There are so many memories I reflect about on childhood that I can't help but smile, I'm grateful I was opportune to have a pretty fun childhood, my parent were not the richest of people, but I never lacked anything, they made sure to impact life lessons from a very young age, Contentment and Savings are values that have grown with me, and helped me a lot as an adult because without these values, maybe I would have gone astray and fallen victim of some unpleasant circumstances like some of my peers did at some stage in life.

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Starting with Savings

Whenever visitors visited our home, adorable me would always be gifted with a little monetary gift, since I wasn't sure of what to do with them other than sweets, and biscuits, I would often give my money to my mum to help me save them, at some age I started having needs like a new toy or bicycle, whenever I asked my mum to help me get them, she would tell me to save more, I wasn't even sure of how much I had saved, so I just followed blindly, not until I got my first mini bank, a piggy box, it wasn't the fancy decorated ones children get to have now, rather, mine was made with a Milo Can, properly sealed though, I was very happy to finally own a bank of my own, I was advised to keep it safe- Security conscious, so my aunt or cousins won't have easy access to my piggy box, and so I did, even though I was around the age of ten, I was already aware of why savings were important. My mum would always tell me "A little drop of water made a mighty ocean" Of course this seemed unbelievable literally, not until the day I opened my piggy box for the first time after saving for almost a year, my box was almost filled to the brim, I made sure to play my part being the adorable little one I was, also helping out my neighbor helped me saving a lot, no matter the amount I got, all went into my box, I didn't have any responsibility so what more could I do with money than to save, they were coins and paper currency of those days when out money still had value.

Eventually, when the can was full, You think I got something very nice for myself, no, I didn't, not yet though, mum instead took me to the bank, my very first bank visit, I was eleven at this time when she opened my first ever savings account, I learned from the beautiful lady at the counter that saving in the bank could accrue interest over time, it was an incredibly proud moment for me, on our way back, mum got me a beautiful dress from a store, then, I thought it was from the money I saved, but reflecting now, I know it wasn't, I can't help but smile knowing that she was just giving me the right lessons on becoming a responsible teenager and adult in turn. To date, I still use that same account, I have full rights over it now, unlike then when my mum stood as a guarantor since I wasn't up to eighteen years old.

When I had my first income from the teaching job I did then, the habit of automatically paying myself first before spending was already instilled in me and this habit has been of great benefit to my financial lifestyle as an adult. I always make sure to save a decent percentage of my income into a long-term savings account and then keep the rest for expenses rather than blowing it all on unimportant stuff that wouldn't even satisfy me in the long term. Savings help me to achieve goals that seem unachievable with my little earnings, there is also that confidence one has knowing you can afford what you desire, you only chose to save for better things.

I was able to finance my college education through savings, even in this dire economic situation when everyone is complaining of how they can't afford the basic cost of living, if not for my savings, it would have been terrible for me and my family as well.
Some of you might already know about my entrepreneurial pursuit in fashion design as a more standard business of mine, I wouldn't even think of building a business If I didn't have the habit of saving, because starting a business requires capital and getting a loan, especially from traditional banks is not encouraging due to their high-interest rate, it's better to save and start with one's earned capital.

Contentment and Gratitude

While learning to save from a young age has been like a solid foundation for my financial life, the other key advice I got from my parent which is equally vital is the art of being content with what I already had rather than constantly craving more. My mum would always say "As long as you have a roof over your head, a little bread to eat, and you aren't naked, you should be thankful" because some people have it worse but still live a happy life, while some have it all but are insatiable, making them go into dubious means to satisfy their greed, and they often don't end well. If one can be contented when you have little, then one will be more responsible and able to manage your wealth as one grows.

My parents would emphasize finding joy in the simple things of life and finding creative ways to embrace contentment. rather than be jealous of the kids at school who came from more wealthy homes and owned the latest gadgets like mobile phones and game consoles then, spending time with friends outdoors basking in the sunlight and playing with sand, quizzing ourselves with what we learned from school were better fun ways.

Flash forward to adulthood, and this lifelong practice of contentment has been an incredible support in helping me maintain my morals, there were times when things were so hard that my peers then in school all because they wanted to be part of students that wore the trendiest fashion, some went as far as prostituting themselves for money, no matter how hard things get, I can never imagine myself getting into immoral or dubious act just to satisfy my greed, never! I would rather be contented with what I have and live a peaceful life while I work harder to earn more and grow my wealth the right way.

Do you know that appreciation for what you already have is one of the most powerful keys to lasting happiness, healthier relationships, and improved physical and mental well-being? Those who lack contentment are more easily envious of other's progress, they don't ever get satisfied in a relationship no matter what you do for them, and easily fall into depression which is common in some adults today, because they are stuck chasing an endless materialistic want cycle that can never be satiated.

Keeping to this advice from my childhood has helped me to focus on the positive things in life like giving value to my society rather than wasting away time, money, and peace of mind on vanity pursuits. It has also made me more immune to societal pressures around that forces me to keep up with fake appearances or accumulate possessions that we don't necessarily need. Peace of mind from contentment supersedes all that.

In this present world, preaching contentment and savings is even more important, because of the happenings in the world today, and as I became a parent myself, passing down this same advice my parent Instilled in me has been one of my highest priorities, as little as they are now, I make sure to teach them that true wealth and prosperity has nothing to do with money or stuff, it flows from living with intention through savings and appreciation for what you have.

This post is inspired by the #Aprilinleo monthly topics which you can be part of, check out the announcement postFor more info.

Images 2 and 3 are mine

Thank you for reading.