Mindful Spending and Streamlining Monthly Expenses
Something that I never really do is take good looks at my finances. Taking the time to access the way I use my money is usually a daunting task. What I know is that when I have needs that need to be met, I just go ahead and solve whatever issues I may have, provided that I have the funds to begin with. But unchecked expenses “fit carry person where him no know.”
I am really looking forward to working really hard to become financially stable and self-sufficient. I may not be able to do that in one year, but achieving it generally requires deliberate action, like tracking your expenses and determining the way forward.
I am such a dexterous cook, but the thing is that it really isn’t my favourite thing to do. My fellow excellent cooks can attest that it really can take a lot of time to prepare certain dishes properly. And the thing is that I am usually too occupied to give that much attention. That’s how I find myself eating out most of the time.
The good thing about eating out is that I instantly get food when I am hungry. That helps me save a lot of time. The downside to it is that it costs a lot of money. That, I know. And the more I do eat out, the more my wallet growls in anger.
I really hope I can achieve it, but I would like to do a lot more cooking on my own and oppress my neighbours with my aromatic delicacies these days. That would sure save a lot of money.
Some other things that I spend money on that I can do without—sort of—are certain subscription services.
The more time passes and technology evolves, people are charging some amount of money for some of their online products. Some of them have free versions, but the best experiences are usually with their paid services.
Currently, I am subscribed to two streaming services: Netflix and Prime Video. I usually only use Netflix to watch the majority of the films I watch, but I went to Prime Video recently for a particular purpose. Streaming services usually have different catalogues of films. A film that you may find on Netflix may not be on Prime Video, HBO, Hulu, or Showmax, and vice versa.
I basically write reviews of the films I watch. These streaming services make it easy for me to find what I am looking for and have a better experience than I would if I were to get films from third-party sites.
Discord Nitro is another thing that I spend money on but can do without. It’s a different experience. I get to have a more aesthetically appealing look in my Discord with the customisation capabilities it offers. But there is more to why I use it.
You see, with Nitro, one can boost a server. Boosting a server comes with certain perks to allow one to have a more exciting server. One of such is the higher bit rate for better audio quality, and that comes in handy in things like the 9ja Show I run fortnightly on the Hive Naija server.
Also, I get to add interesting sounds and stickers to the server. Those and many more are why I keep subscribing to Discord Nitro. But then, I can still manage without it.
Google One. This one is cloud storage. It contains my Google Drive and other things on my Google account. For more storage—way more than the 15GB you get for free—I pay some money. Currently, I have added 100GB and have to keep paying every month to be able to use it well.
Can I do without this one? I am not sure. Right now, it bugs me every day because I didn’t pay last month. And there are some hassles with accessing my storage. So, I am kind of stuck with this one.
Last, but not least, is my internet internet subscription. I mean, I totally need it. I need it every day to do the things I do here on Hive. The thing, however, is that I sometimes spend a little more than I need on it. It’s mostly because I do not manage what I have well sometimes—you know, binge-watching TV series or some YouTube videos—that makes me spend more.
I cannot do without being connected to the internet, but I can curb the excesses if I try a little harder.
All these aren’t even a part of the large chunk of expenses that I have to make monthly, but ensuring that they aren’t taking too much from me is an important thing to do. I would still continue with some of them, but I am more conscious of them hereon.
Some images belong to me; the rest are screenshots
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Hehe, this man did both Netflix and Prime Video? I salute you sir 😂. I also have a lot of services I need to cut down on. You see that Discord Nitro, I don't use to feel like I use it a lot, but then when it expires like this I'll just be itching to buy it again, I think I can live without it though. Then we have Spotify Premium. Though this one is quite cheap that's why I haven't really opened eyes for it, but then if I add the amount per year I can use it to eat small food, lol. I think I also need to be more intentional with my expenses this year. Most times I just wing it till I see Sapa knocking on the door then I slow down, double hustle and top up again.
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Guy, let's be honest and tell ourselves that living with these added features can make the online experience more enthralling and enjoyable. I really like to be confortable, and that's why I choose to indulge in these conveniences. But when sapa comes like this, omo na to mellow oh
I think I want to try that Spotify Premium. Do you still pay for it? I thought you were using that MOD feature UD gave us. I still haven't tried any of them yet anyway.
I still have an active subscription, and I keep forgetting to cancel it 😭. When I tried using the Spotify mod ude gave it refused to work because my own was already there. The YouTube works smoothly though, so I want to try again later,once this month's own expires.
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It is always good to sit down and take stock of finances from time to time.
Indeed, fren. Otherwise, one would be directionless and not have efficient growth in their finances.
Omo, you be rich guy no cap, only you do Netflix and Prime Sub?😀😀 Well it's a good thing you've found how to reduce your unnecessary spending.
As for me, I think I joke a lot with my data subscription and I will look into the matter, the amount I've spent on sub for Don Reach Me Buy house for Banana Island oh🤣.
I popped in from #Dreemport because I am an awesome #dreemerforlife.
The Prime sub is just a one-time thing. I really do not like their UI, and their catalogue is very dry. I'd rather stick with Netflix.
The way it is going ehn, many of us should have plenty house in the most exquisite places with the amount of money that we have spent on data. Last last, we go still sub again when e finish
All of the services you get are evidently important to you. But as you said, you just have to tailor them to your advantage.
I used to love to eat out a lot. But after spending on a plate of food and realizing the amount used(plus a little extra) can cook me a nice meal, I had to readjust a bit. Now I do mostly meal prepping, getting things in bulk and preparing just enough to last a week. In other cases, I outsource the service. My wallet is grateful now.
Balance is the word, man. I just have to find balance. They are important to me after all. But it would be illogical for me to be keen on my financial growth and do what's best for me. I'll let go of Prime Video after this month. It's not as great as Netflix.
What's your favourite food to cook, by the way?
I haven't even tried Prime videos. Netflix does the job.
My favourite food to cook has to be Beans. Yeah, beans. Any reason why you asked?
I have never ordered a food before. Some don't beleive me. It is because getting foodstuffs and cooking my meal is finacially wise for me at this stage. I could still order maybe once a week but no! I shouldn't exceed my capacity. Buying food only saves time if you have the money. I and Gifted have discussed this matter several times.
Na wealthy man doings you dey run o, Netflix and Prime Videos. You can pick just one if your earnings from writing reviews is not greater than the amount of subscription.
Can we all get maybe just 20% of all the money we spent on data subscription?. That thing takes a lot from us.
I can imagine the number of discussions and maybe arguments you and Gifted may have had over this eating out thing. That one was born to eat outside. Lol. But I am really surprised that you are in that school and you really have never eaten out before.
Shhh....no loud am. The Prime Video is a one-time thing. I now know that I really wouldn't have such a great experience on it like Netflix. It's just that their catalogues are different.
Data subscription in this country is a big business oh. So many of us spend so much on it, so much so that people would rather have internet and not eat.
Oh boy.... no be lie sha, after God and e babe, na food be next thing for e life.😂😂😂😂.
100% correct, many youths would prefer data to food at some point. At least 2.5gb every day😂
Working hard to be financially stable is the best solution, there will always bills no matter how try to control your expenses.
True. Yet self-assessment is crucial for financial growth.
These are expenses that takes our money away so quickly and if one do not track them down, it becomes a problem. Eating out is good, yet it's a waste of money when it becomes too much. I also did some cleaning last year, removed some subscriptions I know won't cause me any issue even if I don't subscribe while I leave the major ones to continue with it.
You na boss oo. Subscribing to both Netflix and Prime. Thank God for my sister who is paying Netflix subscription while I only download and watch. In all, let's be mindful of our expenses and finances this year.
Truth is, these things are majorly part of the things that make my everyday activities more fluid, especially on Hive. I totally get your point, the though. Balance is key.
You these people that only collect Netflix logins, you will soon start paying taxes. 😅
Wen Busayo in Hive Naija Prompt?
Hehehe. I don't think I can be subscribing to Netflix oo. Thank God I got my sister's back 😀😀
Yea, I planned on writing mine tomorrow. Thank you, Jay.
Bro, please permit me to say this...you mean you can cook yet you choose to eat out, wow. Your wallet needs to morphing into a freaking tiger and growl louder, hahaha
Seriously though, one needs to manage expenses and cut down on some not so necessary things. You remember scale of preference in Economics abi, then try it out.
On a soft note, I usually hear people say that money is a spirit and it does not stay because once it comes it has to go, I broke that jinx and I know that you can too.
Another way you can manage money is to get a wife, hahaha. Go get a good girl and settle down. Believe you will understand management courses ASAP. (I guess the new year made me more humourous 😁)
Happy new year Jay.
I'm a fabulous #dreemerforlife
My wallet and I argue all the time. Some times, there's almost nothing, but I'd still indulge in these conveniences.
Yeah yeah, I remember scale of preferences in Economics. The thing is, I didn't always do well in Economics back then. 😅 But I bet your point.
I can cook, yes oh. But I think I should just go marry my girlfriend fast so that I no go dey stress too much. 😅 How you take check am?
I like this humourous you, by the way. It's a good look. 👍🏽
You're fabulous regardless, though.
Happy New year, Becky.
Thank you Jay.
Please do and settle with the lucky girl, make sure to send me an invite ok.
Take care
There are a lot of things that take our income and planning adequately for them will help us know when we spending extravagantly or too frugally, lol.
Well, I hope you figure out a way to spend on the things that are necessary and still save up something good
Oh, yes, Hope.
Thank you always for being our hopestylist. And Happy New year to you!
Hehe, you're welcome and thank you for always being out detective Jay, hehe.
I wish many more brighter days ahead
What an interesting write-up bro but subscribing to lots of streaming services is a waste of resources if I may say, it's a good thing you have designed an effective means of reducing your spending.
#dreemerforlife
Of course, it would seem that way to most people. In reality, there are usecases for having more than one, especially for the fact that they have different catalogues, and then writing film reviews is more of a job to me now. Balance is necessary, though.
Yeah I now get your point, it's like investing in that stuff to get yourself equipped, that was cool but cutting costs is key as well.
When someone hails you oga the boss, chairman chairman, you will say that you aren't, see it now. Only you get all these doings, lol.
There are so many things we expand money on that we can actually cut down on to help us save more.
Hehehe, please start cooking already and share it here so we too can be oppressed, lol 😂
#dreemerforlife
Please oh, no make my helper see me come dodge me 😅
Maybe someday, I'll be sharing my cooking videos on Hive. Make Una show me love when that time comes oh...
Wen luchyl participating in Hive Naija Weekly Prompts? 😎
No worry, your helper will still locate you even with all your doings, lol.
I can't wait to see your culinary prowess, 😂
SOON, lol. I hope to show up more this time around.
You're accepting your spending habits which is first step of self evaluation, and this way more control to the future and maybe growing up as a person...
#dreemport #dreemerforlife