3 Essential Money Principles for Wealth Building and Life Enjoyment (2024)

Sometime last December, Money Africa had the pleasure of being invited to educate a group of young lawyers on personal finance and wealth building. It was a delightful event centred around bonding, personal growth, and, of course, good food and drinks. The day featured various sessions covering topics like mental health wellness, career development, networking, and positioning, alongside personal finance.

(And just so you know, you can also invite us for corporate sessions or friendly hangouts to discuss personal finance. Feel free to send us a direct message at sales@themoneyafrica.com.)

Everyone had their notepads ready, eagerly seeking advice on how to improve their financial well-being or rectify past mistakes. During the session, a question that resonated with me was asked: "How can we build wealth without depriving ourselves of life's pleasures?" I found this question quite intriguing, as it shed light on deeply ingrained habits and attitudes.

Building wealth involves making challenging choices about how to allocate your money and time. If you are truly committed to building wealth or achieving your personal finance objectives, you've likely encountered the dilemma of whether to satisfy immediate needs or defer them for the future. Each time we confront this decision, we are essentially practicing what economists call the "scale of preference." When wealth-building ranks as your top priority, every decision you make becomes intertwined with it, even the choice of purchasing a new car because you can afford it, or you're saving for it, particularly when it's a necessity.

In this article, I'll discuss three fundamental and essential principles for those who are truly committed to both wealth building and life enrichment.

Principle #1: Consistently save and invest a portion of your income.

It's crucial to establish a steadfast practice of saving and investing, whether it's 10%, 20%, or a percentage that aligns with your financial situation. Saving serves multiple purposes, including achieving emergency fund goals and fulfilling other short-term objectives like taking a short vacation, purchasing a car, or buying a laptop. On the other hand, investing allows you to build resources for your child's education, secure your retirement, and work towards other long-term financial goals. Both saving and investing are indispensable, so it's essential to priorities and commit to both.

Principle #2: Allocate funds for your happiness.

Regardless of how much we emphasize the need to cut back on non-essential expenses, some individuals may find it challenging to do so. We often criticize others for spending excessively on items like bags, wigs, electronics, and more. But take a closer look, and you'll likely discover something you genuinely enjoy spending money on. These expenditures aren't always about luxury; they provide happiness.

For instance, some people priorities skincare over supplements or wellness. While some people would like to spend on gadgets, others would rather spend on designer clothes.

If you fall into this category and it's causing financial strain, it's time to set aside a specific budget for what brings you joy. Of course, this should come after you've allocated money for your essential needs. The key discipline here is to limit your spending to what you've allocated for your happiness. By doing so, you can enjoy these things guilt-free without resorting to borrowing or dipping into other financial resources. If it's within your means, go ahead and set money aside for it.

Principle #3: Nurture healthy financial relationships.

And this isn't just limited to marital relationships; it extends to your friendships as well. Surrounding yourself with people who don't priorities discussions about money may not motivate you to take your financial matters seriously. Your choice of a life partner is also important. If you plan to get married, understand that marriage represents one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make. It's crucial to grasp your partner's money personality and strive for a harmonious balance. Both of you might be inclined toward spending or giving, but there should also be someone who emphasizes saving and investing, to say the least. This equilibrium ensures that you don't solely focus on spending or giving without a solid financial plan for your future.

Additionally, it's vital to align your money values. Consider whether your potential partner leans towards borrowing for purchases or saving up for them. Marrying someone who frequently borrows may lead to a substantial portion of your income being dedicated to debt repayment.

In conclusion, these three rules—saving and investing, allocating funds for happiness, and nurturing healthy financial relationships—are key to building wealth and financial well-being. By following these guidelines, you can make informed choices that pave the way for a secure and prosperous financial future.

Over to you: which rule should serve as the fourth principle? It’s your turn to add your voice.