KenyaOnAShoeString: Real Advice for Real Kenyans

We all carry around a few maybes —those half-formed ideas and dreams that hover in the background, whispering that maybe one day, we'll take the plunge. Maybe I'll move out. Maybe I'll go back to school. Maybe I'll buy land in that quiet town. Maybe I'll cut ties with that draining friend. These thoughts are not always harmless. Some maybes haunt us for years, quietly costing us peace, time, clarity, or money. This article explores real, grounded examples of Kenyans wrestling with maybes—choices that linger, pull energy, and clutter our decision-making. And how, by eliminating a maybe—either by turning it into a solid yes or a firm no—we make space for clarity and progress. 1. Muthoni – The Maybe of Buying Land in Naivasha The Maybe: Muthoni had her eye on a piece of land in Naivasha for months. She envisioned weekend getaways, a tiny home, maybe even hosting creatives for retreats. The Cost of the Maybe: She spent months obsessively browsing listings, calculating...

When the dream finally comes true, but you don’t feel happy. A few days ago, I got braces. Not the kind where you just wake up and decide to get them—but the kind I’ve wanted since I was young. My mum, doing the best she could, got me braces for my upper jaw. We couldn't afford the full treatment then. But that desire to complete what was started? It never left me. So I saved. For months. Quietly, diligently. And when the day finally came, I got them. Full braces. A dream finally realized. But almost immediately, I noticed something strange. I wasn’t excited. I wasn’t proud. I wasn’t even relieved. I just felt… tired. Drained. From day one, I started wondering why I wasn’t happy. Why couldn’t I enjoy the moment? I had worked for this. I had saved for this. I had made peace with the cost. So why couldn’t I smile—beyond the metal wires? Instead, I found myself worrying. “Will I ever get to enjoy my tiny home someday—or will I just feel like this again?” You see, that tiny home ...

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...

Loans have become a default path to financial progress in Kenya. Many believe you cannot own a home, buy a car, or expand a business without taking on debt. But what if that isn’t true? What if you could achieve all this using only the money you already have? Let’s break down practical, debt-free ways to build wealth and secure your financial future in Kenya. 1. Business Expansion: Why More Kenyans Should Consider Partnerships Most Kenyans think that the only way to expand a business is by taking a loan, but partnerships are an overlooked alternative. There are many Kenyans sitting on savings in banks or M-Pesa wallets with no clear idea of what to do with their money. Instead of taking loans, business owners can seek silent partners who provide capital while the active partner runs the business. Why Partnerships Make Sense A silent partner provides funds without the burden of loan repayments. Both parties share profits based on clear, pre-agreed terms. The business benefits from addit...

Let’s be real: the 50/20/30 budgeting rule that financial gurus preach does not work in Kenya. Not when salaries are eaten alive by crazy living costs, family obligations, and the constant money-sucking emergencies that pop up like clockwork. If you think you can just allocate 50% of your income to needs, 20% to savings, and 30% to wants, you must be living in an alternate universe where unga is free, landlords take exposure as rent, and blackouts are just a myth. The Reality of Most Kenyan Earners Imagine earning KES 60,000 before taxes and deductions. That number looks good on paper, but let’s break it down: Tax & Deductions: Say goodbye to around KES 15,000 for NHIF, SHIF, Housing Levy and PAYE. Net Salary: You now have KES 45,000 to play with. Rent: A decent one-bedroom in a reasonable area costs KES 15,000–20,000. Transport: If you work in Westlands and live somewhere "affordable" like Rongai or Kitengela, your daily commute could cost you KES 400. That’s KES 8,0...