FINANCIALLY SAVVY

Financial literacy is something that everyone should invest into because it is a vital skill that will always come in handy for them. Growing up, I learnt very early that life isn’t a bed of roses, things get tough at some point and if you are not buoyant financially or at least financially literate, you will suffer so much damages. So as a young girl, I had one goal in mind, the plan is not to be rich, the plan is to always be ready for whatever financial situation I find myself. So I invested my time in learning about finances - how to save, spend and invest too. So for the hivelearners topic, we are asked about financial literacy and I’m going to give my response in this post.

𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕤𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕪?

The first time I learned about financial literacy was when I was in primary school. My room teacher was teaching us about home and the family or something related and I remember she mentioned something about the father being the breadwinner or the mother if the father is no more. That part got stuck to me till date. I was very interested in it because back then, my dad was the only taking care of my siblings and I. Seeing how he always made sure to provide all the things we needed made me interested in learning how to be supportive even at a young age and if there is one way to support people that I have known of, it is financially. Yes, there is emotional, physical, spiritual and other supports but majorly financial support goes a long way.

ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕚𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕓𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕒 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕤𝕡 𝕠𝕗 𝕚𝕥?

It didn’t take me long at all. I was around 8 years old when I started saving because I understood a little that it is wise to save. My dad would always give us a certain amount of money and I made sure to use a part of it and save the other. Did it ever come in handy? Yes it did and my dad was happy with me and that also made my siblings interested in saving up too. There were days when I just wanted to just spend all the money I have saved on unnecessary things justifying my actions that it was mine to begin with but thank God, I was able to stay focused on the fact that I need to be able to help others when they need help and that is one thing that I have been able to accomplish though in a little way till date.

Although these days, I have also come to understand that I have to take better care of myself too so I can also take care of others and it has helped me too. I’m still yet to grasp the whole idea of financial literacy because I believe it’s something that is dynamic so I just try to keep an open mind to always learn and do better.

𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕪 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕖𝕘𝕚𝕟 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕠𝕟𝕖?

As early as possible. Immediately a child can tell his or her right from the left, that child can start acquiring financial literacy. Particularly, parents should start teaching them how to save, spend and invest. I believe if a person learns about financial literacy as early as that, they will be able to save themselves from poverty early too. Mind you, financial literacy doesn’t mean you have to be rich, at least for me. I’ll say financial literacy means that you can manage your financial status well no matter the situation. Knowing, understanding and improving your status financially is what financial literacy is all about. So the earlier anyone can understand their financial status, the better it will be for them and for everyone indirectly.

Thanks for reading through. ❤️