Financial Education Built on Real Experience
We started xenolivario because too many people felt left behind by traditional finance education. The textbooks were dry, the advice felt generic, and nobody seemed to care about everyday Australians trying to build better futures.
Back in 2019, three financial advisors were sitting in a Brisbane café, frustrated with how disconnected mainstream finance felt from real life. We'd all spent years watching clients struggle with concepts that should've been straightforward — not because they weren't capable, but because the education just wasn't there.
So we decided to change that. xenolivario grew from those conversations into a learning platform that treats financial literacy like the practical skill it is, not some exclusive club knowledge.
Why We Do This Work
Financial stress doesn't just affect bank accounts. It affects relationships, health, career decisions, and whether someone can sleep at night. We've seen it firsthand — the relief on someone's face when they finally understand their superannuation, or when budgeting suddenly clicks and stops feeling like punishment.
Our approach isn't revolutionary. We just explain things clearly, skip the jargon unless it's actually necessary, and focus on what matters for Australian households. Mortgages, tax planning, retirement strategies that account for our specific system.
The financial industry loves making things complicated. We think that's backwards. Good education should make complex topics feel manageable, not more intimidating.
What Guides Our Teaching
Practical Over Theoretical
We teach concepts you can apply next week, not abstract theories. Every lesson connects to real decisions you'll actually face — whether that's comparing home loans, understanding HECS debt, or planning for parental leave.
Australian Context Matters
Generic finance advice from overseas doesn't cut it here. Our tax system, superannuation rules, property market, and social security all work differently. We focus exclusively on what applies in Australia, with local examples and current regulations.
No Judgment, Just Learning
Starting your financial education at 25 or 55 doesn't matter. Previous money mistakes don't matter. Where you're starting from doesn't matter. We create space for honest questions without the shame that often surrounds money conversations.
The moment I knew this work mattered was when a single mum told me she'd negotiated her first pay rise after understanding her actual market value. She'd been underpaid for years, just didn't have the financial confidence to push back. That's what keeps me doing this.
Felicity Rourke
Education Director
Ready to Start Learning?
Our next comprehensive financial literacy program begins in September 2025. Whether you're looking to understand superannuation better, plan for property purchase, or just get your budget sorted, we'd love to have you join us.
Get in Touch