Throughout today, I have been trying to decide if I should buy a Jean or a beautiful gown I saw in a store for ₦1500 or not. I had different options for this money, I just couldn't decide which one to choose. The more I thought about it, the more my head said, I should wear the clothes I already have and let the money sit in my account longer.
At some point, I thought of getting a good outfit for church, so I would be able to honor an invitation on Sunday. I hadn't decided on anything yet when my friend called to complained about her damaged charger. She asked that I bring mine along so she could power her phone. I didn't hesitate. I hit the bathroom and in a few minutes, I was on the road.
I had a small change at home, therefore, I didn't have a lot of cash, I jokingly made her pay for my transport fare once I got down from the bike. And she did it with all amount of Joy. I was glad because I knew today, my body was putting me into a frugal mood.
In the end, it wasn't her phone that got charged. It was mine. I had no idea if we will have a power supply so I bought the idea when she brought it up. I got her keys, went to her apartment, and had my phone plugged into power.
While I walked to her workplace, I spotted two friends we made that afternoon in a book store. They beckoned on me to come around and I went in. The sight of books pleases me and I searched the counter for ones I hadn't read or planned to read. I couldn't find any. It seem as though I had finished all the books on the shelf.
Until, my eyes fell on this particular book, by Ellie Kay, and the title said, "Living Rich for Less". Every word resonated with me. I know I want to pull in wealth and currently I am consciously trying to live as frugal as possible. So, you should understand why the various verbs and adjectives used for the title of this book resonated with me.
What you should know is that it isn't the title alone that got my attention. It was the sub-title. Ellie Kay promised that I would be able to create the lifestyle that I want by doing three things; giving, saving, and spending smart.
Chill. The last two-part are something I am already doing. I try as much as I can to spend my money well(although it might not be smart enough). And yes, I am a bigger promoter of saving habits. Therefore, it's neither of these two characters that made me jump at the sight of this book. It was the first part...Giving.
I know I have written once about why giving out wealth is important after I read the book, Money, know more, make more, give more, by Rob Moore, and today justified the fact that I needed more information on how I can give more, and yes, do it better.
Nothing prepared my new friends nor the shopkeeper for my next move. I asked her if she accepted money transfers, she said yes. I excused them, went to my Friend's apartment, got my phone, and returned to the book store to get my copy.
Those guys were shocked. One of them asked, "why did you buy a book?" "Why didn't you ask for ice cream?" " Or anything else?". And then I answered, "that's because with the knowledge embedded in this book, I'll be able to afford more ice creams in the near future " and I meant it.
Now, you can see, I finally got around to spending that ₦1500 wisely, and I am optimistic that the dress I forfeited for this book, I'll have more because I'll be learning life skills or money skills if that's how you want to put it. Those skills will catapult me to the wealth I desire.
Pause. I sincerely didn't write this blog to tell you I spend my money on a book today instead of a dress. I wanted to share with you the things I learned in this book. Surely, I can't do that either because I have only been able to finish the first section. I still have two more sections to go.
I can't wait till Saturday, so I can share this book with the Hive Book Club if the topic we'll be discussing will resonate with this book. Until then.
For today, know that every other financial book that I have read often moves the giving part till the end. They always make it seem as though I have to wait until I amassed a lot of money before I can finally give back to my community and those in need. This book is different, it's already telling me that even though I am wrecking in the pool of debts, I can still give. And it's a wonderful feeling to know that a book is telling me to give when I would want to be taking (to pay off debts or fund my family's needs).
Kay is telling me I can still give a portion of my hard earned funds to other people while I managed the rest of the percentages for investment, paying off debts, and basic survival needs.
How the hell is that even possible? It's crazy. No worries, I am willing to follow through with everything, and I'll make good use of the lessons in this book.
Trust me once I finish every chapter, you'll be the first to learn the lessons embedded in the pages of this amazing book.