emy77:
Most of the responses to the poster's problem, I must say, are out of context. The op is not telling us what he has been spending. He is projecting his budget based on the new fuel price.

I see people telling him his car is bad to gulp 35k fuel a week. Guys, a simple Toyota Camry has 70litre tank, to fill up in the past was 14k average, now it costs 35k!!!! It will still finish within a week, especially with Ajah traffic.

I think the problem is the post is too premature. If you had posted this by June ending, the responses would have been very different. Bus fare from Oshodi to ajah this morning was 1500 one way. Imagine you go 3-4k on public transport daily, you will understand the budget.

Una dey play!!!

Most of the responses were just more theoretic than realistic… 😢

ChuksHills:



With such money you are supposed to be building an estate in different locations but you chose to live a luxurious Life.

Reduce those things that consume your money more with out you having any profit.

lol how can you build estate with 400k salary?

Klass99:


Funny you! Find cost effective ways to socialise and entertain yourself without spending so much.
You already have Dstv at home, you can invite friends over and hangout with mangoes, corn and pear which are in season.

Essenza1 - I am not understanding. I live alone and I don't repair or maintain household items on a monthly basis. In fact my plumber and other artisans are the ones who call, out of the blue, to inquire if I have work for them or if I know someone who needs their services.



With that social life you want to maintain so bad via hangouts, chills, cinema and the beach . 7,500 per week times 4 weeks is 30k per month. There are other expenses on the list that need to be halved or completely cut out until your two legs balance well.

Ironically, this hangout is actually the most important of all in the list. A man will lose his sanity without chilling out with friends once in a while to drink two bottles of bear and peppersoup.

It's like you dont understand life. Man will drop dead one day.

LandMann:



Secondly, use savings from above to install 1kva solar power system for your lights, TV and laptop only... It will stop the 50k monthly fuel consumption and you'll stop disturbing yourself and others with generator noise...

Nice idea for the OP, but how possible is it to install a solar system when living in a rented apartment? Where will they install the solar panels?

Femmyfamous4u:


You don't need to pay 50k per month on fuel, take loan and get inverter with solar. I did ,one with 1.2m and I'm okay, it carried my freezers, bulbs, TVs, home theatre etc.

Fuel for car, 180k? How?

Buy an automatic washing machine and wash 4o wash your clothes. You can always iron the clothes yourself.

Rent 1.3m? Since you have a car. Why not look for areas not too far away with rent a out 500k-800k Per annum.

You don't have a GF bit spend on many girls? Get a reliable GF.

Please, is it your personal house you installed the solar panel or rented apartment? If it's a rented apartment, where did they install the solar panels?

Essenza01:
I really don't know anymore, i just did my budget for the month and i am scared, i have cut from everywhere possible and i fear for my self.. i dont have a GF, Wife, Children.. my salary is N400,000 and i have added side businesses and one or two's to even survive.. but with this fuel increase, what else is left... zero savings..

- Rent - N108,333/mth (1,300,000/12)
- Fuel for car - N180,000 (36k for 5-6days)
- Auto maintenance - N30,000/mth (service/repair)
- Fuel for generator - N50,000/mth (20ltr/wk)
- Feeding - N62,000 - (N2,000/day)
- Health miscellenous - N5,000/mth
- Dstv - N4,500/mth
- Data - N7,000/mth
- Recharge card - N3,000/mth
- Dry cleaner - N4,000/mth (Starch/iron)
- Hygiene maintenance - N10,000 (body spray/perfume, roll on, soap, cream) etc..
-  Gift to people - N10,000/mth
-  Family House contribution - N20,000/mth
- Eko electric - N10,000/mth
- repairs and maintenance - N12,000/mth
- Clothing, footwear etc - N10,000/mth
- Outings, restaurant, sit outs and provisions - N30,000/mth

Total = N556,500...

My rent is average rent for where i stay, its a two bed flat, i use the other room for home office..

Feeding is N2,000/day.. its not anything out of the ordinary.. tried cooking and spent more with time wasting.

Fuel for car is at the new rate of N500/ltr, my car is a 70ltr car tank..

Auto maintenance is basic brake pads, shocks, service 2mths, tire guage, police pr, tire purchase if any, minor touch ups etc... nothing major.

Fuel for generator is 20ltr/day (2hrs or less daily)

I need help.... how are you people doing it, what am i doing wrong? The rat race is killing me..

Mere looking at your list alone, I have already saved up to N150,000 in a haste. I'm certain that when I dedicate my time going through it thoroughly, I would be able to meet up with all the aforementioned expenses, and still save up to half the salary.

There are some irrelevant items that should be discarded asap from the list.

Make sure to marry a prudent wife, since you're already a heavy spender!

2k daily(breakfast,lunch n dinner) abi nah eyes dey pain me....
Ur not eating well self.....

How much have you saved since govt have been paying the subsidy for you?
Just 3 days or buying fuel ur salary no reach u again.
Anyway it seem ur problem is d fuel.
Find alternatives to minimise ur usage/consumption of fuel.
You are on a good salary scale, lots earn less and still run things perfectly

Essenza01:
I really don't know anymore, i just did my budget for the month and i am scared, i have cut from everywhere possible and i fear for my self.. i dont have a GF, Wife, Children.. my salary is N400,000 and i have added side businesses and one or two's to even survive.. but with this fuel increase, what else is left... zero savings..

- Rent - N108,333/mth (1,300,000/12)
- Fuel for car - N180,000 (36k for 5-6days)
- Auto maintenance - N30,000/mth (service/repair)
- Fuel for generator - N50,000/mth (20ltr/wk)
- Feeding - N62,000 - (N2,000/day)
- Health miscellenous - N5,000/mth
- Dstv - N4,500/mth
- Data - N7,000/mth
- Recharge card - N3,000/mth
- Dry cleaner - N4,000/mth (Starch/iron)
- Hygiene maintenance - N10,000 (body spray/perfume, roll on, soap, cream) etc..
-  Gift to people - N10,000/mth
-  Family House contribution - N20,000/mth
- Eko electric - N10,000/mth
- repairs and maintenance - N12,000/mth
- Clothing, footwear etc - N10,000/mth
- Outings, restaurant, sit outs and provisions - N30,000/mth

Total = N556,500...

My rent is average rent for where i stay, its a two bed flat, i use the other room for home office..

Feeding is N2,000/day.. its not anything out of the ordinary.. tried cooking and spent more with time wasting.

Fuel for car is at the new rate of N500/ltr, my car is a 70ltr car tank..

Auto maintenance is basic brake pads, shocks, service 2mths, tire guage, police pr, tire purchase if any, minor touch ups etc... nothing major.

Fuel for generator is 20ltr/day (2hrs or less daily)

I need help.... how are you people doing it, what am i doing wrong? The rat race is killing me..

yet one werey has been arguing with me that a man on 230k / month can live lavishly witg 4 kids and a wife, house maid, personal cook, maid and driver and eat out anytime he desires . MrBrownJay1 Come and give me your break down o.

1. Cut off gift to people. You are still struggling

2. It's not every month you are repairing car.

3. Your house rent should be around 800k. Your 2months salary should be able to pay your rent.

4. Why are you paying such amount on house rent and you dont have constant supply of light... stop using Gen, I can help you with Solar energy installation

5. You can do nothing about the rest.

Brownshoe:
Na wa o, you spend less on your personal outlook, 10k perfume,10k wears, even your health is 5k, SMH.

Lol..

Essenza01:


Its not even the best of apartments, its just a regular place in Ajah axis... i still have to wake up 5am to run out...

2k food daily?! wtf!!! you must be starving bro?!
Well it depends.. But you need a good gf.

Not those Naija Olosho gals o. you need a lady that will help you plan and pray with you.

First of all, you need to change that car before it remove your trousers.

2. Rent?! 100k?!
you supposed don buy land na?

Meanwhile, I'm surviving well in Dangote @Kogi state on a 100k salary tho, if I see that 400k/mnt?! mehnnnn.
Meanwhile, ive got a wifey, kid, Honda DC, also flex.

Lastly, Lagos hard sha.

melviniyke2002:
2k daily(breakfast,lunch n dinner) abi nah eyes dey pain me....
Ur not eating well self.....

Guy dey suffer o

Mcslize:


Please, is it your personal house you installed the solar panel or rented apartment? If it's a rented apartment, where did they install the solar panels?

It is a rented apartment. The panels were fixed on the roof.

After seeing that rent, I just knew you are a real werey soaked in balablu. You are not ready. You dey ball all your money and you're asking for budgeting. Better dey cook. Half bag of rice will do only you for one year unless you dey chop like person wey trek go town hall.

Sorry en

diamond68:
stupid advice.

Go and book for solar. 6 month u go pay finish with 52k on fuel.

Essenza01:
I really don't know anymore, i just did my budget for the month and i am scared, i have cut from everywhere possible and i fear for my self.. i dont have a GF, Wife, Children.. my salary is N400,000 and i have added side businesses and one or two's to even survive.. but with this fuel increase, what else is left... zero savings..

- Rent - N108,333/mth (1,300,000/12)
- Fuel for car - N180,000 (36k for 5-6days)
- Auto maintenance - N30,000/mth (service/repair)
- Fuel for generator - N50,000/mth (20ltr/wk)
- Feeding - N62,000 - (N2,000/day)
- Health miscellenous - N5,000/mth
- Dstv - N4,500/mth
- Data - N7,000/mth
- Recharge card - N3,000/mth
- Dry cleaner - N4,000/mth (Starch/iron)
- Hygiene maintenance - N10,000 (body spray/perfume, roll on, soap, cream) etc..
-  Gift to people - N10,000/mth
-  Family House contribution - N20,000/mth
- Eko electric - N10,000/mth
- repairs and maintenance - N12,000/mth
- Clothing, footwear etc - N10,000/mth
- Outings, restaurant, sit outs and provisions - N30,000/mth

Total = N556,500...

My rent is average rent for where i stay, its a two bed flat, i use the other room for home office..

Feeding is N2,000/day.. its not anything out of the ordinary.. tried cooking and spent more with time wasting.

Fuel for car is at the new rate of N500/ltr, my car is a 70ltr car tank..

Auto maintenance is basic brake pads, shocks, service 2mths, tire guage, police pr, tire purchase if any, minor touch ups etc... nothing major.

Fuel for generator is 20ltr/day (2hrs or less daily)

I need help.... how are you people doing it, what am i doing wrong? The rat race is killing me..

Klass99:
Lol, I don't know what outing, sit out and restaurant is still doing on your list. You are not ready yet.

Clothing and foot wear shouldn't be a monthly expense for now, why not quarterly instead?

Repairs and maintenance of what? Your car or household items?

Your feeding cost alone is making me raise my eyebrows, do you eat out?

I agree.

Fueling your generator for ₦50,000 in Lagos is not true, Lagos has constant light than most states, if that will be reduce to like ₦20,000 it will be okay, then buying of foodstuffs in bulk will reduce your cost of feeding, maybe when you buy like half bag of rice, quarter bag of rice, quarter bag of garri, bag of semo, half cartoon of milk, Milo, it will go a long way to reduce your feeding cost, but you will spend more when you are eating outside and buying those items in bit, and buying of tomatoes and fish or meat in bulk and storing them in the freezer will help you, house repairs shouldn't be a monthly thing and buying of clothes shouldn't be a monthly thing, you can moderate the use of your data, ₦7,000 is on the high side, maybe you do watch live match or wrestling with the data, I consume ₦3,000 data monthly and it do serve me, you can wash and give dry cleaner to iron or better still do it yourself, your house rent is on the high side, look for one that is not too expensive.

Essenza01:


The salary is 400k, the total budget is 556k, the homeoffice is what provides the extra... 10k electricity is a whole month light oo... my neighbour does 15k sef, had to ask because i thought i was being cheated.. the 50k is for 2hrs or less light...20ltrs/week..(3ltrs/day).. the car fuel is based on the new price.. fill up cost 36k/5-6days for 9-5 work to earn the 400k/mth..

Where am i getting it wrong ?

Remember when you were not earniyup that you didn't die, so try and reduce your spending, thank God woman is not on the list

PHIPEX:
If some families live on 200k monthly expenses, why wouldn't he save the remaining 200k and build? Are you saying families can't live on 200k? If this guy reduces his fuelling alone, do you know how much he will save from fuel alone?

Draw the budget let's see, you people don't know in Nigeria these things are not 2 + 2= 4.
Some families might have help elsewhere, one family member that supports once a while etc. The country is tough. Like I said it's not everyone that will live life like a youth corper. U look at the person's lifestyle.
Monthly transportation budget now is clocking around 100k. We have not added food, talkles of sch fees, etc. Country is getting tough. May it be soft for us.

Pls someone should help me..i need a good job to sustain my family.

I have Bsc in Biotechnology

More 2 years experience in Quick service restaurant.
A year experience on production factory line

A year experience as petrol station supervisor.

Spending 2k per day for feeding is not expensive considering the current value of naira. What is he working for, do you want him to suffer from malnutrition?

Klass99:
Lol, I don't know what outing, sit out and restaurant is still doing on your list. You are not ready yet.

Clothing and foot wear shouldn't be a monthly expense for now, why not quarterly instead?

Repairs and maintenance of what? Your car or household items?

Your feeding cost alone is making me raise my eyebrows, do you eat out?

The major expenses gulping your salary are accommodation and car The others are okay. Let me suggest this;

You can get an apartment close to your place of work and cut down on transportation cost.

You should be able to get a standard 2 bed room apartment for 600-700k in an area with regular power supply that will also cut down on generator expenses. Where do you live?

Hola me let me help you reduce your budget. I earn 300k and I save 100k per month.

FalseProphet1:
What of tithe. Why is tithe not on your budget? How can you not be paying tithes. Don't you know that your pastor has families to feed. You're lucky you're not my member, I would have called down fire on you. This is wickedness. Tueh!

Where are you living?
I mean which part of the city in Nigeria?

Look your expenses should not be above 300k per month.
Reduce all those unnecessary expenses...
That's why I asked where you stay.

There is a lot you can cut off from your expenses.

But where do you live and first?

Essenza01:
I really don't know anymore, i just did my budget for the month and i am scared, i have cut from everywhere possible and i fear for my self.. i dont have a GF, Wife, Children.. my salary is N400,000 and i have added side businesses and one or two's to even survive.. but with this fuel increase, what else is left... zero savings..

- Rent - N108,333/mth (1,300,000/12)
- Fuel for car - N180,000 (36k for 5-6days)
- Auto maintenance - N30,000/mth (service/repair)
- Fuel for generator - N50,000/mth (20ltr/wk)
- Feeding - N62,000 - (N2,000/day)
- Health miscellenous - N5,000/mth
- Dstv - N4,500/mth
- Data - N7,000/mth
- Recharge card - N3,000/mth
- Dry cleaner - N4,000/mth (Starch/iron)
- Hygiene maintenance - N10,000 (body spray/perfume, roll on, soap, cream) etc..
-  Gift to people - N10,000/mth
-  Family House contribution - N20,000/mth
- Eko electric - N10,000/mth
- repairs and maintenance - N12,000/mth
- Clothing, footwear etc - N10,000/mth
- Outings, restaurant, sit outs and provisions - N30,000/mth

Total = N556,500...

My rent is average rent for where i stay, its a two bed flat, i use the other room for home office..

Feeding is N2,000/day.. its not anything out of the ordinary.. tried cooking and spent more with time wasting.

Fuel for car is at the new rate of N500/ltr, my car is a 70ltr car tank..

Auto maintenance is basic brake pads, shocks, service 2mths, tire guage, police pr, tire purchase if any, minor touch ups etc... nothing major.

Fuel for generator is 20ltr/day (2hrs or less daily)

I need help.... how are you people doing it, what am i doing wrong? The rat race is killing me..

Why not get a decent miniflat at Sangotedo ajah axis for 700k 800k brand new?? And have extra 500k yearly.
The sitting room can also serve as the office.
I'm a real estate agent and can help you secure a place.

Essenza01:
I really don't know anymore, i just did my budget for the month and i am scared, i have cut from everywhere possible and i fear for my self.. i dont have a GF, Wife, Children.. my salary is N400,000 and i have added side businesses and one or two's to even survive.. but with this fuel increase, what else is left... zero savings..

- Rent - N108,333/mth (1,300,000/12)
- Fuel for car - N180,000 (36k for 5-6days)
- Auto maintenance - N30,000/mth (service/repair)
- Fuel for generator - N50,000/mth (20ltr/wk)
- Feeding - N62,000 - (N2,000/day)
- Health miscellenous - N5,000/mth
- Dstv - N4,500/mth
- Data - N7,000/mth
- Recharge card - N3,000/mth
- Dry cleaner - N4,000/mth (Starch/iron)
- Hygiene maintenance - N10,000 (body spray/perfume, roll on, soap, cream) etc..
-  Gift to people - N10,000/mth
-  Family House contribution - N20,000/mth
- Eko electric - N10,000/mth
- repairs and maintenance - N12,000/mth
- Clothing, footwear etc - N10,000/mth
- Outings, restaurant, sit outs and provisions - N30,000/mth

Total = N556,500...

My rent is average rent for where i stay, its a two bed flat, i use the other room for home office..

Feeding is N2,000/day.. its not anything out of the ordinary.. tried cooking and spent more with time wasting.

Fuel for car is at the new rate of N500/ltr, my car is a 70ltr car tank..

Auto maintenance is basic brake pads, shocks, service 2mths, tire guage, police pr, tire purchase if any, minor touch ups etc... nothing major.

Fuel for generator is 20ltr/day (2hrs or less daily)

I need help.... how are you people doing it, what am i doing wrong? The rat race is killing me..

your rent and fuel ware your enemies, fix it and you'll have more than enough.

INDUSTRIALFAN:
yet one werey has been arguing with me that a man on 230k / month can live lavishly witg 4 kids and a wife, house maid, personal cook, maid and driver and eat out anytime he desires . MrBrownJay1 Come and give me your break down o.

sadly yeye people like yourself would read this thread (about one financially IRRESPONSIBLE MAN in Lagos), and masturbate on this nonsense and use that to tell Nigerians that a man cant live well on 230K monthly anywhere in Nigeria! here below are people saying exactly what i have been telling you all along (even in lagos, of all places). if you want, pretend you didnt read what they posted (below) and keep focussing on the financially irresponsible OP and/or keep writing nonsense on NL that you cant live well off with 230K monthly anywhere in Nigeria:

MrAmbrose:
You honestly don't know how to manage, can you pls, find me that job too, I earn 120k monthly with my wife and kids.Kindly reach out to me I'll teach you how to manage.

gonkin:
Let's swap. My own wen useless people sidon press to 97k I still dey manage. I have a car too
So let's swap I'll show u how to manage

Powersurge:
I am currently earning 300k net (360k with pension). I stay in a face2face. I will be moving to a 350k per annum house by December.

valentineuwakwe:
Na you be your own problem...how can a single guy like you on this salary be complaining of not meeting up? There are people with mere 100k monthly even with family doing managing and doing well, e come be you ......

yahoodetector:
If I was earning 400k a month, I will never complain. You said you aren't married and don't have kids yet some people are earning 85k a month with a wife and 2 children and are still doing fine.

Steveoo042:
Hola me let me help you reduce your budget. I earn 300k and I save 100k per month.

LandMann:
My advice is that you should go and look for an apartment that is not more than 250-400k per year...even if it's far from your office...

Wodu89:
I make between 400 and 900k per month. My housing cost is just 130k per annum. Use your sense

crows2ravens:
Most people in Lagos earn between 80-150k.
200-300k is lucky. Anything above 300k God has really blessed you!
You need to give yourself brain reset. Because even if you earn 800k today, it won't be enough cos you would be paying 3m for rent.

LandMann:
Some people earn 45k monthly and they still survive...

highoctane:
Are you aware Teachers been paid 60k per month care for their children, pay school fees, pay rent , and you are here babbling about.Your living a life that is not yours.

Bakrabas:
I earn very very very far below your monthly salary but Alhamdulillah you'll think I earn millions in a month. Sometimes, life doesn't depend on the gigantic figure you earn in a month if you don't apply sense someone earning 45k will be far better than someone earning 450k. I've seen people with low income yet they're landlord. There are lot of liabilities on the items listed by the OP
Identify those liabilities cut them off and move one

Blue86:
Where are you living? I mean which part of the city in Nigeria?Look your expenses should not be above 300k per month.Reduce all those unnecessary expenses...That's why I asked where you stay.There is a lot you can cut off from your expenses.But where do you live and first?

PHIPEX:
If some families live on 200k monthly expenses, why wouldn't he save the remaining 200k and build? Are you saying families can't live on 200k? If this guy reduces his fuelling alone, do you know how much he will save from fuel alone?

Ofemmanu1:
Meanwhile, I'm surviving well in Dangote @Kogi state on a 100k salary tho, if I see that 400k/mnt?! mehnnnn. Meanwhile, ive got a wifey, kid, Honda DC, also flex.Lastly, Lagos hard sha.

AND THESE ARE PEOPLE LIVING IN LAGOS, so imagine the same scenario in a city like Enugu/Kano?!?!?...
BTW to put this into context: i said that earning 230k anywhere in Nigeria (like Enugu/Kano for example), you can easily get a 2bedroom apt for 250K yearly (which is 20K monthly), you can easily get a private maid/cleaner/cook for 30/40k monthly, you can easily get a private driver for 30K, and live well off with a family of 4..... to which Industrialfan said it was "impossible in Nigeria".

Essenza01:
I really don't know anymore, i just did my budget for the month and i am scared, i have cut from everywhere possible and i fear for my self.. i dont have a GF, Wife, Children.. my salary is N400,000 and i have added side businesses and one or two's to even survive.. but with this fuel increase, what else is left... zero savings..

- Rent - N108,333/mth (1,300,000/12)
- Fuel for car - N180,000 (36k for 5-6days)
- Auto maintenance - N30,000/mth (service/repair)
- Fuel for generator - N50,000/mth (20ltr/wk)
- Feeding - N62,000 - (N2,000/day)
- Health miscellenous - N5,000/mth
- Dstv - N4,500/mth
- Data - N7,000/mth
- Recharge card - N3,000/mth
- Dry cleaner - N4,000/mth (Starch/iron)
- Hygiene maintenance - N10,000 (body spray/perfume, roll on, soap, cream) etc..
-  Gift to people - N10,000/mth
-  Family House contribution - N20,000/mth
- Eko electric - N10,000/mth
- repairs and maintenance - N12,000/mth
- Clothing, footwear etc - N10,000/mth
- Outings, restaurant, sit outs and provisions - N30,000/mth

Total = N556,500...

My rent is average rent for where i stay, its a two bed flat, i use the other room for home office..

Feeding is N2,000/day.. its not anything out of the ordinary.. tried cooking and spent more with time wasting.

Fuel for car is at the new rate of N500/ltr, my car is a 70ltr car tank..

Auto maintenance is basic brake pads, shocks, service 2mths, tire guage, police pr, tire purchase if any, minor touch ups etc... nothing major.

Fuel for generator is 20ltr/day (2hrs or less daily)

I need help.... how are you people doing it, what am i doing wrong? The rat race is killing me..

Follow the Pareto's 80/20 Rule - Meaning that 20% of the items is responsible for 80% of your spending. Put your focus on those (House Rent & Fuel) if you want to save.

Your budget shouldn't be more than your income

You are nt ready to cut cost. How will you be earning 400,000NGN and pay 1.3M/annum as rent? and you not married, no gf, what are you doing in 2 bed room flat? if your two month salary can't cater for your accommodation, you are not ready yet. As a single man, a room and parlour self contain is okay for you, you can start saving go for get a land instead of pay such huge on rent annually. why will you sub for 7k data and 3k airtime, start using airtel as your line for sub and use bonus given to call. how many time do u stay at home to watch DSTV? let me stop here.