Getting Out of Debt (Part 3): Seven Mistakes People Make and How to Avoid Them
Being in debt is a terrible experience, especially when you find it difficult to chart a pathway out of the problem. Every phone call makes your heart beat faster. Each knock at your door makes you break out in a sweat. You avoid going to certain places out of fear of being embarrassed. Many...
Getting Out of Debt (Part 2): My Costly Dance with Ponzi Schemes
Greed is one major reason why many fall into financial troubles, and lives are laden with debts. Many want to reap where they didn’t sow—often looking for shortcuts to prosperity. That misnomer of ‘ise kekere, owo nla’ (small work but big rewards) has led many into avoidable headaches, including...
Getting Out of Debt: The $10,000 Mistake That Taught Me Financial Prudence
I was neck-deep in debt. I had made serious mistakes speculating while thinking I was investing. I borrowed to speculate, and I paid for it dearly. Those were really dark days. I would drive home but constantly look back to see if anyone was following me. At one point, I thought of running away. I...
The Ten Commandments of Business and Finance (Part 2)
In the first part of this article, we explored the Ten Commandments of Business and Finance. We discussed important principles like adding value, embracing mentorship, and the power of relationships, among others. In this follow-up, we will take a closer look at the first commandment and share...
The Ten Commandments of Business and Finance
Running a business or managing your finances can often feel overwhelming, especially when you don't know where to begin. By understanding and adhering to the ten commandments of business and finance, you can significantly lighten your burden and practically guarantee success. Let's explore these...
Personal Finance Lessons From My Driver
Mr. Biliaminu Lawal was one of the pool drivers at the bank I worked for circa 2005. He was humble to a fault and always called everyone, "Oga mi" (my boss). He was a widower and had three grown-up children. On a certain day, I was on a sales call, and Lawal was driving. Like I used to do at that...
How an Unexpected Comment from My Landlord Changed My Financial Life
When I got my first car, I was excited. It was a Volvo 340DL—cute and gold in colour. I lived in one of the flats within a 4-block, 8-flat property. Our landlord, Alhaji Lawal of blessed memory, lived in one of the flats. As is our culture, I went to Alhaji Lawal’s flat to inform him about the...
8 Practical Steps to Setting, Tracking, and Achieving Your Life Goals
Building on the groundwork laid in the first part of this article, you might be wondering how to approach goal setting effectively. This article explores practical strategies for setting, pursuing, and achieving your life goals. If you've not set your goals yet, it's not too late. You can do it...
The Power of Written Goals: A Proven Blueprint for Long-Term Success
Towards the end of 2009, I sat with my wife to plan specifically for 2010. That has been our routine for many years because we sit down to write our goals. I have my individual goals, and she has hers. Then, we have family goals. That year, one of her major business goals was starting a preschool....
Why No Experience Is Ever Wasted: Lessons from a Driver Salesman
Over 20 years ago, I was a driver salesman. I sat for an interview with hundreds of candidates. The interview was handled by a foremost fast-moving consumer goods company. Initially, we thought we would be employed by the company. It was when the final eight candidates were selected that we were...