Our Budget Planning Method
A structured approach to financial clarity that's helped thousands of Korean families take control of their money since 2019
The Five-Phase Framework
We've refined this process through working with over 8,000 Korean households. Each step builds on the previous one, creating lasting financial habits.
Income Reality Check
We start by mapping every won that comes in. Not just your salary, but side income, family support, irregular bonuses. Most people underestimate their actual income by 15-20%. This foundation step takes about two weeks of tracking, but it's where real clarity begins.
Expense Pattern Analysis
Here's where things get interesting. We categorize spending into fixed, variable, and what we call "invisible expenses" – those small purchases that add up. Korean families often discover they're spending 30% more than they realized, especially on convenience store visits and delivery apps.
Priority Alignment
Money should follow your values, not the other way around. We help identify what truly matters – whether that's saving for jeonse, supporting aging parents, or building an emergency fund. This phase often reveals mismatches between stated goals and actual spending.
Buffer Zone Creation
Traditional budgeting fails because it's too rigid. We build in flexibility zones – categories that can expand or contract based on life's realities. Got invited to a wedding? Your buffer zone covers it without guilt or stress.
Monthly Optimization
The magic happens in the ongoing refinement. Monthly check-ins aren't about perfection – they're about adaptation. We've seen families reduce financial stress by 60% just through consistent monthly reviews and small adjustments.
Minji Baek
Lead Budget Analyst
Developed our expense categorization system after analyzing spending patterns from 3,000+ Korean households. Her background in behavioral economics helps families understand why they spend the way they do.
Senna Olsen
Financial Planning Specialist
Created the buffer zone methodology that's now our signature approach. Her Danish perspective on work-life balance helps Korean families find sustainable budgeting rhythms.
Erika Polak
Client Success Manager
Tracks long-term outcomes and refines our approach based on what actually works in real Korean households. Her data shows 78% of our clients maintain their budget systems after two years.
Why Our Method Works in Korea
Korean financial culture has unique characteristics – high savings rates but also social spending pressures. Our methodology accounts for things like gyehoessal, gift money obligations, and the psychological weight of financial comparisons.