Money by Zikoko
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Naira Life Vol 129

Naira Life Vol 129

The #NairaLife of a virtual assistant earning $1k

Toheeb Lanlehin
April 21, 2025

Volume 129

Good morning ☀️

Isn't it fun when the week kicks off with a public holiday? Sign me up every time. You get this dispatch, though, public holiday or not. The things we do for community, eh?

I think it's fascinating how money is deeply personal. It shapes our relationships, influences our decisions, and often holds up a mirror to where our headspace really is. That truth shows up clearly in this week's stories:

It could be figuring out how to manage sudden wealth, as seen in this week's #NairaLife, where a 23-year-old virtual assistant went from earning ₦33k to nearly $ 1,000 monthly. Or navigating romance in Lagos with a partner who's quite used to living in luxury.

And then there's friendship. Money doesn't just buy experiences; sometimes, it costs relationships, like Jenny's, who shares how becoming the "rich friend" meant losing her best friend.

Let's get into it.

In this letter:

Naira Life: This Virtual Assistant Wants to Learn How to Manage Her Foreign Income
Love Currency: Love Currency: Dating in Lagos on an ₦800k Monthly Digital Marketing Income
I Lost My Best Friend When I Became the “Rich Friend
Ask Aunty M: What are the Best Investment Platforms?
Where The Money At?!

This Virtual Assistant Wants to Learn How to Manage Her Foreign Income

For the 23-year-old in this #NairaLife, money isn’t the problem; it’s making the best use of it. She became a virtual assistant in 2024, and this move increased her income from ₦33k to almost $1k/month.

Now, she just has to figure out what to do with the dollars she earns.

This is her #NairaLife

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Love Currency: Dating in Lagos on an ₦800k Monthly Digital Marketing Income

Bayo’s office romance with a senior colleague started as a love-hate relationship. Yet less than six months later, he’s sure she’s the one.

The only question is can he sustain the life of luxury she’s used to? Read the full story

I Lost My Best Friend When I Became the “Rich Friend

Jenny* (31) and Mercy became friends in 2006, and they quickly became almost inseparable. To outsiders, they were best friends forever. But things weren’t as they seemed — something always shifts when money enters a friendship with an uneven power dynamic.

Jenny unpacks how money and power shaped their friendship, and how her relatively late but rapid income growth might have been what broke it. Read the full story

Ask Aunty M with Reni

Hello Reni, thank you so much for this platform. I currently earn ₦390,000/month, and I have a side hustle that brings in about ₦150k monthly on average. I currently have $2000 in savings in Risevest, and my savings for the year 2024 are estimated to close at ₦2 million naira. I want to invest this money. Could you please advise me on what to invest in and what platforms to use? – Tee, 26

Hi Tee, thank you so much for your kind words. Well done with your income and savings. Let's talk about how to invest wisely.

Let's start by clarifying your goals. Before putting your money anywhere, ask yourself: Do I want to grow my wealth over the next 3–5 years? Do I want liquidity in case I need the funds soon? Am I open to some level of risk for higher returns? From what you've shared, I sense you're ready to take intentional but calculated risks, which is great.

If you want to invest in Dollars, you can use platforms like Risevest, Bamboo, Trove, or Chaka. These allow you to invest in US Stocks and ETFs from the comfort of your phone. As a Nigerian, I like investing in US-denominated assets because the currency is a bit more stable than the naira, and historically, the economy has been quite stable and strong over the long term.

You can start by buying Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). These are basically a group of stocks put into a fund managed by a professional fund manager, and you pay a small fee in exchange for them creating a well-diversified portfolio for you. This is my preference because you can buy a well-diversified portfolio with just a click. Some funds you can look into are VTI, VOO, and VEQT to start.

I hope this helps.

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.