Waste not, Want not

As a teenager, there's this pressing desire to spend any money you have in your hands, and yes I was that kid. I loved spending money because that time I was making money, either from my classmates or other online jobs I was doing, but the money I earned disappeared with the wind. After all, I was always spending, buying stuff, mostly snacks because I am quite the foodie. The rest went into clothes shoes and other unnecessary things, I didn't see the need to keep anything after all we all had one life right, yes that was my vision so I spent money as soon as it entered into my hand.

I had friends who loved saving but I distanced myself from them because I felt they were pretty boring, I mean who didn't want to enjoy life?

I tried to save once or twice, but it didn't last, I was just living carefree.
I remember when my first bulk money came, it was huge, I was totally at a loss with what to do with all that money, my mind was completely blank.

One day I got back from school, I was randomly chilling in the living room, when my Dad walked in, smiled at me, and I moved a bit to let home sit.

I turned on the TV and played a channel that we both loved watching, Soccer, I loved it it was always intense and filled with heart-stopping suspense.
My favorite player was walking slowly and then all of a sudden, the ball was passed to him and he hit full speed enabling him to score a fantastic goal....

I screamed "GOALLLLLLLLLL" As loud as my shrill voice could let me then I sat down, and my Dad laughing.
"Can I ask you a question dear?" My dad spoke up
My eyes were still glued to the TV
"How do u think he was able to score that goal effectively without much hindrance?" He suddenly asked

I kept quiet thinking about what he just asked, well because he had excellent skills and oh yes a perfect idea crept into my mind
"Because he preserved his energy and was able to use it at the right time..." I squealed in delight

"Exactly because he saved his energy, imagine if he had been running aimlessly in the field, and when the time came, he lost strength and missed the goal" My Dad said and left

I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me what he meant by that, I was spending a lot and just like a footballer who ran aimlessly, when I would need the money the most I would not have it, rather I would be stranded.

I gave it some serious thought, I really shouldn't be wasting money like this, life is not always a bed of roses and I would need that money eventually, it not like it was going to run away.

I went to my Dad the next day after giving it a thorough thought
"Dad tell me something useful I can do with my money" I asked
My Dad looked up at me and gave a smile
"Why what happened, don't you have more scrunchies to buy?" He asked teasing me

"Oh Dad" I sulked

We discussed a lot of options and I settled on buying shares and Dividends from a bank, which was like investing it, so I used all the money to do so.

It was about a year later and COVID-19 struck the entire world, my Dad lost his job and life was difficult, we could barely make ends meet, it was terrible, then we reached the final breaking point, I needed to pay my school fees but we lacked the funds to do so, it was terrible, I didn't want to be known as a debtor.

I was lost in my little world when my Dad tapped me, I jerked up and stared at him.
"Sweetheart I've paid your fees!!!" He dropped the bombshell
I stared at him in shock "How is that even possible, where did it come from?" I asked
"Remember the money about a year ago where you invested in stocks, the profits were massive and I sold some to settle your fees" he said

His words were like a melodious song to my ears, so the money I had forgotten was of help to me now, the money I saved is of immense help to me presently.
Wow I couldn't agree less with the phrase;
"Waste not, Want not"

Things got better after that, I'm extremely overjoyed I heeded his advice......