Everyone knows that one pal who works two jobs, runs a aspect hustle, and nonetheless can’t appear to avoid wasting. Possibly that pal is you.
Our drawback isn’t all the time an absence of cash however the deep-rooted cash beliefs most of us grew up with. We had been raised on sayings like “Cash is the basis of all evil.” “Kids deliver wealth.” “Once you assist your mother and father, you’ll change into richer.”
These beliefs would possibly sound ethical or cultural, but they’re quietly sabotaging your funds. If 2025 is really your yr of “comfortable life”, it’s time to unlearn fallacious cash beliefs that preserve you working onerous however not as sensible.
1. “Cash Is Evil”
This spiritual cash perception retains you snug with an absence. For years, many Nigerians have linked cash with sin, greed, or delight. A few of us grew up listening to pastors warn about “the love of cash”.
This monetary mindset traps individuals in a cycle the place they need cash but in addition really feel responsible for having it or assume it’s out of their attain. It’s why some individuals reject good alternatives or act like being broke makes them humble.
However cash isn’t evil. Identical to hearth can cook dinner meals or burn a home, cash amplifies who you might be. A sort particular person with cash can do good; a grasping particular person simply turns into greedier.
READ MORE: 7 Financial red flags Nigerians ignore until it’s too late
2. “Kids Convey Wealth”
Firstly, I blame this on Nollywood. This cultural cash perception makes individuals see youngsters as a type of insurance coverage or future investment. Some even have extra children than they will afford, hoping “God will present.”
However in a rustic the place college charges and residing prices preserve rising, that perception can bury you in debt and remorse. Kids are blessings, however they don’t deliver wealth by default. You create the wealth that sustains them.
What to do as a substitute: Plan household funds earlier than increasing. Save in your children’ training, educate them cash values early, and cease banking your retirement on them.
READ MORE: How Nigerian parents use land ownership as an education savings plan.
3. “Serving to Your Mother and father Will Make You Wealthy”
There’s a delicate perception that in case you “honour your mother and father financially”, your life will open up, and when it doesn’t, you’re feeling cursed. That is low-key influenced and backed up with Bible verses like Ephesians 6:1-3.
Reality is, honouring your mother and father doesn’t imply overextending your self. Giving past your capability doesn’t make you wealthy, however resentful.
It’s okay to assist, nevertheless it’s additionally okay to say, “I can’t proper now.” If ‘it didn’t dey, it didn’t dey’. (For those who don’t have it, then you definately don’t have it.) Set a month-to-month “household help price range”. Talk your limits respectfully and persistently.
READ MORE: How to build wealth while sending black tax to your family.
4. “As soon as I Earn Extra, I’ll Save Extra”
Honestly, I consider we’ve all fallen for this one. You assume, “As soon as I begin incomes 500k month-to-month, I’ll begin saving.” Then your salary increases, however by some means, the account nonetheless empties earlier than month-end.
That’s the earnings phantasm. It’s the false perception that larger earnings means higher cash habits. In actuality, in case you don’t handle ₦100k nicely, ₦1 million received’t prevent both.
What to do: Automate financial savings utilizing apps like PiggyVest, Cowrywise, or Kuda. The aim isn’t to earn extra earlier than saving however to avoid wasting higher at any earnings degree.
READ MORE: 5 Nigerian apps helping people save without even thinking about it.
5. “Hustle Now, Get pleasure from Later” — The Lie That’s Draining You
We’ve been raised in hustle tradition the place work-life steadiness turns into an phantasm. “Sleep is for the weak.” “No meals for lazy man.” “Work now, take pleasure in later.”
However many Nigerians are realising that “later” by no means comes. You hustle in your 20s, battle in your 30s, and earlier than you blink, you’re burnt out with no peace and cash to point out for it.
Hustling nonstop with no technique isn’t ambition. The aim isn’t to work until you collapse; it’s to earn sensible, put money into property, relaxation nicely, and luxuriate in your life when you nonetheless have vitality. Be taught expertise that earn a living when you sleep.
READ MORE: How Nigerians are spending more on phones than on savings.
In Closing
2025 doesn’t have to be one other yr of “God abeg” (God, please). It may be the yr you are taking cost of your cash story. For those who begin now, you may be far forward of your friends in 2026.
Your beliefs form your monetary habits, and your habits form your future. Unlearn fallacious beliefs and undertake efficient monetary methods.
