Money is a good servant but a terrible master.”

Last month, I bumped into an old friend at a supermarket in Lagos. As Nigerians do, we exchanged the usual greetings.

“Ah Coach LG! Things are hard o.”

I smiled.

“How far? Business nko?”

He sighed.

“My sister, salary finishes before the month even starts.”

That statement sounded familiar.

In fact, if we were to organize a national competition for the most common complaint, “Salary no dey reach anywhere” would probably win first prize.

The truth is, many people genuinely earn too little. Inflation has stretched family budgets, food prices have climbed, transportation costs have increased, and almost everyone feels the pressure.

But after years of advising individuals, families and business owners on money matters, I’ve discovered something interesting.

Not everyone who says they are broke is actually broke.

Many are simply unplanned.

There is a difference.

The Bucket with Holes

Imagine trying to fetch water with a bucket that has holes underneath.

No matter how many trips you make to the stream, the bucket never gets full.

Should you blame the stream?

Not immediately.

The first assignment is to fix the bucket.

Money behaves exactly the same way.

Many people focus only on increasing their income while ignoring the holes through which their money quietly disappears.

Subscriptions they no longer use.

Daily impulse purchases.

Weekend spending they cannot explain.

Buying things simply because “everybody has it.”

Financial support given without setting boundaries.

Little by little, the money leaks away.

As our elders say, “Na small small drops dey make river.” The opposite is also true: small, careless expenses can quietly dry up a river of income.

The Lifestyle Trap

There is another challenge many of us face.

The moment our income increases, our lifestyle races ahead of it.

Someone receives a promotion.

Before the first salary enters, a bigger phone has been ordered.

A more expensive apartment suddenly looks necessary.

Every weekend becomes “soft life.”

Then, three months later, the same person is wondering why nothing has changed financially.

We often mistake looking wealthy for becoming wealthy.

They are not the same.

Real wealth is what remains after the applause has ended.

Don’t Compete with Instagram

Social media has become a dangerous financial adviser.

Every day, someone is travelling.

Someone is buying a new car.

Someone is opening another business.

Someone is celebrating another achievement.

What we don’t see are the loans, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices and sometimes the mistakes behind those beautiful pictures.

Never build your financial life trying to impress people who may not even know your surname.

As Nigerians would say, “No be everything wey dey shine be gold.”

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Give Every Naira an Assignment

One of the best financial habits you can develop is this:

Before money enters your account, decide where it should go.

Every naira should have an assignment.

Food.

Transport.

Savings.

Investments.

Emergency fund.

Giving.

When money has no direction, it develops wings.

Start Small

One mistake many people make is believing they need millions before they can build wealth.

You don’t.

Consistency beats size.