January 2024, my salary entered ₦120,000. By January 18th, account balance = ₦2,400. Rent was paid, but food money? Borrowed. Transport money? Begged my brother. I felt like a failure.
The problem was not my salary. The problem was no budget. If you’re reading this from Ibadan, Lagos, or anywhere in Nigeria 2026, this post will save you from my mistake. I’ll show you the exact 3-step budget I now use before every salary enters.