What Is a Wealth Ecosystem? 7 Overlooked Indicators for Building Sustainable Wealth
I don’t think anyone’s ever heard this word before. I hope no one has, because I’d like to claim it.
A wealth ecosystem, to me, is the interconnected network of internal and external support systems that allow you to build wealth in a more sustainable way.
I’ve always said: wealth isn’t just the digits in your bank account. It’s also how you feel about money, the relationship you have with it, and the influences that surround you.
So today, I want to go deeper into what I believe are the key categories or pillars of a more holistic form of financial wellbeing.
Health (Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Physical)
When I say health, I’m talking about all of it: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. I could even break each of those down into its own categories.
Your mental health, your physical health, your spiritual health, your connection with a higher self or purpose — all of these matter. And the reason it’s so important is because if you’re not balanced in all four, you won’t have the energy or capacity to go out there and make money.
You’ve heard the saying “health is wealth.” This is where that applies.
Relationships
This is one that a lot of people overlook, but our relationships have a direct impact on how we relate to money and how we use it. Most of our earliest experiences with money come from watching our parents manage their finances. Then we’re influenced by society, by friends, and by the environments we grow up in. Some people don’t save. Some people don’t have an issue with spending. But you usually fall into one camp or the other.
That’s why we need to look at our circle. Who around you are the negative influences? Who are the positive ones? How can you rewrite your money story? This ties into health, especially mental and emotional wellness. How can you take the negative or even traumatic experiences you’ve had with money in the past and use them as a stepping stone toward creating more positive experiences for your future?
Time and Energy
You cannot buy back time. If you’re “time poor,” if you don’t know how to manage your time effectively, you could be losing out on countless opportunities to build wealth. And if you don’t have access to wealth now, you can’t buy back that time later to spend with your loved ones or to do the things that fill you with joy.
There has to be a balance between work and play. We live in a culture that glorifies work, but it’s equally important to make time to enjoy the money you’re earning. Protecting your time is just as important as building wealth. It is just as powerful as earning more money.
Education and Financial Literacy
This is a big one. It doesn’t matter how much money you have in your bank account. If you don’t know what to do with it, or if you’re not intentional with where it’s going, you could still end up at zero. Ask yourself: Why are you spending on what you’re spending on? Why aren’t you saving? If you are saving, what are you saving for? What’s your why? Educate yourself on how money works. Learn how the system works. Understand why USD became the global currency, and why we switched from gold to dollar bills. Look at history, from bartering to capitalism, and start thinking about what might come after capitalism.
Every system eventually changes. Birth, death, recycle. It’s a universal law. And when it comes to personal finance, learn the basics: credit, debt, savings, interest, and investing. Know the difference between an asset and a liability. As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, you do better.” And if you know better but choose not to do better, that’s on you.
Work and Career Equity
This isn’t just about the type of job you have. It’s about being intentional with the skills you acquire and the roles you take on. Some careers pay more, but they often come with trade-offs.
We also have to acknowledge barriers to employment. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups often face discrimination in hiring and pay. Yes, you might technically have the same opportunity to apply, but are you actually being given the same access to those jobs?
The reality is: if you can’t get a job, you can’t make money. And if you can’t make money, you can’t build wealth.
Environment
This is both your physical space and the broader environment you live in.
Physically: What’s the state of your home? How do you feel about it? Does it support your health and wellbeing? If you’re in a toxic space, whether because of negative people or unhealthy conditions like mold or asbestos, it will impact you financially and emotionally.
Globally: How are larger forces like climate change, technology, or economic shifts impacting your opportunities? What will jobs look like in a world where AI is replacing so much human labor?
For me, my home is my safe space. It’s where I recharge and connect with myself. And sometimes, shifting your environment, even just taking a walk in nature, can completely change your mindset.
Spiritual Purpose and Identity
I mentioned spirituality under health, but this deserves its own pillar. Wealth is harder to hold when you’re not in alignment with your values and purpose. Sometimes people take jobs or make choices purely for money, even when it doesn’t feel right to their souls. When you’re in survival mode, it’s tempting to do whatever it takes to earn. But integrity matters.
For me, that means refusing to invest in companies that harm people or the planet, even if they promise high returns. My money has to align with my values. It’s also about doing things that light you up, inside and outside of work. Not everyone gets to do what they love for a living, but you can still carve out time for the things that bring you joy. And if you can’t find the work you want, maybe you’re meant to create it.
Bringing It All Together
It’s not just about the internal or the external. It’s about integrating the two.
The external is your work, your financial education, and how you use your money. The internal is how you feel about your money, your health, your relationships, your purpose.
When both are balanced, your wealth ecosystem becomes sustainable and more fulfilling.
So ask yourself: Which of these categories are you currently nurturing? Which ones have you neglected? What small shifts could you make to strengthen your ecosystem this month?
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