Getting 1% Better with Money Every Day

The 7 cures of brokenness & how to stop buying rubbish

1. Caroline Mutoko’s video

3 years ago, I was scrolling through my YouTube feed, not looking for anything in particular to watch. Well, maybe Family Guy reruns. I came across this video by Caroline titled ‘Gosh! Where Did My Money Go?’ I clicked on it because I was curious to know why such a renowned media personality would be talking about such a trivial ‘poor people’s problem.’ By then, I thought only poor people experience this dilemma. There was no way she could be having financial challenges, she must be out here to mock us.

“Look around, all that clutter used to be money.” — Anonymous

Of course, I still went ahead and bought crap that filled my house, wasted money and went deep into debt while at it. But, that video planted a seed in my mind on the importance of minimalism. In fact, any time I remembered it, I’d feel guilty and promise myself to do better the next time I got tempted to buy second-hand clothes in the streets of Nairobi that I hadn’t budgeted for.

“When you buy quality, the price is eventually forgotten. When you buy junk, the price will haunt you.” Wealth Theory

2. The realization that women too can make money. And have money.

To pay for most of my upkeep in uni, I weaved and sold customized floor mats and carpets. I made beautiful cozy rugs that I’m proud of to date, and my clients can attest this. One of my first clients back in 2012 was this lady who was in her late 30’s at the time. When I delivered her rug in town, she asked me to follow her to the ATM to withdraw some money so she could pay me. We went to that Cooperative bank ATM on Biashara Street. I stood outside while she proceeded to get the money. I was stunned when I looked inside her handbag and saw what looked like $400 in cash. I couldn’t recall ever laying my eyes on such an amount of money that belongs to a woman before then. As I walked to the bus stop that day, I remember feeling ambitious and hopeful. That one day, even I could have such an amount of money if I worked hard. She’s a go-getter, one of these days I should tell her that she planted a seed of greatness in me.

Do not overstrain or try to save too much. If one-tenth of all you earn is as much as you can comfortably keep, be content to keep this portion. Live otherwise according to your income and let not yourself get niggardly afraid to spend. Life is good and life is rich with things worthwhile and things to enjoy. — George S. Claso — The Richest Man in Babylon.

3. Reading

My uncle had this small book among his possessions. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason. It’s a small, old copy with mouldy pages that have turned yellow-ish. I borrowed it during one of those long holidays that government universities dish out. I didn’t have any interest in personal finance back then, all I wanted was something to read. It was the only book he owned, so my options were limited. The book was written in the 1920s which would make one assume that it has no relevant modern-day financial tips.

The five laws of gold

  • Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earnings to create an estate for his future and that of his family.
  • Gold laboreth diligently and contentedly for the wise owner who finds it profitable employment, multiplying even as the flocks of the field.
  • Gold clings to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men wise in its handling.
  • Gold slippeth away from the man who invests in business or purposes with which he is not familiar or which are not approved by those skilled in its keep.
  • Gold flees the man who would force it to the impossible earnings or who followeth the alluring advice of tricksters and schemers or who trusts it to his own inexperience and romantic desires in investment.

The 7 cures for a lean purse

  1. Start thy purse to fattening

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Your voice of reason before you blow all your money this weekend! www.thewealthtribe.com

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