Money Chronicles showcase the honest money experiences of everyday people who use Cowrywise. We share a story on the 17th of every month. This month’s feature shows how Damilola and her friend started saving money on Cowrywise for a trip outside the country. You and your friends can also use Cowrywise to meet your travel and lifestyle goals.
Saving money for the leisures of life can be just as important as saving money for other types of goals.
We are all fueled by different things and indulging in fun activities that matter to you can help you live a full and fulfulling life.
Cowrywise helps you to manage and grow your money so that you can do the things that revive and fuel you.?
Today, Damilola shares how she and her friend used Cowrywise to save up in order to travel to Kenya. Although Covid happened and restricted travel for most of the year, she is still thankful for a platform that allows her to plan and meet her goal to see the world with friends.
Follow our interesting interview with Damilola below.
Heyyy! What is your name and what do you do?
Hiii! My name is Adegbamigbe Damilola Adaugo, I am a Textile Merchant. Basically, I buy and sell fabrics like Ankara, Crepe, Lace and Cashmere @thefabricshopng on Instagram.
How did you find out about us and how long have you been using Cowrywise?
I found out about Cowrywise from Omotoke F @thattokelady in 2019. We were going to save for a trip to Kenya and needed a place we could keep our money without touching it, so she recommended Cowrywise.
Friends that link you up with valuable info are the real MVPs! What money habit have you incorporated that has been extremely helpful?
Creating a separate bank account for my business and personal money, as well as saving with the Cowrywise app really helped! Unlike the banks, Cowrywise has a LOCK FEATURE that helps me stay disciplined with my savings.
Apart from saving money, do you also invest it?
Not yet, but I look forward to investing in the new business year.
What is your best Cowrywise feature?
My best feature on Cowrywise is saving money with the lock feature for discipline. I love the newsletters and subtle reminders from Ope as well…
What do you currently spend most of your income on?
Data and Food.
Did the pandemic affect your business?
Well, I guess not that much. I switched to making and selling ready-made dresses instead of fabrics since there was no way people could get their fabrics to the tailor. I became both the fabric seller & tailor for customers.
That’s smart and innovative. Share your biggest money mistake with us and how you overcame it.
As a business owner, it was difficult for me to learn how to differentiate my business money from my personal money. I was basically spending what I earned from my business alongside personal funds. Over time, this landed me in trouble as I was short of capital to run my business. I overcame this by setting up different accounts as I said earlier and by also getting extra sources of income.
Well done! ? If funds were unlimited, what will you purchase right now?
A round trip ticket to Seoul in South Korea.
After a long/tough day, what do you typically purchase to get refreshed?
Not sure I purchase anything after a long or tough day, but eating good food helps.?
One money lesson you think everyone should know?
YOUR BUSINESS MONEY IS NOT FOR YOU SO DON’T TOUCH IT ANYHOW!!!
Also, you should start saving, even if it’s 100 Naira daily.
Do you have any suggestions for Cowrywise?
None for now! Cowrywise is doing an amazing job and I’m really happy with it.
Thank you, Damilola.
Thank you too! ?
Find out more about saving with friends on Cowrywise. Winning is sweet but even sweeter when you win with your squad!
Want to share your story as well? Send us a DM here.
ALSO READ
? Great
??
Hello Ope…thanks for your writings…can you come talk to a group on WhatsApp?
I learnt a lot from this. I will put this points into practice soon…
Awesome! Thanks for reading.??
This is an apt reminder. Thank you
??
It was nice write up I learnt alot okay
Great to hear!
Thanks for this. Teaching my kids abot money is a priority to me.
This write-up is good for the week. We meeeuv!!!!
?
This message is a timely one for me, even though I’ve begun practising a few of the aforementioned tips.
It’s a great way to begin the week and it comes at the right time as end of the month approaches.
Thanks guys!
It’s always a delight to receive an email from my favorite financial adviser, Ope, because she always has something relevant, thought provoking and practical to say and offer about my (your) finances.
Truth be told my financial education and wellbeing has improved ever since I joined Cowrywise. Thanks to Ope with her gentle forcefulness. Lol. I am now more savings, budget and investment oriented. Only regret is why I didn’t come across Cowrywise sooner. Where have you been all my life??
I still have a long way to go to make up for lost time but, baby steps.
Uwésè (Thank you in Bini)
Baby steps can lead to much progress!??
Why are you so sure that Ope is female though??
You’re welcome GOC.?
Stale yeahh?
But, I can bet Ope is a female.
I relate so much to your talks. If I’m not learning something new, I’m realizing I’m not the only one who thinks this way ??
Good morning
Pls want logging into my Cowrywise
Is not going mam/sir
Pls help out
You can afford it doesn’t mean you should buy it, is it really necessary? Think!
??
Spending a huge chunk of money on liabilities.
This is a major bad money habit too.
Thanks for sharing it, Ajayi.
Thank you. This is really helpful
Thank you, Ope.
10. Don’t compare yourself with other people.
People often spend money on what is not needed trying to please friends, family and colleagues. To cultivate a good saving habit you have to start living your life as a self-life, not public life. If you don’t have it now does mean you will never have it. Life na turn by turn, go through life at your own pace. Life is sweeter when don’t live to please anybody.
“Life is sweeter when don’t live to please anybody.”
This point on comparing one’s self is such a good point. Thanks for sharing it.
Please I didn’t not received my referred bonus payment to my stash while other people have received their own what is the problems please
This is copacetic.
??
Great job
How do we hack black tax?
Hi Ifeoma.
This blog post on Black Tax might help – https://cowrywise.com/blog/black-tax/
Thanks for golden , professional advice. How can l go about Halal investment plan
Candidly, no 6 is on point. Spending errors are stringent but not in the real sense of it. One is guilty of that. I learnt from all 9 points. Kudos
This is so apt! Ope, you need to address how we can say NO (and not feel quilty) to family issues that are springing up. They are the cause of my savings depleting. *sobs*. Thank you for sharing this. Always love to read from you.
Hi Oyepeju.
Gloria shares how locking up her savings helps her say no without feeling guilty in this article – https://cowrywise.com/blog/chose-cowrywise/
This article on Black Tax might also help – https://cowrywise.com/blog/black-tax/
I hope both help!
Thanks for the education Ope.
You’re welcome, Marv Annie.
This is really the message for the now.
We need to imbibe the culture of savings and inculcate it into our children at a very tender age if possible include the culture into our value system even in our school curriculum.
Very timely piece.
??
This is informative
I’ve learnt a lot. Thanks and keep it up.
??
Insightful !
I needed to be reminded of this very important truth. Thanks alot
Thanks alot Ope, good one.
How can I see my deposit
Hi Henry.
You can see all your Savings/Investment or Stash funds when you log into your Cowrywise profile.
Which specific deposit are you referring to, please?
Timely words
Thanks ope
Thanks for this insight it is a good one and i know it will help me because I have struggle alot on how how to to gain financial freedom.
I appreciate this great information and financial education. It has given me insight into my financial plan. thanks.
This piece will be really helpful. Thank you for sharing Ope
Truth be told,i saw one of my bussiness partner using this app for saving money and I be like WTF am app is this, he then explain to me And I be like wow?then I started using the app, I won’t lie here, my financial life changed immediately for good,how can I thank cowrywise,
Thanks to the organizers?♀?♀
Yeah ope…..that investment part about buying point (ARM Or so)….ion understand….pls could you put me through
Thanks for the charge
This is very great, insightful and helpful.The lessons were very instructive and many salient points to note.Please is there a WhatsApp group cowry wise created or perhaps you did.I would love to join.Thanks so much.
Pls I really need hlpe
Wow, this so encouraging, I think I have to stick to it. Thanks
? rooting for you!
Hi Ope, I want to start emergency savings. What percentage of my income do I save . Been battling with this …
Hi Jesutofunmi.
There’s a guide that breaks it down for you. Here it is – https://cowrywise.com/blog/emergency-funds-savings-work/
Though there’s no one size fits all, it is advised you save up to six months of living expenses.
This is so that if anything ever happens, you’re covered for at least six months!
Thanks Alot Ope.
No 8 really got me.
This is awesome. . Thank you for this insight. I want to know more about the automatic save and invest. Is it that as I make payment in my cowrywise account , it’s automatically save and automatically invest. Please shed more light
I have never been tutored like this all my years. This is exactly my problem but now cowrywise is my deliverer.
?
Thank you cowrywise. You are a true financial saviour
Learnt a lot from those, my bad habit is 2:- spending more than I earn.. The article is really nice.. Thank you Ope.
Thank you Ope, this is insightful I’m definitely going to start breaking this bad habits
Thanks for the piece!!!
In the case of a University student who is yet to start earning or probably earn but not so much.
What advice would you give to the person about Cowrywise and bad money habits
I have learnt a lot. Thank you Ope I’ll start saving better and setting more goals
Energyyyyyy ??
If I thought cowrywise will have a children’s school I could have get admission for them, because it teacher a lot of way out of poverty .I’m very comfortable with cowrywise,God will continue to leaft you up as you’re trying to leaft us up.
??
Thank you cowrywise ?? For clearing bad habits
Anytime ??
Thank you ?? For clearing bad habits
I learnt a lot from this. Thank you?
I semt money into my account I have not seen it what’s the problem
Hello Daniel, I’m sorry about that. Please has this been rectified now? If not, please send us an email at support@cowrywise.com. Looking forward to help ?
Nice one ope. Kinda like cowrywise now. Pray it blossoms more. I’m actually a student. 100 level but I have big dreams ahead. No income though but I’m saving from my allowance. Don’t know and still thinking of the possible best income. I don’t wanna go into fraud. But I’ll make it someway. I believe. Thanks for the piece of advise
I’m rooting for you and all your (legal) money moves ???
10. Impulse Buying : Don’t buy anything you don’t plan for especially all those Pre order shoes , Bags , dresses we buy online, we might think it is ‘awoof’ but something you don’t plan for still doesn’t worth buying at all.let’s make plans and put a stop to impulse purchase.
Thank you Ope for all tips.
Financial intelligence, is the ability to control ones expenses. Do spend your money in asset than lability. For asset, are those things that puts money in our pocket and labilities are those that takes money out of our pocket. Thanks to you all.
All this are great write up thank you Ope!
I uses PiggyVest but I don’t know how to use the investment features of this Cowrywise app.
A guide will be so much appreciated by me?
I understand my mistake and I’m very thankful for reminding me!
@ope thank you very much for this piece. Just started using this app but kinda like it.
Just that i don’t know how to use the investment plan
Hmm! What an eye opener. Thanks
Sure!
How can I get loan to enjoy this business because me I don’t understand I can place orders app
I have just been tutored by you, I hope to be financially wiser henceforth.
Good advice
Great advice. Thanks for this. People also need to stop spending immediately an dime enters their pocket.
Great advice. Thanks for this. People also need to stop spending immediately an dime enters their pocket.
Wow, thank you for the advice.
Thanks doesn’t seem enough to express how I feel right now. Just know am deeply grateful. God bless you Ope. Am taking baby steps already!
What an eye opener…. More grace Open.
Wow!! I love this write up…I really learnt a lot from it
Thank you Ope for this wonderful reminder. I’m sure to put them into practice ASAP
I’ll recommend the book rich Dad poor dad by Robert kiyosaki. Most of the bad Money habits listed in the article above, was derived from this book. You will find more of bad money mistakes you should avoid in the book written by Robert.
Great
This is just a trick of wooing you to save your money with them. Saving money has never made anyone grow. The risk inherent in Saving is very low, therefore, you earn low return. Saving is not a good investment, channel your money into a productive venture where high returns can be earned.
Ask them for how much interest they will pay on your savings, I can bet it with anyone, it won’t be more than 10% per annum, however, if you are taking loan from, you’ll be deceived with single digit interest rate. E.g 3% flat, which is equivalent to almost 36% per annum. Arithmetically, they will make over 26% on your hard earned money you’re saving with them. My people, please be wise and shine your eyes. These people are just ripping you off. Use your money for productive business venture, you will earn higher returns from it. However, the risk is very high. As I said earlier, high risk begets high returns, while low risk ventures earn low returns.
Thanks for this
Thank you very much