Learning is very essential in life because it goes a long way in shaping our decisions and also keeping us on the right track. When it comes to finances, I have learned so much that has guided my savings and expenses.
I remember when I was a teenager—I was 17 when I started earning for myself. I was doing a POS business for someone, and I was paid 5,000 naira then. That was when 100 naira could be used to purchase something valuable, not now. LOL. Then, after 30 days of sitting in one spot for hours and weeks, I was struggling so badly with managing the money.
The one I spent on unnecessary purchases leaves me with nothing but change. Then I didn't understand needs and wants. The only time I ask myself where all my funds are going is when I remember having worked for months with nothing to show for it.
I adjusted due to a young boy who always visited my stand to make a deposit. At first, I thought he was always coming to deposit money for his aunt, but I was shocked when he told me the money belonged to him. Knowing I was older than him prompted me to ask him how he did it. He told me about making plans and budgets before any spending. I didn't take him seriously at first, but his consistency in visiting our shop for deposits challenged me to try what he told me.
I got a book at home and began writing out what I needed, the ones that were necessary, and scraping off those that weren't. It helped me know how much I spent and what was left. I kept on using a record book for my spending and savings, and that was a great help.
Another thing I did was make sure I saved a certain figure every month once I got my salary. Since it was 5,000 Naira, I started by saving 2,000 once I received my salary and then used the remaining for my written expenses just for me not to feel like I wasn't enjoying my hard work.
I am still practicing these today, although in a more refined way, like not writing them down in a book again but using saving apps to diversify my needs and wants. Another thing, like an addition, which is more like my personal policy, is that no matter how broke I go, I can never be left wanted by searching for a savior who will credit my aza with urgent 2,000 naira. I make sure I always have that last naira that never finishes.
Being the type that finds begging or borrowing a burden, I try my best to save for rainy days and always try to replenish it whenever I run there as the only hope left. With these lessons, I have been able to save more and stay debt-free. Knowing where my money goes gives me a high level of satisfaction that I'm not wasting my time every day going to wor
