KenyaOnAShoeString: Real Advice for Real Kenyans

“It’s not a bargain if you don’t need it.” This phrase has quietly become my compass whenever a flashy deal or discount catches my eye. It’s simple, but powerful. And in a world that constantly pushes us to buy more, grab every offer, and never miss a sale, it’s the question we all need to ask ourselves. Walk into any Kenyan supermarket like Quickmart or Naivas on discount day, and you’ll see a battlefield of bargains. Buy-one-get-one-free offers, 50% discounts, and flash sales everywhere. Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn tempt you with their famous “ Wacky Wednesday ” deals — two meals for the price of one or ridiculously low prices on combos that almost feel too good to be true. But are they really bargains? Or just clever traps? Take a moment and think: How often do you finish both pizzas from that deal, especially if you’re eating alone? How many times have you bought plastic gadgets or trinkets from shops like Miniso or China Square because they were “cheap,” only to realize la...

“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes.” — Eleanor Roosevelt Ask someone on the street in Nairobi, Nakuru, or Kakamega: “What is your personal life philosophy?” You’ll likely get silence, or a shrug, or a vague answer like “just trying to survive.” And yet, the truth is—we’re all already living by some philosophy. It may not be written or thought through, but your repeated choices are the loudest expression of your beliefs. So the question is not: Do you have a life philosophy? The real question is: Is it one you chose? Or one that circumstance chose for you?  Why Many Kenyans Don’t Live by a Clear Philosophy 1. The Tyranny of Survival In a country where millions live below the poverty line, there’s often no time or mental space to think about deeper things. When rent is due, school fees are late, and fuel prices are rising, philosophy can feel like a luxury. But here's the risk: If you don’t shape your beliefs, you...