Let the Roundup begin! ?
Every year, Cowrywise users look forward to the annual Cowrywise Roundup. If you’re new to the party, Roundup is the way we show users their money moves for the year. We highlight the great and the not-so-cool moves. This way, our users can know how well they handled their funds this year and how to do better next year.
In addition to this, the Cowrywise Roundup also shows you how Nigerians handle money generally, using Cowrywise users as the sample. For example, we learnt in 2021 that an average male user on Cowrywise saved and invested 14% more than an average female user. Although this does not say much about individual users, it shows us how all our users interact with our app. What age group uses what features, and what gender is saving and investing more? Data like this help us optimize our product and reach out to demographics that we feel may need a nudge to take certain actions.
A little history lesson
Why did we create the Cowrywise Roundup? Well, it all started in 2019. Our Senior Software Engineer David Uche (then, lead android developer) came into the office bustling with energy on this new idea he wanted to share with the team. What if we could create a Spotify Wrapped but for money? So instead of users seeing what they listened to and for how long, they would see how they saved and invested, where and when, all throughout the year? Amazing right? It was a brilliant idea! Kudos to Uche!
Our goals for Roundup. ?
Our goal with roundup is to make our users see how far they have come. We wanted everyone to acknowledge their progress while also noting what they could do better. This was why we decided to use unique animals to illustrate the stage everyone is in their financial journey. The butterfly to acknowledge that a user is budding – they are not there yet but they have started. And the fox to applaud our resilient and financially conscious users – they have done a brilliant job with their money throughout the year.
In addition to the individual Roundups, we also share aggregate Roundups on our social media platforms and Youtube to show the rest of the world what our users are doing and how proud we are of them. You can read more about how Cowrywise Roundup came to life.
What the animals represent
Ever wondered what the animals really mean? Why are you a Modest Macaw this year and a Fiery Fox the next? ? Well, I’m not here to tell you the secrets but rather to give you hints. ?
At inception, we set out to mirror the progress of our users without making them feel insecure about their finances. This is why we do not award grades but instead make use of unique animals to show your money moves for the year.
The Budding Butterfly ?
Growing, Strong, Beautiful, Promising.
Picture a butterfly in the garden; bright and catchy colours, right? But before those wings and colours come out, the butterfly goes through a process; a metamorphosis, so to speak. From being just an egg to a caterpillar to a chrysalis, and finally unfolding into a butterfly. This process of growth and development is what we want you to acknowledge when you see your Roundup and you’re a Budding Butterfly.
We also want you to acknowledge that you have a promising future ahead and there’s room for growth. We look forward to that in the coming year. We literally can’t wait to see you fly! ?
The Modest Macaw ?
Elegant, Strong-willed, Attractive, Dexterous.
If you didn’t know what a macaw is until you saw the Cowrywise coin, it’s okay.? No judgement here. A macaw is a type of parrot with beautiful colours. They are popularly known for their sense of loyalty and are also called companion parrots. Super playful and active; they love attention and always crave plenty of space for exercise.
This is how we see the Modest Macaws on Cowrywise. If you get this coin, it means you’re doing well with your money moves already and we are ready to give you the attention and space you need for more growth. Already flying higher than the Budding Butterfly, we can only imagine the awesome things you’ll do next year. With your bright colours shining all over the place, 2023 has nothing on you, my dear Macaw. You will spread those colourful wings of yours and fly!
The Consistent Cougar ?
Bold, Awesome, Ambitious, Relentless.
Cougars are large cats; powerful and ferocious. They live in the mountains and lowlands and are known to endure harsh mountain weather. Steady and relentless, a cougar is the perfect description for you if you’re not new to the money game and you have your eyes on the target.
As a Consistent Cougar, we see how hard you work on your financial goals. You’re climbing the mountain of financial independence one rocky rung at a time and guess what, you’re almost there. You have your savings and investments to show for it. Keep climbing; you’re a motivation for the upcoming Butterflies and Macaws.
The Fiery Fox ?
Ferocious, Calculating, Courageous, Unstoppable.
Excellent hearing, fast and always alert, a fox is an interesting animal to watch, especially when they’re hunting.
And so are you, the Fiery Fox. The Fiery Fox coin is the top coin on the Cowrywise app. If there is anything to give to champions and leaders; those who take the bull by the horn; those who dedicate all they have to building a safe and abundant financial future for themselves: then this is it. It is the Fiery Fox coin.
If you see this coin on your 2022 Roundup, then congratulations! You are the best! You stay focused and determined. Things like sapa, trenches, urgent 2k – have nothing on you! For you, what matters is building the best financial future for yourself. And for this, we say, well done. All the other animals look up to you: Butterflies, Macaws, Cougars, you are the monarch of them all. Lead on.
2022: what to look out for. ?
A few days from now, you will see your Cowrywise Roundup and we will also show the world how our users interacted with our app this year. What should you expect in your 2022 Roundup? How should you interpret it?
Asides from your unique animal, there are other things to look out for in your Cowrywise Roundup. Here are a few of them:
- Your Emergency Fund: did you have an emergency fund in 2022? How much did you save up? Be honest with yourself: if an emergency happens now, will your fund be enough to keep you afloat? If you did not have an emergency fund in 2022, it’s time to do better. Start here.
- Your Juicy Returns: or wait, you did not get any? If you did get some juicy returns this year, kudos to you! If not, check your investments and see what you need to do better. This is a good time to add ‘Invest more’ to your 2023 new year resolutions and actually do it. You can explore various investment options on Cowrywise here.
- Your use of new features: Twitter Triggers, World Cup Triggers, Football Triggers; which of these did you use to build wealth this year? Make savings and investments a part of your life and build wealth doing the things you love by adopting Triggers.
After Roundup, what next? ?
What happens after Roundup? What should you do? Your Cowrywise Roundup is a way of reflecting on your money moves over the year. But since this Roundup comes at the end of the year just shy of January, it is also the right time to make plans for the new year: 2023. After seeing your Roundup, here are 3 things you should do:
- Share: be proud of how far you have come and let your friends celebrate with you. Make sure you tag us on Twitter and Instagram when you do. We are always proud of you. ??
- Look at the details: asides from the cute animals you get, we also share in-depth insights like how much returns you got from your investment, whether you have an emergency plan, etc. Pay attention to these details. Know your strong points and your weak points.
- Plan for 2023: you’ve seen how well you did in 2022, now is the time to do better. Make concrete plans for 2023 and write them down. Open new savings plans now and set targets. Make use of Triggers to automate these plans. Bring out the savvy investor in you by investing in Naira and Dollar mutual funds.
Conclusion
A new year is on the way. Once you see your 2022 Roundup, take some time to celebrate and congratulate yourself on how far you’ve come. From January to December; you made it. Take your accolades and brace for the future. A new year is coming. Stay jiggy! ??
