As a teenager, there's this pressing desire to spend any money you have in your hands, and yes I was that kid.
I loved spending money because that time I was making money, either from my classmates or other online jobs I was doing, but the money I earned disappeared with the wind. After all, I was always spending, buying stuff, mostly snacks because I am quite the foodie.
The rest went into clothes shoes and other unnecessary things, I didn't see the need to keep anything after all we all had one life right, yes that was my vision so I spent money as soon as it entered into my hand.
I had friends who loved saving but I distanced myself from them because I felt they were pretty boring, I mean who didn't want to enjoy life?
I tried to save once or twice, but it didn't last, I was just living carefree.
I remember when my first bulk money came, it was huge, I was totally at a loss with what to do with all that money, my mind was completely blank.
One day I got back from school, I was randomly chilling in the living room, when my Dad walked in, smiled at me, and I moved a bit to let home sit.
I turned on the TV and played a channel that we both loved watching, Soccer, I loved it it was always intense and filled with heart-stopping suspense.
My favorite player was walking slowly and then all of a sudden, the ball was passed to him and he hit full speed enabling him to score a fantastic goal....
I screamed ***"GOALLLLLLLLLL"*** As loud as my shrill voice could let me then I sat down, and my Dad laughing.
***"Can I ask you a question dear?"*** My dad spoke up
My eyes were still glued to the TV
***"How do u think he was able to score that goal effectively without much hindrance?"*** He suddenly asked
I kept quiet thinking about what he just asked, well because he had excellent skills and oh yes a perfect idea crept into my mind
***"Because he preserved his energy and was able to use it at the right time..."*** I squealed in delight
***"Exactly because he saved his energy, imagine if he had been running aimlessly in the field, and when the time came, he lost strength and missed the goal"*** My Dad said and left
I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me what he meant by that, I was spending a lot and just like a footballer who ran aimlessly, when I would need the money the most I would not have it, rather I would be stranded.
I gave it some serious thought, I really shouldn't be wasting money like this, life is not always a bed of roses and I would need that money eventually, it not like it was going to run away.
I went to my Dad the next day after giving it a thorough thought
***"Dad tell me something useful I can do with my money"*** I asked
My Dad looked up at me and gave a smile
***"Why what happened, don't you have more scrunchies to buy?"*** He asked teasing me
***"Oh Dad"*** I sulked
We discussed a lot of options and I settled on buying shares and Dividends from a bank, which was like investing it, so I used all the money to do so.
It was about a year later and COVID-19 struck the entire world, my Dad lost his job and life was difficult, we could barely make ends meet, it was terrible, then we reached the final breaking point, I needed to pay my school fees but we lacked the funds to do so, it was terrible, I didn't want to be known as a debtor.
I was lost in my little world when my Dad tapped me, I jerked up and stared at him.
***"Sweetheart I've paid your fees!!!"*** He dropped the bombshell
I stared at him in shock ***"How is that even possible, where did it come from?"*** I asked
***"Remember the money about a year ago where you invested in stocks, the profits were massive and I sold some to settle your fees"*** he said
His words were like a melodious song to my ears, so the money I had forgotten was of help to me now, the money I saved is of immense help to me presently.
Wow I couldn't agree less with the phrase;
***"Waste not, Want not"***
Things got better after that, I'm extremely overjoyed I heeded his advice......