We are often the very architects of our own problems. We tend to bite more than we can chew and then turn around to complain that unseen forces are hindering our progress.
Looking rich but not
A lot of young people nowadays are obsessed with looking rich. They focus heavily on what they wear, the designer brands, the latest phones, and all the outward appearances. Yet, they pay little attention to building a solid financial life. They only appear wealthy on the surface. Even the kind of houses they aspire to live in are often far beyond their means.
This is something I experience and observe daily. Even my own brother and some distant relatives are guilty of this. Imagine a student who wants to “live large” without any stable source of income. I remember a brother of mine asking me to pay ₦500,000 for his house rent. I laughed because even I, who is working, am not living in such an apartment. His response was that there was no way to find a cheaper place.
I refused. I told him plainly that if he couldn’t find a more affordable room, then he should forget about it. That was where I stood.
To my surprise, he later came back and told me he had found a room for ₦200,000. I then advised him: if he starts paying such an amount while still in school and without a steady income, how will he cope after graduation when he starts earning a salary?
I also have friends who want to buy wigs worth ₦300,000 when they have no investments or financial stability. It is quite alarming. Even some guys will carry phones worth ₦3.5 million without any meaningful source of income, all in the name of belonging or using an iPhone.
There is nothing wrong with owning nice things. The problem arises when we lack the capacity to sustain them. That kind of lifestyle becomes a burden that may be difficult to manage later.
What many people fail to understand is that our financial life is just as important as our physical life. Life becomes easier when we learn to cut our coat according to our clothes.
You will see many young people looking rich, yet they are far from being financially stable. Most of them are not interested in investing; they only want to appear successful.
Social media also contributes to this illusion. People post pictures showcasing achievements that are often exaggerated or even false. The way celebrities flaunt their wealth influences younger generations. All they want is the sense of belonging—to be called “big boys” and “big girls".”
It is sad that society rarely questions this. Once you can display wealth, no one cares how it was obtained or whether it is sustainable.