Let’s be honest – we’ve all been there. It’s January, and you’re making grand plans about saving millions while still maintaining your regular visits to your favorite restaurant and keeping up with the latest tech releases. But by Valentine’s Day, those plans are as forgotten as last year’s Instagram posts.
This year, let’s try something different. Here’s how to make financial resolutions that won’t have you giving up faster than a TikTok trend.
Start Small, Think Big
Remember that friend who suddenly announced they were going to save half their salary? Yes, the same one who was back to zero savings by March. Instead of promising to save N100,000 monthly when your salary is N150,000, start with something realistic – like N20,000. It’s better to actually save N20,000 monthly than to dream about saving N100,000 and end up with nothing but stories that touch.
The “No Pressure” Budget
Create a budget that doesn’t make you feel like you’re punishing yourself. Yes, you need to cut down on unnecessary expenses, but you don’t need to become that person who never shows face at family gatherings because “I’m saving money.” Balance is key. Maybe instead of eating out five times a week, make it twice. Your account balance and your social life can coexist peacefully.
Automate Everything
Let’s face it – waiting for willpower to kick in is like waiting for NEPA to give steady light. Don’t rely on it. Set up automatic savings the day your salary drops. What you don’t see, you won’t spend on that “limited time offer” that somehow keeps coming back every weekend.
Emergency Fund is Not for Emergency Shopping
That emergency fund? It’s for real emergencies like medical bills or car repairs, not for when that Instagram vendor posts a “last piece” designer bag. Start building your emergency fund with whatever you can – even if it’s N5,000 monthly. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your emergency fund won’t be either.
Investment is Not Gambling
This year, learn the difference between investing and gambling. Those get-rich-quick schemes promising 100% returns in one week? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Start with legitimate investment options – mutual funds, treasury bills, or even that small business idea you’ve been nursing. Just make sure you do your research first.
Track Your Progress
Keep track of your financial journey like you track your ex on social media (we know you do).
We Listen?
Use your OneBank app, Seeing your progress can be more motivating than all those gym progress pictures combined.
The Bottom Line
Making financial resolutions stick isn’t about making dramatic changes overnight. It’s about creating habits you can maintain throughout the year. Start small, stay consistent, and before you know it, you’ll be the one giving financial advice in your family WhatsApp group.
Remember, your financial journey is a marathon, not a sprint. And unlike that gym membership you abandoned last January, these are resolutions worth keeping. Your future self (and your account balance) will thank you.
