I just knew money was important, I never knew how hard or easy it is being made. Then, If light was taken and my dad complain of lack of money to buy fuel for our generator, I would just sit and wonder why he couldn't have made enough. I get pissed off especially when he asks me to go help get some foodstuffs on credit from the shop nearby.....is money that hard to make, can't you provide so we could get everything we need.
Then, I was just a kid, and maybe I just didn't want to understand, but as time goes on, I began to understand more about money, I got to know that it can determine/decide a lot of things in the society, family and individual lives. Then, it's funny though, but I actually thought money falls from up there, or that it grows on certain trees, but as time goes on, I understand a little better why there's delay in paying my school fees or why we were owing our landlord.
I still wonder a lot, money is being printed right, why not print enough to circulate s everyone can have/own enough, cause I still don't understand how we are to make this little money grow. I just knew money was important, nobody sat me down to really explain how to handle it, my brother once told me to save a part of my lunch money, but i disagreed with him, why will I, dad would definitely give me another every single day and he would also buy me things I need, so why save, he ssid for rainy days, I looked at him and said... I have an umbrella.
I wish I had knew earlier, it me a long time before I began to understand deep about it, I only know how to open an account, how to send money, how to spend, and that's all, I know nothing about growing or multiplying it, or even investing. I began really learning when I started working for a TVS dealer, it felt somehow to me, so how have my parents been managing, they take care of us and even make sure we are educated.
You know, I just don't understand how money vanishes and is barely enough for transport, rent, feeding and data, not to talk of emergency or even saving. I got my hands on a lot of books, I watched youtube videos and all, I went through various stages of finance, I saved, I hustle, I even over spend atimes, there are a lot of times I am in debt all of these add up to make me an intentional planner now.
I noticed, that before the second week of a month runs out, am left with 0naira, how do I continue living like this, I just act as if I am okay whereas I am not, all of those add up and made me intentional, I started saying no to certain expenses, like frequent outings and all. I even wonder how I would run my relationship, because have come to realize that love is sweet, but it's more sweeter with finances.
Personally, I feel financial literacy should start from childhood, not the how to buy airtime type, but real teachings, discuss and conversations. School curriculum should include it right from primary classes, they should be taught how to read account statement, how interest works, they should be made to know how loans and debt can mess with their future.
I believe the earlier this starts, the better, because when peer pressure begins to get too much, or when they get into the higher institution and wanted to act the big boys and girls that they are not financially ready/mature for, that is what will teach/pressure them to go into fraud, to spend lavishly, to take loans without really bothering... Before all of this, let them be educated, and let it start now that they are just growing, now that they are still soft, open and honest.
It won't be good to learn late, regretting with tears in the eye. Life would have been different if I had started learning earlier. Financial literacy is not a destination but a journey, so, it’s not too late, I will continue learning and growing with my eyes wide open.
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