Category Archives: Personal Opinions
Three Things You Should Know Before You Loan Out Money
Hello hello! Gooood to see you here! Thanks for coming around. This topic is one I have been thinking of writing about since last month and I’m glad I’ve finally come around doing it. So you see, I have gist for you guys.
Yesterday, on Facebook, I wrote a post about how I lent someone a large amount of money some weeks back and the adverse effects that had on me. “Adverse effects” because he refused to pay back and to make matters worse, he wasn’t picking my calls for days till his line was finally switched off.
This period, as I explained in my post, was very traumatic for me. It was a substantial amount and it left me broke and almost totally unable to cater for my basic needs. Let’s not talk about the number of nights and days I cried and the amount of weight I lost. It was a terrible experience for me.
During that period, I learnt one of the most vital lessons about money. And I swore to never fall into that trap again. Although I promised myself not to loan out money again, I soon found out that this may not be entirely possible.
So, in order to avoid stories that touch when next you want to lend someone some money (if you do ever want to), ask yourself the following questions:
1. Can I do without this money?
When lending money, it is much important to consider if the money is something you can do without. As wisely and usually noted, don’t lend any money you can’t give. Put different factors into consideration. What if something happens and you can’t get your money back? Would you be able to continue living? Or would you fall into a stance of depression? If I had asked myself this question and sincerely answered, I definitely wouldn’t have given out that money. Your answer would tell you if you should lend that money or not.
2. Does he/she have a sure means of returning the money?
This might sound awkward but is paramount. If you’re looking at getting your money back within a specific time-frame, you may want to know how the borrower intends to get the money to pay you back. Do they earn a salary or are they expecting money from someone else? Ask them. Find out. What if they don’t have a means of paying back and would start telling stories when it’s time to pay? Definitely something you should avoid.
3. Do you know a close relative or friend of the person?
Lending money to someone whose personal family members or friends you don’t know could be dangerous. Consider the fact that the person could refuse to pay as promised or could even disappear like mine did. So if the person does, you have someone who could at least help with their whereabouts. Of course, it doesn’t guarantee that you will get your money back but it’ll increase your chances.
All in all, the best advice is for you not to lend money that you really cannot do without. What else did I miss out on? Please drop your comments ☺️
A List of Some of the Biggest Mistakes I’ve Ever Made
For a while now, I’ve been considering a lot of my plans, commitments, goals and ideas. And I must confess that, usually, I am awed by how gigantic my dreams are. Let me tell you something about me: I am one person who dreams a lot. I sit down or walk the road daily thinking about the big dreams I have. Trust me, I have massive ideas almost all the time. Only thing, though, is you’d rarely get to hear me talk about them. I personally prefer to do first before talking about it.
Sometimes, I talk to myself, consider the goals I have had and why they didn’t materialize. I do like to be open and sincere with myself even though it’s easier to shy away from the thoughts of pain that accompany every failed step I have taken.
Since I really am free to sharing my mistakes with you, I am writing this. Hopefully, you can read through and relate well and yes, also be inspired.
So here are some of the biggest mistakes I have ever made:
1. Being afraid of failing.
In the past, I did have a fear of failing. I basically had to always ask myself “What if it doesn’t come through as planned? What would people say? What would I look like?” and all other questions like that. Somehow, being in that comfort zone of not having to bother about failing feels good. Looking back now, I wish I had taken many steps I desired in the past without a fear of failing. I have come to realize that those who are scared of failing really do not go far in life. This is because being scared of failing means being scared of following your dreams and goals and ideas.
2. Not acting upon my ideas
Until much recently, I was more of a dreamer than a doer. I would sit and dream and plan and never really get around to doing. This would happen until I eventually forgot about the goal or till I got demotivated and had to move over to something else. However, I had to consciously make myself understand that if I had a plan or an idea, I had to actively work on it. In 2015, I had this idea of doing an improvement challenge for twenty-one days and involve other people as well. I sat and planned and at the point I discovered I was doing much planning than doing, I instantly set out to start. The project came out great and the number of people who joined in amazed me. The same thing happened a few months back when I had the idea of a ladies’ spiritual meeting back in the university. I have quite recovered from this mistake and still recovering too. Learn not to only dream but to also act on your dreams.
3. Waiting to have everything perfect and in place before starting out.
This has to be the biggest hindrance to me doing most of the things I really have wanted to do. I like things being all in place before launching out on anything. I’ve learnt, though, that to achieve results, you must drop that feeling of wanting to have everything in place and all perfect. Everything won’t be perfect at any point anyway so why not do what you want to do?
4. Thinking too much about what others would think or say or feel. Yes, I’m one of those people who care about opinions. And I do regret how much achievement this has caused me in the past. I have learnt that people really don’t care about what you achieve and if they do, you can do without their opinions. Too many people hold back on a big deal they should be doing or landing because they’re pretty much bothered about what other people will say. I guess this is due to the fear of disapproval. Well, I’ve learnt it’s my life and nobody’s opinion should rank better than mine.
I’m grateful for the mistakes I’ve made because they’ve taught me how better things could be done. And well, I really am still learning from a host of other mistakes. What are the biggest mistakes you have made? Can you share them with me?
THE BABY’S STYLE
I have a baby brother who just clocked one. Most of the time, we’re usually together. Over the months, I’ve learnt to understand him. For instance, I know he’s hungry if he begins to take his mouth to my breast. I know he’s sleepy if he begins to rub his face awkwardly with his hands. I know he wants to stay on my back if he keeps crying even when he’s not hungry. And I know something could be wrong if he totally behaves different from normal. I understand my brother. One special thing I love about him is his smile. Whenever I’m a bit sad and he suddenly smiles, I smile back and I forget what’s making me sad. Sometimes when I see him cackling, laughing hard and saying words I don’t understand, I say to him, “Baby, you aint seen anything yet”
Babies have such innocent personality. Never hating, never doing most things that adults do. And I wish I were a baby. Wouldn’t it be so nice to live such an innocent, less-complicated life? Being at peace with all, hating none and cheering sad souls with your smile.
Truth is we almost can never be like babies. The older you grow, the wider your world becomes, the more your troubles are, the more you gain enemies, the more you find a lot of stuff annoying. That can’t change, can it? But it would be a lot better if we sometimes lived like babies-never hating, never criticizing,loving all and accepting all. Learn the baby’s style. To me, it doesn’t make you a baby. It makes you wiser instead and it also gives you a more innocent life to live. And I want to become a baby again.
Thank you for reading, and please don’t forget to share.