“If money had a voice, what would it say to you right now?”

Now with a cat!

Nov 25, 2024

Hi and welcome to The Ladybird Purse, my weekly newsletter about women and money. I’m not a financial advisor and am in no way qualified to give financial advice.

But I am writing this with a cat on my lap…

If you follow me on Notes (or literally anywhere else on the internet) you will have already been introduced, but this is Noodles.

We fostered her. And now, of course, we’re keeping her. Which means I have a new savings pot for any future cat-shaped expenses. (We’ll get insurance too, once she’s been officially adopted.)

Noods aside, I don’t currently have any new money news. I’m also struggling with, you know, brain… thought… stuff. I’ve got an appointment to talk to my doctor about HRT later this week and I really need to find some women to interview re menopause and money, so stay tuned for that…

This week’s interview is with one of my favourite Substackers, Gwen Yi.

I don’t consider myself to be a huge astrology person - although I still remember the Gemini personality traits I read in my teens: bubbly, bright, witty, intelligent and charming, thank you very much - but I find Gwen’s posts so joyful and inspiring and I was thrilled she agreed to be interviewed. (Plus I snuck an astrology and money question in at the end.)

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An interview with Gwen Yi

Gwen Yi (@TheAsianAstrologer) is a writer and professional Western astrologer based in Malaysia. Her joy and passion for astrology shines through all that she does, from writing Substacks to offering 1:1 astrological coaching.

Prior to embarking on a more spiritual path, Gwen was the founder of Tribeless – an empathy training company that serviced clients like the Obama Foundation.

What is your relationship with money currently?

I’m in total surrender. It’s fascinating to be here.

Quick context: I blew up my life recently – separated from my partner of 8 years and moved out. He’s always been the one overseeing our finances, so this is a huge step for me, to be independent and alone. I’m learning to manage my money for the first time in my adult life.

I run an astrology business, which is all energetics. The moment I sensed this change percolating, I cut down on my spending. I’ve tried my best to be frugal. Sure enough, I haven’t made much money at all since June. But I feel fine. I am here. I am healthy. I am alive. My new life is beginning – and that’s more than I could ever ask for.

What’s your earliest money memory?

I grew up filthy rich. Like, 3-Mercedes-in-the-front-porch-of-our-bungalow rich. My dad was a business tycoon, but he lost it all in the 2004 stock market crash. Anyway, my earliest memory of money was when my primary school friend was talking about the cars in my driveway.

“Gwen’s family drives Mercedes,” she said matter-of-factly. “She’s rich!”

Up to that point, I had zero awareness of my privilege, or money in general. I thought everyone had stocked pantries and servants at their beck and call. It was a wake up call – but not in a good way. The shame of that incident tainted my experience of money since, especially after my father filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

What advice would you give your younger self about money?

I’d tell her not to worry. That whatever that’s meant for you, will come. That you’ll move out of your big bungalow, leave the maids and Barbie dolls behind, and move into your grandmother’s attic with your sister because that’s all your mom could afford after the bankruptcy and divorce. But it would be fine – because everything you needed was right there with you under that roof. Your family. Your friends. The people that wanted to love you, if only you’d let them in.

I’d tell her that money was energy – it was all about the intention behind it. There’s no point to hoard or worry or save. Spend it on the things you love. Spend on yourself. Figure out what your threshold of safety is – we all have one – the amount you need to have in your bank account to feel secure. And don’t worry about losing the rest of it.

Some things in life are worth spending on.

What’s the biggest money mistake you’ve made?

Saving when I shouldn’t have. I never put much thought into budgeting or investing or “making my money work for me”. The shame was too great for too long. Now that I’m slowly opening myself up to learning, I’m sad for all the years I spent with my money sitting in my bank account, never touched. Allowing my money to move is healthy. It’s ok to let it flow out – because better will flow in. It always has, and it always will.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever spent money on?

Travel. Hands down. I have a Sagittarius moon (IYKYK) and from a young age, I was travel hacking. I’d apply to conferences and scholarships just for a chance to fly across the globe. By the age of 21, I’d travel-hacked my way to 20 countries – all (mostly) for free. It was my greatest ‘flex’.

Last year, after emerging from my pandemic funk, I finally went on my first trip in four years – and my first solo trip ever – to Bali. It was the most beautiful, invigorating, eye-opening thing I’d ever done for myself. I like to think that experience gave me the courage I eventually needed to leave my relationship.

Travel is the greatest teacher, because it shows us what’s truly important. It is the one thing I will always joyfully spend on.

Do you have a retirement fund? If not, do you have a plan?

No. My next goal is to save up for a place of my own. One step at a time :)

What would you do with £10,000 (or local equivalent!)?

Save some, cover my basic expenses, and then splurge on a trip to visit my friends in a different country (my favorite thing to do!).

What little luxury could you get with a tenner?

A hot oat milk latte from an experienced barista. (I recently started making my own coffee – something I’m extremely proud of! – but sitting down in a café just hits different.)

If you were me, what would you want to ask women about money?

If money had a voice, what would it say to you right now?

I'm a Gemini - any top money tips for me?

I’d need to see your Rising sign first!1

Astrology tip: your natal chart is a wheel that consists of 12 houses (‘slices of pie’), and money is ruled by the 2nd house / ‘slice’.

If your 2nd house falls in an Earth sign (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), you’d be really good at saving – managing your finances, doing up your budget. You might be a bit more inclined to spend on luxurious, high quality things. ;)

If it falls in an Air sign (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), you’d be a little more easygoing with your spending. You’d prefer to invest in intangible things, like relationships or learning. You’d learn a lot about money from talking to people!

If it falls in a Water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), you’d have very little attachment to material things. It’s more about what those things represent to you – the meaning they hold. You’re sentimental and believe in energetics and intentionality behind money.

If it falls in a Fire sign (Aries, Leo, Sag), you’re likely a bit impulsive with your money! You are the ultimate “treat yo self” friend, either splurging on things for yourself or as a nice gift for those you love. You’re gregarious, sometimes to a fault – but then again, your devil-may-care attitude often yields the most magical money opportunities.2

* Please note that these are generalizations based on the elements, and if it doesn’t resonate with your experience, there are probably deeper reasons embedded in your chart. For example, if you have Saturn in your 2nd house and it’s a Fire sign, you might still feel that impulsivity – but it’s grounded in reality by Saturn, so you might ultimately default to a more disciplined approach. Get a reading from a professional astrologer if you’d like to dive deeper into this! :)

✷ WEBSITE | theasianastrologer.com

✷ INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/theasianastrologer

✷ SUBSTACK | theasianastrologer.substack.com

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