Money by Zikoko
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Naira Life Vol 126

Naira Life Vol 126

Also: The #NairaLife of a marine engineer

Toheeb Lanlehin
March 31, 2025

Volume 126

Good morning ☀️

It's interesting that you could go from having barely enough to having more than enough — but struggle to know how to spend it.

The 31-year-old in this week's #NairaLife has lived many lives and is living this reality. After years of hustling, she's found a rhythm, with an income that exceeds what she once thought possible. But despite her financial security, she struggles to enjoy her money.

On #LoveCurrency, Joseph* (26) navigates love, money, and his girlfriend's family obligations. The thing is, as their relationship gets more serious, so do the expectations. How much should he step in? And is this sustainable in the long run?

Also, a Nigerian consultant has unlocked the secret to rapid income growth, taking his salary from ₦183k to ₦2.6m/month in just five years. His strategy? Strategic job moves, bold career pivots, and a mindset shift about his worth. If you've ever wondered how to level up your pay slip, this story might be your blueprint.

Let's dig in.

In this letter:

Naira Life: The Marine Engineer Who Doesn’t Know How to Spend Money
Love Currency: Content Marketer Who’s Helping His Girlfriend Fix Her Money Problems
This Consultant Went from Earning ₦183k/Month to ₦2.6m/Month in 5 years
Ask Aunty M: Help, I Can't Build a Savings Habit
Where The Money At?!

The #NairaLife of a Marine Engineer Who Doesn’t Know How to Spend Money

The 31-year-old in this #NairaLife has lived the perfect example of a grass-to-grace story. She’s overcome environmental limitations through sheer grit and a bit of luck.

However, her improved financial standing hasn’t been as transformative as she'd like, and she wants to fix that — by spending more.

Here's her #NairaLife

Love Currency: The Content Marketer Who’s Helping His Girlfriend Fix Her Money Problems

Joseph* (26) and Onome* (24) have been dating for 8 months, but the financial needs of Onome’s family might be the obstacle in their budding romance.

For #LoveCurrency, Joseph talks about his concerns about handling her family’s bills and his fears for their future. Read the full story

This Consultant Went from Earning ₦183k/Month to ₦2.6m/Month in 5 years

This Nigerian consultant cracked the code to rapid salary growth, moving from ₦183k to ₦2.6m/month in five years.

He breaks down the strategic job moves, bold career pivots, and hard lessons that drove his pay slip here. Here's how he did it

Ask Aunty M with Reni

I can't develop a savings habit no matter how I try! I have never saved anything in my life. I always turn to external support, loans, and large instant expenses to solve my problems. My only income—a ₦96k/month salary—lasts less than a week and barely affords my basic needs. When I keep money away in a separate account, I run back to withdraw it. How do I learn how to save? - Nike, 25

Hi Nike. It's hard to save when your salary does not cover your basic needs. Sometimes, we have spending problems; other times, we have income problems. You may have both in this case, but I think it's primarily an income problem. The best thing you can do is focus your efforts on finding a higher-paying job.

While at it, track your spending for the next few months to see how much you are truly spending on your basic needs monthly. Let's say you're spending ₦300k/month. You need to target a job that pays you at least ₦400k/month so you can spend on yourself and also afford to save. You can't afford to save right now because the bills exceed your income.

Increasing your income will truly help you the most in this situation. Once your income increases, ensure you keep your expenses the same. Live as you were currently living. Then, you'll find that there will be no need to dip into your savings anymore because you have adequate income for your needs and savings goals.

I hope this is a good start. Rooting for you.

Xoxo, Reni

If you're here, you probably have a money or work dilemma. Ask your question and we'll figure out an actionable solution for you.

Where The Money At?!

We can't say we're about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we've compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.