Financial Literacy, Expanding Your Emotional Capacity and Strengthening Your Spiritual Connection to Money: A Complete Guide
Hello my loves!
In episode 14 of The Worthy Podcast we dove deep into all things MONEY. If you’ve ever felt curious about money energetics, investing, saving, increasing your knowledge in this space or just love learning, keep reading below!
If you prefer to listen, you can listen over here >>>
Part 1 : Why This Conversation Matters
As we approach a once-in-a-lifetime astrological transit—Pluto moving from Capricorn into Aquarius on November 20th, 2024 —we're experiencing a powerful moment to reflect on some incredible transformation in the house / life area that Capricorn rules in our natal chart. Having spent 18 years in Capricorn (since 2006), Pluto won't return to this position until 2254.
To put this in perspective, Pluto takes approximately 248 Earth years to complete one orbit around the sun, and can spend 20-30 years in a single house. This means Pluto will only transit through 3 to 4 houses in your natal chart during your lifetime.
With a Capricorn stellium in the second house, the house of financial matters - wealth - money - value & self worth, I decided to dedicate this episode to the transformation I’ve personally gone through in this life area and share with you what I’ve implemented. I've experienced this as a profound period of transformation which you can hear more about in Episode 13 : Pluto, Money & The End of An Era (PART 1) here.
Pluto is the most powerful planet in our solar system—the planet of transformation, your place of power, and intense lessons that bring you face-to-face with your truest self and darkest shadows. So where does it reside in your natal chart? And what chapter of transformation is coming to its completion for you as this transit takes place?
My Personal Money Journey: From Struggle to Success
Let me be completely transparent about where I started, because this journey hasn't always been pretty. In my early twenties, I was:
Struggling to pay rent on time
Unable to pay my car loan
Drowning in maxed-out credit cards and only just paying the minimum monthly payments (when I could)
Juggling multiple personal loans like zip pay, after pay and some others
Constantly transferring money between accounts to avoid declined cards at the check out
Putting $5 of fuel in my car at a time
And seriously terrified to look at my bank account
The hardest part wasn't just the financial struggle—it was starting the journey to change it. I knew I had sooo much work to do and the thought of it all was so intimidating. I procrastinated for so long, partly hoping that somehow, magically, more money would appear in my account. Spoiler alert: that's not how it worked out!
I was completely overwhelmed by the prospect of actually needing to learn it all because the financial jargon was so hard to understand, I really just needed someone to explain it to me in laymen terms. I didnt really have any influences in my life at the time to teach me and reading copious amounts of books was overwhelming. I knew I had to sit down and get busy setting up proper banking systems and actually looking at my expenses - but I had my head in the sand.
It wasn’t until I embarrassingly shared to someone how much financial stress I was in, that they made me go to a money mindset seminar (forever grateful!! Changed my world) and finally it started to click. After 48 hours of immersing myself in this world and learning / asking a million questions - I realized I was living well beyond my means.
The reality check was brutal but necessary.
It's been over 10 years since that weekend where I started being diligent with my money and following what I call the "wealth principles." The transformation didn't happen overnight, but I promise you this: the hardest part is starting. The more you dive into this world, the more empowered you feel, the more action you take, and the more results you achieve.
Think of your relationship with money like one with your best friend. You wouldn't be scared of your friend or avoid them—that's not a healthy relationship. You wouldn't be reckless with your friendship or forget to check in regularly. Money needs the same care, attention, and respect.
The Foundations of Financial Literacy
Financial literacy isn't just about knowing how to balance your accounting software at month's end. It's about:
1. Understanding how money works
2. Learning how to make it work for you
3. Building education, skills, and resources to improve your financial situation
4. Developing the emotional and energetic capacity to hold wealth
Here's a crucial truth: If you can't manage $1,000, you can't manage $10,000. You don't suddenly learn how to handle money by amassing more of it.
This explains why:
Many lottery winners end up losing it all
Some (not all) rapid-success entrepreneurs constantly find themselves in the cycle of building and destroying their finances
Sustainable long term wealth requires both simple strategies to be put in place, and emotional intelligence
It's so much about mindset and self-worth too. Without the energetic and emotional readiness to hold larger amounts of money, you'll subconsciously always find ways to self-sabotage and destroy what you build.
The Three Core Elements of Financial Management
1. Budgeting: Knowing where your money goes, dispersing it methodically with intention and strategy
2. Saving: Creating security funds (I intentionally don't use the term "emergency fund"—we're manifesting security, not emergencies)
3. Investing: Making your money work for you through smart, strategic choices
Remember: Financial literacy isn't a side effect of wealth — wealth is a side effect of financial literacy.
Part 2: The Profit First Revolution & Real Talk About Business Income
The Game-Changing Profit First Method…
My honeys, let me share something that completely revolutionized my business. About a year ago, my business coach introduced me to "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz, and holy moly, even though I thought I had my money stuff together, this book showed me there was a whole other level of being smart with your finances.
Flipping the Traditional Formula
Here's the thing my love - most people think about profitable businesses all wrong. The traditional formula looks like this:
Income - Expenses = Profit
But this approach is completely backward! You're essentially prioritizing your expenses and overheads before your profit, leaving whatever crumbs are left over as your "profit." Some business owners don't even have profit (which is really, really saddening).
Instead, Profit First teaches you to flip it:
Income - PROFIT = EXPENSES
The Exact Breakdown That Changed My Business…
The size of your business will determine what your percentage splits need to look like and Mike explains this in his book in an easy to read sliding scale, but you also need to take into mind your industry and maybe change it up.
Here is an example of how it might look for you:
5% to Profit (minimum - you'll increase this over time)
25% to Tax (Depening where you live in the world this might look different for everyone)
35% to Operating Expenses
35% to Owner's Pay
Now, I know what you're thinking - "Chani, that doesn't work for me because I'm not left with enough money if I take out 5% profit!" That was exactly my first reaction. But here's the magic: when you're forced to take out profit first (if its really hard, start with at least 1% and work up from there every quarter), you're suddenly looking at your expenses in a whole new way. Starting somewhere is better than not starting at all.
Setting Up Your System
I personally have about 15 sub-accounts in my personal bank (and yes, I bank with NAB now, previously Suncorp - both let you do this for free if you’re Aussie like me). Here's how it works:
Income Account: All money comes in here, but nothing goes out
Distribution Accounts:
Profit account
Tax account
Operating expenses
Owners Compensation (wages) account
Savings account (this will look different for everyone but here’s an example):
Technology
Business Travel
Business Rent
Bills account (overheads, monthly subscriptions etc)
And several others for specific purposes like contractors, staff etc
Pro tip, my loves: If your bank charges for multiple accounts, change banks! There's no need to pay for this feature.
Join Money Magic today and learn to rewire your limiting beliefs around money with my 5 step process for just $55 AUD » https://chanithompson.com/moneymagic
A Client Success Story…
Let me share something powerful that happened with one of my one-on-one clients just last week. She and her partner were running their business month to month, feeling tight with expenses when she first came to me and money management was one of the first and high priority things she wanted us to work together on.
I recommended Profit First, and initially, they put it on the backburner, mentioning they had other books to read first but it was on the to do list.
A few weeks later my client brought up she was feeling a block around money and I circled back on our conversation and resources shared a few weeks prior and she realised, she hadnt prioritized something that was dysregulating her nervous system massively.
Sometimes it’s easy to put things that are hard at the bottom of the priority list - It's like when people say they don't have time to meditate - that's exactly why they need to meditate!
But this is why it’s so important to get your head out of the sand when it comes to your money. It’s uncomfortable and there is sometimes, big work to be involved, but it’s so worth it.
The reminder made her take action fast (I love working with clients like this!). They finished the book in record time, had a money date together, set their intentions with Profit First - and, you won't believe what happened next.
Actually, I take that back - I absolutely believe what happened next because this is how energy works! They had a $150K weekend in their business - one of their best ever in a long time.
This is the power of the spiritual connection with money and honoring your money by being a good steward of it.
Where focus goes, energy flows!
The Real Key to Business Success
Remember this, my angels: when you start having your income increase, don't fall into the trap of increasing your lifestyle. I see so many people online who hit a new income level and immediately blow it on:
Designer bags
Luxury shoes
New cars
Business class flights
Instagram-worthy purchases
Instead of proving your worth through external purchases, what if you:
Kept your lifestyle private
Lived below your means
Invested your surplus income into appreciating assets
Let your money compound and work for you in the background
Because here's the truth - all those external things don't last forever. They're depreciating assets (actually, they're not even assets - they're discretionary spending lol).
Play with a compound interest calculator online and see what that extra money could create for you over the next 5, 10, or 15 years instead.
Part 3: Smart Investing & Your Spiritual Money Connection
Understanding Smart Investing: Let's Talk ETFs
My loves, I want to share something that's been game-changing in my investment journey - learning about ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds). I promise to break this down in the simplest way possible, because I know financial jargon can feel overwhelming.
What is an ETF?
Think about it this way - if stocks and shares are like individual items, an ETF is like a bucket that holds multiple stocks in one place. Let me give you a real example I'm looking at right now.
There's an ETF called XLY (a consumer discretionary ETF) that includes companies like:
Amazon
Tesla
Home Depot
Starbucks
Nike
Chipotle Mexican (tick hehe)
Airbnb
Hilton
Ford Motor
Lululemon (sold! 😛)
MGM Resorts
Ralph Lauren
And many more
I like this ETF because it has a lot of companies I personally use and I believe the discretionary consumer category is about to go off with the recent interest rate decrease (NOTE: not financial advice, just my personal opinion).
Why This Matters for Your Wealth Building…
Here's why ETFs are so powerful for building long-term wealth:
Risk Management: Some of these companies are high risk, some medium, some low. When they're all in one bucket, they balance each other out. If Airbnb goes gangbusters but Hilton has a rough patch, it levels itself out.
Diversification: Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket (like buying shares in just one company), you're spreading your investment across multiple companies.
Professional Management: The ETF is managed by professionals who monitor and adjust the holdings.
Simplicity: It's what I call "set and forget" investing - perfect for busy entrepreneurs who don't want to watch the market daily.
Getting Started with ETFs
I use Pearler for my ETF investments, and my loves who are new to this space, it's such a user-friendly platform. Here's what you need to do:
Start by watching educational content (I'll link some amazing Equity Mates videos, my fave youtube channel on all things ETFs, in the resources section)
Research ETFs that align with your values dont just buy whatever you see
Look at the distribution history and fees, make sure you’re buying to one that is high value for low cost, youtube can help you work out what good fee’s are to look out for
Consider the holdings - make sure you're comfortable with the companies included
Pro tip: When researching ETFs, look for ones with a solid track record and reasonable fees, they all show them on their summary PDF documents so they’re easy to find. Some ETFs focus on ethical investments if that's important to you too 😀
The Spiritual Connection to Money
Now, let's shift gears and talk about something equally important - your spiritual connection to money. This isn't just woo-woo stuff, my angels; it's actually quantum physics and universal law.
Understanding Money as Energy:
Here's a perspective that changed everything for me: Money isn't just physical notes in your wallet or numbers on a screen. Money is energy that's manifested into this 3D plane.
Think about scissors (stay with me here!). Scissors themselves aren't good or bad - they're neutral. They can be used to create beautiful things or cause harm. It's not about the scissors; it's about the consciousness guiding them.
Money works the same way. It's just a tool, a physical manifestation of energy. And just like we can't defy the laws of physics (throw something up, it must come down), we can't defy universal laws about energy.
Breaking Free from Ancestral Money Stories:
Let me share something personal. My family migrated from Uruguay to Australia - both sides lived below the average income range before coming here. My parents worked multiple jobs to put my sister and me through private schooling. These experiences shaped my early money beliefs:
Money is hard to come by
You have to work extremely hard for success
Having luxuries means working two jobs and endless hours
Here's the truth - it took some time to work through these beliefs and see proof of another version and reality, but once I rewrote my money stories and rewired new neural pathways to think differently, everything changed for me.
It's why I created Money Magic, my 5 day course on rewiring your limiting beliefs around money with my 5 step process. I put some of the fundamental learnings that changed the game for me when it came to my mindset, and put it all into one easy to access area for you to delve into and do the same for yourself too.
Five Ways to Transform Your Money Relationship:
Master the Law of Cause and Effect
Don't wait for the pay rise or lottery win
Start wealthy before the money arrives
The universe responds to certainty
Celebrate Every Sign of Progress
Found $50 on the ground? Celebrate it!
Got an unexpected refund? Acknowledge it!
Small wins compound into your avalanche of abundance
Involve All Five Senses
Create sensory anchors (I use Palo Santo and beautiful candles)
Visualize your abundant life
Feel the emotions of financial freedom
Train Your Nervous System
Expand your emotional capacity
Build tolerance for larger numbers
Get comfortable with abundance
Clean Up Your Money Story
Identify limiting beliefs
Release guilt about wanting more
Create new neural pathways for wealth
You can do this inside Money Magic, my 5 day self led course to rewire your limiting beliefs around money.
Free Resources & Links Mentioned in this episode / blog:
Watch the playback to my free play on demand 2 hour astro workshop, The Stars Within You.
Download my free Q4 Moon Tracking Calendar
Grab your copy of my book, The Alchemy Blueprint
Previous episode: Episode 13 | Pluto & Money (PART 1) on Spotify & Apple
Explore The Pearler App:
Investment Education Videos:
Final Words
Remember, my loves, this journey isn't about overnight success or get-rich-quick schemes. It's about consistent growth, mindset shifts, and always being open to learning. Whether you're starting with budgeting basics or ready to dive into investing, every step forward is progress.
Where focus goes, energy flows. The more attention and intention you give to your money relationship - both practical and spiritual - the more it will grow and flourish.
Disclaimer: This content reflects personal experience and should not be considered financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals for specific financial guidance.
If you’re desiring more intimate & high level support from me right now, I’d love to invite you to take a look at ALCHEMY, my signature 16 week mastermind made for the entrepreneurial woman. It’s where we can work closely together to help you build the business of your dreams thats in alignment with your astrology so you can create a business you’re actually obsessed with 🤌🏽
Much love, Chani x
Join Chani in episode 14 for a deep dive conversation on all things the financial literacy, developing a healthy money mindset, expanding your emotional capacity to attract and hold more money, her favourite books for strategies, systems and structures on budgeting, paying off debt and investing plus developing a strong relationship with money by exploring its energetics and your personal spiritual connection to it.
Resources I mention in this episode:
Watch the playback to my free play on demand 2 hour astro workshop, The Stars Within You here
Download my free Q4 Moon Tracking Calendar here
Prefer to read? Read this episode on the blog here
Grab The Astro Quick Guide to apply all the info to your own chart here
Grab your copy of my book, The Alchemy Blueprint here
Previous episode: Episode 13 | Pluto & Money (PART 1) on Spotify and Apple
Explore Money Magic to rewire your limiting beliefs around money here
Explore The Pearler App and Start Micro Investing with ETFs today
My two recommended Youtube videos from equity mates to learn about ETFs
MONEY MAGIC
CREATING YOUR NEW MONEY STORY
There is a secret element to success and financial abundance that most of us are unaware of, and that is the stories and beliefs that are programmed within our unconscious mind. "MONEY MAGIC || Creating Your New Money Story" will teach you all about how to rewrite your beliefs, so that you can welcome and cultivate wealth, just like you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Literacy & Money Mindset
Basic Financial Literacy
Q: What is financial literacy and why is it important? A: Financial literacy is your knowledge and understanding of how money works and how to make it work for you. It's not just about balancing books—it's about understanding money management, investing, saving, and building long-term wealth. Think of it as your foundation for creating financial freedom. Without financial literacy, you might earn a lot of money but still struggle to keep or grow it. Read more in the "Foundations of Financial Literacy" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: Why do lottery winners and sudden wealth recipients often lose their money? A: This comes down to emotional capacity and money mindset. If you can't manage $1,000, you can't manage $10,000—you don't suddenly learn how to handle money just by having more of it. Most lottery winners lack the financial literacy, emotional capacity, and mindset needed to maintain wealth. It's about having the right systems, knowledge, and emotional intelligence to handle larger sums of money. Explore this concept further in the "Money Mindset and Emotional Capacity" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: How many bank accounts should I have for proper money management? A: For effective money management, you should have multiple accounts for different purposes. At a minimum, you need separate accounts for income, profit, tax, operating expenses, and personal pay. I personally maintain about 15 sub-accounts, including dedicated accounts for savings, travel, food, bills, and specific goals. The key is to have clear separation of funds for different purposes. Find the complete breakdown in the "Setting Up Your System" section under Profit First of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Business & Income
Q: What does a 50k month really mean in business? A: A "$50K month" isn't what most people think. From that $50,000: you'll pay about $5,000 in GST (10%), $11,250 in income tax (25%), at least $2,250 in profit (5% minimum), plus operating costs including staff, tech stack, and business expenses. The actual take-home amount is significantly less than the headline figure. This is why transparency in business income claims is so important. See the full breakdown in the "Real Talk About Business Income" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: How do I calculate my true business profit? A: True business profit should be calculated BEFORE expenses, not after. Instead of the traditional Income - Expenses = Profit formula, use Income - Profit = Expenses. Start by setting aside at least 5% of your income as profit, then allocate the rest to taxes, operating expenses, and owner's pay. This ensures profit is a priority, not an afterthought. Learn more in the "The Game-Changing Profit First Method" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: What is an ETF and how does it work? A: An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is like a bucket that holds multiple stocks in one place. Instead of buying individual shares in companies, you're investing in a collection of companies through one investment. For example, an ETF might include shares in Amazon, Tesla, Nike, and many other companies, spreading your risk and diversifying your investment automatically. Discover more in the "Understanding Smart Investing: Let's Talk ETFs" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: How can I start investing with little money? A: You can start investing with small amounts through micro-investing platforms like Pearler. Focus on ETFs for diversification and lower risk. The key is to start small but consistently, using a "set and forget" strategy rather than trying to time the market or make quick gains. Learn more in the "Getting Started with ETFs" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: What's the difference between individual stocks and ETFs? A: Individual stocks are like putting all your eggs in one basket—you're investing in a single company. ETFs, however, are like having your eggs spread across many baskets. They offer built-in diversification, professional management, and typically lower risk than individual stocks. When one company in an ETF struggles, others might perform well, helping to balance your investment. Read more details in the "Why This Matters for Your Wealth Building" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: How do I overcome limiting beliefs about money? A: Overcoming limiting beliefs about money starts with identifying where they came from—often our childhood, family, or cultural conditioning. The key is to recognize these beliefs aren't your truth; they're learned patterns. Start by:
Identifying your current money stories
Understanding their origins
Creating new, empowering beliefs
Taking aligned action to prove your new beliefs
Celebrating evidence of abundance in your life
Check out my 5 day course, Money Magic, for $55 and start learning about the 5 main BS stories we hold around money that you may have, and how to flip the script and change your relationship with money.
Q: Can generational poverty affect my relationship with money? A: Yes, generational poverty can significantly impact your relationship with money through inherited beliefs and patterns. Like my own story coming from Uruguayan immigrants who lived in poverty, these experiences can create deep-seated beliefs like "money is hard to come by" or "you have to work extremely hard for success." However, recognizing these patterns is the first step to transforming them. Your ancestral patterns don't have to be your destiny. Read my personal story in the "Breaking Free from Ancestral Money Stories" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here to learn more.
Q: How do I improve my relationship with money? A: Improving your relationship with money requires a holistic approach:
Treat money like a friendship that needs nurturing
Master the law of cause and effect
Celebrate every sign of progress
Involve all five senses in your money practices
Train your nervous system to hold more
Clean up your money story Remember, money is energy, and your relationship with it reflects your relationship with yourself.
Find detailed strategies in the "Five Ways to Transform Your Money Relationship" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Practical Money Management
Q: What's the difference between regular savings and a security fund? A: Regular savings are for specific goals or purchases, while a security fund (often called an emergency fund, though I prefer not to manifest emergencies!) is your foundation for financial stability. A security fund should cover 3-6 months of expenses and isn't meant to be touched unless absolutely necessary. It's about creating safety and peace of mind, not just accumulating money. Learn more in the "The Three Core Elements of Financial Management" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: How do I stop living paycheck to paycheck? A: Breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle requires a systematic approach:
Track every dollar coming in and going out
Set up multiple bank accounts for different purposes
Create a realistic budget based on your actual spending
Start building a security fund, even if it's just $5 at a time
Focus on increasing financial literacy Remember, I started by putting $5 of fuel in my car at a time—everyone starts somewhere!
Read about my journey in the "My Personal Money Journey: From Struggle to Success" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here.
Q: Should I increase my lifestyle when my income increases? A: No! This is one of the biggest traps in wealth building. Instead of increasing your lifestyle with every income boost, maintain your current lifestyle and invest the difference. Avoid the temptation to buy designer bags, luxury cars, or business class flights just because you can. Focus on building appreciating assets that will work for you in the background. Your future self will thank you for choosing long-term wealth over short-term luxury. Find more insights in the "The Real Key to Business Success" section of this blog or listen to the episode in full on my podcast here..
