Aside from the numerous reasons I love being African, one part of us that I adore is the poetic way we talk. When it comes to speaking metaphorically, no one comes close to us. Remember when, as a kid, you would ask your mum where to put an object, and she would say, “Come and put it on my head” or when you were hungry and you’d ask what to eat, and she’d say, “Come and eat me.” Of course, we all knew better not to ever take any of those statements literally, but if you were bold enough to have ever done that, please share with us how that day went down. Our poetic way of speaking is evident i ..read more

Financial literacy is not just an adult thing, like many would like to believe. Kids can be financially literate as well. A kid who wants a bike and tells you they are ready to do some chores to earn some money to afford it, clearly shows that they understand what it feels like to work for what you want. Even though we would eventually purchase the bike with our money, it just makes us proud as parents that our kids have a grasp of financial management. In case you are still wondering why kids need to be financially literate, here are five reasons. Money Smart from a Young Age By learning the ..read more

When it comes to culture and tradition, Africa has them in abundance, as unique as they come. It’s a continent of distinct people and languages, with each tribe having something special about them. The continent is one giant, vibrant mosaic of customs and practices. Let’s take a look at 5 of these unique traditions from the motherland. Gerewol Festival (Wodaabe, Niger) Photo credit: GlobalGaz.com When you think of pageants, what automatically comes to mind? A bunch of pretty ladies strutting their stuff on a runway or stage, right? Well, Niger said, scratch that! This time around, it is the m ..read more

Imagine you, age 45, with no work to do, just living your best life on a holiday somewhere where the sun rises and sets beautifully. Sounds incredible, doesn’t it?  Well, it is doable if you light up your FIRE. FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. This is a paradigm shift from the work-until-you-are-65 mindset. FIRE offers you a path to financial freedom and an option to say bye-bye to work at a very young age. Thinking of igniting your FIRE? Check out these tips. Understanding FIRE FIRE has two main goals, which are: Financial Independence (FI): Accumulating enough savin ..read more

They say money can’t buy happiness, but let’s face it, it plays a great role in our mental health. Whether it’s having bills to pay, debts to service, anxiety over job security or being financially stable, money and mental health sure have a connection. Here are some ways you can cope when your finances are looking down. The Money-Mental Health Connection Stress and Anxiety Financial troubles are one of the leading causes of stress and anxiety. Having bills to pay is one aspect of adulthood that hits you like a tonne of bricks. The anxiety that comes from this, especially when you are running ..read more

I heave a sigh of relief each time I think of how banking has evolved, and for me, mobile banking has been an absolute game-changer. I vividly recall one time when I had to send money to my sister at school, and she gave me a last-minute “emergency” heads-up, just 20 minutes before the bank’s closing time of 4 pm. The bank was quite a distance from my house, so it was a mad dash to get there. I arrived five minutes after closing and had to beg the security guards to let me in to make the transfer, explaining that it was crucial for my sister. After so much pleading, one guard brought me a ..read more

Your breath is like a force that either attracts people to you or pushes them away. It is the first thing that hits people when you speak. I once had a colleague everyone tried to avoid because of their terrible breath. Having a conversation with them was like torture to your nostrils—yeah, it was that terrible. This negatively impacted his relationships with colleagues. Many things contribute to bad breath. Some are due to medical reasons, while others are due to poor oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral hygiene at the workplace is essential for both your health and your professional image. He ..read more

Imagine living overseas and having a family back home that you cannot support due to the unavailability of money transfer services or not being able to pay your school fee because your sponsor can’t get it across to you. These situations are better imagined. With the innovation of cross-border payments, sending money across borders is as easy as easy can get. With only a few clicks, money has travelled five thousand miles across the ocean. Unfortunately, some mischief makers exploit this ease and defraud unsuspecting victims. They constantly work tirelessly behind the scenes to con you out of ..read more

When navigating the world of home loans, it’s crucial to understand what you should and shouldn’t do to ensure you make informed decisions and secure the best possible terms for your situation. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts. Dos Shop around for the best deal: Don’t settle for the first home loan offer you receive. Shop around, compare interest rates, fees, and terms from multiple lenders to find the best deal for your financial situation. Consider all costs: When budgeting for a home loan, consider not only the monthly mortgage payments but also other costs such as property taxes and mainten ..read more

Having a good time with your family will always be on the upper echelon of fun for me—no inhibitions, no pretence—just some good old-fashioned fun. The world is moving and so are we. This busy nature of the world has made some people go for months or even years without spending quality time with their loved ones. But it’s good to pause and think about how to right this wrong because, at the end of the day, family is all we got. You want to make fun memories with your family? Here are 10 bonding activities you can enjoy with your family to strengthen your family ties. 1. Picnic Pack a basket f ..read more