Money Does Not Grow On Trees, But Let's Save Some Trees
Seriously, money is mostly made from cotton and linen or polymer. It doesn’t grow on trees, it’s not made from wood pulp.
Disclaimer: not a single tree was destroyed in the making of this newsletter.
Dear Reader,
I started earning in dollars last year, and it still feels surreal. So surreal, I haven’t touched the money in my domiciliary account. I also have some money in savings. I don’t know what I’m saving for, but I never touch the money except in emergencies. I’ve also only started investing. There’s this whole conversation about how it’s more profitable than saving (see, I’m still collecting N14 or less in dividends from First Bank, Union Bank etc., no thanks to the economy crash of 2009, so, sorry if I'm JJC.) I’m telling you these because I won’t exactly call myself poor, but early this week, when my iPhone USB spoilt a second time in less than 2 months, I broke into tears. I might have written elsewhere that amongst the several nicknames my mother called me as a child, the worst was ‘Crying Machine’. As an adult, I can always blame hormones, but deep down inside me, I know that I can produce tears on little demand.
After I’d ordered a new charger, shout out to @whotfisniran who is my plug for phone repairs and accessories, I started to wonder why I don’t treat myself ‘right’ and decided to write about money. I’m an avid reader of Fu’ad’s Naira Life series, subscribe here. I’m grateful for the conversations it’s opening about money because since I started earning, I’ve been so selfish with money: I barely go out or treat myself as right as I used to when I was in law school or uni when all I had was mummy and daddy’s money.
[Update, I started writing this letter on Monday and since then, I have had several conversations about money. Last night, I had a conversation with Tobi about ‘relationship money’, today, I’m having a conversation with Henry about the dangers of leaving money in your domiciliary account prompted by Tosin’s tweet. I also had a conversation with my dad on how your living standards might increase if you have a pay rise, but what you can do to continue to live below your means and make room for savings. Then my mummy sent a video on 10 Reasons Why People Go Broke. Trigger alert.]
We don’t talk about a lot of things: periods, Sudan (we should really be talking about Sudan), mental health, Sudan again, money and Sudan. We don’t talk about money because, it can feel like a measure of self-worth and a way to define ourselves. Not talking about money can have sweeping social effects, like stopping women from getting equal pay for equal work in the workplace. We should be talking about money for several reasons including the stronger connection it creates between us and our loved ones, and how it can help prevent us from making poor financial decisions.
But you know what’s worse than not talking about money? Guilt from spending money. There are several people like me who feel guilty when they spend even the littlest dime of their own money on themselves. Apart from several hours of meditation, this article helped create a mind shift after the charger episode. Self-care is important, and self care involves money! Don’t feel guilty, this life na once o.
Enough serious talk, listen to Cardi B’s ‘Money’ and maybe twerk. I mean, weren't we all born to flex? Don’t we all really want to see money?
Okay I lied. I’m not done with serious talk.
Apart from money and Sudan, something that’s really been bothering me is trees. I love the environment, and I’m very pro saving it and creating ways to end plastic pollution. I’m also in love with trees and plants, so much that at some point as a child, trees were my best friends (even though I was dead scared of Christmas trees — and perhaps with good reason: read this on how we may be destroying the environment every Christmas.) This doesn’t mean I always do the right thing like taking my own bag to the grocery store, or recycling bottles, but I try and it’s my 24-year-old, sorry 21d-year-old resolution to do better. #Savetheplanet #PrayforSudan.
That said, I’ve been a bit confused about the suggested use of paper products as a [sole] alternative to plastic products. Increasing single-use paper products will surely result in defestorestation. And deforestation leads to climate change, erosion, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of other problems. There are pros and cons of using paper over plastic and vice versa. So what do we do? This article suggests it doesn’t have to be a paper vs plastic (or even ceramic type thing, because washing plates means more water wastage, yikes, is there any winning?) Instead, we need to reconsider our overall lifestyle as individuals and revamp it to fit in environmental friendly changes. Starting point? Here. Perhaps even plant a tree somewhere, we need a billion of them to save the planet yo.
Okay enough serious talk.
My week has been good-ish, but it’s ending on a very good note — I’m writing to you, you beautiful, amazing reader! Did something good happen to you this week? Share with me! Otherwise, I can bet that something good is coming soon (I’m no sage or prophet, I just know.)
This week, I’m praying, thinking and talking about Sudan, you should do this too, please.
That’s all folks.
See you next Thoughts Day; see you on Ope’s Thursday.