Kylie Horgan

My name is Kylie. I’m a lot of things – a mother, a wife, a friend, a person but above all I am passionate and committed to things I believe in. I have worked in the community services sector for over eight years. Caring for others is part of my nature, and it is much more than a ‘job’ to me… it is a way of being.

I have qualifications in Community Services Work and Applied Social Science (Counselling) among others. I have assisted in the organisation of World Refugee Days, Homeless Connect Days and have been involved in many other projects.

For the last five years I’ve worked for a leading agency in disabilities. Part of my role included teaching people budgeting, money and life skills. The lack of useful resources makes this a difficult task. The resources that are available (if you can find any) are basic and under developed. They are a one- size- fits- all approach. The changes in government and society show that such an approach does not work and is a major concern.

Three years ago I came up with the concept of ‘Pocket Wealth’; a place free from corporate influence where people could learn skills, seek expert information and guidance and help make their future bright. A place where people can learn to get the most from what they have, and the money that they earn ... to build skills to enrich people lives. The common theme of the resource is money. I see many people not able to manage their money. What is even scarier is that some don’t even realise it yet.

As they say - you can give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. 



Our current approach in society is reactive - we help the person after they fall. I want to be proactive, Pocket Wealth will help hold them up through education and support.

There are also add on benefits from this approach which include creating a sustainable future, improved health and wellbeing, reducing waste and having a positive impact on the poverty cycle to mention just a few.

I began creating tools and resources to combat the issues faced in our society and built them over two years. Unlike the underdeveloped current resources, I made sure the tools were useful, FUN, simple and easy to use, yet effective. I began trialling some resources with fantastic feedback. 

Pocket Wealth is tailored for people between the ages of eighteen and thirty however any adult will find it useful. Pocket Wealth gives a holistic approach – and being an online resource it is accessible to anyone. People in rural and remote areas, people lacking supports, people living below the poverty line, people with all kinds of disadvantage who need support from an organisation that is free from corporate influence and has their best interest at heart.

What are some of the things we have? Info from all our experts of course (as outlined in above video) !!

Unique and tailored Budgets (including kid friendly budgets)
How to be an expert saver (the 27 universal guidelines)
Recipes (with something for everyone- even the anti-cook!) * Food is often the second biggest weekly expense - we will help! 
Tax tips / employment tips / life skills (including credible advice from our experts)
Online “Pocket Money” savings tracker – track your success
Ongoing support with email and sms reminders (which can be serious or fun)
Monthly emails – letting you know what we have done and what’s coming up!
Printable resources plus visual aids throughout the resource
Plus much more!
 
In 2014 I moved forward with my concept and began to make it a reality. Skip forward ten months and now Pocket Wealth is a living, breathing organisation.

I now have over twenty people currently involved with Pocket Wealth with a variety of qualifications and backgournds. They are all passionate, committed to the vision and helping to make it become a reality. I thank them all very much. 

So how can you help?

I have a plan. It’s a good plan (trust me). But I need some more funds to be able to continue to move forward.
So far, Pocket Wealth has been self funded. EVERYTHING ELSE IS LINED UP INCLUDING LEGAL

You now know what Pocket Wealth is about and what we are trying to achieve.
So what will we spend the money on that you generously pledge?

1. To complete the online platform. Finish the website build which will take 2 months with the web designers (tech heads)

2. Engage local key experts in the Creative Industries to give the “final polish” (aka graphic design features and the visual bits to go with our fantastic content! Keeping in mind visual learners, those with disabilities and children - all have different needs, as examples) 

I am concerned that as a society we do not teach young people financial skills to set them up for a good life.
We throw them full force into adulthood – how can we provide more support?

Those who have skilled supports may do well, those who don’t will likely struggle. This isn’t good enough and I want to do something about it.

Thank you very much x

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