February 2026. NEPA brought "estimated bill" ₦18,500. Same week, my tooth swelled like your toe did. Hospital: ₦12,000.
My salary was ₦120,000. By Friday, account was ₦2,000. I borrowed from a friend to buy food.
That was Mistake 3: No emergency fund. I had budget, I was saving 20%... but I had zero money for "wahala days".