I am TERRIBLE with money!!!
I am terrible with money, or at least I used to be… now that I’ve got your attention, let me proced.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an earner. My entrepreneurial spirit kicked in early, long before I understood what a P&L statement was. Back in the 90s, when South London was a pulsating hub of underground music, I was busy running Bassline FM, a pirate radio station. Those were exhilarating times, and yes, even then, I was earning. Fast forward a bit, and I found myself at the hallowed halls of the BBC, specifically 1Xtra. 1Xtra in its heyday – a time when the BBC, bless its heart, had less rules and still had a budget to play with! Those were good times, filled with music, creativity, and a steady paycheck.
Then came the move to Kenya, a leap into the unknown that, financially speaking, meant a significant step down from my BBC salary. Suddenly, the money I was used to seeing wasn’t there. But interestingly, what also wasn’t there was the constant low-level anxiety that had, for so long, been lurking beneath the surface of my financial life. At Homeboyz Radio, earning less, I found myself paradoxically happier.
You see, for a long time, my mood was intrinsically tied to my bank balance. When the numbers were healthy, I was jovial, confident, and perhaps a little too free-spending. When they dipped, a cloud descended. I became moody, withdrawn, and frankly, a bit of a nightmare to be around. It was a vicious cycle, fueled by the popular misconception that my nickname, G Money, implied I was stupid rich. The reality? I was probably just stupid… about money, that is.
The real shift came thanks to my brother, Sy. He’s the unsung hero of my financial re-education. Simon, with his no-nonsense wisdom (and his ability to tell me the things I DON’T want to hear) taught me a fundamental truth: money is just a tool. And what is it a tool for? Freedom. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. He helped me rewire my entire perspective, assuring me that as long as I bet on myself, I’d be cool. It was a simple, yet profound, revelation.
Today, I consider myself prudent, but certainly not miserly. I’ve learned to enjoy the freedom that comes with having resources, not the resources themselves and yes, sometimes I still get it horribly wrong. It’s about having options, about saying yes to experiences that enrich my life, and no to unnecessary stress.
So, what are some of the key “G Money” money tips I live by?
- The Monthly Spreadsheet is Your Best Friend: This isn’t about depriving yourself; it’s about honesty. Knowing exactly where your money goes each month is the first step to taking control. It’s like mapping out your journey before you set off.
- Be Brutally Honest with Yourself (Financially): This goes hand-in-hand with the spreadsheet. No hiding expenses, no pretending that latte wasn’t £4. Acknowledging your financial habits, good and bad, is crucial for change.
- Leave Room for Enjoyment: This isn’t a monastic existence. Money for me is a tool for freedom, and freedom includes enjoyment. So, yes, plan, save, and be smart, but always allocate funds for the things that bring you joy.
Take my travel, for instance. To the casual observer, it might seem like I’m constantly jet-setting, always on a flight somewhere. The reality is far less spontaneous and much more strategic. Those trips are planned meticulously, sometimes a year in advance, with an eye on deals and off-peak seasons. It’s all part of the spreadsheet, part of the bigger picture of using money to buy freedom, not just fleeting luxury.
Ultimately, my relationship with money has transformed. It’s no longer a master to be appeased, or a source of emotional turbulence. It’s simply a tool for freedom. And that, truly, is all it ever needs to be.