It's no longer news that we're having very serious economic challenges. Folks are losing jobs, the price of crude oil is even projected to drop a little further than it has already, private sector is struggling to keep its pace, workers will have their salaries reviewed downwardly. If there was ever a time I felt economic pressures, it's NOW. In fact, I spent my LEAST during the last Christmas and New Year celebrations; the handwriting couldn't be any clearer.

It's my habit to way always seek to glean positives from any negative situation; learn from the mistakes of others and then move forward. I believe this message should have been in some other sections but I felt politics and the economy are inseparable, hence it's here. It's my sincere desire that a few of us could learn one or two lessons from this message. Learning never stops.

Every nation is made up of individuals. And it's these individuals that move into policy-making, effectively carrying over their personal habits into politics. Nigeria is suffering from a lot of factors but I'll seek to highlight a few here. If you want a better life for yourself and family, you must do the opposite of what Nigeria did...and is doing.

ONE MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME. For over 50 years, Nigeria has continued to rely on one main source of income. It's absurd that a nation of over 150 million people ties their economic prosperity to only one source, especially one that's so unstable and volatile in the international market. A lot of our FOREX depends on this single source. We've continued to pay lip service to Agriculture and other sources. So is it with any individual who enjoys only ONE source of income. The person is akin to an individual, who like Warren Buffet will say, is swimming unclad beneath a pool of water. The water is gone and their unclothedness appears to all to see. If you have only one source of income, you need to start making serious efforts to seek other means of income. The more the streams, the better you're placed economically. Nigeria is finally paying for its decades of lack of vision, focus and proactive thinking......and the price may become more grave as the year wears on. Look for alternative sources of income. Just an advice.

A CULTURE OF WASTE AND FOOLISHNESS.

For the past decades, especially since 1960, only God knows how much must have left the shores of this nation. It was decades of mindless waste and looting. I'll support the current administration in its war against corruption and wickedness, provided it is balanced, full, sincere and honest to all. This isn't a political message but an economic one. Subsequent government and politicians wasted our resources in a way akin to a competition amongst a group of gladiators. We are already paying for that.

As an individual, you must NOT be deluded into the thinking that there's always more to come. Take advantage of the little resources you have and maximise it. Nature abhors waste, and all wasters will pay for their waste in no distance time. Be prudent with your resources; give sensibly and be careful of wastefulness. Our leaders are only examples when we're looking for bad ones.

A CULTURE OF ECONOMIC MYOPIA.

We never saved for the rainy days. We never even believed in it. Now the rainy days are here. Our leaders never believed oil price will drop to this level. ..it at even get worse....we never saved....Federal government never saved; state governments never saved. Do we even have local government? ...It was all about stomach, mega houses and mundane politics.

The only miracle that saved Egypt and Canaan during the times of hunger and famine in the land of Egypt was the saving culture that Joseph advised the land to undertake. Only fools spend all their resources. After every 7 years of economic expansion, there's almost always 7 years of economic strangulation and hunger. We never prepared....even ants are more proactive than our leaders.

As an individual, the best time to save is when you're doing well and getting money. How far you'll go financially depends on how well you manage your resources drying the first 5 or so years of work. Save and invest a part of your income. Don't be like Nigerian leaders. Be smart with your money. A part of all you earn is YOURS to keep. It doesn't matter how much you earn; you still must save something from your pay or business. You've got to learn to save.The chips will always be down one day.

Those who refuse to heed the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. Increase your sources of income; it's all within you. Look around. Reduce your expenses; control your appetite. Plan for tomorrow. Failure in this regard has a steep price....ask Nigerian leaders.

Lalasticalala, money is too important to be left uncontrolled. Let's encourage one another.

This is same thing that the majority of us usually do. You can imagine a young man or woman earning N150,000 per month or a middle aged man or woman earning N500,000 yet after 5 years ask them what they can show for it, they will come back with silly excuses because they have wasted their inflows on travels to the US, UK, Dubai. Some will spend theirs on clothes and other articles of ostentations.

The right steps are:

In the time of plenty, save money

When you have enough money, invest your money or acquire assets like landed property, etc

Diversify your source of income

Build good relationship.

etc.

True talk

Nice one op.. Frontage worthy

zoo govt should implement true federalism.
Cc: lalasticlala

Oga, what about us were no dey even make enough to chop talk less of to save?,

Seated