scenarios together, share what's actually working, and learn from others facing similar challenges. Sometimes the best insight comes from another participant, not the instructor.

Follow-Up Support

The program doesn't end after eight weeks. Monthly check-ins for six months help you stay on track. Questions come up when you're actually implementing—we're available when that happens.

No Product Selling

We're educators, not financial advisors pushing specific investments or insurance. You'll learn principles and decision frameworks. What you do with that knowledge is entirely your choice.

How The Program Actually Works

Eight weeks, one evening session per week. Here's the basic flow.

Weeks 1-2: Assessment

Track your current spending. No judgment, no shame. Just data. You'll use a simple method that takes maybe 10 minutes daily. By week two, patterns emerge that you probably didn't notice before.

Weeks 3-4: Planning

Create a realistic budget based on what you learned. Allocate money to necessities first, then goals, then discretionary spending. We'll show you three different frameworks—you pick what fits your thinking style.

Weeks 5-6: Implementation

Put the plan into practice. This is where most people hit friction—unexpected expenses, emotional spending triggers, partner disagreements. We troubleshoot these in real-time during sessions.

Weeks 7-8: Refinement

Adjust what didn't work. Double down on what did. Build systems to maintain momentum after the program ends. You'll leave with a personalized financial routine that actually matches your life.

Next Cohort Starts September 2025

We run programs three times yearly—spring, autumn, and winter. The September cohort opens for registration in July. Space is limited to 15 participants to maintain group quality and individual attention.