Whoever made that quote should be brought to the book for all I care!
And why now? Why must this statement creep into my mind just after I receive my first income?
Image Source: Chat GPT
You know, when you barely have enough cash, you can be the wisest person on Earth, giving pieces of advice such as;
“Patience is a virtue.”
“The hard days are not here forever.”
But as soon as a little something comes into your hand, it's as though it takes away a huge part of your senses.
Apart from me, who else can relate?
I have a friend who always believes in saving (no matter how small). Well, I believe in saving, but what if I have needs staring me in the face?
Over time, I convinced myself with the words, “The money will always come regardless.” But I never prepare myself for the hard days.
Something happened that I will never forget. I woke up to a text message on my phone. It was an alert, my first salary from a remote job. You can imagine the joy that plastered my soul. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't realise I was squealing sheepishly all day. It was a crazy one I must admit.
That day, I was the happiest person at home. One would think that someone special had put a ring on my finger with the way my happiness spread everywhere.
You won't believe what happened. Two days later, the money was gone. Yes, you read that right. If you asked me, I would say I sorted out the important things. But somewhere in my mind, I knew I should have been wiser in my spending.
Only a visit to the market with the hope of purchasing a few items, I ended up buying almost everything my eyes caught.
Guess my flimsy excuses?
“I'm a lady, I should take care of myself.”
“It's best I get this thing now or I may not be able to get it later.”
That was how I exceeded my daily transaction limit and then returned home to receive the shocker.
The second shock came after two days, when I realised it was just the third day of the month.
My days of ‘wants’ went by slowly. It felt as if the days were on a mission to crawl.
The first day was a bit manageable. I still had something in my other account which I harvested to transport myself to school and recharge my phone.
Fine and good. I survived. That day was done and dusted. The next few days went on that way, seeking money from some online sites, searching my trouser pockets, handbags, purses, and lecture notes for anything to save the day.
Towards the end of the month, my charger unexpectedly got faulty. I thought it was a joke until I woke up at midnight to try again. With my eyes fixed on my 2% phone, I didn't know when I started to cry.
“God, please, I need a miracle. You know I have deadlines to meet.”
After trying for the umpteenth time, I dumped the phone and let my legs direct me to my bed. I lay, my head facing the ceiling, as I began to recall the story of my life.
The next day, I was at my friend's house. The same who'd warn me to always save. I was there for him to save my day with the promise, “I'll save henceforth.”
When he saw how downcast I looked, he paused halfway through his editing task and cast me a glance.
“Are you okay?”
I didn't fight the next words. “I'm having money fever.”
The look on his face told that he was lost. “Morning fever?”
“No, the sickness you have when your account is empty.”
He was surprised and he didn't try to hide it.
“Wait,” he said, “I thought you...”
“I know...“ I cut in. “See, my charger has gone bad and I can't work online. I don't even have any money now.”
He looked at me for a long time like I was a course to study. Then he asked how much I needed. My face melted into a grin as I told the time the exact amount I needed.
“I'll give you,” he said before returning to his laptop. I tried so hard to hide my joy, but I didn't realise it when I broke into a dance, leaving him stunned with my reaction over a token.
That day, for real, I learned my lesson.