Saving money in Nigeria right now? It’s starting to feel like a myth. Food is expensive. Transportation fees are crazy. You blink and there’s one new urgent bill. So most people aren’t even asking, “How do I save?” They’re asking, “How do I breathe?”
But maybe that’s the problem. We’ve been raised to think saving is only for emergencies:
- Hospital bills
- Rent
- School fees
- Family pressure
- Black tax
Yes, these things matter. But when your only motivation for saving is fear, you start to associate money with stress.
Not freedom. Not purpose. Just pressure. And this pressure? Young people detest it.
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The Scarcity Loop
A 2023 Statista report shows over 60% of Nigerians save only for emergencies or family support. Only about 15% save for personal goals—like trips, experiences, or things that bring joy.
And here’s the catch: When your finances are wired only for survival, even the tiniest pleasure like a concert ticket, or dinner with friends starts to feel like a mistake. You either cut off joy completely or spend impulsively just to feel something.
Neither path is sustainable. Both leave you drained.
Let’s Flip the Script
What if saving wasn’t just about preparing for problems but planning for joy? What if budgeting wasn’t punishment but permission to do life better?
Saving for joy isn’t irresponsible. It’s intentional. A birthday trip. A personal project. Brunch with your favourite people. Attending a FunZ event. These things add colour to your life and you shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting them.
Why Intentional Spending Wins
People who set positive and specific goals—not just emergency targets—are more likely to stick to their savings plans and this is because anticipation beats anxiety. Looking forward to something? That’s motivation. Saving just out of fear? That’s burnout.
“Spending money to show people how much money you have is the fastest way to have less money.”
— Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money
But maybe the fastest way to feel alive is spending with purpose. Creating stories, not just receipts.
A Better Way to Save
Here’s one way to look at it:
- Events give you stories.
- Stories give you meaning.
- Meaning? That’s what makes life worth waking up for.
Saving for a concert isn’t selfish. Saving for rest isn’t wasteful. Saving to explore, connect, and grow? That’s smart. That’s strategy.
The bottom line is saving for emergencies is great and we advise that you should have emergency savings but also save to live. To laugh. To create. To show up. To try something new. Because life isn’t just about dodging storms, it’s about dancing at events you paid for.
Looking for what event to start from? Visit the FunZ ticketing platform for the best events around you. Have fun while at it.