Ope’s Money Diary: An Un-sponsored, Unedited Review
Review. NOUN
a critical appraisal of a book, movie, song, or art…
Ope from Cowrywise, Ope of Miami, Ope of Banana Island, stop yelling my name!
First, a disclaimer: this isn’t a book review. I’m not pitching an appraisal of the book in hopes to get you to purchase it (or not). When an author aims to “drag” you through every chapter of their nonfiction+memoir work, you don’t have kind remarks for them.
This is a rant. Yes, Ope, I’m talking to you — not going through the corners.
In life, as in Lagos, as in freelancing, as in writing, as in love, as in any worthwhile pursuit, there are risks. Many of these pursuits are worth the risks. Some are just childish obsessions, wrapping oneself in fantasies and tagging them dreams. Then there are the ones that leave you in cycles of second-guessing, particularly because they aren’t inherently wrong or perfect. Was it a good pursuit? Was it a mis-timed adventure? Reading Ope’s Money Diary belongs to this latter class.
Because (and yes, I am starting a paragraph with because!), how will I come to you for expert counsel on saving and investing money, and you call me a money doubler? How will you say, “it’s not actually doubling the money that makes you a money doubler, but the desire to.”
Ope, name ten normal people in Lagos who haven’t ever wished they could double their account balance? No names? How about five? Nothing? You see! So why would you drag us in the mud and then comfort us with the assurance that we can grow wealth, but not by wanting to double money?
Though, admittedly, it’s not right. That desire. If you have it, nip it. It’s not a good desire. Bring five thousand get ten thousand? Nip it. Ten thousand gets twenty thousand? Nip it, nip, nip, nip.
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Having nipped it, here are seven more lessons — and reactions — on doing better with your money (seven for perfection, as is taught, so you can be a perfect money manager. Another lie. There’s no perfect with money.)
- When you earn more, you get tempted to increase spendings. Don’t fight the feeling. Instead, resist to act on it (my words, not Ope’s). Can you count on one hand the number of times you’ve tweeted “I deserve to be pampered”? See, you want it. You’ve worked for your money, and now you’re Mr. Funds. See that ice-cream gelato winking at you, calling you by your fourth name? It’s village people. Ignore it. Earn more to… ̶s̶p̶e̶n̶d̶ save more (did you actually whisper spend more? Knock yourself. You’ve not been following).
- “There’s no crime in saying, I can’t afford it at the moment.” Here’s one point on which Ope and I agree. Yes, say, I no get the money. Say it with your full chest. It won’t reduce your ego, skill, or self-esteem. The sweeter thing is, it won’t reduce your account balance too. When someone calls you, “Boss, you get money now, oya buy for me,” it’s not a compliment, it’s a trap. Run.
- Eat pizzas occasionally. You get to learn about mutual funds. That’s what Ope says. Ope says, in one of the stories in her Money Diary, “I tried it [pizza] out without buying the whole box. And it tasted so good!…This is how mutual funds work.” Pizza to mutual funds. The leap ba? For context, get a copy of Ope’s Money Diary.
- Compounding is gold. You won’t believe it, but if you save ten naira every day for one month, you would have three hundred naira at the end of the month. Of course, who doesn’t know? You. You don’t know. Or, you forget a lot. Otherwise, you wouldn’t frown at your little daily savings. Consistent savings encourages compound interest. But something else offers better benefits than consistent savings. Go figure (or cop your copy).
- The joy at the end is worth chasing after. The elation of your savings maturing. It’s like longing for the touch of someone’s body against your body, but having to deny yourself for a stipulated period. The rush that comes with finally reaching for it/them. That sensation. Don’t know that feeling? Go open a savings plan. Miss that feeling? Go open another savings plan (or call your ex, the one you long for).
- Save for rainy days. Emergencies are powerful disposers of human’s plans. I agree that you shouldn’t be caught unprepared. But, broooooo, na person wey get job dey save for rainy days o. Person wey no get job don enter potopoto already. I’ve been job hunting for three months, and I’ll still think of emergency funds? Even the feature on the app asks you how much you earn monthly. Premium dragging. Salary earners, this one’s for you.
- ̶M̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶h̶a̶y̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶l̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶u̶n̶ ̶s̶h̶i̶n̶e̶s̶. Ope didn’t say that. Are you kidding me? You’re really expecting a seventh lesson, with all these freebies? Bro. If six isn’t enough, seven wouldn’t be too. That’s a lesson on managing money. Use it.
Ope also says: Read Ope’s Money Diary. Read books that help you manage your money better. Apply the lessons. Form a healthy money habit. Don’t flex it all. Don’t do Baba Isale Eko. And if you do, don’t disturb anyone for urgent 5k. Thanks. Peace Be Unto You (more peace when you get a copy of Money Diary).
