Salary & Budget –Those earning less than sh 20,000 every month have a reason to worry about their handful earnings at the end of every month despite working hard for thirty days.
Earning a paltry sh 20,000 or even less is not news in African countries. For instance, in Kenya, majority of people there earn less than sh 20,000 because the job market there is not rich enough as compared to developed nations. Many people work in menial jobs like construction sites and home care.
Government Workers
Those who work with Government as civil servants lower cadre only earn less than 25, 000 unless you are a politician or working in a political appointment.
Many families, therefore, have to adjust to living within their means or else, suffer a financial crisis every day.
Now this begs the question, how could one prudently spend the little earnings they get paid at the end of the month?
Budget or budgeting is key as one ought to write down basics of what is required in their house or homes. Squeeze your budget with what is needed and spread it out with the less needed.
Food is number one priority in any household. But not every food is basic. In today’s world, there are foods that can wait until the day earnings have improved. For example, Pitza and sea food can wait for another day. Nothing is wrong with that. They sound more of a luxury than a ‘need’.
Spend the first sh 5,000 on key foodstuff like flour(unga), salt, sugar, cooking oil and some rice. Do not buy expensive brands. We have in the supermarkets cheaper brands which pays a little less. Add some medical tablets.
After spending the first sh 5,000, then do the same with the second sh 5,000. Spend this on other family requirements like education for your daughter and son. Make sure they are catered for in that order. A healthy family is a happy family.
Now you have sh 10,000 remaining with you. This can be spend on your fuel or daily bus fare to and fro the work place.
Living from Hand to Mouth
Last but not least, remember that living from hand to mouth is the most ignorance on earth any adult can do. All earnings have a percentage of what can be saved. Save a few coins for a rainy day.
Suffice to say that, tithing has no option. Give tithes to the church. Or if you are not a church man or woman, share it with those in need. Buy a drink or lunch to someone every month. This cannot be overemphasized as the Bible has emphasised in its scriptures that a ‘hand that giveth is a hand that receiveth’.
In conclusion, therefore, no money can be enough even when one lands a job with Google or Microsoft Inc. company headquarters in California U.S.A. Therefore, rule of thumb is, spend well what you earn every month or cry forever in poverty.
But as you cry, remember to not blame this on anybody.
