lifestyle changes

7 Nigerian Millennials Share Hacks for Living Through Inflation

It’s crystal clear we have a problem in Nigeria. Inflation has reached 28.92% — the highest in 27 years — and things are going from bad to worse.

Since all of us can’t just japa and leave this country empty, we might as well figure out how to live through it. I spoke to some millennials, and they shared the hacks they’re holding onto in these trying times.

Prioritise essential expenses

If you know you typically finish a bag of rice in a month, it’s better to buy that bag when you have money rather than buy it small small because that rice can double in price in two days.

I like to also buy things in twos or threes. At least, I get to delay buying the same thing at an (inevitably) higher price for a little while. I can stay broke happily, knowing I already have most of what I need till the next paycheck comes.

— Kelvin

Take loans if you have to

Gathering money over a couple of months to make a big purchase doesn’t work in this economy again. Before you finish saving the money, the item has doubled in price.

So, if it’s an item you absolutely can’t do without, consider taking a loan to buy it. I do this regularly and advise anyone else to do the same. It works even better when you can get informal loans with little or no interest. But pay back your loans o. Let’s not be unfortunate.

— Opeyemi

Comfort is good, but survival is better

This might sound like advice to reduce your quality of life, but if you don’t want that quality of life to reduce by force, you need to start making sensible cuts.

I used to run my generator all day whenever NEPA did their thing, but now, I do most of my work within the three hours that my generator is turned on daily, so I can be on my laptop while it’s connected to electricity. That way, my battery is still charged when the generator is turned off, and I can still squeeze out a couple of hours before the battery dies.

Think about what you can cut sensibly. Do you need to take an Uber for the entire trip, or can you take public transportation to a point first?

— Peace

Nobody will beat you if you haggle

Our mothers knew what they were doing when they priced things at the market. I used to be ashamed to haggle, but now, I have to do it.

Pro tip: Start the haggling process by dividing the initial price into three. For instance, if the seller says something costs ₦1k, start pricing from ₦300 or ₦350. You’d be surprised how much you save when you and the seller eventually settle on a price.

— Christy

Avoid billing like your life depends on it

I now do a thing where I refuse to open or respond to WhatsApp messages until the sender reveals why they’re messaging me.

Messages with only “Hi” or “Hello” go unanswered unless you follow it up with “My name is XYZ, and I’m reaching out for ABC reasons”. For not-too-close family members, I make sure to start conversations with my own problems. Everywhere is hard, and this is not the time to make any unnecessary expenses.

— Kene

RELATED: The Most Effective Ways to Avoid Aso-Ebi Billing

Have a budget, but be flexible

I’m big on budgeting, but I recently noticed that my budgets weren’t adding up. For instance, I could budget ₦5k for gas and suddenly hear that they’ve increased the price.

I still budget, though. If not for anything, it helps me track my expenses and have something to look at when I start wondering where all my money disappeared to. So, have a budget but still have it at the back of your mind that things can change. At least, if it doesn’t work out, you know it’s Nigeria, not you making poor financial decisions.

— Ola

Make money

It’s easier said than done, but at the end of the day, money is what will still save you from totally erasing your quality of life due to inflation.

I’m constantly on the lookout for side gigs and better job opportunities to increase my income. If you like, be feeling guilty or thinking you want to be loyal to any company. Even your oga is looking for a better-paying job.

— Bori

NEXT READ: 7 Salary Earners Across Different Income Ranges Get Candid About Saving

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Tife Oni

January 18, 2024

Money

economy, hustle, inflation, lifestyle changes, Nigerians
Underrated Lifestyle Changes You Have To Make In Your 20s

I’m convinced that youth is a thing of the mind; you can be young, yet feel quite old. It all depends on your lifestyle and how you take care of yourself.

Whether you’d like to admit it or not, many things are going to change in your 20s – your body will change and your responsibilities to yourself and others will change. Relationships will grow and die, money stress becomes more real, and your life really becomes your responsibility.

Although this decade can feel like you’re independent and consequence-free, how you spend your 20s will have a massive impact on the rest of your life.

So, I’m going to give you seven highly underrated tips to help you maintain a balanced, inspired life.

Stop eating junk

It’s so unfair, I know. When you can finally afford to eat all the junk you want and not be told off by your parents, you have to stop? Unfortunately, junk food only puts toxins in your body. The older you get, the slower your body can get rid of toxins.

Try to include healthier food into your diet like fruits and vegetables. Looking young even while young takes work.

Drink more water

In your 20s, it’s very easy for your fluid options to start to range between coffee for energy, soft drinks for refreshment and alcohol for fun. Please don’t do this. Remember the toxins.

Drinking one to two litres of water every day can help maintain your energy levels, improve your mood, prevent headaches, help with weight loss and better your skin. Take care of yourself.

Exercise regularly

The older you get, the harder it is to exercise. It’s easier shedding that extra Christmas 5kg than it is trying to lose an accumulated 20kg. Trust me, I know. The older you get, the slower your metabolism gets, and the harder you have to work to keep everything together.

You don’t have to pass out at the gym; you just need to incorporate some physical activity into your daily routine. Health is the most important thing.

Get regular health checks

Taking care of your health at this age cannot be overemphasized. Ít’ll make the rest of your life easier. Always remember to get medical and dental check-ups every once in a while. Your body is fully developed in your 20s, and so are your teeth.

If you’re stuck with the same teeth for the rest of your life, you’re going to want to take care of them early, before repairing years of neglect becomes even more expensive. Same goes for your body.

Protect yourr skin

The gif above is literally what the sun does to your skin over time, regardless of your race. Your skin is not going to remain supple and wrinkle-free forever – especially if you don’t protect it.

Use sunscreen, moisturise, drink water and mind your business – your glow is going to be insane.

Read more books

Reading is so essential for growth! It broadens your horizon and helps you think of things from a new perspective. Challenge yourself to read as many books as possible, even if it’s fiction.

You can set a goal of one book a month. There’s a lot to be learned from them, and they’re fun.

Set standards

It’s important to use your 20s to learn about yourself and set standards. Whether from a relationship or job, it’s vital to know what you are willing to accept or tolerate, lest you fall victim to people that would end up doing nothing for you.

Don’t settle; you have your whole life ahead of you.

Have any other life hacks for twenty-somethings? Drop a comment or tweet us @zikokomag.

Sade

September 21, 2018

General

20s, Life, lifestyle, lifestyle changes, Lifestyles, Nigerian, twenties