I used to think I had everything under control with my money. I had a decent job, was earning a good salary, and legit felt like I could afford to treat myself occasionally. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t doing right with my finances. I wasn’t saving or investing, and if we’re being honest, I had nothing to show for all the money passing through my account. Things got glaring for me when a younger colleague, who earns way less than I do, came to me for advice on savings.
One Friday afternoon after we closed for the day, she casually mentioned that she was planning to invest a chunk of her savings and asked for my opinion. I was curious and asked how much she had saved. When she said she had saved over a million naira in just less than a year, I almost fell off my chair. This babe earns peanuts compared to me! But she had a million naira plus just chilling in her account, and me, I couldn’t even tell you where my money was going.
That conversation was my wake-up call. I couldn’t keep living like I had no financial discipline. So, I decided to take a hard look at my spending habits and make some serious changes. It’s been five months now, and I can confidently say my finances are looking way better. It wasn’t easy o, but I can point to four things I started saying “No” to that made all the difference. In no particular order, they are:
1. Unplanned owambes and Buying Aso Ebi
Look, I love a good Owambe like the next person, but at some point, you have to draw the line. The amount of money I was spending on aso ebi for weddings, birthdays, and random parties was ridiculous. I realized that half of the time, I wasn’t even that close to the celebrants, but I was just buying fabric and paying for makeup like I had unlimited cash. Now, I don’t jump at every invitation, and if I really have to go, I wear what I have in my wardrobe.
2. Impulse Online Shopping
I remember always scrolling through Instagram or some e-commerce site and just buying things I didn’t need—bags, shoes, and even random gadgets. It was like every time I got paid, my brain was triggered to spend money. One minute, I was looking at a new phone case, and the next, I was adding it to my cart. These small, seemingly harmless purchases were eating deep into my money. Now, I don’t even browse those sites unless I have something specific to buy. I also started tracking my expenses every week and set a limit for myself that I don’t want to spend past a certain amount. Additionally, I began categorizing my spending, so I know exactly what I’m spending on groceries, rent, food, and other essentials. This has really helped me understand where my money is going and kept my impulse shopping in check.
3. Random/Unplanned Eating Out
If I told you how much I used to spend randomly ordering takeout, you’ll think I was a celebrity. At first, it didn’t feel like much because it was “just lunch” or “just a small dinner with friends.” But when I calculated it at the end of the month, the amount was scary. I had to start shopping for fresh ingredients and cooking at home, meal prepping, and taking my food to work. It’s not as glamorous as dining out, but it’s saving me plenty of money.
4. Saying Yes to Every Social Event
I used to feel guilty saying no to friends’ invitations, even when I didn’t want to go. Every weekend, I’d find myself at bars, restaurants, or social gatherings, spending money I could have saved. Now, I’m more selective with my outings. I don’t have to be everywhere all the time, and my bank account thanks me for it.
It took a lot of discipline and consistent budgeting to get my finances back on track, and I’m in a much better place now. Saying no to these four things has really helped me take control of my money, and I’m seeing daily improvements in my savings and investments. Honestly, it’s not about how much you make; it’s about how well you manage it.
Speaking of smart money management, using gomoney has been a total game-changer. With tools like goStash to make savings more fun, the easy bill-splitting feature, and the ability to track & categorize your spending, gomoney makes it effortless to manage your finances. It helps me stay on top of my budget without the headache of manual tracking.
Managing money doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s about making smart choices and using the right tools. Trust me, the feeling of financial control is worth it!
