Living in Nigeria right now feels like walking through a financial storm. Prices are climbing, the naira is losing value, and sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you try, saving money just doesn’t make sense anymore. But even in all this chaos, I’ve found a way to maintain a simple form of money discipline that helps me stay a step ahead, no matter how small.
*This post isn’t coming from some financial expert or investment guru. I’m just a young Nigerian trying to make the most out of what I earn. I’ve been on Hive for a while now, and although I’m still learning, one thing I’ve come to understand is that discipline with money is not about how much you have, it’s about what you do with what’s in your hand.
Let’s be real, saving in naira feels pointless sometimes. You put ₦50,000 aside today and by the next month, it can barely buy what it did before. That alone discourages a lot of people.
I still save in naira because it teaches me consistency. It helps me build the habit of setting something aside regularly, no matter how little.*
My Personal Rules for Saving
*Here’s how I’ve made saving possible for myself despite this crazy economy
- I save first, not last. Whenever I get money no matter how small, I set aside 10% before spending anything. Even if it’s just ₦1,000, I try to keep ₦100 untouched. It’s small, but it adds up.
- I avoid unnecessary expenses. This is harder than it sounds, but I’ve learned to say no to things that aren’t urgent. I used to buy airtime almost every two days. Now, I use WhatsApp calls more and save that ₦500 weekly.
- I use cash more than transfers. When I have cash, I’m more conscious of my spending. POS charges and transfer temptations used to finish my money. Now, I go old-school sometimes and carry only what I need.
- I set mini-goals. Instead of saying “I want to save ₦100k,” I break it down: ₦2,000 weekly, ₦8,000 monthly. It feels more achievable and encourages me to keep going.
What I Do With My Savings
Once I get up to a certain amount (for example, ₦10,000 or ₦20,000), I try to convert part of it into Hive or USDT using apps like Binance. I believe that even small digital investments can grow over time especially when you’re consistent.
I’m also planning to start putting some into Mutual Funds, but I want to study more about them first. The goal is not just to save, but to make my savings work for me in the future.*
My Advice to Fellow Nigerians
If you’re feeling like it’s useless to save in this economy, I totally understand. But don’t stop. Even if it’s ₦200 a week, save it. The habit matters more than the amount. One day, when opportunities come like Hive, crypto, or investment chances, you’ll already have the mindset and discipline to make it work.
Conclusion
This post is a reminder that even when the economy is hard, our mindset matters. We can still build smart habits that will help us tomorrow. I don’t have it all figured out, but I know for sure that small steps, taken consistently, can lead to big changes. Thanks for reading.