HOW I SPEND MONEY

I recently returned from Zanzibar; beautiful, beautiful Island.

It was a dream. Our hotel was on the beach, my friends and I were the only African tourists there. We had a tour guide, went everywhere, ate all manner of food, had a massage (the very best) and some boat cruise adventure. In fact, there was some snorkeling as well...(my friends helped put my head under the water for a few seconds to see what life was like there, and then I was cheering for them the rest of the time..LOL).

Stunning place, Zanzibar!

Then 2 months later, I had cause to go to Kaduna for a week on an official assignment. While I was there, I found out that the famous Kajuru Castle was close by. Of course, I had to pay a visit. Goooosshhhh I can't describe how that place made me feel. I was giddy with joy, I felt like a little girl, like a princess in a castle...

And then, just a week later, I was on a Dubai-bound plane...

In December, I spent my 5-day Christmas holiday at Obudu Cattle Ranch and the Calabar Carnival.

In September, I treated my sisters and myself to a fun 4-day holiday in Badagry...just after I got back from a restful mini 4-day holiday in Ghana.

I hope at this point, I have been able to convince you and not to confuse you that I'd rather spend money on an experience than on things!

Baba God, the money people think I have, edakun e wire e simi, in Jesus name. Amen

As you can imagine, my 'savings account' is currently in a big fat mess, shame sef dey catch me...LOL, but I have absolutely no regrets. This disease called Wanderlust that I'm suffering from, is one I don't think I want a cure from.

I love shoes and bags and perfumes and jewelry and makeup and nice hair, and nice cars (you already know I'm a Benz fanatic), but I'd rather go places, see and try new things (things ranging from a new recipe to biking, skydiving, parasailing, etc). I haven't been to a lot of places yet; but trust me, I'm going, by His grace.

Recently, my colleagues were discussing and one of them said she wishes she had 'extra money' to spend. And I said 'our spending habits go a long way in determining if we have extra money or not. Nobody ever really has 'free money''. My other colleague disagreed and said he has a friend who lives in a 'free' house, no bills, he earns N400k per month and all he only spends his money on food, his car and 'Flex', because, you know, #YOLO. Then, I also recently met a young lady who lives off other sources of income, she doesn't usually have to spend her salary... Well, what can I say... life is not a bed of roses... #selah

Anyway, some of us don't have such free money and in as much as I'm aware of how tough things are economically and how people are struggling, God help us; I'm also aware that some of us are in the financial mess we're in because of our spending habits. God forbids that an emergency occurs or a health issue arises...

If you earn N50,000 a month, don't book a return ticket to Kafanchan for a friend's wedding (unless you have saved for it or someone buys you the ticket), If you have to go, as a matter of life and death, God is Good Motors is a more 'pocket-friendly' option. I remember, at that stage of my life, some people thought I was 'wicked', because, I neither bought asoebi nor went for weddings outside Lagos. Why? I just couldn't afford it.

If you earn N100,000 a month, don't uber to and from work every day just because...

And if you earn what I currently earn, don't go on 2 and a half vacations within 3 months *sigh*. Just sayin'

Let me tell you something, not everything you see on social media is at it seems. Be careful. Don't let anyone pressure you. Stop trying to keep up wit the Joneses, they are either broke and in debts, or they're simply secret agents balling on government funds. Seriously though, you really don't have to prove any point to anyone.

I mentioned all the trips I have embarked on in the past 8 months and it seems like 'oh baby, pepper dem gang'. No! These trips are investments I'm making in The Zaveza, my Surprise-Planning business. And somehow, God has granted me so much favour on all those trip that I got really great, great, unbelievable deals... You can ask me how much I spent on each trip in camera :). You will not believe it and I'm grateful for the Grace and Favour I have enjoyed from God.

See, I'm not writing this post because I have 'arrived'. Yes, I have a budget, a strict one at that. Yes, I would go monthssss without splurging on bags, clothes, shoes, or uber just to raise money for an upcoming trip, because I don't know that I can pass off a good travel deal, but hey, common sense and my Akant Balans tell me when I need to sit my behind down, to 'recoup'.

Finally, there is a law of life that I believe in, it's called 'giving'. When you give, you get. This time last year, I had never been on a plane before... Not rocket science at all, this law. When you give, good things come to you from unexpected sources, in unexpected packages. So, no matter the travel deal I'm trying to grab, or how tight my budget is, I always try to leave an allowance for giving, no matter how little.Try it! Nuff said!!! 

Also, my Aunt taught me to 'save before you spend, not the other way round'. That's one of the best pieces of advice ever, obviously, I'm not the most obedient child... LOL; but we're getting back to basics... Seriously.

Finally Finally Finally, do not steal. We all want more money and a better life but please don't steal. A good name is better than riches. No matter what is going on around us and how thieves (robbers) seem to be prospering, God is wiser than all of us put together, and He has asked that we don't steal, Don't do it. Don't inflate figures, don't take what isn't yours. Don't do it. 

My name is Priscilla Adeboye and Money is my servant. I would live a good life, and help others live a better life as much as I can and I would be prudent and honest, so help me God.

Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress
xx

Photo credit: media.giphy.com, moneymatters101.com/