Your 20s are carefree and you walk with a springy gait thinking the whole world worships you.
The 30s come with additional responsibilities - career & family - and figuring out how to juggle them.
Your 40s have a clearer direction of where you want to go. >>
You realize that lessons learnt early in your youth must be implemented. You have a different level of risk appetite. You are conservative - can no longer stomach the roller coaster of speculative stocks or forex swings. Simple treasury bonds or fixed deposits are your thing. >>
You also know that money mistakes would be devastating now unlike in your 20s. Retirement is probably 15 years away. Whatever your situation, a single source of income is like standing on a financial quicksand - unless you are a big shot CEO with millions in monthly income. >>
Sometimes people get preoccupied looking for the most advanced strategies to build wealth.
In reality, doing the simple things consistently right will get you 90% of the way there.
Complex strategies like forex trading are just an icing on the cake.
While interacting with budding wealth seekers, they wonder why I preach simplicity. You see, my methods are so simple that anyone can perfect.
But success in investment isn't just about duplicating strategies. Anyone would be wealthy like Buffet since his methods are very clear.
Don't get too excited about a new investment idea, or regret a lost chance or opportunity - Fear Of Missing Out. My stock holdings are just as everyone else's, some banks, insurers and manufacturers. I don't hold the star stock, C&G. I saw it rise from 22 to 42 but kept my cool.
Let's do our finances differently in 2023. Financial independence is within your means. A little change of attitude towards money - an abundance mindset - even on moderate income should help you develop a healthy savings & investments habit. >>
If you can spare Sh 20K p.m, allocate Sh 5K to your SACCO long term deposits, Sh 5K to a money market fund, Sh 10K to a bank account (to save up to Sh 50K for investment in GoK treasury bond).
From side hustles, spare Sh 4000 monthly to buy 100 shares of either KCB or NCBA. >>
Doing this consistently will help you grow a diversified portfolio of cash, bonds and stocks. Buying bonds every 5 months will earn you interests every 6 months, resulting in 3 payments in a year.
Open your CDS account with @AIB_AXYSAfrica DigiTrader app for stocks. >>
James has Sh 300K he doesn't intend to use now until August for his wedding reception expenses. Jane, his bride-to-be, wants to use the cash to shop for the event clothing and engage a planner. The total cost amounts to Sh 1.2M and includes a honeymoon trip to the Seychelles. >>
They hope to raise half the balance from friends and family. James has saved Sh 25K monthly from January '22 from his Sh 85K salary. He can raise another Sh 200K in the next 8 months. Jane will hold a bridal shower sometimes in June. >>
James is hesitant to allow Jane use the cash now. He believes it's too early and the cash can generate some interests. He has been saving in a money market fund for 9.85% annual interests. He is bewildered. See, James has only Sh 350,000 in his SACCO's long term deposits. >>
Family gatherings discuss everything else but finances. That uncle who took your certs & a badly written CV many years ago & went mute is no longer the richest among you. The renegade brother whom everyone loves to hate is richer. All are too proud to ask him how he did it. >>
Nobody knows that sassy sister Suzzy owes her brand new Mazda to a Mubaba. Her salon business can't guarantee that, at least not now. Kimani is lost in thoughts suffering in private, thinking of the loan cash he lost to land scammers last month. His daughter Jeni sat her KCPE. >>
Njenga raises the subject of repainting the faded iron sheets, replacing the old furniture and digging a new pit latrine to replace the one that'll fill soon. All eyes turn to Sofia, the first born. She's good with planning. She promises to form a WhatsApp group. >>
The moment you get a call from your bank that you qualify for a loan or top up, Murife run away and fast.
A loan is not the biblical manna from heaven. It is something that is tediously applied for on need basis. When you get an unsolicited loan offer, they are looking to... >>
...make a passive income source from you. Whether that loan will be to your advantage or disadvantage is none of their business as long as they are assured of you paying back.
If you didn't sit down, planned your finances & decided you needed a loan, don't accept any prompting.
The moment you let your bank be your financial advisor, you are doomed. Its business is making sure you become a regular customer to their loan facilities.
Some people take loans for the sake of impressions: footing entertainment lifestyles or buy luxuries. >>