A few months ago, I had this beautiful idea in my head - to start stashing away a bit of money somewhere in my house. It wasn’t something big, but I found it so meaningful and a strategic plan to keep me on my feet, preventing some unexpected circumstances. This wasn’t something I learnt from a financial book, but just a simple idea that came from a childhood experience I can never forget.
When I was younger, I used to help my dad wash his dirty clothes. Sometimes while washing them, I’d find money in the pockets of his trousers or shirts. It was like finding treasure with the way I would smile.
Of course, if it was a small amount, I’d spend it on snacks or little things (don’t judge me 😄). But if it’s a big amount, I’d return it, and my dad would be so excited, especially when he had nothing then.
For me, what stuck with me wasn't the money itself, but the feeling of finding something when you least expected it, especially when you thought you had nothing.
It was this same feeling that inspired me months ago to start my own **“pocket stash.”** I wondered why I didn’t do this last year or two years earlier, but that didn’t bother me. It’s never too late to begin. I decided to keep some cash here and there safely hidden in my house.
I used to think, sometimes, when I have bought everything I needed and still had little change with me, do I go to the bank to keep it or do some voodoo for the cash to appear in my savings app? It was something I found simple yet meaningful to do. It made me remember the days we used local wood box to keep money while we were still young.
This idea wasn't meant to replace my formal savings or the money I keep on digital platforms. It seemed to me like my small emergency corner, something personal, easy to access at any time and comforting.
And to be honest, it has helped me so many times. There were days I ran out of cash or needed just a little to get through a situation, and instead of going to borrow from someone or panicking, I’d simply reach for my stash.
This was like borrowing from my past self and yes, I make sure to pay it back once I have enough and would even saved more. This turned into a habit that has taught me discipline and self-trust in a very practical way.
The truth is, saving doesn’t have to be complicated like most people think it is. For some, saving a little seems impossible unless they have a big income but it doesn’t work like that. If you don’t learn to do it the little way, how do you do it in the bigger way? Habits formed in little ways become something bigger later especially with consistency.
Don’t wait till you have millions before you start saving. Whether it’s a box or even in a small jar just like the one above, keeping a small amount aside regularly can go a long way. One of my favourite quotes has become my principle: a little drop of water makes an ocean.
The last time I counted my money, I screamed because I didn’t know I'd saved up to that amount. And I was only keeping money without looking back at how much I had kept, not until a few months later.
It’s not about how much you save but how consistent you are.
Financial security begins with small, intentional steps. My hidden pocket method might sound childish and old-fashioned, but it has become a financial decision I am grateful to start. It’s so amazing how those little notes stashed away can become your lifeline when you are broke and need urgent help.
Saving shouldn’t be a hard thing, sometimes start small and don't wait till you have enough, which most times doesn’t always work. Even if it’s just a small amount tucked safely somewhere, but remember, do what suits you.
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*Images are mine*
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