The Magic Beans Guide
A magical guidebook to navigating the realm of creative finances
Author’s Note:
A few weeks ago, I wrote the next Counting Beans letter to share here on While I Was Drawing. But it was sooooooo dull I couldn’t bring myself to publish it, let alone write more. For a moment, I almost decided to give up on Counting Beans before it even got started, despite how much I love the idea of demystifying finance for fellow creative explorers. But Eirlys and her magic beans had wound their tendrils through my imagination and I couldn’t let it go.
And so, inspired by the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books I read as a child, I have reimagined Counting Beans as a magical guidebook, a kind of enchanted codex to help you navigate a fantastical realm filled with bizarre landscapes and peculiar creatures, all representing aspects of creative finances. I feel such a sense of childlike excitement, I can’t help smiling and chuckling when I think about what’s coming!
I can’t tell if this is brilliant or bonkers. I’m hoping for brilliantly bonkers.
Let’s find out together…
It begins with a handful of beans. Not the kind that promise singing harps and geese that lay golden eggs, but beans of a different sort, humble, plain, and somewhat neglected.
With a sigh, you gather them. Receipts, invoices, bank statements, all crumpled and scattered, and plant them firmly in the ground of determination. And then, as if summoned by some ancient financial alchemy, a beanstalk begins to grow.
It stretches slowly upward, curling and twisting as it rises from the Desk of Procrastination. Its tendrils weaving skyward through the Forest of Forgotten Receipts and into the clouds of Uncharted Financial Fog. Against all odds and armed with nothing more than a sturdy spreadsheet and a shaky understanding of VAT, you climb.
Up, up, and up you go, past the mists of questionable deductible expenses, until at last, you reach the top. And there, stretching out before you, lies the Realm of Finance. It is a strange and bewildering world, filled with bizarre landscapes and peculiar creatures, shaped by curious forces and unpredictable rules.
Through a golden haze lies the Kingdom of Receivables, where sunlight dances on gilded spires promising untold riches. Past the perils of the Tax Troll’s Bridge, the Marsh of Overdue Invoices bubbles restlessly, eager to pull unwary travellers into its murky depths. Far in the distance, the VAT Labyrinth twists and turns, its walls shifting and reforming, alive with ever-changing rules and riddles.
But fear not, intrepid adventurer, for you are not alone. Clutched tightly in your hand is The Magic Beans Guide, a curious and enchanted map that reveals the path ahead. Each bean you count unlocks a new trail, a glimmer of clarity in the chaos.
Welcome to a quest like no other, where the mysteries of finance unravel one magical step at a time. With your trusty guide, you will learn to navigate the treacherous terrains of the Realm of Finance, tame its unruly creatures, and perhaps even discover a treasure or two buried deep within its winding pathways.
With the pages of the Magic Beans Guide unfolding before you, the map begins to shimmer and shift, revealing faint pathways to far-off lands. Yet some trails fade into mist, their destinations unclear.
‘The Magic Bean Exchange,’ you read from the guide’s glowing text, ‘is the key to unlocking new paths. A place where adventurers gather to chart their next steps. What landscapes of the financial realm do you wish to explore? What perils do you face, and what treasures do you seek?’
Place your questions and curiosities into the Magic Bean Exchange, and watch as the guide grows, illuminating the paths most sought after by daring adventurers like you; paths that may lead to the treasures of the Budgeting Bazaar, the mysteries of The Cloud Keep, or the soaring secrets hidden in the nest of the Profit Phoenix.
Our adventure begins within the gleaming mirrors of the Hall of Reflections, but after that, the paths diverge. One trail descends into the treasure-laden depths of the Cashflow Caverns, while another winds upwards through a rocky trail towards the peaks of the Ledger Highlands.
Dear explorers, what paths shall we chart next? The Magic Beans Guide is shaped by your questions. Share them in the Magic Bean Exchange, and together, we’ll map out new trails through this mystic land. What treasures or tools do you seek to aid your creative journey?
Each new quest will be revealed here in the Magic Beans Guide Quests section below.
If you have a Creative Explorer Ticket (free subscription), the quest to our next fantastical realm will magically appear in your enchanted satchel (inbox) each month. For those with a Creative Adventurer Ticket (paid subscription), the journey is even richer. There will be rare explorer badges to collect and hidden troves of knowledge, tools, and treasures to enhance your expedition. You’ll also hold the keys to the Magic Bean Exchange, where you can ask your gnarliest questions, share your ideas and shape the paths we chart together.
So, gather your beans and ready your guide.
Our adventure awaits!
The Magic Beans Guide Quests
As each quest is unlocked, the links below will magically transport you to your chosen quest!
Where shimmering walls holds the key to understanding double-entry bookkeeping and uncovering the balance hidden within every transaction.
What secrets lie within the shimmering walls of the Hall of Reflections and what do they reveal about balance and clarity in my finances?
Quest: Mastering debits, credits, and double-entry bookkeeping to track spending and income with confidence.
The Profit Phoenix
Learn to coax this elusive creature to rise from the ashes of your spreadsheets and spread its wings over your creative enterprise.
How can I summon the Profit Phoenix to ensure my business thrives?
Quest: Understanding profit margins and identifying areas for growth.
The VAT Labyrinth
A twisting maze where rules and regulations shift like shadows, this is a challenge only the most prepared explorers can conquer.
How do I navigate the shifting walls of the VAT Labyrinth without getting hopelessly lost?
Quest: Breaking down VAT registration, filing, and compliance in simple steps.
The Ledger Highlands
High above the chaos, the Ledger Highlands promise a clearer view of your financial landscape, where clarity and accuracy reign.
What’s the best path to the top of the Ledger Highlands where clarity reigns supreme?
Quest: Reconciling accounts and maintaining clean, accurate financial records.
The Tax Troll’s Bridge
Beneath this rickety crossing lies a fearsome troll ready to claim your gold, but clever adventurers can pass unscathed.
How can I cross the Tax Troll’s Bridge without losing all my coins?
Quest: Tax-saving tips, allowable expenses, and deductions for creatives.
The Cashflow Caverns
Deep beneath the surface lies a wealth of treasure, but only those who tread carefully avoid collapse.
How do I mine the Cashflow Caverns for treasure without causing a cave-in?
Quest: Managing cash flow, forecasting, and staying afloat during lean times.
The Marsh of Overdue Invoices
A murky and treacherous place, where the Late Payment Hydra lurks, pulling adventurers into the depths of delay.
What tools do I need to escape the clutches of the Late Payment Hydra?
Quest: Strategies for handling overdue invoices and maintaining good client relationships.
The Expense Enchanter
This whimsical mage has the power to turn chaos into order, transforming scattered receipts into an organized masterpiece.
Can the Expense Enchanter transform my scattered receipts into something manageable?”
Quest: Organizing and categorizing expenses, with tools and tips for simplicity.
The Treasure of Transparency
Hidden in plain sight, this glittering prize reveals the truths behind your numbers, guiding your way to smarter decisions.
What is the Treasure of Transparency, and how can I uncover it?
Quest: Creating clear, actionable financial reports that guide decision-making.
The Budgeting Bazaar
A bustling marketplace where resources are exchanged and financial plans are forged for the next stage of the journey.
What treasures can I trade at the Budgeting Bazaar to fund my creative journey?
Quest: Crafting a sustainable budget and prioritizing expenses.
The Kingdom of Receivables
A gleaming realm of golden towers, where rightful earnings await those brave enough to navigate its pathways and claim their due.
How do I claim my rightful earnings from the Kingdom of Receivables?
Quest: Managing and tracking payments owed to you, including invoicing best practices.
The Cloud Keep
A fortress in the sky, where digital tools and apps offer safety and convenience, but only if they’re chosen wisely.
Discover whether this floating fortress of technology can guard your treasures with ease, or if it’s just a mirage.
Quest: Exploring cloud-based accounting apps and tools for creatives.
Oh my god, I love this so much!! Who knew finances could be so fun!! I will be eagerly awaiting for the next installment to arrive in my "enchanted satchel" 😀 This will appeal to a lot of creatives. Thanks for this Emily.
I’m literally squealing with delight, Emily! You have cracked the code on how to get me…a person for whom paperwork is kryptonite and finances a terrifying prospect…EXCITED…about my upcoming creative financial journey!
EMILY. I’m crying. Thank you for doing this. I shall absolutely be upgrading my subscription because this is a thing I needed in my life, and with you as guide…maybe I will be able to do this very hard thing! 💖