Skip to main content

We Are Willing to Risk Almost Everything for Money. We Are Just Unwilling to Risk Money for Almost Everything Else.

I have been dealing with a problem in my foot for almost two weeks. This might not sound particularly dramatic. It isn't cancer. It isn't an emergency. It isn't even the kind of pain that stops me from going about my day. Which is perhaps why I found myself hesitating. You see, I am a walker. Not the kind of person who takes a stroll every now and then. I walk for two to three hours most days. Walking is how I think, how I clear my head, and how I make sense of the world. If there is one part of my body I should be willing to invest in, it is probably my feet. Yet when I started calling podiatrists in Nairobi, I found myself doing mental gymnastics. The cheapest consultation fee I found was KES 5,000. Consultation. Not treatment. Not scans. Not medication. Just the privilege of finding out what might be wrong. By the time everything was done, the bill could easily reach KES 15,000 or KES 20,000. And suddenly I found myself wondering whether I really needed a podiatrist. May...
Post a Comment

Mantras for the Journey: Words to Keep You Going When Making Financial Sacrifices

Financial discipline often means making tough choices—choosing public transport over car ownership, skipping luxuries to build a savings cushion, or postponing vacations to secure a home. The journey can feel isolating, frustrating, and sometimes even discouraging, especially when peers seem to be enjoying a more carefree life. In these moments, having a personal mantra—a simple, powerful phrase—can help center your mindset, reinforce your ‘why,’ and keep you focused on the bigger picture.

Here are some mantras to guide you through different aspects of financial sacrifice and goal-setting.

1. For Choosing Public Transport Over a Car

“Every sacrifice has a purpose. Every saved shilling builds my future. My journey may be crowded, but my destination is clear.”

  • When matatu chaos makes you question your decision, this mantra reminds you of the bigger picture.

  • Every shilling saved on fuel, insurance, and maintenance moves you closer to financial security.

  • Your journey may be tough, but the reward—whether it’s a home, investments, or peace of mind—is worth it.

2. For Saving Instead of Spending on Trends

“I define success on my own terms. My money serves my goals, not fleeting trends.”

  • Social media and peer pressure can make it tempting to buy the latest gadgets, fashion, or luxury items.

  • This mantra helps you detach from the urge to ‘keep up’ and focus on what truly adds value to your life.

3. For When the Journey Feels Too Long

“I am patient. I am consistent. My progress may be slow, but every step counts.”

  • Whether you’re saving for land, building a business, or investing in your future, financial goals take time.

  • This mantra reassures you that every effort, no matter how small, is bringing you closer to your goal.

4. For Handling Social Pressure

“I am not behind; I am on my own path. My journey is mine to own.”

  • When friends buy cars, take vacations, or upgrade their lifestyles while you’re still in the saving phase, self-doubt can creep in.

  • This mantra reinforces that financial discipline is a personal journey, not a race.

5. For Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation

“More money does not mean more spending. More money means more freedom.”

  • Many people upgrade their spending as soon as they earn more, making wealth feel elusive.

  • This mantra helps anchor you in financial growth rather than unnecessary expenses.

6. For Delayed Gratification

“What I want now is not greater than what I want most.”

  • When tempted to make impulse purchases, this mantra reminds you to prioritize long-term rewards over short-term pleasures.

7. For Financial Independence and Security

“I work for my future, not just for today. Financial freedom is my real success.”

  • Whether you’re saving for retirement, building an emergency fund, or securing generational wealth, this mantra keeps you focused on sustainable financial success.

Conclusion: Make Your Mantra a Daily Habit

Your financial journey is uniquely yours, and the sacrifices you make today are setting the foundation for a stable and fulfilling future. Choose a mantra—or a few—that resonate with you, write them down, repeat them daily, and let them serve as your mental anchor whenever doubt creeps in.

The road may be long, but you’re not walking it aimlessly. You have a goal, and you’re on your way.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Daniel Arap Moi — The Shadow and the Shepherd: A Deep Dive into Kenya’s Second President

If Jomo Kenyatta was the founding father, Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi was the long-reigning stepfather — sometimes protective, often punitive, and almost always enigmatic. He ruled Kenya for 24 years, the longest of any president to date. To some, he was the gentle teacher, Mwalimu , who kept the nation from tearing apart. To others, he was the architect of a surveillance state, a master of patronage and fear, the man who perfected repression through calm. This is a portrait of Daniel Arap Moi — not just as a ruler, but as a man shaped by modest beginnings, colonial violence, and the hunger for order in a chaotic time. Early Life: The Boy from Sacho Daniel Arap Moi was born on September 2, 1924, in Kurieng’wo, Baringo, in Kenya’s Rift Valley. He came from the Tugen sub-group of the Kalenjin community. His father died when he was just four. Raised by his uncle, Moi’s early life was marked by hardship, discipline, and deep Christian missionary influence. He trained as a teacher at Tambach ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Know Thyself: The Quiet Power of Naming Your Nature

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” — Carl Jung We live in a culture that equates good intentions with goodness, and ambition with ability. But very few people in Kenya—or anywhere—truly know what they are made of. We can name our qualifications and our dreams. But ask someone their vices or virtues, and they hesitate. Worse, they lie. The Danger of Self-Unawareness In Kenya today, many of us are wandering through life making choices—big, small, and irreversible—without truly understanding who we are. We end up in jobs we despise, relationships we shouldn’t be in, or positions of influence we aren’t emotionally or ethically equipped for. And at the root of this dysfunction is a simple truth: we don’t know ourselves. This is not a spiritual or abstract dilemma. It’s a deeply practical one. To know oneself is to understand your vices, your virtues, your weaknesses, and your strengths—not in a vague sense, but in detail. Let’s ge...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Great Kenyan Home Ownership Madness: Dreams vs. Reality

Owning a home is a big dream for many Kenyans, but somewhere along the way, practicality has been thrown out the window. Too many people, driven by childhood aspirations or societal expectations, are constructing massive houses only to end up living like misers within them. Let’s break down why this trend makes little sense and what smarter, more sustainable homeownership looks like. The Harsh Reality of Owning a Big House in Kenya Many Kenyans, especially those who grew up in humble backgrounds, grew up being told to “dream big.” Unfortunately, this has translated into building unnecessarily large houses, often with rooms that remain unused, multiple verandahs gathering dust, and massive balconies that no one actually sits on. These houses cost millions to build, yet within a few years, the owners are struggling to maintain them, regretting their choices as they pour more money into renovations. If you need proof, just look at how many old houses in Nairobi remain unsold. No one wants...
4 comments
Read more