10 Simple Habits That'll Save You Money

Let’s keep it 100 – saving money for the future can feel like a constant struggle for many of us hardworking Nigerians. 

With the jara costs of living from accommodation, crazy bills, go-slow transportation and just feeding yourself and fam, keeping enough cash stashed away is a huge challenge. 

 

But hey, what if I showed you some seriously easy habits and small lifestyle tweaks that could help you build up that savings pot one koku at a time without too much hustle or sacrifice? No need to start living like a broke male Unilag student or Afghan refugee o!

 

These 10 simple tricks just require minor adjustments to your daily routine. But over time, they’ll really move the needle in bulking up your savings and slush fund. 

It’s all about consistency with a few straightforward habits rather than looking for overnight billions. Ready to finally start piling up that paper without too much wahala? Let’s go!

 

1. Automate Those Savings

The “na hand dey make am fade” principle is real when saving cash automatically without even thinking about it. 

 

Use your banking app to set up automated transfers from every paycheck straight into a dedicated savings account before you can even see it arrive. 

Even N5,000 or N10,000 per month automatically funneled away go add up sharply over time without you having to lift a finger. You could hit N500k in emergency funds in less than 5 years!

 

2. Pay With Cash (No Be Lie)

We all know the Aza too sweet to resist these days. Studies don show say you naturally spend more freely when swiping cards versus the psychological “sting” of having to part with physical cash. 

 

Try going back to using cash for daily/weekly expenses like transport fare, mama put, drinks at the shower, etc. That tangible pain of watching your money deplete will make you think twice about frivolous spending on those street corn or gala snacks.

 

3. Meal Prep Sundays  

Eating out or grabbing quick chofi from the mama put adds up so fast and a waste of serious resources my friend. 

 

Get into the habit of blocking out time every Sunday to plan, go to the market to buy ingredients for a week’s worth of affordable meals to stock the house, then do some basic meal prep cooking. 

 

Pack foodstuff containers with fried rice, jollof, veggie sauces or stew to just reheat through the week. Having ready-made food locked and loaded for the week is a sure way to cut down on those casual eating-out costs that could be N1,000+ per day!

 

4. Try Ajo or Esusu Savings

An age-old Nigerian tradition that’s low-key a clever modern savings hack – join or start an “ajo” or “esusu” contribution group with your friends, colleagues or community members. 

 

Let’s say 10 of you agree to contribute N10,000 each monthly, with each person receiving the full N100k pot on a rotating basis. It’s a forced savings you can then use to cover rent, invest in a small business, pay school fees or whatever big expense when your turn comes up.  No more borrowing from endless smiling village relatives!

 

5. Schedule Financial Checkups

Too often we just forget and ignore checking bank/credit card statements, budgets, or tracking the progress of our net worth aspirations. 

 

Form the habit of scheduling quarterly or semi-annual “financial checkup” sessions where you take a hard look at your real standing with saving, spending, and goals. 

 

Write down your income, expenses, debts, assets and net worth so you can properly analyze your situation. Holding yourself accountable will keep your money moves on track.

 

6. Implement Money Saving Challenges

No matter how small, having some kind of savings “challenge” with fun weekly or monthly goals always helps instill good habits. 

 

Popular ones are the N500 Savings Challenge (save every N500 note you get), No-Spend Days (pick 2 days a week with zero spending), and one I like that’s easy yet effective – the N10 Challenge (save N10 on day 1, N20 day 2, etc. You’ll have over N180k after a year sef!) The healthy competition element helps stay motivated.

 

7. Have a “Purchase Waiting Period” Rule  

How many times have you impulsively bought the latest iPhone, Yeye Banger shoes, Owambe aso ebi cloth or tech gadget you just HAD to have immediately…only to stop using it weeks later? We’ve all been there. 

 

A simple way to curb these thoughtless purchases is enforcing a mandatory 7-14 day waiting period rule for yourself. If you truly still want/need the item after that reflection time has passed, then get it. You’ll be amazed how often the burning urge fades and saves you cash.

 

8. Start a “Buy Nothing” Challenge

Speaking of impulse buys, challenge yourself to a “buy nothing” period of 2-4 weeks periodically where you do not make any non-essential purchases beyond necessities like fuel, foodstuffs and recharge cards. 

 

By stripping away all that frivolous spending for a set timeframe, you’ll reset unhealthy shopping habits, control your want-want cravings, and truly appreciate what you already have by making use of it all.

 

9. Find a Savings “Partner”

Having a money-conscious friend who’s also looking to save big can be a game-changer. You can share tips, motivate each other during times wey money to get whine, maybe even introduce a savings competition element between you two. 

 

“Whoever saves the most by December gets treated to Kilimanjaro with the savings!” Who doesn’t like free trips? We’re way more likely to stick to positive habits with a buddy system in place, especially as Naija love form cliques.  

 

10. Establish a Fun Savings Goal

Setting long-term targets for serious financial security is great, but can sometimes feel too far away and daunting. 

 

Try setting a series of more bite-sized, fun little savings goals for yourself too – like N50k for a bungalow vacation owerri, N100k to finally buy that new iPhone, N250k for a hakuna don’t-worry fund to cover emergencies. Checking off easier little wins along the way keeps you pumped up about the bigger picture.

 

None of these habits require serious 419 dealings or moving back in with your parents in the village o! 

 

They’re simple, sustainable lifestyle tweaks that – when applied consistently over time – will absolutely move the needle in the right direction for your savings. Start with just implementing 3-4 of these today, then build from there. Baby steps = Major results in the long run!