Background
I know what it feels like to see your account balance and just sigh.
You worked hard. You earned money. But by mid-month—or even mid-week—you’re broke again.
And it keeps happening.
You start asking yourself:
- “Where did my money go?”
- “Why am I always stuck?”
- “Why can’t I move forward financially?”
Let’s be honest—this cycle is exhausting.
But here’s the truth: You don’t have to stay broke.
With the right mindset, discipline, and action, you can fix it—starting now.
Let’s walk through the real reasons people stay broke and the steps to turn it around.
1. You Don’t Track Where Your Money Goes
One of the biggest reasons people are always broke is simple: they don’t track their spending.
You get paid, and then:
- You buy airtime and data
- You eat out a few times
- You send money to a friend or family
- You shop impulsively
- You subscribe to apps you don’t even use
Before you know it—your account is empty.
“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds…” – Proverbs 27:23
✅ Solution:
Start tracking every naira. Use a notebook, a budgeting app (like Mint, Goodbudget, or even Excel).
Know where your money is going—so you can control where it should go.
2. You Don’t Have a Budget (Or You Don’t Stick to One)
A budget is not punishment—it’s protection.
Without a budget, you’ll spend emotionally instead of intentionally.
✅ Solution:
Create a simple monthly budget.
Start with:
- Tithes/Giving
- Savings
- Needs (food, transport, rent)
- Wants (leisure, entertainment)
- Investments or side projects
If it’s not in the plan, pause and ask: “Is this wise right now?”
👉 Related Post: How to Create a Budget You’ll Actually Stick To
3. You Spend More Than You Earn
Living above your income—no matter how small—will always keep you broke.
This includes:
- Buying what you can’t afford (yet)
- Keeping up with social media trends
- Impulse shopping or “retail therapy”
- Eating out every other day
✅ Solution:
Learn to live below your means.
- Cook more
- Delay big purchases
- Buy only what you need
- Don’t compare your life to people who are in different financial seasons
It’s not poverty—it’s wisdom.
“There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing…” – Proverbs 13:7
4. You’re Not Earning Enough—And You Haven’t Changed That
Sometimes, you’re broke simply because your income is not enough to support your responsibilities.
No matter how frugal you are, ₦40,000 may not carry you through a month.
✅ Solution:
Look for ways to:
- Upskill and apply for better jobs
- Start a side hustle
- Monetise a skill (e.g. writing, editing, tutoring, baking, etc.)
- Sell something online
Don’t just manage your money—grow it.
👉 Related Post: How to Start a Side Hustle as a Student (With No Capital)
5. You Have No Emergency Fund
One unexpected bill—and your finances collapse.
Maybe your phone spoils. A health issue comes up. Or you need to travel urgently.
With no savings, you go into debt—or go broke.
✅ Solution:
Start building an emergency fund, even if it’s small.
- ₦1,000 a week becomes ₦4,000 a month
- ₦500 saved 20 times is ₦10,000
Little by little. It will grow.
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” – Proverbs 21:20
6. You Don’t Save Consistently
Some people save only when they feel like it—or when money is “plenty.”
But consistency is what builds financial muscle.
✅ Solution:
- Automate your savings if possible
- Save a percentage of every income, no matter how small
- Separate savings from your spending account
Savings is not what you do when you have leftover money.
It’s what you decide to do—because you value your future.
7. You’re Always Helping Everyone—Except Yourself
We’re called to be generous, yes—but not at the expense of our own stability.
Some of us are always:
- Sending money to family
- Bailing out friends
- Lending money we can’t afford to lose
- Feeling guilty for saying “no”
This keeps you in a constant financial drain.
✅ Solution:
Set boundaries with love. Help where you can—but not beyond your capacity.
“Let your yes be yes and your no be no…” – Matthew 5:37
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
8. You’re Not Tithing or Honouring God With Your Finances
Let’s be honest: we can’t talk about financial breakthrough without including obedience to God.
Some people are broke not because of lack of money—but because they’ve neglected the principle of giving.
✅ Solution:
- Honour God with your tithe and offerings
- Give generously, not just emotionally
- Be a good steward of the resources He’s given you
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven…” – Malachi 3:10
You can’t pray for God to bless you financially if you’re not willing to honour Him first.
Final Note
Friend, being broke is not a curse—and it doesn’t have to be permanent.
You’re not lazy. You’re not hopeless.
But it’s time to stop repeating the cycle.
You have the wisdom, strength, and grace to change things—one decision at a time.
Start small.
Stay consistent.
Put God first.
Build better habits.
Believe that your financial story can change.
Because it can.
And it will—if you start now.
What You Can Do Next
- Reflect: What financial habit do you need to change starting today?
- Start a money journal to track your income and expenses
- Read more helpful posts: