SIMPLE MONEY PRINCIPLES

In as much as we sometimes try to downplay the power and importance of money, it doesn't take away the fact that money is super important in serving our purpose and serving God the giver of purpose.

Money is one delicate thing and lack of money principles has made people poor, lose their integrity and opportunities as well.

Here are a few simple principles to help you as a young girl. 

1) YOUR POCKET, NOT IMPRESSION

There are many people who are after the impression they can create and not how much they have in their bank account.

It's crazy, our generation have a way of making you want to follow the trend. Everyone feels that pressure once in a while, social media has made people broke than ever before. 

When you #PepperDem, you probably will soak garri later🤣

In my first year in Uni, I knew this girl who belonged to this 'girls squad' who were extravagant. 

They were supposed to attend an event, and I knew she was 'broke', but when her friends came with all the huge plans, she quickly jumped at it. I was surprised. 

She could have gotten cheaper looks and still looked classy.

She ended up using every dime she had and more for the event. 

That's common among ladies. A false impression is not your best life.

No one will kill you for not being able to keep up to a standard.

2) BORROW LESS

It's easy to borrow but for how long? I made a decision to borrow only when my situation gets to 'level 0', not because there's no one to borrow from, I just need to borrow less!

Also, it is even more honourable to ask for money sometimes than to come in disguise of 'borrowing' especially when you know deep down in your heart you will not pay back.

I see people just say, "Abeg borrow me..... when my uncle send's money I will transfer" just so that they will not look like they are begging. 

It is better to ask for it than lie so you won't have to start running from people.

Even if you say 'lend me', are you sure how you will pay?

I've had to borrow but from my sisters and maybe very close friends.

I acknowledge life can push you to the point of borrowing and I totally understand it, that brings me to my third point.

3) KEEP TO YOUR WORDS AND COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY

Please when you've been pushed to borrow or you take an item on credit, keep to your words concerning when you agreed to pay back or pay for the item.

Even if the person is not calling you or chatting you up please just try to pay up. They may not call you because they want to test you.

Integrity builds when you are able to handle finances well. Let people be able to trust you with money and your words.

Don't allow people run away from giving you money.

There are some people who once they ask me for money, my chest will begin to pain me because I'm at risk of losing my money or fighting to get it back.

Please keep to your words, with your roommate, lecturers when you take a handout on credit, with your fellow student, at work and even family.

People may not say much but you may be marked as a 'promise and fail'.

Now this is where the place of communication comes in.

If you were not able to get the money, call the person and plead for more time. Be sincere about the reason why you haven't paid them. Don't ignore their calls, remember they did you a favour.

Don't chat with them and act like you've forgotten you are oweing, if you do that, I dare say you have a fundamental problem. 

Even if they are angry and shout, they deserve to. Just keep apologising. Afterall, you took their hard earned money just like that.

Don't say, "I will pay you today", and let today turn to tomorrow, tomorrow to next month, next month to next year and end up never paying.

This life is small, remember what goes around, comes around.

4) SAVE/INVEST

Save not only when you have items to purchase, save not only when you feel like, save and invest because you care about your future. No one will save for you. You have to do it for yourself. 

Its doesn't matter if you start with 100, 200 or 1000 naira. Start with what works best for you and whatever platform you prefer.

These Principles may appear really simple but they are super effective. 

Please feel free to add your personal principles, we would love to learn from you too!

-Adoo Atera