In this post, I hope to share my personal experiences about money, Hoping it helps me make a better decision in using and managing money. One thing I've realized about money is that it does not like to sit idle, and how we use money is the sum total of our knowledge about money and life. This might not make sense to some, but I'll hope you do as I share some of my stories.
When I was growing up, my Aunty who stayed in England always sent in money. I was 12 at that time and all my concern was buying things I craved for, no thought of tomorrow or investment, I just wanted to live the moment. My elder brother was concerned about buying clothes and looking good, just like me, he had no thought of investment and we say no need for investment. In our illusion we believed this stream would remain flowing forever and that money would keep coming. I believe this is one mistake everyone makes, believing what we experience now would remain forever, unfortunately it changes, everything does and that's why we need to think on both sides.
As we grew older, things changed, meeting us unexpectedly with no savings and nothing to show for the years we've lived in abundance. All the fountain ceased, it was then I realized how stupid I was not to make better plans, but then I realized I had no knowledge about life, I was too comfortable that learning wasn't a priority and that affected me. I was still young, I had the prospect that the future would be better , just faith. I started to engage in menial jobs, and when I thought I've grown wise by saving, one problem just comes that requires me to use all I've saved and this circle continues and again I realized I had nothing to show for my hard work except that I solved problems. This I realized that money doesn't like to be idle, kept in a place, it wants to work and be in circulation.
The final thing I realized is that, how well we manage money is proportional to how well we manage our emotions. Mix money with emotion and you wouldn't be able to do anything tangible because there'll always be situations that would prick you to give out. People would always say, you can solve all problems, and attempting to look nice about money is a great mistake. Don't mix money and emotion and if you're the kind of person who gets too emotional, then always invest your money as quickly as it comes. Try to solve all problems, you'll realize that you can't grow nor would the people whom you're helping grow and your impact wouldn't make a great change in their lives and soon you'll become like them. Give when it's necessary, but also invest when you should.
Money has wings, it flies. So don't keep it idle. Cast it into many waters and someday it might fly your way with profits.
And after my youth service, a compulsory one year service to our dear country, I realized most of the money we make is to meet our daily needs and sometimes it's not enough and the idea of a loan comes in. As tempting as a loan is, I realize it only steals the profit of one's tomorrow. So one works his tomorrow's profit for the loan organization, and again you stay stagnant. Loan is like an instant gratification and investment a future gratification. If any of them doesn't feel okay, don't go for it. Don't die hungry investing and don't sell your tomorrow for today.
I've come to a conclusion that balance is important. Don't think only of the future or present, save for both times. You don't know what lies ahead and you can't dwell so much on today. Invest, eat, and do what makes you happy, because no one is ever satisfied, only contentment counts in the end.
Note: These are just my thoughts from my years of experience and not some financial advice.