Keeping Your Head Above the Water During Financial Crisis- TOLULOPE OLAIFA

In the present Nigerian economy, everybody is groaning under the strain of climbing prices and stagnant salaries/wages. It is important for us Nigerians to develop habits to help us cope with the situation till it eventually eases up. There are a lot of ways to reduce spending and make it easier for you to survive the crisis and avoid debt; these are a few minor things every Nigerian can do to ease thefinancial strain.

Have Clear Financial Goals- Most people find themselves having financial difficulties because of the failure to plan out a proper budget/spending plan. If you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve financially, what you want to spend and what you want to save, it is easier to maintain a particular budget and not get carried away by unnecessary spending.

Develop a Saving Habit- No matter what you earn, be sure to dedicate a particular percentage to normal savings, as well as an emergency fund that you can fall back on in case of sudden events.

Find Ways to Entertain Yourself at Home- Most people spend a fortune on going out, watching movies at cinemas, hanging out with friends and making impulse buys. If you can find ways to limit the way you go out, you will be saving yourself a great deal of money.

Be Budget-Savvy- Unplanned spending and emergencies usually take a chunk of money, but be sure to look for deals and discounts you can trust, so as to cut the spending. For example, if you are a frequent traveller, or you have to make unplanned trips in this economy, look for hotel deals and discounts on sites like Hotelnownow.com.

Learn to Leave Your ATM and Credit Cards at home, and to try as much as possible to use them only for emergencies. Carrying ATMs and credit cards makes it easier for people to make unplanned purchases- Not having them on you helps you to avoid impulse buys.

 With practising these simple tips, you are well on your way to financial freedom, even in the present economic crisis.