What a day!

My door is crazy.

For some reason - (wear and tear?) it was impossible to open it in the morning! Just when I was rushing for my lectures! (it couldn't have happened at a more pleasant time)

Reminds me of sometime back my door jammed and the worst part was I had just stepped out to get something from the shops before rushing to work. No phone or wallet it was a bad day, I missed work and the worst part is you cannot inform anyone!

Anyway it means this weekend I have to get the locksmith to change locks. Why now? I do not have a clue how much it will cost. I've tried to do it myself but the screws are really tight.

Anyway it has to be done - and did I tell you I have to get a new sofa (well not really new, second hand) I rent a place that was fully furnished but the sofa has seen better days, hence I'm on the look out for one.

Life goes on. I know I need always have something aside for such eventualities - but to actually use the money hurts!!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAARRRGGGH!

Deliberate Vs. Emergent Strategies

Today I heard this in a lecture on business strategy. The discussion was on the fact that firms are likely to do in future what they did in the past. Listen to this:

"All the women I've married have the same initials and have birthdays in the month of June. I'm not saying that it was a strategy I set out in my life but that is how life is". That's my lecturer very funny guy!

It's human nature to always settle for what you are comfortable in, hence we keep repeating what we have done before. I've always been slow at implementing what I want to do, and looking back it is very clear that defines me very well.

With the way things are going now I have to clinical in executing my plans.

You Have One Life To Live!

I think I should put up this banner and walk around with it! It's not for others to read but maybe to help keep focus on living my dream life.

Just thinking why I started writing my thoughts here in the first place. Basically I realized I'm not perfect and I need to keep reflecting on MY life - am I heading in the direction I want to go? Especially financially coz that's what I confess freaks me out.

So I read this week on the Daily Nation of a group of young people coming together to create wealth. And they are doing well encouraging. Guess what we have been discussing for sometime on investing but it is not easy to do it as a group.
That must be the reason I kind of broke off from the group - different investment ideas. It is hard to move as a group.

That's the difference whilst I'm dreaming of investing - others are doing it! I have no excuse. Hopefully I'll get some feedback on investing in Kenya soon. The ball has to start rolling!

One life to live

London Marathon - Pay Day!

Today was London Marathon and as the Kenyan team would say "It's pay day!". I was not disappointed at all they had a 1 and 2 position. I managed to get some pics from got some pics from my flat - Though the commentator kept talking as if Haile Gebrselassie was going to win.
I'm not sure what the jack pot is but after the race I could see Felix Limo was happy next must be the race in the US - is it Chicago? not sure

Can't wait for the next pay day!

If you know Haille maybe you can see the legend in the second pic!

Notice how most of this companies make it so easy to make a payment over the phone unlike when you are calling to complain or enquiries?

The system must have been set up by an accountant - quick to receive income yet take time to use cash. Frugal concept?

Bills! Bills! Bills!

I confess I'm not one of the best people to deal with the many mails that I receive on an almost daily basis. Especially junk mail - email or post! It is tedious to go through all of them - so every now and then I unknowingly fail to recognize something important that is sent to me.

Last week I got my mobile phone bill - put it aside to read it later and forgot all about it. So today I cam across it and boy was I lucky my phone could have been disconnected.

I was stunned by the warning if I failed to pay the overdue amount (£18) - not only disconnection but it would take at least 24 hours before my connection was restored. The next line is vague "On suspension a one off charge may be applied to your account"

I need to be careful for sure - everyone is after my money ready topenalizee me, is that not why I need a secretary?
It's tough taking care of my mail with all this trash coming through the post - I'm learning the hard way.
For now I'm safe atlest for the time being. Next I guess would be rent and loan repayment, thank God it is by Direct Debit.

Life

My picture of life is enjoying what you are doing - passion for whatever it is you do. For all football fans you must know the guy - I know he's like the highest paid player (I mean on the pitch, not on endorsements out of the pitch), but everything about him is about enjoying the game. Anyway let's wait and see what happens next week there's a GREAT game - return leg of the Champions League Semi-Finals.

I got to take time out and enjoy life - he shouldn't be living my dream!

Another day...

Today as usual has been hectic from college rushed home - I got to think about tomorrow. I'm working tomorrow morning after a day off. Come to think of it sometimes I feel like taking a trip out of town - but again I feel guilty 'shouldn't I be studying instead?'
There are so many places I could go as a relatively new person in the UK - only that it involves proper time management, and I imagine cash. I'm afraid of experiencing something like a career burn-out (not sure if that's the right term - I mean I'm looking for a job as I finish my studies, working just for the money coupled with the pressure to do well in my exams!)

What is even worse is I imagine it would cost a fortune. My plans to be in Cardiff so far have stalled a 'friend' supposedly was to host me but she kind of is tied up (she's studying for her Masters too - I understand the torture!)
though I got to admit I was really looking forward to the trip. It would have been relaxing and talk about the good old days - we graduated from the same Uni back in the days. Besides this could be something I might be looking for unknowingly!

So I'm stuck here again over the weekend, unless something comes up real fast.

In the meantime I'm looking for days out that are relatively cheap, convenient to my funny schedule; does it help the fact that I don't smoke and drink?

My first love would be attending concerts/live music performances - nothing at Jazz Cafe for this weekend! Ouch just when the timing was perfect.

Hey I'm free this weekend!!

The world's worst M&As

This weekends The Business had an article on disastrous M&As. What attracted me was that on the list Vodafone was the leading shareholder value destroyer after pulling the biggest telecoms deal acquiring rival Mannesmann ($150bn). Within 2 years it had wiped out $137bn! in value

A strategic business class, topic: Mergers & Acquisitions
Question to a young man seated at the front of class. "So let us assume you've passed all your exams, you got a nice job - everything perfect - What next in life ?
Student: I guess get married.
Lecturer (shaking his head while holding it - disappointed): "So what I have been teaching has not made any sense to you! M&A are expensive and messy are you sure that's what you want your life to be? The entry barriers may be low but exit barriers will kill you. So my advise JUST DON'T DO IT!"

This man cracks me up. I wish he knew I'm planning my wedding.

Slowly but surely

I'm very poor at celebrating my small victories but this time (no champagne though!) I have reason to be happy.
Last month at the same time I was £1,500 overdrawn with over two weeks to pay day, but looking at my account I notice that the belt tightening, stringent plans are starting to pay off.
By the way this reminds me of the language IMF uses when handing out 'loans' to Least Developed Countries - especially since there is no security.

Anyway, I have managed to cut down on my spending by £507 so far and what is encouraging is I have no major bill pending till end month (Rent! Loan repayment Aaargh!)

So I'm in a good mood. What do I do when things are looking so well for me this month?

They still have that effect

Strange things happen sometimes when in a queue at a supermarket waiting to be served. I don't know much about the rest of the world but signatures are so yesterday here - you do not sign for transactions your PIN number does the magic. This has been effective in reducing credit card theft and it is good as long as you can remember your PIN number!
I'm so used to my numbers especially at a cash point, but when on those rare shopping sprees I indulge myself in, my memory fails me; unfortunately this happened (I have sadly noted) when there is a lady involved and me trying to be cool.

As part of my financial makeover I try not to handle cash but use my bank card instead. The less I handle cash the less temptation I have to splash it around. Is it just me?

This morning I went to the local supermarket to get a few things for my breakfast and lunch cum supper have made it a point of late pay my bills using my switch card,I knew the bill would be close to £5.00. Once I withdraw cash I tend to be careless you know the small change could go anywhere - there's always one of my good friends who's after it! Good luck to him he's in for a dry spell!

Back to my supermarket ordeal - as I am on the queue I keep reciting my number and the beautiful checkout assistant is exchanging pleasantries with the customers as they move along.
When it comes to my turn she says something good we laugh together and bang! I've forgotten my number! Two attempts and I decide maybe I should get some cash. She's seen it all and she seemed to understand my embarrassment.

I think I'm not alone I see many people have saved their PIN numbers in their mobile phones. How safe is that? Anyway next time on the queue look at the faces of people getting ready to pay I don't think I'm the only one tense that I might get to the front and forget my number thus holding up the queue. Aaaaargh!

Since it's a local supermarket I'm going back to get something - she has to see I'm cool!

Bargains Again!

Just the other day we had winter colection sale, now Easter weekend I notice we have all types of reductions. I'll try to be strong and leave it late for shopping and find reasons why I shouldn't buy all these stuff.

Where can I hide?

Happy Easter weekend y'all!

Life Among the Dinosaurs!

The older you live in my opinion the more you come to appreciate the value of money - and I must confess I am on a steep learning curve at the moment!

This rather comes out very clear when I look at the people I work with. I work in the transport sector and the majority of the seniors have been in the industry for quite a while (almost forever!). And one thing that distinguishes the old timers and the rookies is very clear when we are on break/lunch - they always have something from home whereas I rush to the nearest sandwich shop to grab something.
I have been keeping a track of how much I spend in the process - simply put I'm ashamed!
Typical breakfast: 2 toasts, 2 sausages and an egg - £2.80
: A cup of hot chocolate(with staff discount - £0.80
This is a small fortune at the end of the week considering that I might get chips and a piece chicken for not less than £1.90 once in a while. That's well over £20.00 a week!

I'm proud of the success I had this week I've cut down on that - instead I go to the supermarket for 3 bananas a croissant and make my own hot chocolate in the office! That's less than £1.70 and more healthy. I believe I'm on the right track; who knows maybe soon I'll be making my own sandwiches to carry to work.


Pressure makes diamonds much harder than gold.

Je ne comprends pas!

I got unsolicited account upgrade this week!
What after I made it my wish to reduce my overdraft facility - wonders never cease. It is at no extra charge if I do not use it, but the temptation is always there. I confessed how I think western consumerism has caught up with me, and now my bank is even tempting me further.

The new limit is £3,400. To some that is what you make in a week, but not me. The letter reads: We hope you will enjoy the extra flexibilitythis facility provides, with no fee on overdrafts, all you will pay is the interest on any sums borrowed within your agreed facility.

I'm checking my charges this end month if there's ANY hidden charges I'm downgrading my account. Living within my means!

My first love

Vodafone was on the news again reshuffling the company structure by the CEO after he did away with the disgruntled elements. I wish I could say now it's smooth sailing for Mr. Arun Sarin.

Which brings me to the thought 'How to deal you replace a hero?. I mean whatever Mr. Arun did there was always the shadow of the honorary life President.

I keep wondering what I would have done. Maybe that's where my management theory comes in - sack someone! You better show very early that you mean business, let people know that you are in charge.

After the boardroom drama let's wait and see what the strategy is, I hope it was not just to weed out the former team - it's all about shareholders!
The European Commission is out to bite into it's roaming services profits, Verizon is out to buy Vodafone's stake... and the list goes on and on

Long time

It's ages since I was last here - for a good reason though!
I blame it all on ACCA final papers! I have to keep running up and down every day just to keep with the pace. If I'm not at work I'm in class or library - is that life really?

Anyway I can't complain I wanted it all so let me carry the cross - no pity party here.

I'm enjoying the lectures though - especially Strategic Business Planning and Development. The lecturer is hilarious! - Every now and then I will be sharing his famous quotes.

But I'm fine.

An African Saying

Whoever spits to the sky will soil his face.

Just saw it somewhere and just loved I'm sure it can be applied somewhere in my life.... just not sure where yet!

Going Back To My Roots?

A short break since I posted what's happening - I was on a noble cause to dig and find where I was actually going wrong with my finances. Last month was the wake up call - after the dust has settled I realize I was £1,787 OVERDRAWN!

Did I hear someone say what's the big deal?
It marks a milestone in my short life in the UK, I've never been in such debt in my life. I mean it's so easy to get sucked into an alien culture.

Alien Culture?

I was brought up to believe that you live/survive within your means. If you cannot afford there's the likelihood you do not need it! So I'm surprised when someone suggests you take a loan to go for a holiday! (outrageous!). I knew people took loan to go to university or build a dream home - and I'm talking about well to do individual.
It's different here and odd I'm sure for most came from the developing world. I guess that's what amazes me when I read some of the blogs.
To put all this in perspective £1,787 is over KShs. 180,000! That's more than what I used to make every three months before I came here. Thank God mum is not reading all this.

By the way I wonder if there is any person like me - from the 3rd world and is feeling me?

This week's major highlight was the meeting I had with my bank branch manager - we did not agree for the simple reason that I felt he was more interested in me consolidating my debts (in other words take a loan!)

But what came out very clear was the fact that I need to be more diligent with my money. Currently my account is highly overdrawn! (£1800!). My strategy to invest more in my Cash ISA - looking at the long term (which I must the rookie failed to see) So I have been mulling about my strategy.

If you find yourself in a ditch, stop digging!

My strategy for the coming two months will be geared towards clearing the overdraft.