My first experience of making money is a significant milestone! It taught me valuable lessons that shaped my perspective on work, finances, and personal growth. At every stage of our lives there is a tendency to become more responsible and cease from certain things, raise up and start something for ourselves, although we might not start big, but making the bold step is what brings enlightenment, growth and create more opportunities for us.
It is often believed that experience is the best teacher, and I accept it, my first experience in making money taught me a great lesson, I get to learn about financial management, budgeting, self-worth etc. Oftentimes receiving money that we don't work for, we get to spend it aimlessly and carelessly knowing that we will get another when we just put a call across.
Mine was a different case, I have always seen my mother struggles before she gets money, and I thought it wise to help her at a tender age, but she kicked against it, saying we are her responsibility, so anytime I request for money from her and she gives me, I have to manage it effectively knowing that I have siblings as well she need to carter for.
I'm so cognisant with receiving from my mum, although she had a lot of responsibilities. So after the covid-19 season, I was in my final year, so i thought it wise to get a part-time job so as to complete my project and do my clearance as well rather than asking from my mom, although she kicked against it as usual but this time i had to make her see reasons with me why i really need to take the job offer to assist her, so that she can concentrate with my younger brother as well. Thank God she saw reasons with me.
I first submitted my application in a school, I was called upon for an interview the following day, although I was scared, but I successfully got the teaching job as a part time teacher. It was a nice experience though. At the end of the month I got my salary although not much, but I was so excited that my effort could pay, I started saving up some amount, differentiating between my wants and my needs, and stick to my budget so as to meet up with my goal. And I was able to do that effectively, although it was not easy, but I tend to forget the difficult aspects of it but looked at the achievement and goals I achieved during that season, and that has helped shape my financial stability.
Some outstanding lessons derived from this experience which has helped me till today are:
Value of hard work: I get to understand that money you work brings a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, and you will get to manage it effectively also understanding that money comes from effort and dedication, and with slothfulness or laziness.
Financial responsibility: Learning to manage earnings, save, and make smart financial decisions. Working to earn opens us up to responsibility, both to ourselves and to others as well.
Time management: It taught me setting my priorities right, balancing work and personal life to maximize productivity is what makes us more responsible.
Self-worth: Realizing that my skills and talents have value and are compensated.
Goal-setting: It taught me setting achievable financial goals and working towards achieving them with ease.
Budgeting: Learning to allocate earnings wisely and prioritize expenses.
Patience and perseverance: I learnt that financial success often requires persistence, dedication, commitment and delayed gratification.
My first money experience has shaped my financial, stability, responsibility and literacy, work ethic, and overall approach to life.
