![[Kenya] Digital credit provider Tala disbursed Sh240 billion in loans in eight years](https://theafricanbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/TALA-APP-360x180.jpg "[Kenya] Digital credit provider Tala disbursed Sh240 billion in loans in eight years 18")
5 life-changing financial tips for Africans
Although some Africans earn lucrative incomes, a general lack of basic financial education leads some of them to make poor financial decisions such as reckless spending and debt accumulation.
This article focuses on life-changing financial tips for Africans. We gathered these personal finance tips from reliable sources such as Investopedia, The Balance, etc.
1. Read personal finance books
According to Outlook Money, personal finance books are potent resources with information for your financial and personal life improvement. These books cover finances, from budgeting to investments, insurance, and retirement planning. So if you want to make decisions that can positively affect your finances, consider reading personal finance books.
Reading these books brings you closer to the harsh realities of the world and teaches you the benefits of managing your finances wisely. These books teach the importance of financial management and the consequences of squandering riches. You’ll learn how to structure finances, discover new markets and learn additional ways to generate revenue and improve your income.
Personal finance books can make Africans financially literate as they disclose information about new markets and investments. Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School, Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Total Money Makeover, and The Automatic Millionaire are a few personal finance books for Africans.
2. Create a Financial Plan
According to The Balance, creating a financial plan is an essential money strategy that gives you a timeline and strategy for success. You can track your progress while working towards a measurable goal with a greater sense of control with financial planning. Consider financial planning if you want to know the necessary amount, why you’re saving, and how long it takes to reach your goals.
Creating a financial plan can profoundly impact African households and encourage budgeting and saving among low and high-income earners. Africans can create a financial plan that prioritizes savings and budgeting to achieve attainable goals.
Another excellent benefit of a financial plan is its potential to improve your investment portfolio. With your financial roadmap, you’ll make thoughtful investing decisions to prepare yourself for significant life events instead of spending without a direction.
3. Start Saving
According to Financial Express, saving is a strategy for income earners to prepare for life uncertainties and promotes peace of mind. While people save for different reasons, it is an excellent way to avoid hardship, especially with hyperinflation in Africa. So if you want to prepare for emergencies, retirements, vacations, and education, it’s time to start saving.
Saving will give you financial freedom in Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya, or Ghana. As a result, you may never worry about making life decisions like changing jobs or getting married with savings.
People with saving habits usually live debt-free, plan a vacation, buy a home, and fund medical emergencies. With education becoming very expensive in Africa, people with regular savings can pay to afford tuition and support their kids. If you have a sustainable saving account, you can start a new business with minimal worries about money.
4. Start Investing
According to Investopedia, investing is a finance strategy for wealth building and increasing your financial worth. Make wise investment decisions if you want to outpace inflation and increase value. Consider making investment decisions with future growth and delivers higher income returns.
Smart investment decisions allow you to put your money to work and earn healthy long-term returns. Furthermore, you can reach big financial goals and transform your life by investing. Africans can engage in asset investment classes such as properties, shares, stocks, fixed interests, and cash.
Remember that your returns could be your additional income source while you reinvest earnings from your regular job. Profits from investments like stocks, mutual funds, bonds, real estate, and businesses can ensure you live healthily and happily, even in retirement. Besides, you can also earn a lucrative income with investments in manufacturers, artisans, and entertainment.
5. Set Realistic Goals
According to The Peak Performance Center, setting realistic goals provides direction and clarity in decision-making. If you want to take control of your future and accomplish goals, consider setting realistic goals. Instead of drifting aimlessly, setting and achieving goals gives you a sense of satisfaction and appreciation for your capabilities.
If you want a better understanding of expectations, consider setting a realistic timeline to achieve your goals. It helps you evaluate your life and focus on the things that align with your plan. In addition, you’ll simplify your life with a sense of urgency by setting realistic goals.
You can persevere through difficulties and defeat procrastination by committing to daily progress and undertaking opportunities and tasks that advance you. Furthermore, setting financial goals help you track your progress and maintain motivation.
