“Loving yourself isn’t vanity. It’s sanity.” - Katrina Mayer. Self-love was perhaps the biggest cliché of 2021, right up there with gratitude and positivity. So why am I carrying a phrase that was ubiquitous last year into the new year? Because the concept is still relevant today. After 20 months of loneliness, chaos, and uncertainty, if there is one lesson we’ve learnt, it’s that self-love is key to survival. As we embark on the year 2022 journey, I want to ignite the inner spark within you to proactively adopt these three self-love habits in your finances: Pay yourself first … Invest in yourself … Give yourself permission to live your best life!
1️⃣ Pay yourself first:
Paying yourself first is an act of self-love. If you don't follow any other financial advice, follow this one: PAY YOURSELF FIRST! The concept is simple: Every payday, the very first thing you do is set aside a percentage of your income in a savings account. You do this before you pay the rent/mortgage and before you pay any other bills. By paying yourself first, you'll find that your spending habits will adjust to accommodate the amount of money you have leftover. Start small, save a little, and gradually increase the amount. The important thing is to get into the habit of saving your money on a regular basis. Also, make the savings automatic by setting up recurring transfers between your current/checking accounts to your savings account. You pick the amount you want to save, the date on which you get paid, and the bank takes care of the rest!
2️⃣ Invest in yourself:
Self-investment is one of the greatest showcases of self-love to yourself. In a way, it is the most profitable investment you will ever make, especially if you do it consistently. One smart way of investing in yourself is to embrace FINANCIAL EDUCATION. Knowing about money and understanding how money works is a “NO LOSE DEAL” that will always yield you multiple returns. Financial education is a school we never graduate from. If you want to be financially successful, then you need to understand how money works, and how to make it work for you. Read more books about money management, keep learning, listen to podcasts, ask questions, attend financial literacy seminars, sign up for finance courses, get yourself a financial coach, seek knowledge, make learning a habit. Even if it’s something small, try learning at least one new thing about money a day. Be mindful of your continuing education as you stride towards the financial freedom you yearn for!
3️⃣ Give yourself permission to live your best life:
Self-love does not require pre-approval and you don't have to wait for someone to give you permission. One obstacle to financial success is not lack of good ideas or opportunities or time, it's that we refuse to give ourselves permission to live our best life and be wealthy. This new year, I want you to love yourself unapologetically by giving yourself full permission to live your best life and be wealthy. My permission slips to myself this year include permission to: be who I am, take good care of myself, let go of the expectations of others, fulfil my lifelong dreams, say “no” to demands on my time that are draining, make more money and be financially secure… etc. The next time you feel you have to ask someone for permission for something that you need, look in the mirror and ask yourself. Then tell yourself: PERMISSION GRANTED!
About Nike
Oyenike Adetoye (aka Nike) is an impactful speaker, author and personal finance expert. A Chartered Management Accountant by profession. Nike is the founder and CEO of LifTED Finance, a private financial firm that educates, coaches and supports people on their journey through financial fitness and wealth management.