Has Another Budgeting Service Left A Bad Taste In Your Mouth?

Late on Friday the 8th of May 2020, a leading budget providers systems, client portal and client apps have been down due to a massive systems outage leaving thousands of Australians, who trusted in the business, unable to have access to their own money. As of Thursday the 14th of May the systems remain down with “no resolution to time-frame at this stage.”

It broke both Alyssa and my heart to read some of the comments from frustrated customers of this business on Facebook, lashing out at being denied access to their own money.

Comments such as:

 “I’ve got $1.75 for dinner tonight. You?”

 “Will our food money be transferred without us ringing? (not that we can even get through?) Will our bills be paid? WE CAN’T even get through on phone!!! This is a nightmare … please answer all these questions … was it a Ransomware virus???”

 “I wasn’t impressed when the first person I spoke to about doing a manual transaction of my living expenses suggested I borrow it from a family member ??.”

 “When is this going to be fixed? I am very stressed here trying to get access to my own money! This is an absolutely ridiculous and I urgently need my money to feed my family. As if Covid-19 and work stress isn’t enough! I’ve tried calling all afternoon and can’t get through! I’m seriously considering taking back my finances after this nightmare.”

 “I should have bought myself a bottle of wine to at least relieve some of the anxiety… oh, that’s right, haven’t got any money!”

 “Not bloody good enough!!! I’ve been waiting almost 48 hours for my money you transferred manually! You have lost a client! 5 days of system outages, a massive company like this, you have millions of dollars of people’s money!!!!!!!”

And finally…

“Deleting comments now…. dropped hundreds in the last 24hours…” (which could be due to the profanity filter on Facebook, according to the business moderators!)

It appears that there are a lot of nice support staff trying to help their company’s customers, but I think you would agree, these comments are absolutely heartbreaking!

Perhaps the most frustrating thing that this companies customers are being faced with is that now, it is their responsibility to make sure their bills are paid on time, and they have no access or visibility of their budget, what has already been paid and what is pending. It is a now a customers responsibility to call in and request a “manual transfer” to make this occur during an overwhelming cry for help from all customers, leading to phone systems being engaged. So, on top of a pandemic, where people are stressed and social isolated, working from home all hours of the day… Customers now have the additional stress of managing their money, which they were paying another business to do. We would call this a major failure in trust, value and support!

We know that and understand the pain that all of these customers are feeling right now is real. People are scared, unable to feed their own family, unable to access their own money, and unable to know when the problem will be rectified. They do not know what payments will be missed, or what the results of systems ineptitude will mean to their credit report and credit score. Throughout this fear we want you know that effective money management of YOUR money, does not need to be like this!

Alyssa and I are passionate at inspiring people to take control of their own financial future and keeping you in full control at all times. We want you to know that whether you work with us or with any other budgeting specialist, that you do not need to hand over control of your cashflow to any other institution – EVER!  This is the core of our ethics and the reason we exist.

At Adelaide Budgeting it is imperative to us and for our clients that for you, YOUR money is in YOUR bank account which only YOU have access to.  YOU always remain in full control of YOUR cashflow at all times as we coach, educate and teach you how to be better with your own money management, for your own unique circumstances.

Nothing good in life has ever come from YOU giving away YOUR control….

We want to stress to our clients, past present and future, that we will never put you in this position. We believe that true financial literacy should be taught and this is why we provide education, support and mentoring directly to you, alongside your budget plan and strategy that helps you to succeed. Everybody has the capacity to manage their own cashflow, some just need a little guidance in the right direction to nail it.

It is not uncommon for a client within their first 3 months of our program to:

• Have over $4000 or more in savings from a zero balance.
• Have paid out a credit card or two.
• Have reduced financial stress in their life.
• Improve their credit score.
• Have lots of correspondence from our team.

In their first 6 months to:

• Refinance their own home when they couldn’t before.
• Improve their credit score by 100 points.
• Save over 50% of income and live off one wage.

And within 12 months be financially independent!

This week has shown many customers that that a “set and forget, automated budgeting system” does not work!

An Adelaide Budgeting client cycle is typically 6 to 12 months, not years like other providers. This means that in the long-term you can SAVE MORE MONEY rather than wasting your savings money on fees!  This means more money available to you and your family means more time for fun, more time for the things that matter, and more time for family. After your program ends, we are always here for additional support and check ins when needed, without paying ongoing fees.

Working with Adelaide Budgeting is an investment in yourself, your education and your financial empowerment which will give you money management and financial skills for life.

We affirm to you:

• YOU can do this.
• YOU are capable of managing your own money.
• YOUR financial future is in YOUR hands!

If you never want to feel this pain ever again then you need to make an active choice. Choose to life your best life, on your own terms, without giving away your control.  YOU can do this, and YOUR life is YOUR choice.

We are offering a complimentary 20 minute conversation with an Adelaide Budgeting, budgeting expert today, so you can explore your options. To book your complimentary appointment please, click here: https://calendly.com/adelaide-budgeting/20min