Who do we tell people you are?
My name is Oluwatosin. I am a digital marketer, and I stay in Lekki Phase 1.
How did you manage to save before Jollof+?
I am actually big on savings. Before I knew about Jollof+, my bank was my go to platform for saving my money, however, I had issues accessing my funds which made it frustrating for me. I also struggled with financial accountability where I lost track of my savings by lending to family and friends. This experience wasn’t one that I enjoyed.
Unlike Jollof+,
With Jollof+, the money is locked, so I can't touch it because of petty expenses. I can’t just give money out. And it is now so easy to keep track of my savings.
Amazing! But what made you finally say, “I must save for this rent” instead of winging it?
Before, I believed I could pay my rent very easily. It looked like something could raise quickly because I work every day and earn salary, right? Wrong! I realised late that every time my salary came in, I had spent all my money before I could keep any for rent. So I realised, okay, it's not small money; I needed to be intentional about saving for it.
I started saving pretty late, six months towards my next rent, so I had to be strict about it. I calculated the total amount and then planned how to save a portion each month for the next six months.
That is awesome. It must not have been easy
It wasn’t easy, though, but I was able to save up and pay the rent.
Say the truth—were you always consistent with saving, or did you ever touch the money?
What I do is have my rent automatically taken out of my account and deposited into my Jollof+ account as soon as I get paid.
Although the account I linked to my Jollof+ is not my salary account, I always have the money moved to the right account so it can be deducted.
Even on the rare occasions that I forget to move the money, I get a notification from Jollof+ saying that my automation failed. And immediately I moved the money to my Jollof+ account.
Because one thing about money is that it is like a ghost. The moment you touch it, it disappears. You always feel the money you have is not enough for you. That is why I move it quickly because out of sight is out of mind.
Tell me about the most painful thing you had to turn down because you were trying to save money for rent
I said no to a lot of things, especially going out and eating at fancy restaurants. It touched my soul. But I had to save for that rent. That is when I started cooking more often. I have been cooking back to back. I even discovered that I love cooking.
Saving helped you discover your love for cooking. Wonderful.
Yesso. Lol
Some people say saving in general is a scam. Some are looking for someone’s son or daughter to sponsor them. Thoughts?
I don't think saving is a scam, because with saving, I've been able to afford my lifestyle. To be honest, people who don't know me well enough tend to think, Oh, she's a big girl, or Oh, she's butty, or stuff like that.
But that's not true. It's just basically saving. I save so I can afford my lifestyle. I always naturally have been someone who loves saving because I don't have one uncle and auntie or one mommy and daddy that I can run back to.
So I have been heavy on saving to be able to afford my stuff right from time. When I see that I will need something like wigs, hair, shoes, bags, food, whatever it is, I plan for it.
Just a wig I like so much, and I tell myself, okay, I give myself three months to buy this wig.
Then I start saving for it till that very moment, and then I buy it. Saving has made it possible for me to maintain my lifestyle without having to beg for money or find someone’s son, and so far, so good. That's been working well for me because I'm eating and life is going well. I'm enjoying myself.
How would you encourage a Nigerian to start saving for rent with Jollof+?
My advice to people—someone else start saving for rent—is to start as soon as possible. Like, immediately after you pay your first rent, start. You can start now.
Since it is February, divide your rent by the number of months. I think then we have 10 months or so, and then start saving that particular amount every month.
Although you will get interested, let that be a tap on your shoulder, like icing on the cake. That says well done for saving. You did it. Well done for saving, because as long as you don't touch that money, your interest is safe.
What I do is that I put any extra money I receive—gift money, for example—into my Jolloflex. Because as long as I don't see it in my bank account, I won’t spend it.
And if an unplanned expense comes, I can easily sort it out with the money in my Jolloflex so I can go.
What’s the next thing you’re saving for with Your Jollof+? Car
A car is a lot of money. I am saving a lot right now. I save for December Detty, starting in January. That is because I don't want to be among those people who are broke in January.
I save for bags and shoes. I save for everything. Lol. I like the good things of life.
I use my Jolloflex for expenses because I don’t touch my Ajo+ which is what I save on most of the time on the Jollof+ app. I rarely use my Jolloflock because I might want to touch the money later on.
If Jollof+ rewarded you for being a disciplined saver, what do you think you deserve?
For being this discipline? More money, abeg. Give me 100% interest on my savings. I deserve am abeg. Lol.
Finally, describe your entire saving journey in one Nigerian phrase.
I too try. I too try abeg.
Thank you, Tosin.
Thank you for having me.
