Listen up, Men! Here are 12 habits that will keep you poor forever.
If you’re tired of being broke, it’s time to stop making excuses and take control of your finances. The habits keeping you poor aren’t random—they’re reckless choices you keep making. Here’s how to break free and build lasting wealth.
First, stop living beyond your means. Spending more than you earn is a guaranteed way to stay broke. You’re not impressing anyone by flaunting things you can’t afford. If you can’t buy it twice, don’t buy it once. Limit your spending to 70% of your income, and save or invest the remaining 30%. Impulse purchases and trying to “keep up” with others are traps—don’t fall for them.
Second, stop relying on debt to fund your lifestyle. Using loans or credit cards to buy things you don’t need is reckless. Debt should only be used as a tool for building assets, like starting a business or investing in property—not for vacations or designer clothes. Pay off high-interest debts quickly, and avoid borrowing for non-essentials.
Another major issue is failing to budget. If you don’t know where your money is going, it will disappear. Create a budget that tracks every penny, and stick to it. Follow the 50/30/20 rule: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or investments. Without a budget, you’re flying blind.
Build an emergency fund. Life happens—car repairs, medical bills, or unexpected job loss can derail you. Save at least 3–6 months’ worth of expenses in a separate account. Start small; save ₦10,000, then ₦50,000, and keep building. This is your safety net, and touching it for anything other than real emergencies is financial suicide.
Saving isn’t enough, though—you need to invest. Inflation is eating your money while it sits in a savings account. Learn about mutual funds, stocks, or real estate. Even if you start small, investing consistently will grow your wealth. Apps like PiggyVest or Robinhood can make it easy to begin.
Stop blowing money on non-essentials. You don’t need expensive alcohol, gadgets, or nights out every weekend. Audit your spending. Cut unnecessary expenses and prioritize needs over wants. Set limits—for instance, allocate only ₦20,000 per month for fun and stick to it.
Invest in yourself. If you’re not learning new skills, you’re limiting your earning potential. Take courses in high-demand areas like coding, graphic design, or digital marketing. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning offer affordable ways to upgrade your knowledge. Your skills are your most valuable assets—invest in them.
Stop supporting freeloaders. If you’re constantly giving money to people who don’t reciprocate or appreciate it, you’re bleeding resources. Help those who genuinely need it, but focus on solutions—like paying for their skills training—instead of handouts.
Gambling and get-rich-quick schemes are traps. If you’re wasting money betting on games or chasing dubious schemes, you’re sabotaging yourself. Redirect that money into investments or savings. Wealth takes time and discipline—there are no shortcuts.
Track your spending. If you don’t know where your money is going, you’ll never control it. Write down every expense, no matter how small, and review it weekly. This awareness will help you identify waste and cut back.
Neglecting your health is another form of financial recklessness. Poor health leads to expensive medical bills. Eat well, exercise, and avoid habits like smoking or excessive drinking. A healthy man is a productive man, and poor health will drain your wallet faster than you realize.
Finally, have a long-term plan. Without clear goals, you’ll always be stuck in survival mode. Set specific financial targets, like saving ₦10M, buying a home, or retiring early. Break these goals into actionable steps, like saving ₦50,000 monthly or investing ₦10,000 in stocks. Wealth isn’t accidental—it’s built through consistent planning and effort.
Men, poverty is a result of undisciplined habits. Stop making excuses. Cut out these reckless behaviors and focus on building a legacy. Financial freedom isn’t about luck; it’s about discipline, focus, and consistent action.
Stay sharp, stay disciplined, and start building today.
