March 29, 2021

Slow Progress is still Progress

 

Can we talk money for a second?

This time 5 years ago, I had just moved back to the US and had no money. It took a good 5 months before I was hired in a low-paying job. Before I got here, my previous employer back home in Nigeria hadn't paid me for 5 months, so when I say I had no money, I really mean I HAD NO MONEY!


Thank God for my parents, siblings and friends who held me up through the years because even after I started working, I was barely making enough money. Also thank God for Clever Girl Finance because I started learning how to minimize expenses while saving and while paying debt.

Thank God for God too because He provided new jobs in the nick of time - e.g. when Coco needed to start daycare, I got a new job that I didn't even remember applying to that could afford her daycare fees.

Through the years, things have been challenging. After finally being able to save some money, I had to drain my savings account TWICE because my expenses exceeded my low income. I remember crying one day because I wasn't sure how I'd manage the next month's bills as my savings account had gone back down to zero, and I didn't want to borrow money from anyone.

Today though, things are much different. I've not arrived o, but I'm really proud of how far I've come financially. It has not been easy. It has taken time and lots of sacrifices but I've learned how to say "Err, I can't afford that right now, maybe another time." I have learned how to distinguish between wants versus needs. I have learned how to just close my eyes and save money. I have learned how to just take time time because even slow progress is progress.

I just want to encourage anyone out there who might be struggling - just keep going and keep track of your progress to ginger yourself on the days you feel like nothing is happening. Remember if you fall off track to forgive yourself and when you get back on track, you're not starting from the absolute beginning.

Happy Monday everyone!!!

P.S. Sorry I disappeared. I didn't mean to.

1 comment:

  1. You look so young in this photo!
    Been reading your blog from around when you were in Nigeria and it's great to see how far you've come.
    I too have not arrived but I have learnt to say its ok let me buy shea butter this time I will buy the Argan oil next month lol. It takes time and discipline but we will get there in the end and a great support system which I am glad you had. Mine is a story for another day lets just say thank God for friends who have become sisters.

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