Ola Emmanuel, olaemmanuel.blogspot.com

Clearly, by the nature of man, needs shall always rise to meet financial resource - and surpass it. When you have money, there is always something to buy or a service to pay for. Money is never enough. The money you have will always be below the volume you need. This is the reason men always crave for more money. You may have met someone saying he would become a happy person with all his needs met if he can be earning so, so amount of money per month. But let him gain the promotion to earn the money, the same line of words will never leave his mouth.

However, out of the inadequate money, those who are skilful in money management are achieving extraordinary feats from the inadequate money they have. What should you do?

While some people are masters over their money, some have chosen to remain slaves to theirs. A master over his money never allows the money to dictate how it should be spent; but rather will sit down to plan how the money will be spent. A master over his money will send his money on errands, and at a quantity (amount) he wants; but a slave to money is never at ease when money is in his pocket. He is looking here and there for a way to throw away the money. Whatever first catches his fancy, he puts the money.

The easiest way to save money is to first outline valuable projects you want to execute with money. For instance, is it possible that you can build your own house, buy a good car, becomes a successful business magnate? If your answer is 'yes,' then when should you move to your own house: three years time, five years time? Now, you have identified a laudable cause to use part of the money you make for. How much should you be setting aside from the amount that comes into your hand (salary, business profit, etc)? Where should you keep the savings? In a bank account or regularly invest it to yield more? Once you have provided answers to these questions, the next thing to do is to work out the character aspect - discipline. Why? Money brings with it tempestuous temptation. Even, if you have made up your mind to save, when the money eventually comes, you may find it difficult to carry out your decision to save. You may want to postpone the savings till next time.

So, discipline is very important. You have to realise that you are weak in this situation and you need all assistance. A good assistance is to make arrangement with your bank to send to another account (investment account) every month from the account which your salary is paid into. It is called 'Standing Order.' As I am writing to you, I have an account that has a standing order placed on it. Put an error-proof arrangement in place for regular investments. You may join an investment club.

You cannot create wealth if all you think about is how to consume every kobo that you lay your hands on. Creation, call it achievement or 'making it,' is a product of making judicious use of that which seemed so little.

Ben was a 12-year-old chap when he launched his first business (not in Nigeria), an online marketing and advertising firm that focuses teenagers. With the expansion of the business, he had gone ahead to venture into broadcasting by having a syndicated radio show. He was a 19-year-old university boy when he made move to launch his third project (business) - a software company. What a way for some youth to live; not to always think about how to 'bubble' or disturb people by always demanding. No wonder the youngest dollar-billionaire is just a 23 years old boy. If these special breeds had not been challenging themselves, they wouldn't be where they are now. They don't have to wait for another to lead them. They are all bunch of trailblazers! And they wouldn't have been where they are today if they had consumed everything they could lay their hands on: more so that one of the characteristics of an entrepreneur is ability to show some sparks - which 'helpers' can point at and be convinced that the person will make it if he is helped.

One of the areas you have to check is your money spending habit. Consumption (style of living) above earned income is a faÁade. People with this habit easily walk themselves into troubles.

Men do pick unhealthy spending habits unconsciously; but when one becomes conscious of the formed bad habit and is allowed unchecked, it graduates into what can hardly be managed. It is the unchecked unhealthy habits that breed fraudsters and muggers. A lifestyle that cannot be supported by an income will be gratified in a noxious way.

The law of wealth creation demands that for you to become financially fit, your propensity to consume must fall below your propensity to earn income. It is a bad money habit if you acquire things your income cannot sufficiently maintain. It is an action borne out of poor financial intelligence.

Till next week, enjoy my pen and stay financially fit.