Let’s be honest, saving money is not very easy. You’ve worked for the money, surely you should enjoy the fruit of your labour. But to avoid hot tears and unexpected attacks from sapa, you have to put some of that money away. 

Now imagine living in Lagos and trying to achieve this. You probably don’t know it, but Lagos itself is a huge beast that will swallow your finances and won’t stop until it swallows you whole. So, what can you do?

It’s simple. Just follow these money-saving hacks we are about to give you.

1. Never visit a Lagos restaurant.

See ehn, this is like telling a fish not to drink water. What can one do in this Lagos except visit restaurants and take aesthetic pictures for the ‘gram? The pictures will be pretty, and your followers will praise you. But your bank account? It will be left ugly, and it will curse you. 

Before you visit that restaurant, ask yourself: Is it worth it? Don’t I have rice at home? And if you really really want to eat something not cooked by you, just branch a buka and spoil yourself. There will be time to visit a Lagos restaurant, just not today.

2. Clubbing? Not for you.

Nobody said clubbing is bad for you oh. Actually, yes it is, but who are we to chook mouth inside your business? But instead of going to a nightclub where you will buy a glass of Star Radler for 3,000 naira and still end up with body pain and a migraine, why not save that money? If you really want to club, buy multi-coloured lights for your room, pour malt inside a glass cup and play Ayefele on a loudspeaker. Enjoyment no pass that one oh, and you can rest on your bed when you’re too weak to go on.

3. Instagram shopping? Avoid it. 🙅

Everything on Instagram is fine. One minute, you’re looking through a page called Chiamaka’s Thrift Collection (CTC). The next minute, you’ve ordered three okrika blouses and one ripped pair of jeans. Clothes that should not pass 5K in the market. But because it’s Instagram, Chiamaka’s Thrift Collection will charge money for aesthetics. Next thing you know, your bill has jumped to 15,000. 

Say the truth, if you had saved that money, wouldn’t you be happy with yourself?

4. You want to go on a date? Stay indoors. 

One romantic night in this Lagos, and your bank account is left in shambles. All because of love. My dear reader, we know that you love your partner and you want to give them the world. But take our advice: do something creative. Just carry one yard of wrapper and spread it on the ground in your backyard. Add watermelons and seven slices of bread with grapes and you are good to go. Picnic.

You get to save money while showing your creativity. YOU, 1. Lagos, 0.

5. Actually, it’s best to avoid relationships. 🌚

Small “I love you,” a debit alert has entered. You want to surprise your lover, buy them the things they asked for and the ones they didn’t ask for. But it comes at a cost. So, why not counter-attack poverty by staying single? By the time you decide to get married, you would have saved enough to stay afloat, at least for a little while.

6. Before you spend a kobo, save on ASAP VTU.

If you won’t follow any other advice on this list, make sure you follow this one. Your ASAO VTU app makes it easy for you to save as you spend. Just turn on Spend+Save. Each time you spend on something, you save something. Don’t sleep on a good thing.

7. Create a budget and flourish. 

Again, Lagos will hit you with expenses that are unnecessary. This is a city full of pretty things beckoning at you whenever you unlock your phone or leave your house. Before Lagos will finish you, finish it first. Open your ASAP VTU app and create a budget for all your expenses. If it’s not in your budget, you’re not buying it. Simple as that.

8. Always track your expenses.

That way, you know what is eating your money and how to stop to it. Lagos is now a danger to bank accounts. Only those who are financially smart can win.

Open your eyes and let ASAP VTU show you the way.