We can all relate to experiencing a joy in helping others. Watching Tammy Barton speak about MyBudget is an experience in itself. Whether it’s on a podcast or in an interview, her passion is unmistakable. Especially the moment she hears a story about how MyBudget has transformed someone’s life, her face lights up with pure joy. It’s not about numbers or business growth, it’s about real people. You can see how much it means to her when a client shares that, for the first time in years, they feel financially secure, stress-free, and in control. It’s not about business success or financial figures; it’s about real people overcoming real struggles. It’s about the moment a client tells her they finally feel in control of their money, that they can sleep at night without worrying about unpaid bills, or that they’ve saved for something they never thought possible.
For over 25 years, MyBudget has done just that, helped more than 130,000 Australians take control of their finances, break free from debt, and live a life without money stress. What began as one woman’s idea at her kitchen table is now a nationwide service that continues to empower thousands every day.
But behind it all is a woman with a deep, unwavering commitment to helping others.
A Simple Idea That Changed Everything
Rewind to 1999, and MyBudget wasn’t a company. It wasn’t even a business idea. It was just a young woman at her kitchen table, helping friends and family organise their finances. Tammy, at just 22 years old, was working in a legal firm where she saw the devastating impact of financial hardship. She wasn’t a banker or an economist, she was simply someone who understood money and wanted to help. I was 12 years old and forced to watch the nightly news and current affairs programs when I first heard about Tammy Barton and the MyBudget brand. And growing up in SA, I’ve never heard a negative word about her, her ethos or purpose behind her business.
Tammy continues to be a highly respected figure in the world of personal budgeting.
Tammy started small, writing out budgets by hand and guiding people on how to manage their income. But it wasn’t long before those same people started asking for more than advice. They trusted her so much, they began handing her their pay packets, asking her to manage their money for them.
And for many, it was the first time in their lives they weren’t drowning in financial stress. Their bills were paid on time, they had money set aside for essentials, and they could finally breathe again.
From Kitchen Table to National Success
The demand kept growing, and Tammy knew she had to make a decision, was this a side project, or could it become something bigger? She chose to go all in and start the life changing brand it is today.
But unlike many startups today, MyBudget wasn’t built on investors or outside funding. Tammy bootstrapped the business, running it from her home, using second-hand furniture, and stretching every dollar as far as possible. She didn’t take a salary for the first few years, reinvesting everything back into growing the business.
Her approach to money, being smart, careful, and intentional, wasn’t just something she taught clients. It was how she built MyBudget. She practiced what she preached!
Slowly, the business expanded. First, she moved into a small office. Then, she hired a team. Word-of-mouth referrals exploded as people told their friends and family about how MyBudget had transformed their financial lives.
What started as one woman helping a few people turned into a company helping thousands.
No judgement, just life changing Personal Budgeting Plans
But from the moment they walk through the doors of a MyBudget office or pickup the phone to speak to budgeting experts, new clients realise MyBudget isn’t a place of judgment, it’s a place of support when they get started with working out their very own tailored personal budget plan to manage their money, pay off debts or reach a savings goal.
Tammy built MyBudget to do more than just track numbers. It’s about lifting people out of financial stress, giving them back peace of mind, and showing them a way forward. The benefits go far beyond dollars and cents.
Couples who used to argue over money stop fighting. Parents who couldn’t afford presents for their kids finally feel in control and finally feel they can do it. People who thought they would never get out of debt find themselves saving for a house deposit, a holiday, or their future.
That’s why MyBudget works. It’s not about quick fixes, it’s about long-term transformation.
Tammy is passionate about financial literacy and the peace of mind it can bring.
Growing MyBudget With Purpose and Integrity
Tammy just has a commitment to helping people live better lives free from money worries.
The demand for MyBudget skyrocketed, not because of advertising, but because of word of mouth. Word of mouth spreads when businesses behave ethically and honestly and do the right thing by their clients. People were telling their friends, family, and co-workers how MyBudget had changed their lives.
And that’s what has kept MyBudget going strong for over two decades, it’s not just a service; it’s a trusted partner for people who need help getting their finances back on track.
Inspiring Leadership
I’d say Tammy Barton isn’t your typical CEO. She doesn’t lead from a distance, she’s deeply involved in MyBudget’s culture, ensuring that every client, every team member, and every decision aligns with the company’s values.
She has created a work environment where compassion, understanding, and genuine care are at the forefront. She believes that hiring the right people, those who truly care about clients, is just as important as financial expertise.
Tammy also understands that success isn’t just about profits, it’s about purpose. Just by listening to her you realise pretty quickly that she measures her success by the thousands of lives transformed, the families who no longer fight over finances, the individuals who have finally escaped the burden of debt.
Awarded Business Woman in SA
Her approach to leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including two-time Telstra Business Woman of the Year and recognition as one of Australia’s most influential businesswomen. But for Tammy, going back to the opening line of this article, the real reward isn’t in awards, it’s in the moments when she hears, firsthand, how MyBudget has helped someone build a better life.
25 Years of Changing Lives
A quarter of a century after those first handwritten budgets at her kitchen table, MyBudget continues to help thousands of Australians every day.
Under Tammy’s leadership, it has expanded across the country, evolved with technology, and continues to innovate. But one thing has never changed, its heart.
Tammy’s joy still comes from the people MyBudget helps. The stories of lives changed. The moments when someone realises they’re no longer stressed about money, but living their life free from money worries.
MyBudget is a business, but it’s one built on purpose, passion, and a commitment to helping people live their best financial lives. And after 25 years, with Tammy Barton at the helm, it’s still just getting started.
