The cost of living in my area currently has been on a steady rise. Lagos State is one of the most populated cities in Nigeria. The population has continued to grow yearly because most people residing in the state hardly relocate while more people keep flooding the state always. This influx of residents continuously causes the high cost of living in the state to be worse, even with the general increase in the cost of living in my country today.
The prices of goods and services have gone up beyond control, leading to frustration among many people; there is hunger and starvation, coupled with the difficulties of the citizens to afford other needed basic amenities. The distressing aspect of the daily expenses is the cost of food, and it's a major concern.
Personally, the amount I spent day to day on feeding alone for me and my family is thrice what it was before. To be sincere, mentioning the price is only a headache because it's as if our hustling these days ends on food due to how expensive it has become, and we can't escape spending on food. With the way food prices keep increasing, buying stuff in bags is no longer possible for me due to other important basic needs still being on the high side. But then, instead of buying in measurements, which costs more, I buy in half bags or quarters depending on the food items. This way, I spend less, and it lasts a bit longer for me and my family. Most importantly, sourcing for these food items in the village market, which comes with discomfort, but who cares since I get those items much cheaper?
Transportation is another thing that silently takes a lot from me day to day due to the cost of petrol, but then, wherever I can trek, I do so instead of taking bikes. Booking Uber nowadays is strictly for emergencies; otherwise, I take away comfort and spend less on transport. This way, we keep coping and surviving.
There are other important bills like the electricity, water, school fees, medical expenses, and others, which have doubled from what they used to be. Imagine the high tariff on electricity; yet, we hardly have a constant supply of light, forcing me to still rely on my generator, and this means extra money going out on petrol. The bills are simply unending, and each one comes terribly high.
To be honest, it has been difficult to keep maintaining this current cost of living for me and my family. However, I am not considering relocating to another state within my country as a means of managing this present living. I think the only place I could relocate and experience a significant difference in the cost of living is the northern part of Nigeria, and unfortunately, it's not in my plan, and for now, I am not also planning on leaving my country for another for a better living, not just yet.
Life here in Lagos City is tough, but with reduced irrelevant expenses and other important strategic planning, I can still find ways to manage, adapt, and, more importantly, find more ways to earn and keep surviving.
All images were taken from canva