Severe Absence of Purchasing Ability, or simply put — Sapa is a great financial tutor, as I've come to learn over the past few weeks.

Maybe the most important lesson I learned was to re-evaluate the metrics of my self-worth. With the unavailability of funds, I didn't feel like I was worth much, I avoided calls and chats as much as possible wether there are hints of a transfer of finances or not. This review will be a collection of financial lessons.

I was the richest I’ve ever been in 2025, and was also the poorest I’ve ever being. Richness and poorness here being defined by the ability to meet financial requirements as they come.

I got my dream car this year (2025), now calm down, it’s a Nigerian car that was more than 10 years old, but I would pray for it whenever I see one on the road, and I eventually could afford it, even though it took all the money I had at the time. Interesting story: on the morning of the day I bought this car, I saw a set of perfume oils on Instagram for 25k naira, and told the vendor I was interested, she didn’t reply on time, and by evening when she replied, I couldn’t afford it anymore 🤣.

There are two lessons here. One, your dreams are valid and achievable. Two, set achievable and realistic dreams. Don’t start dreaming of that Range Rover because it seems to be everywhere online, lest it robs you of the joys of getting a the Corolla with the savings in that your Piggyvest.

The year (2025 o) also taught me about how fickle life is, coming really close to losing people I hold so dear, to reasons hitherto unimaginable. It reinstated the fact that good health is the greatest currency as far as life is concerned, and while we may have a thousands issues, one proper health issue and all the other issues take a back seat or even disappear. We should also take prayer and security really serious, it’s better to err on the side of caution, than to be a sensible victim. Stay vigilant regarding your environment, have a reasonable curfew, take your health and fitness seriously, don’t ply dangerous roads if avoidable, and leave the rest to God.

Most of us have come to abhor communal living, not being concerned who our neighbours are, living being strong gates and high fences. Especially for those leaving alone, or semi-alone (Two people are semi-alone). Pay attention to your neighbours, make trivial jokes, greet them, check up on them, because if kasala burst, they’ll be in a better position to help you than your family members, or even that babe you spend hours on the call with. It goes the other way round too sha, you owe them a responsibility, and if kasala burst for them too, you should be ready to help too.

Back to finances, it’s important to keep a good credit score, if you are someone who borrows money often, I had people offer to help even without me asking, and I also rescinded to help some people because of their terrible credit score.

Ironically, I discovered one of the best ways to save money is by lending people. Trustworthy people. At the time some people returned their loans, it felt like an ordained gift, like money I didn’t work for. I see those people as really kind people, because honestly, when you lend money out, you don’t have it anymore, and getting it back is a gift that you don’t always get. At different times, especially towards the end of the year, I sent messages like, “If you want to be there for me when I had nothing, now is the perfect time”. My people know me well, and they know that humorous text is synonymous to “Help my life bro, e don red 4 this side”.

Money is difficult to come by for most, especially in this part of the world, and if someone deems you fit to be helped, it means they love you. Don’t betray that love ehn? Towards the end of the year I got a message from a friend that read, “If you need some cash, feel free to reach out”, totally unprovoked. Sorry Aisha, but that may be the most romantic text message I received all year long 😉

Another really important point of the year was when I quit a job, essentially cutting my earnings in half, right down the middle. I wish I didn’t have to do that, but I don’t regret it because it was the right decision to make at the time. Life was happening to me fast and I didn’t even have the time to process it because I was too busy, and that was taking a serious mental toll on me. I was also half-assing the works I was doing which is a betrayal of trust on my part and I kept feeling guilty because I knew I could do better if I had the time. Now I feel broke, and I honestly don’t know which feeling is better, feeling broke or feeling guilty 😅. I’m kidding… it’s better to feel broke and don’t betray people’s trust than to feel guilty.

The lesson here is to live beneath your means, so fluctuations do not make you feel like you’re not worth much. Actually, I don’t believe in this lesson, money is for spending jare.