The short answer: Luke and Carrie are self-employed, and their income changes from week to week. In two and a half years working with us, they’ve reduced their mortgage by well over $50,000, taken several family holidays paid for in advance, and grown their income by setting yearly targets.

✅ Mortgage reduced: well over $50,000.

✅ Time with us: two and a half years.

✅ Holidays: several, interstate and overseas, including Queensland and New Zealand.

✅ Income: grown year on year by setting targets and forecasting business growth.

✅ Result: shared goals, transparency and trust, and less friction.

Can You Budget On A Self-Employed Or Irregular Income?

Yes. A budget for variable income needs to be built around cash flow rather than a fixed pay cheque. It should show what’s safe to spend, what to set aside for quieter weeks, and what can go straight onto the mortgage.

Most budgeting advice assumes the same amount lands every fortnight. Self-employed income arrives in lumps, so a standard budget falls over quickly. As Luke and Carrie put it, income and cash flow is king, and the structure we built has brought order to a business that fluctuates week to week.

Cash flow is a theme we return to often. And this is why you should never “set-and-forget” your cashflow.

What Does It Take To Start Looking At Your Money Honestly?

Honesty, and a willingness to change. Carrie describes taking a good, hard look at your daily habits as confronting, and personal finances as a topic most people rarely discuss, even with their partner. Many people quietly wonder why they’re not further ahead without ever asking for help.

You don’t have to do it alone. That’s where we come in with compassion, a sprinkle of tough love and honest, down-to-earth advice. Read more about why couples need money coaching, not another band-aid fix.

What Did Luke & Carrie Actually Do?

There was no magic trick. They worked with us to build structure and visibility around their cash flow, then used it month after month. When you can see your real numbers, you can make confident decisions about how much goes to the loan, how much to a buffer and how much to the things you want to enjoy.

Along the way, Luke and Carrie went through personal and professional changes. Because they have a structure they can adjust, they’ve been able to update it as life changes instead of starting again. They also credit the spreadsheets, which make those adjustments easier.

How Did Their Mortgage Drop By $50,000?

By directing surplus cash on purpose instead of letting it drift into everyday spending. Over two and a half years, Luke and Carrie have reduced their mortgage by well over $50,000.

It’s worth mentioning that results vary for every household. But unless you have a plan to work from, you remain reactive to your money, not in control of it.

If you’re wondering what comes on the other side of clearing your mortgage, read what happens after the mortgage is gone, or see Greta and Jason’s story of becoming debt and mortgage free in their 40’s.

Can A Budget Help A Small Business Owner Grow Their Income?

It can. Carrie told us that as small business owners, she never thought growing their income was something they could influence. By setting targets year on year and forecasting their business income and expenses, they’ve done exactly that. Clarity about your numbers helps you aim at something, rather than hoping the week goes well.

How Did It Feel?

Liberating. That’s the word Luke and Carrie used for paying for flights with money they actually have and own.

On their recent Queensland trip, and in New Zealand the year before, they could say yes to the kids without a knot in their stomachs, because it was already part of the holiday budget. They told us they couldn’t have imagined those adventures and memories without doing this work. They also described what used to happen with unplanned costs:

“Things that we would have previously just hoped for the best that will come out in the wash… it creates a sense of safety knowing those things have been accounted for.”

Luke and Carrie went from hoping to knowing. Leaving credit behind gets easier too, once you learn how to break up with buy now, pay later and credit services.

How Does A Budget Help Couples Stop Arguing About Money?

It gives both people the same picture. Luke and Carrie told us that shared goals and direction created transparency and trust in their relationship, and that because they’re both on the same page, they avoid friction.

Money is rarely just about maths. Read how budgeting strengthens relationships.

In Their Own Words:

Luke’s Google review:

“Working with Andrew and Alyssa over the past 2.5 years has been a game changer for our family. We’re both self-employed and they’ve helped us create structure and better habits, remove uncertainty and provide systems for us to save for various holidays, pay down our mortgage and create savings buffers so we’re not scratching to ‘make do’ from week to week. Highly recommend!”

Carrie’s Google review:

“Taking a good, hard look in the mirror at the daily habits that have added up to where you are in life is confronting. It takes honesty and a willingness to make some changes, and it can feel paralysing to even start sifting through the details. But you don’t have to do it alone!

Personal finances are exactly that- personal. It’s a topic we rarely talk about openly with family, friends, or even our partners, so many of us are left quietly wondering why we’re not quite as far along as we’d hoped to be, without ever asking for help.

Andrew and Alyssa bring a whole lot of compassion, a sprinkle of tough love, and honest, down-to-earth advice. I found it incredibly comforting to have them guide us through such a tender topic with understanding and a practical, realistic, and positive framework. It helped us make the most of our circumstances and, in turn, dream a little bigger than we thought we could.

In the 2.5 years we’ve worked with them, we’ve saved for and taken several family holidays, both interstate and overseas, paid down a significant portion of our mortgage, and grown our income by setting targets year on year. As small business owners, I never thought that last one was something we could influence.

So be brave. The best thing you can do for yourself is reach out to Andrew and Alyssa right now. Not after the holiday, not in the new year, right now!!”

What’s NOT Budgeting Costing You?

If you’re reading this and thinking “what a great result”, ask yourself the question we asked Luke and Carrie. Do you know where your money is going each week, even when your income isn’t steady?

Carrie said it best: don’t wait until after the holiday or the new year. The best time to build a plan is before you need one. Take our “Are You Ready?” quiz, or book your discovery meeting this week and let’s build yours together.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you budget on an irregular income in Australia? Build the budget around cash flow rather than a fixed monthly pay, so it shows what’s safe to spend and what to set aside for quiet weeks. Luke and Carrie, who are self-employed, say this structure helped them remove uncertainty and stop scratching to “make do” from week to week.

Can a budget help me pay off my mortgage faster? It can, because it shows where your money goes so surplus cash is directed on purpose. Luke and Carrie reduced their mortgage by well over $50,000 in two and a half years. Results depend on your situation.

Can a budget help a small business owner grow their income? It can help by giving you clear numbers to set targets against. Carrie says she and Luke have grown their income by setting targets year on year, something she didn’t think they could influence as small business owners.

How do couples stop fighting about money? Start with shared goals and shared visibility of the numbers. Luke and Carrie say it created transparency and trust and helped them avoid friction.

Is it realistic to pay for holidays upfront? Yes, with a holiday budget built into your plan well in advance. Luke and Carrie have taken several family holidays, interstate and overseas, paid for with money they’d set aside.

What’s the difference between a budget coach and a financial advisor? A budget coach works with you on your day-to-day money so the habits change, while an advisor focuses on investments and strategy. Read budget coaching vs a financial advisor for the full breakdown.

And a final thank you to Jodie Cole of Jodie Cole Coaching, who introduced us to Luke and Carrie in the first place. Referrals like this mean the world to us, and we’re grateful for your support. Thanks Jodie! 🙏

This article is general information only, not financial advice. These results are Luke and Carrie’s, and yours will depend on your situation.