I can vividly remember the first time I earned my own money, I felt I was financially Independent, regardless of the fact that it wasn't a big money, it was a small cash that taught me good lessons.
I got pocket money from my parents, especially my dad , my mom always believes that she have provided all the basic things you need and there's no need for pocket money, I could only get pocket money from her when it's very necessary, but with my dad pocket money comes often.
I saved my pocket money alot as child, especially for things I really want to purchase for myself , but that didn't beat the pleasure I had earning my first salary/pay.
It was after my last exam in secondary school (WAEC), I had to wait for results, and waiting was going to take three to five months, the first week I sat at home watching TV, visiting friends and doing other things teenagers do, on one of those days my mom walked and told me her colleague at work just opened a private school and she will like me to go and work there, regardless of the fact that I had no experience, she said, she was willing to put teach me the necessary things I need to know, because she is a teacher too and my dad agreed to her plan, because it wasn't far from home and he also wanted me to be busy, that was how I started working as a primary school teacher in a private institution.
My mom and her colleague guided me through and I became good at the job in few weeks.
I woke up daily, dress up to work looking so little, and it went on for a month, within the month I also got the opportunity to teach kids after school, which was going to give me extra cash.
The pay day arrived, my manager, called me into her office and handed my salary in an envelope to me, I was so happy, went to the classroom and counted the money to make sure it was complete and it was complete, called my mom and told her I just got my salary and she laughed at me, advised me to remove my tithe, she said the next day she will accompany me to the bank to open an account, because I was below 18 and can't open an account on my own, she said jokingly; it is necessary you start saving for university early, we both laughed and I agreed with her.
When I got home, my mom was just hailing me, she knows my money wasn't big enough to be praised, but I guess she was celebrating my hardwork and encouraging me to work for my money.
That evening, I bought plenty Suya for everyone at home, paid my tithe on Sunday and my mom accompanied me the next day, opened an account in my name and told me to save #5,000 monthly and use the remaining #10,000 to provide basic things I need as a girl monthly.
So, the first money I earned was #15,000 and it taught me the important of hardwork , savings and providing basic things I need and not rely on others, when I have what it takes to earn . It taught me responsibility and hardwork.
This attitude have really shaped me as an adult and I'm forever grateful to my mom.
Thanks for reading ♥️
Vanilla 💗