Community Champion Organization
Personal Finance Expert The Saucon Creek Institute for Financial Literacy

I am the founder and owner of The Saucon Creek Institute for Financial Literacy. Based in Philadelphia, the mission of the institute is to increase people’s knowledge of personal finance concepts and improve their financial decision-making skills. Through research, collaboration, curriculum development, and personalized education programs, the institute provides high-quality research-based education that aims to improve the financial status and quality of life of all Americans.

A primary focus of my institute is to provide one-on-one coaching to people who are beginning their careers and their financial journeys. I enjoy working directly with young clients who realize their need for financial coaching. Coaching sessions include topics such as mindful spending and living, saving and investing, retirement planning, personal taxation, risk management, and the basics of estate planning documents and techniques.

One of my favorite success stories at the institute involves a young man who saw his life savings fall in value by 30% soon after working with a financial advisor. He was emotionally devastated. The advisor he worked with failed to evaluate the young man’s financial goals and level of personal risk tolerance. After educating the young man about financial risks and helping him understand his own risk tolerance level, I was able to teach the young man how to build an investment portfolio that is in line with his financial goals and personal risk tolerance. Through the institute’s help, the young man is now comfortable with his investment portfolio and is able to sleep well at night.

A very fun aspect of my work at the institute is to discuss mindful spending and living. Many young people say they don’t have the extra money to invest for their future. I teach them that they do. After tracking their spending for a few months, many young people surprise themselves and find they do have the discretionary income to begin investing for their future. They soon realize they are spending much more on subscription services they don’t use, eating out at restaurants, or buying things online they don’t need. I teach that a simple life is a healthier life and a more cost-effective way to live. I suggest that they take advantage of the outdoors, spend more time reading great novels, and enjoy cooking at home with friends. I recommend that my students focus energy on physical fitness and wellness activities which can often be done for little or no cost while improving mental and physical well-being. I love this aspect of my personal financial coaching and my students do as well. We cap off the lesson with a home-prepared meal, which is always fun.

I thoroughly enjoy my work at The Saucon Creek Institute for Financial Literacy and look forward to bringing the same joy to the PFEC Advisory Board.

The generous backing from The Saucon Creek Institute for Financial Literacy and its owner, Matthew Mellett, has allowed the Pennsylvania Financial Educators Council to broaden its outreach to more residents, families, and partner organizations seeking financial wellness tools. This funding directly enhances educational initiatives and support services that help Minnesotans improve financial preparedness, adaptability, and long-term security.

Additionally, these donated resources help elevate awareness about the importance of improving financial capability across the state, throughout the U.S., and internationally. Support of this kind provides a valuable boost to the overall financial wellness mission and strengthens its continued expansion.

Matthew Mellett’s involvement in the financial education campaign reflects his dedication to innovation, collaborative leadership, and community-centered transformation. His professional mission focuses on making financial education approachable, relevant, and empowering for people at every stage of life.