Lagos is a city of endless possibilities, but it is also a city that can humble you if you are not financially prepared. I learned this the hard way. Now, as I struggle to gather money for my house rent, I can’t help but reflect on my choices over the past year. I should have saved more. I should have been wiser. But I wasn’t, and now, I am facing the consequences.
At the beginning of last year, things were looking good. I had a stable income, and my rent was not due for another twelve months. I felt comfortable, even confident, that I had enough time to put things together. But instead of setting aside a fixed amount each month, I lived as if my income was endless. I spent on things that, in retrospect, added no real value to my life.
Every weekend, I found myself at restaurants with friends, ordering meals that were overpriced, just for the experience. “You only live once,” I told myself, convincing myself that I deserved it. I bought clothes I didn’t need, simply because I wanted to keep up appearances. I attended parties, contributed to unnecessary outings, and even lent money to people who never paid me back. I was living for the moment, completely ignoring the reality that the moment would eventually pass, and a new moment would come—one where I needed to pay rent.
I told myself I had time. I believed that when the deadline approached, I would somehow have the money. I underestimated how quickly a year could fly by. Before I knew it, my landlord was reminding me that my rent would be due in a few months. At that point, panic began to set in. I did a quick calculation of my savings, and reality hit me hard. I had barely saved anything significant.
I started making desperate attempts to cut back on spending. I avoided eating out and tried to cook at home. I stopped attending events and limited my outings to only essential ones. But no matter how much I tried to reduce expenses at that stage, it was too late to undo the damage that had already been done. The money was gone, spent on things that now seemed utterly useless.
What made it even more painful was that I had opportunities to save. There were days when I had extra money but chose to splurge instead of putting it aside. I ignored advice from financially disciplined friends who always emphasised the importance of saving before spending. I thought I was managing my money well, but in reality, I was just making excuses for poor financial habits.
As the rent deadline drew closer, I found myself in a difficult position. I started reaching out to friends and family for loans, but everyone had their own financial commitments. Some genuinely wanted to help but couldn’t, while others reminded me that I should have planned better. Their words stung, not because they were harsh, but because they were true. I had put myself in this situation, and I had no one else to blame.
Now, as I sit here trying to figure out how to raise the last bit of money I need, I am overwhelmed with regret. If I could go back in time, I would have done things differently. I would have saved more. I would have set aside a portion of every income before spending a single kobo. I would have prioritised my needs over my wants. I would have understood that financial security is not built on wishes but on discipline and planning.
Lagos is an expensive city, and rent is one of the biggest financial burdens one can face. It is easy to assume that money will always come when needed, but life has a way of humbling you when you least expect it. I have learned my lesson the hard way. Next time, I will be wiser. I will be more disciplined. Because one thing is certain—I never want to find myself in this position again.
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