I don't have enough money to invest. (Yes, me too!)

Written on :

Is setting aside a percentage of your income to invest a struggle? A never-ending painful battle between the income you earn and meeting your monthly expenses? If you had asked me this question 5 years ago, I would have said, Oh yes, It's a major struggle. and that's because there was always something to spend money on after paying my tithes. Something to buy. Something to do. Somewhere to go. Did I think about Investing? Apart from the random investment in stock because my friends were doing the same, deliberate investing was always something I planned to do when I got much older and earned a lot more money. But overtime, I've learned to be more deliberate in setting money aside to invest. Picture this. What if you could gain access to N11m in ten years if all you do is set aside N50,000 on a monthly basis to invest in a security that gives you 10% annual interest? and that's just a basic return because you decide to play safe by investing only in fixed income securities. and It also doesn't have to be a major investment for you because you can make major investments with upfront payments or your profit bonus (I call them windfalls) What It gives you is, spare cash you have access to if you're very disciplined, after 10 years. Think about the freedom that gives you So, how can you be deliberate? The challenge with being deliberate about making an investment is living only in the present and not thinking about the future. When we think only about the things we need to spend money on; some expedient, some not so much, we're living only in the present and not really thinking about the future. So, the first trick to being deliberate with making investments is deciding not to live only in the present but to also think about what you want for your future. hmm...I know, you're probably thinking; how can I think about the future when I barely have enough to get through the present? I know. I used to think that way as well But, you wanna know a little secret? It's never going to be enough. There will always be something to do with money. There will always be a reason to buy that new dress, those new shoes, eat out. and if you're married, boy oh boy!.....I don't even want to dabble into that...hehe Honestly, I know firsthand how there will always be a reason to spend instead of invest. But I just decided my future matters. You need to decide your future matters. Your future is your responsibility. A responsibility you need to embrace wholeheartedly. Your future does not depend on your job or your family. It depends on you. The second trick to being deliberate is making it a consistent habit over time. You can start with only 5% or 10% of your income on a monthly basis. It will add up eventually. and if you think what you can start with is too small to invest in anything significant, pool resources with friends and start an investment club. An investment club is a great way to pool resources, invest and share risks while you earn interest Step into your future and see your self smiling gleefully back because you made the decision today that your future matters. Now that's an image to look forward to, don't you think?