For many of us, the pull and pool of wealth is one that keeps beckoning to us. With the number of expenses to attend to, a majority of people are looking for the next opportunity to make it big financially. One major scheme that has lured people in with the promise of getting rich quickly is the infamous Ponzi scheme.
Are Ponzi Schemes the Same as Bubbles?
It is quite common for people to conflate bubbles and Ponzi schemes, but they are significantly different. Though some might argue that there are traces of fraudulent activities in some bubbles, it doesn’t change the fact that they were all driven by legitimate investments with the ability to earn returns.
On the other hand, Ponzi schemes, named after Charles Ponzi, the first person to set up a Ponzi scheme (1920), are fraudulent investments. Money put into Ponzi schemes is not actually invested to earn returns, and investors are promised absurd returns that are paid from the money of other investors. You should check out this article on tips for validating investment options.
Why Do People Fall for Ponzi Schemes?
Despite the illegitimacy of these schemes, it is not surprising that people still fall for these schemes. For one, the thought of gaining higher returns on any amount of money is one that very often excites everyone. For most people, the general rule of investment is the higher the interest, the better the investment.
Another prominent reason why we fall for Ponzi schemes is the promise of easy money. Who doesn’t like easy money? We guessed as much. Most victims of these schemes are lured in with the promise of making easy and quick money even from the comfort of your home. The idea of money growing right there in your bedroom is the major principle on which Ponzi schemes build on.
Perhaps, the major reason why people continue to fall for Ponzi schemes in their different forms is because of the wrong philosophy that money attracts success. As long as people keep holding on to this faulty mindset, we will continue to chase money by any means as opposed to investing in self-development in order to offer a value that attracts money.
What do we Suggest?
Given the evident human flaws that make everyone susceptible to investing in such schemes, how can you avoid falling prey? We have two workable tips for you:
1. Create/Join an Accountability Circle
It is easy to make a promise to yourself today and find yourself breaking it tomorrow. You are human and it’s just natural for such things to happen, that is why we all need to set up check mechanisms. One way to check your investment choices is to set up a Circle with goal-driven friends that are opposed to Ponzi schemes or other forms of illegitimate investments. Work closely with them on tracking your goals and investing together in proven investment choices. To help, you can set up an investment circle with Cowrywise.
2. Automate Your Investments
“Out of sight out of mind”, this common saying holds true a lot of times and still does with keeping your cash away from fraudulent investments. If you cultivate the habit of investing a part of your funds on a regular basis, combined with the help of your Circle, you’ll hardly ever have any spare cash to risk in unverifiable schemes similar to MMM, Loom to mention a few. Automate your investments today with the Cowrywise app.
Ever wondered if we are legit? Read this article:
I really want to control my finances. I envisage that I have a great tendency of making money and mismanaging funds. Most times I run out of money before the month ends and I feel terrible about it.
Hi Sonia.
Thanks for your vulnerability.
We provide a lot of financial education guides on our blog that can help you better control your finances.
Take it step by step and you’ll do better in now time!
What about school fees, health , charity and insurance.
school fees, insurance, and health can be placed in that friend’s wedding column as talked about in the article, t its all about understanding the main idea, looking within yourself where does this item fall, it’s about been creative and manageable with your money, i.e how long money stays in our hand using it effectively.
thanks a lot,Ope.really helpful,sometimes we outline the fixed and forget the discretionary ,and wonder how alll the money disappeared .This is very insightful
I look forward to more articles from you guys, random articles on various life topics. I love the active voice you used in writing and that sacarsm part too?
Thank you! We look forward to having you back here too ?
This is really amazing and educating! Keep it up and thank you so much for THIS ARTICLE ?
Our pleasure ?
Hello Ope,
This piece is quite insightful and helpful. Thank you. I Read the part where you advised to not document budget on a book as one can lose the book. Can you recommend an app on playstore one can use?
Yes. I’m seconding this comment. I believe an accounting application can help. I actually document my expenses daily but combining them into a general heading is a big task.
Please help us, Ope.
Hi Glow, I can’t recommend any tool off the top of my head right now, but creating a simple Google sheet or excel file for your budgeting can work.
I have a challenge, am the one catering for the house so most times I run into debts because expenses are higher than income . please how do I work on this.
thanks
Okay, Ope, you got me on with this one! ?
I know I make a lot of money as a full-stack digital marketer, but after some time, I’m broke and I’m wondering how come? As you said, I’m wondering “where did all the money go to?”
Sha, this post is very helpful and I’ve just downloaded this app I want to make use of in listing out the entire process… but quick ??
Which app or tool would you recommend for proper budgeting and evaluation?
Regards,
Sam
Hey Sam, happy to hear you found this helpful! ?
For the tool to help with budgeting, I highly recommend that you get down to do the “dirty work” first by yourself. Create a sheet on Google Sheets or Excel to input and track your spending to give you a raw idea, and then you can use other tools for lighter budgeting work based on the idea you now have from your sheet.
Hi Glow
You can download money manager on playstore, that’s what I use. There are others there too
I spend close to 38,000 only
Hi Sam,
I found it fascinating when I had to keep track of my sister’s account, but tracking my own expenses or developing a personal budget appears to be an impossible feat.
I mean… I don’t have a stable source of income yet so it seems almost hard to do but then after going through your write up I wrote a few ways in which I get money and am hoping I’d be able to get an hang of it soon.
Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Ope rather not Sam, sorry.
Wow! This is great, learnt a lot
Thank you so much for sharing this, Ope.
I have a question though. How can I budget as a student?
Because it seems like I can’t apply the whole concept of budgeting in my life at the moment.
I mean, I am a student, I don’t have a fixed source of income; I receive allowance from my parent and sometimes from relatives. I also do not work and I have no investments.
Sometimes, I feel like financial plans and budgeting is just not for me, even though I’m quite interested in them.
Like when I even receive my allowance, the rate at which the money finishes fast, makes me ask myself, “How?” “Where did all the money go to?” and “What did I spend the money on?”
I want to know how to track my expenses, save effectively and if possible invest and then build a financial plan, even as a student but I don’t know how to go about it neither do I know what to do.
So, if there’s any advice you could give me, please do. I’m very ready to learn.
Also, thank you so much for your financial lessons. I am always happy when I see your blog updates in my email. Thank you!?
This is very insightful and educative. I will make a do with this tips immediately. Thanks immensely Ope.
This is helpful I learnt a lot as a young graduate budget helps in build Future occurrences coming in the future also helps to pridict a lot of plan that u ought to achieve
Thanks Ope for this rich enlightenment.
But I got to ask you a question.
What if you don’t get an income per say but, a kind of allowance that’s not stable that you’ll have to ask before its been given to you. How then do you plan a budget given such instance?
Thanks for this wonderful post of yours.It is more encouraging.
Dear Ope,
Thanks for this insightful write up. I am definitely practicing this starting now. This is just what I needed to hear at this time. Thanks again
Really amazing thanks alot for this
I need withdraw
Thank for this wonderful post of yours. It is more encourage
I need withdraw
This article came in on time. Am guilty of many of the bad money management stated in the article. Not withstanding, it is not too late to start. I will be better equipped for the remaining part of the year and next year as well. Thanks Ope
Alisabiu744@gmail.com
This article came in on time. Am guilty of many of the bad money management stated in the article. Not withstanding, it is not too late to start. I will be better equipped for the remaining part of the year and next year as well. Thanks Ope
Ope thanks for this powerful awareness, pls if the is an app I can use for something like this let me know. I should start taking records this month
Mohammed
How can I do this
Thanks very much Ope. I always enjoy your post they are enlightening.Talking about budgeting how can one who’s money doesn’t come in bulk monthly go about making and achieving his or her budget.
I can control my financial status on my own. Because I really feel to be financially independent, on the basis of personal interest, and growth. Thank you so much.
Hi Ope,
Thanks for the blog,
I am currently working and I don’t earn enough. Also, I have to settle bills at home and help the family.
I find it hard to save, any advice on this?
Thanks for this piece, I really needed it to start my next month.✨
Thank you so much Ope. We shall do this
Cowrywise has really helped me to everyone more and spend less
I wish it will not crash
Thanks so much. This is an eye opener. I always wondered why I’m left with nothing at the end of the week/month/year after making so much money. Please, do cowrywise have a budgeting app that could be helpful.? It’s important