Adedeji earns N450,000 every month (1)

Last month, I had a conversation with a young professional — let’s call him Adedeji

Adedeji earns ₦450,000 every month. Not bad at all. In fact, many people would say he’s doing well.

But by the 20th of every month, Adedeji is broke.

Not “I can’t buy shawarma” broke.

I mean, *“I’m calculating transport fare to the office”* broke.

So I asked him a simple question:

“Adedeji, where does your money go?”

He laughed and said, “Coach, I don’t even know. It just disappears.”

Now, if we are being honest, many of us are Adedeji.

Money enters. Money vanishes.

And we are left wondering if our salary is the problem.

But let me say this clearly:

“Your salary is not always the problem. Your habits might be.”

The Real Issue: Lifestyle Inflation

There is something we call *lifestyle inflation*. Big grammar, simple meaning.

It means as your income increases, your spending also increases — sometimes even faster.

You get a raise, and suddenly:

•Your Uber rides increase

•You start eating out more often

•Your “small treat” becomes a weekly habit

•You upgrade things you didn’t even need before

Before you know it, your expenses rise to meet — or even exceed — your income.

As our people say, “The goat that eats yam today will look for oil tomorrow.”

The Silent Money Leaks

Adedeji and I sat down and broke his spending into simple categories.

What we found will shock you — or maybe not.

Here are the “silent leaks” draining his money:

1. Unplanned Spending

Random online purchases. “It was on discount” syndrome.

2. Frequent Eating Out

₦5,000 here, ₦7,500 there… by month-end, it’s serious money.

3. Subscriptions He Forgot About

Apps renewing quietly every month like they own his account.

READ ALSO: Your salary is not your problem, your lifestyle is

4. No Budget, No Direction

Money was flowing — but without a plan.

And that is the real problem.

Because money without direction will always disappear.

Let’s Fix It — Simple Steps That Work

Now, this is not about cutting joy out of your life.

Even I believe in soft life — but *controlled soft life*.

Here are practical steps you can start today:

1. Track Your Money for 30 Days

No assumptions. No guesswork.

Write down everything you spend — even that ₦500 snack.

You will be shocked at what you discover.

Awareness is the first step to control.

2. Use the 50-30-20 Rule (Adjusted for Nigeria)

A simple guide:

50% — for needs (rent, food, transport)

30%— for wants (enjoyment, lifestyle)

20%— for savings and investments

If 50% is not realistic for you right now, start where you are — but ensure you are saving ‘something’.

Because as we say, “Little drops of water make a mighty ocean.”

3. Pay Yourself First

Before you spend, remove your savings.

Not what is left after spending — no.

Save first, then spend the rest.

Even if it’s just 10%.

This one habit alone can change your financial life.

4. Reduce, Don’t Eliminate

You don’t have to stop enjoying life.

But you can:

• Cook more meals at home

•Limit eating out to once or twice a week

•Cancel subscriptions you don’t use

•Set a monthly “fun budget” and stick to it

Balance is the key.

5. Give Your Money an Assignment

Every naira must have a job.

If you don’t assign your money, life will assign it for you — and trust me, life is not always kind.

My Final Thoughts

Adedeji didn’t need a higher salary. He needed better structure.

Within two months of applying these steps, he stopped running out of money, he started saving consistently, and for the first time, he felt in control

Money is not just about how much you earn. It is about how well you manage what you have.