When people say women are not good with money, I tell them they have not met FinTribe women! FinTribe women who have saved and invested over $1m, women who are on track to save/invest One Billion Naira in just 11 months of 2023! How have we been able to do that regardless of the unfavourable Nigerian economy?
Here are some practical things that will help any woman save and invest like pros.
Set a goal
When you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, it helps with coming up with the right strategies to make it happen. Your financial goal now could be to save up a specific amount, buy a particular asset, expand your investment portfolio, etc.
Decide on what it is for you, then think of actionable steps that will make it happen. At the beginning of the year, we ask our FinTribe women what amount they want to save for the year, which sets the target for them for the month. Glad to say that many of us have surpassed our target.
Accountability
Everyone wants to do better with money, but as they say, the spirit is willing, the body is weak. Accountability is at the centre of what we do at FinTribe as a community. We hold one another accountable, sending constant reminders and follow-ups to our members. You can’t be a FinTribe woman and not be able to save for at least once a month! There is always a message somewhere either in our group, email, or social media, reminding and pushing you.
Get someone, preferably one on a similar journey as you, to discuss what you are looking to achieve, decide when and how you do your check-ins, and mode of holding each other accountable. For example, in the early days of FinTribe, our goal was to save monthly, each time they saved for the month, they sent me a screenshot on WhatsApp. When I don’t get it, I go knocking. That kept everyone on their toes.
Think Long term
Patience is what most people lack when it comes to investing. Investment is a tool for building wealth, gradually but steadily. But many people want sharp sharp solutions, and that’s how they end up with Ponzi schemes. Many of us have been victims of this, thankfully, now we know better, we do better.
For fixed-income investments like commercial papers, and bonds, their tenor can range from 3 months, 6 months, one year, and above. But for stock market investing, to get the best out of it, prepare to sit it out for years. Let the magic of compounding work for you.
Discover more insightful strategies for savings and investments in our latest issue, expertly. To unlock the full spectrum of Jennifer’s expertise, download the Money Issue HERE. Explore the remaining four strategies, tailored to empower both women and men on their journey to financial success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your financial knowledge and make informed investment decisions!
About the writer
Jennifer Awirigwe, professionally known as Financial Jennifer, is a personal finance expert, investment banker, and founder of Nigeria’s first and largest women-only finance community, Fintribe.
Recently listed as the Top 50 Rising Motherland Moguls 2023 by She Leads Africa, she is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Stockbroker, and Certified Financial Education Instructor by the National Financial Educators Council, USA. Financial Jennifer has trained over 20,000 women on personal finance, guided thousands of women on their investment journeys, and provided financial aid to women – donating laptops and sponsoring IT training.