You’ve probably heard this advice a million times: “Save for the future.” But let’s be honest. How are you supposed to do that when your present feels like a survival game? The cost of living is wild, bills don’t respect your paycheck, and just one night out can drain your wallet faster than you think.
Still, there’s that voice in your head, or maybe it’s your parents, reminding you to think about your future. So now you’re stuck in a loop. You want to live your best life, but you also want to retire before 70.
Well, you can enjoy your money now and still set yourself up for future success. And no, it doesn’t involve cutting out all fun or surviving on Indomie alone.
Why Most Nigerians Struggle With Spending Guilt
Growing up in Nigeria, many of us were raised on the gospel of “Don’t waste money” and “Think of your future.”
That’s solid advice, but it often turns into guilt anytime you do something for yourself. Like buying that new phone. Or going on a spontaneous trip. Or even just ordering food instead of cooking.
On the other side of the coin, there’s pressure to enjoy life right now. The phrase “you only live once” has become a lifestyle, and for many people, money is more about vibes than value.
So where’s the balance? Well, you will find out.
How to Enjoy Life While Building Wealth
Here’s a mindset shift that can change your entire relationship with money:
Planning for the future doesn’t mean suffering in the present. And enjoying the present doesn’t mean sabotaging your future. You have to be intentional. It’s not about choosing enjoyment or planning; it’s about doing both wisely. And luckily, it’s very possible. Let’s get into the how.
1. Use a Budget That Actually Includes Enjoyment
Budgeting sounds like suffering. But that’s only if you use a budget that punishes you.
Try this: Use the 50/30/20 rule. It works like this:
- 50% of your income goes to needs (rent, food, bills)
- 30% goes to wants (vibes, enjoyment, soft life)
- 20% goes to savings and investments
This way, enjoyment is part of the plan, not a crime. You don’t have to feel guilty about spending on a dinner date or upgrading your wardrobe if you’ve already handled your responsibilities.
2. Automate Your Savings Before You Touch the Rest
You know that moment when you get paid, promise yourself to save later, and then later never comes? Yeah. We’ve all been there.
The trick is to flip it. Save first, spend what’s left.
Automate a portion of your income to go straight into savings or investments. Platforms like the Trove app even let you set up automatic deposits into your investment account. That way, your future is being sorted before your money even lands in your spending account.
When you save first, you’re free to enjoy what’s left without stress or guilt. You know you’ve handled business.
3. Build a “Soft Life” Fund, Yes, Seriously
Who says you can’t plan enjoyment?
Set up a monthly fund strictly for enjoyment. Call it your “soft life” fund, if you like. It’s the money you’ll use for brunches, trips, concerts, and impulse purchases.
Knowing you have a fixed amount set aside for fun makes it easier to relax and enjoy your money. Plus, it helps you avoid overspending because you’ve already set a boundary.
4. Invest Early, Even If It’s Small
You don’t need to wait until you’re rich to start investing. In fact, waiting is how people stay broke. Start small. With Trove, for example, you can begin investing with as little as ₦1000. That’s less than what you’d spend on shawarma and a drink.
The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow as a result of compound interest. And if you invest consistently, even small amounts can turn into big wins over time.
So while you’re out enjoying your present, your future self is silently cashing out.
5. Spend With Intention, Not Impulse
Enjoyment isn’t the problem. Mindless spending is.
Before buying something, pause and ask yourself, “Do I really want this, or am I just bored, stressed, or trying to impress?”
Sometimes, we spend money we don’t have on things we don’t even need just to feel better for five minutes. That kind of spending drains your money and leaves you feeling worse later. Enjoying your money should bring you joy, not regret.
6. Don’t Sleep on Emergency Funds
This isn’t the most exciting part of money talk, but it’s important.
An emergency fund is like a parachute; you don’t need it every day, but when life pushes you off a cliff, you’ll be glad you have it.
Aim to build an emergency fund even if it’s just ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 to start with. It’ll protect you from dipping into your soft life money or investment funds when things go south.
Trove’s Earn feature even helps you grow your emergency fund with up to 16% interest annually. So your safety net earns you money while you sleep.
7. Stop Comparing and Start Planning.
Social media is one of the fastest ways to go broke trying to keep up. You’re seeing people buy cars, travel every other weekend, and move into apartments that look like film sets. It’s easy to feel like you’re behind. But what you don’t see is what’s going on behind the scenes: the debt, sponsors, stress, or just straight-up lies.
Comparison kills your joy and your bank account. Focus on your own lane. Create a financial plan that works for your income, your lifestyle, and your goals.
Read Also: The Best Way to Save for Retirement in Your 50s
Conclusion
At the end of the day, life isn’t about choosing between vibes and vision. You can (and should) have both.
The real fun is enjoying your money today without sabotaging tomorrow. It’s ordering that food, going on that trip, and still smiling when you check your savings and investments.
Start where you are, spend smarter, save easier, and invest intentionally. If you’re ready to live well now and still build wealth, let Trove help you do both.
