A Debtor’s POV: I Want to Pay Back, But I Just Can’t
Never in a thousand years did I imagine that I was ever going to be in debt. Looking back now, I am immensely grateful for getting through that period. I went through some personal issues and needed urgent cash. Initially, I was sure that I was going to pay back, but I didn’t understand how […]
IF YOUR MONEY COULD TALK: WHAT WOULD IT SAY ABOUT YOU
We have an interesting perspective on today’s article. If your money could express itself, what would it say about you? If the money in your account or purse could voice their opinions, what would they say about your way of life and spending, check out the categories below and see where you fall. Generous El-Shaddai- […]
NOW YOU KNOW- MY HOPE FOR MY HOME COUNTRY
The manner in which Flavour’s ‘Now You know’ has been ringing in my head since I stepped foot in this nation is alarming. Everything around me resonates with reasons why I should never have come back. I wanted to wail, but who will comfort me? My brothers had already warned me not to come back […]
BE HAPPY FOR OTHERS- LIFE IS NOT HARD
‘Someone else’s success is not your failure.’ This quote has to be repeated louder for the people at the back. Hmm, I’ve had my fair share of ‘haters’ in this life. At some point, I had to pray because my experiences were always hurtful. I’ll gist you guys of one prominent occurrence that has stuck […]
P.O.V AS A STUDENT IN RUSSIA SANDWICHED BETWEEN INFLATION AND DEVALUATION
How is your ‘money life’ looking as a foreigner living in Russia right now? So many stories to share— here’s one… “I opened my SberBank app again for the umpteenth time that day to check if any miracle money was going to appear. This was by far my worst month in Russia financially speaking and […]
HOW BULK BUYING CAN ACTUALLY SAVE YOU MONEY: TOP TIPS FOR YOU
“I walked into Auchan, praying that I get the best deals on my groceries this time. I always buy in bulk whether for my pastry business or my personal use. As I turned to the food aisle, I saw the familiar yellow and red tags indicating that there was a discount on some products. I […]
SAPA- MY PERSONAL PATH TO BEING BROKE
SAPA. A term used in Nigerian Pidgin English to describe a state of being extremely broke or poor, usually after spending extravagantly. The final stage of brokenness is where all hope is lost. A term to describe a state of being financially finished, without funds, naira less, bankrupt. Serious absence of purchasing ability. I laughed […]
WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A STUDENT-HUSTLER LIVING IN RUSSIA
“My name is Aisha, and I’m the most ambitious person I know. I’m a student-hustler living in Russia, and my life is a crazy combination of entrepreneurship and university life. I’ve turned my journey as a student into a multitude of business ventures, ranging from braiding hair for Russians and modelling to running a catering […]
HOW TO RECOGNISE AN AFRICAN IN RUSSIA?
It’s a scene straight out of a comedy movie. Imagine a Ghanaian captivating a crowd in a crowded market square, expertly bargaining for fruits while teaching the Russian vendor a few dance moves on the side, while the blend of cultures creates so much liveliness. From animated debates about the best jollof rice recipe to […]
Money Diary: Week in the Life of a Hustler Living in Moscow
My name is Henry and I currently make up to ₽40,000 across all the business hustles I’m running in Moscow. Here’s what a week in my life looks like: Monday As I wake up to the sound of my alarm, I can feel the Monday tiredness already sinking in. But as a hustler in Moscow, […]
MONEY DIARY: I’M A SCHOLARSHIP MEDICAL STUDENT. BUT ON A BUDGET
I am a 22-year-old medical student in Russia. I run a pastry business and also make money from making people’s hair from time to time. I am in my 4th year of medical school and I currently live with my 2 roommates in our school hostel. I don’t really have a lot of expenses and […]
HOW TO NOT GET SCAMMED ONLINE
Have you ever been scammed? Like real scam— they type you put money in and the whole thing just blows up. Or have you ever done an ‘investment’ and you got neither the promised rewards nor the initial money back? Don’t be shy. You’re not the only one that has lost money online. It’s time […]
HOW TO STOP BUYING THINGS YOU REGRET
You still regret buying it. What’s that one thing that readily comes to mind? You know how you feel when you buy that new iPhone and you’re wondering, “Should I have bought that? Was it really worth it? Can I even afford to live like this? I could have saved that money.” Some people end […]
DATING ABROAD: TOP TIPS FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP
Living abroad comes with its own ups and downs. As much as you get to see and experience a lot of new things, you can also meet people that can either make or mar your destiny. And that’s the deal with starting relationships in a foreign land… The simple truth is that, with the excitement […]
MONEY DIARY: EXCHANGE RATE TIMELINE ($~₽)
In light of the recent exchange rate flunctuations, we had a poll on our Telegram channel to see how many people in our community were able to convert money when $1 was around 120₽. For those that were able to change, we say “Congratulations!”, and for those who were waiting and waiting until it came […]
MONEY DIARY: SMART MONEY SPENDING
Annastatia Somadila shares how she spends money as a scholarship student in Russia. She says, “Our finances will always be a great part of our lives because we will keep earning and spending but don’t let your spending be more than your earning. A student reading this might say, “I’m not earning yet, so it […]
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: BREAK THE BIAS
Don’t let anyone tell you you’re weak because you’re a woman – Mary Kom Every year on March 8, women are celebrated to observe what has become one of the most popular celebrations especially in Russia. This event draws everyone’s attention to remember and recognise the accomplishments and rights as well as the difficulties women […]
WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING A FOREIGNER IN RUSSIA (Weird Questions Russians Ask Africans)
When you’ve lived in Russia for a while as a foreigner, especially as an African, you can probably count a number of instances when you’ve been asked a really really weird question by a Russian friend, classmate, group mate or even a complete stranger. Many of these questions are mostly based on sheer ignorance, innocence […]
MONEY DIARY 2
Monday 29 November: 5014руб My alarm goes off at 6:00 am, and I energetically get out of bed. It’s raining cats and dogs outside, so I decide to run after work. I make myself some green tea, write some emails, and update my work plan. I also use this time to call my mom; she […]
MONEY DIARY 1
When it comes to money, I believe there are two kinds of people: rational spender and chaotic spender. I am one of the most chaotic spenders in this universe. I succumb to impulse buying, and this absolute lack of money discipline has always bothered me because I know I am supposed to have a monthly […]