Our Financial Journey
From a small Bendigo office to helping thousands master their money management skills through practical budget strategies and real-world financial education.
The Beginning
novelithyros started when Magnus Trelawney, a former banking consultant, noticed how many people struggled with basic budgeting despite having decent incomes. He'd spent years watching clients make the same financial mistakes repeatedly - overspending on convenience, not tracking expenses, or simply having no clear money system.
Working from a cramped office above a café in Bendigo, Magnus began developing practical budget frameworks that actually worked for busy people. The approach was different - instead of complex spreadsheets, he focused on simple habit changes that made budgeting almost automatic.
Growth & Expansion
By 2021, word-of-mouth had brought us hundreds of clients throughout regional Victoria. People were seeing real results - not just better bank balances, but less financial stress and more confidence in their money decisions. We moved to our current Hargreaves Street location and brought Cornelius Brightwater aboard as our Senior Budget Analyst.
This period taught us that sustainable budget changes happen gradually. Clients who tried to overhaul everything at once usually gave up within weeks. Those who made small, consistent adjustments were still using our methods years later. We refined our teaching approach around this insight.
Digital Evolution
Last year marked our transition to digital education platforms while maintaining the personal touch that defines our approach. We launched comprehensive online courses that replicate the one-on-one experience our in-person clients valued. The feedback has been encouraging - people appreciate learning budget skills at their own pace without feeling judged.
We've discovered that financial education works best when it feels collaborative rather than prescriptive. Our materials now include real case studies from past clients (with permission), showing how different budget strategies work for different life situations. Because honestly, what works for a single professional won't necessarily work for a family of five.
Meet Our Team
Two financial professionals who believe that effective budgeting should be straightforward, sustainable, and tailored to how you actually live your life.
Magnus Trelawney
Principal Financial Strategist
Magnus spent over a decade in commercial banking before realizing that most people needed better systems, not more products. His background in analyzing cash flow patterns gives him unique insights into where household budgets typically go off track. He's particularly good at helping people identify their "invisible" spending - those small purchases that add up surprisingly quickly.
Cornelius Brightwater
Senior Budget Analyst
Cornelius joined novelithyros after working in financial planning for regional families and small businesses. He has a talent for breaking down complex financial situations into manageable steps. His specialty is creating budget systems that work even when life gets chaotic - job changes, family emergencies, or unexpected expenses. He believes that rigid budgets fail, but flexible frameworks succeed.
Looking Forward
Our goal for 2025 and beyond isn't to become the biggest financial education company. Instead, we want to be known as the most practical one. We're developing new courses that address the specific challenges we see emerging - managing irregular income, budgeting for aging parents, and handling the financial complexity of modern life.
Practical Methods
Budget strategies that work with real life, not theoretical perfect scenarios. We test our methods with actual families first.
Personalized Learning
Everyone's financial situation is different. Our courses adapt to your specific circumstances and goals.
Ongoing Support
Learning doesn't stop after the course. We provide resources and community support for long-term success.