Financial Literacy from Your Living Room
Learning about financial data interpretation doesn't have to mean boring lectures or stuffy classrooms. Since early 2024, we've been helping Australians grasp complex financial concepts through accessible remote sessions that actually make sense. Whether you're in Bella Vista or Brisbane, our approach works around your schedule and your pace.
Meet Torin Blackwell
After spending twelve years working with Australian banks and fintech startups, I noticed something frustrating. Smart people were making poor financial decisions simply because they couldn't read the data properly. Not because they were incapable, but because nobody had shown them how to look at numbers without the jargon getting in the way.
So in 2023, I started running small online workshops from my home office. What started as sessions for ten people has grown into a full program that helps hundreds of Australians each year understand everything from cash flow statements to investment portfolios.
What Actually Works When Learning Remotely
After running sessions for two years, I've noticed patterns in what helps people succeed. These aren't revolutionary secrets, just practical things that make a real difference.
Set Up Your Space
You don't need a fancy office. Just a quiet corner where you can spread out a notebook and keep your laptop at eye level. I've had students join from kitchen tables, spare bedrooms, even parked cars during lunch breaks. The key is minimizing distractions for an hour or two.
Keep Notes By Hand
Sounds old-fashioned, but writing things down helps your brain process financial concepts differently than typing. When you sketch out a balance sheet structure or write down a formula, it sticks better. Plus, you're not tempted to browse other tabs while taking notes.
Practice Between Sessions
We provide sample datasets after each session. Spending twenty minutes working through them on your own makes the next session click much faster. You'll catch patterns you missed the first time and come back with better questions.
Use Your Camera
I know, nobody loves being on camera. But sessions where students keep their video on tend to have better engagement and clearer communication. You can see when I'm demonstrating something, and I can tell when an explanation isn't landing right. It makes the whole experience less isolating.
Ask Questions Immediately
Remote learning actually makes this easier than in-person classes. Type your question in chat, or just unmute and ask. There's no awkward hand-raising or waiting for the right moment. If something doesn't make sense, say so. Chances are three other people were wondering the same thing.
Join the Peer Group
After the first session, we set up a casual discussion channel where participants share insights and help each other. It's optional, but the people who engage with it tend to progress faster. Learning from others who are at the same level often makes more sense than listening to an expert.
Tools That Make Remote Learning Easier
You don't need expensive software or complicated setups. Most of what we cover works with free tools you probably already have. Here's what participants find most helpful during and after sessions.
- A reliable internet connection matters more than speed. Stable beats fast when you're screen sharing or viewing detailed spreadsheets.
- Spreadsheet software like Excel or Google Sheets. We work with both, and everything translates between them without issues.
- A second monitor or tablet helps if you have one. View the session on one screen, work on your own files on the other. Not essential, but convenient.
- Decent headphones cut down on echo and background noise. They help you focus better than laptop speakers, especially if you're in a shared space.
- Session recordings available for two weeks after each class. Rewatch sections you want to review or catch up if you missed a session.
What Participants Say About Remote Sessions
I was skeptical about learning finance concepts online, but being able to see Torin's screen while working on my own spreadsheet made everything clearer. No commute meant I could fit sessions into my schedule without rearranging my entire week.
Next Program Starts September 2025
We're opening registration for autumn sessions in June. Classes run Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with weekend options for those who prefer mornings. Reach out if you want to know more about what we cover or how the format works.
Get in Touch