Life as an African immigrant is hard. Basic life necessities are not affordable. And most times, we are compelled to take on two (or three) full-time jobs to keep on moving.
Even with the multiple jobs, we may find it difficult to save as the expenses keep meeting up with our income.
However, with a few changes and some lifestyle adjustments, we can save more money and build a better life while living in the diaspora.
Let’s get down to some practical steps that will help you have a comfortable life and save more money.
- Live In A Cheap Place:
Whether you are living with a roommate or staying alone, you’re probably spending more money on rent.
Nowadays, everyone needs some extra cash. And you can do that by renting a room not an apartment.
Instead of looking for an apartment or a living space where you would share it with your friend, you can ask for private space in a family home.
Some families can bring out a private space from their home, and you could stay there and pay less rent.
Alternatively, you can find great living spaces in rental sites like Airbnb.
If you own a home, you can make some extra cash by renting out free space. There’s nothing wrong with making more money off your house.
Furthermore, you should consider moving in with the elderly folks.
Yes!
You can get a free living space by assisting in doing some minor house chores. Sometimes, all they need is companionship.
By doing some local searches on Craigslist, you’ll get a feel for the living conditions and probably find the right fit for you.
- Sell Excess Crap:
There are many things we see as important. But in reality, they are of no real value.
If you’ve not used an item for the past six months, then it’s crap. Although there are exceptions to this rule, in most cases, we are always living with extra stuff we don’t need.
You will be amazed by how much you could save (and earn) when you decide to have a simple lifestyle. And simplicity plays a significant role in wealth creation.
- Look Out For Creative Ways Of Making Money:
Whether you are a student, an artist of any kind, or a regular person, you can make extra cash by looking out for the right opportunities.
If you are a student or a new graduate, you can research for some organizations that offer special scholarship programs.
You can get funds for doing nothing.
Sites like FinAid.org shows several scholarship opportunities to help you pay off college debts.
As an artist with credible ideas, your opportunities are limitless.
Organizations like Slogan Foundation, Artist Trust, and Writers and editors offer relevant information on how to access funds as an artist.
See, you need to learn a few simple skills to get started.
- Use Free Entertainment:
Most brick and mortar stores let you try out games for free. So you can play fun games and enjoy yourself without spending a dime.
If you are into TV shows and movies, you could head over to your friend’s apartment and enjoy yourself. After all, it’s better to watch some shows with a group of friends.
However, know when to leave as you would not want to overstay your welcome.
Furthermore, you can get free music by doing a quick search on Yelp.
- Keep Your Finances In Check:
Now that you’ve got your spending in order, it’s time to grow your finances and create more wealth.
An easy way of growing your finances is by saving. And you can start saving by stocking cash in the bank. But if you want to make more money, you should invest some money in the stock market.
You should also learn how to allocate your money appropriately and set some cash aside for occasional fun.
If you have debt issues, you should create a debt elimination plan and restrict yourself from using the credit card.
Spending less and making more money is the secret of creating wealth and building your dream life.
By following these five practical steps, you’d be able to live a comfortable life while saving more money.
Is there any other useful tip you’d like to share? Use the comment section to share your thoughts and ideas with us.