Life in a third world country is not impossible. Difficult? Yes. But even first world country citizens deal with their problems. In all parts of the world, there are problems and then there are problem solvers who happen to be the one benefitting of the world’s many gifts; wealth.
I had this thought a long time ago when the heat of the No-Cash policy was still heavy. Hearing the tales of people who had to sleep in banks and watching POS operators slice people open, I was torn between accepting the reality and working a way around it and just plain doing nothing except hope for retribution.
The problem with a country like ours is the fact that people who are given the reigns for leadership are those who understand the significance of power. They understand it from the negative perspective and the people suffer for it. Let’s face it. Our Country is like this right now because it wasn’t given the right foundation.
But I digress. How have I coped in this place with the cashless policy?
Honestly, I coped by turning a blind eye. Yes. I ignored it. I did not live in obliviousness if that is what you’re thinking. I just understood the weight of what I could deal with and what I can’t.
Those who really know me would know how much I love my country, flaws and all. Late nights and sacrifices I made (they might have been little and would probably have no effect) to make a small difference.
When it all came tumbling down (thanks to the brazen face of corruption), I was done. I haven’t lost hope but this is what we all know as self-preservation.
So, most of my transactions occurred from my bank app. For the first time, I understood what the Chinese term “Blackbellied” really meant.
I’ll explain it this way. When we go to a shop with our hard earned cash, we expect to be served. Now, what happens when you don’t have that cash but a substitute that may or may not be accepted? This was my case.
On a norm, I hardly spend. The only things I spend on are data, my hair and food (transportation on occasion). I can’t remember the last time I bought something nice for myself (because my money is going to one great investment or the other). I get most of my wages wired to my account (just how I like it to stop unnecessary spending) from which I deduct percentages and send them to where they ought to be.
But this No-Cash policy put a peg and a huge squash to a lot of it. Not that I am complaining but my brain hurts just thinking about it. It is already hard enough for me now to earn fiat (thank you Nigeria) but then the scarcity of cash (both physical and digital) made me think hard about a lot of things.
Somethings happen...Some people don't. What am I?
I can say with all surety, that unlike how it was supposed to be, this time made me actually see what was missing. Tracking expenses became easier even if it still hurts to think. My conscience played a hefty role in this game. I knew when I was veering off budget and like an alarm, it’d blare and my senses would flare.
I also came to a horrid realization that I was financially illiterate. With a new purpose, I determined to read and study books about money, accounting and whatever else. Do I know what I’m doing? No. But my instincts are gearing me towards this path. So, I’ll take it.
From hindsight, the only thing this No-Cashless policy has given me (just like my country) is heartache. It is really scary how these political stuff affect me beyond reason. Well, just like any citizen, I am on the receiving end of their stick. The question is, what would I do with this experience? Learn or what?
