Girls and our non-saving culture

Excuse the title, i know a few girls who can save their money till thy kingdom come. No matter how nice the shoe or bag is, they are not buying. If you are one of them, this article is not for you but feel free to read.

Do you believe in retail therapy? Do nice things you didn't buy haunt your dreams? Do you believe money is what money can buy? Yaaaaay!!! hey sister girl! you are my soul sister. I won't deny the fact nice things make me really happy. When i'm sick, no need to go to the hospital, i just need new shoes or a bag or sunglasses. No medication as strong as those. It was so bad, i used to buy a new shoe every week when I was in school. Hey Oga shoe in CAS (you finished my money ooo).

Everyone knows it is not easy being a girl. There is a lot pressure, as if the normal people we see everyday are  not enough, we now have instagram and snapchat to finish us mortal combat style. We have to keep up with fashion trends, makeup and gadgets and this makes our money suffer. A girl has to look nice all the time, if not, how will the market sell? But we shouldn't trade the future for the present.

I used to be really reckless with money, not like I've completely learnt how to save but I'm trying. My account used to go from green to red real quick and I had nothing to show for such expenses. No long term plans, just spend it and wait for then next time you get an alert. When I went for NYSC, Abuja was like 'Adanna you gon learn today'. I started following a few blogs, I started reading and I became wiser. Not completely money smart yet, but I try. At least I know I have to save now.

Dear girl like me, lets get to the main thing which is putting aside a little of what you earn. Those of us who are jobless will soon come for me. Sister, put a little of what you are 'dashed' aside. If you make one million a month and spend one million a month, you are not better than who didn't make a kobo that month. You are even worse sef,

The richest man in Babylon, taught me to save 10 percent of every money I make. if someone gives you 1000, keep 100 and see the power of compound effect. You may not be able to buy certain things when you begin to save, but it doesn't take away the fact you can afford it. Imagine you started saving 100 naira everyday from the day you turned 20, how much would you have saved up by the time you are 30? Do the math yourself.

Saving is one thing, investing is another. You shouldn't save to spend, save to invest in something that will make you more money. Put your gold to work girl! Buy things that are of value. Some of us, our collection of weaves can buy Land in some parts of Abuja LOL. That money is gone you know. Invest in things that will give you money to buy weaves and other stuffs that you like from interests. Invest in treasury bills, Gold, even in some multilevel marketing businesses like Total life changes (best compensation Plan in the world), If you are a 'bigz girl' like Jenifa, buy land. But by all means, put your gold to work.

Parents, teach your kids about saving, give them a little money at the beginning of the week and have them tell you how they spent it and how much they saved at the end of the week. It is never too early to learn about money.

I recommend you follow @smartmoneyarese on Instagram and read her blog posts too. Read The richest man in Babylon, the Compound Effect by Darren Hardy.

xo
Adanna Elechi