Making cents!

On one Monday years ago, it was 2010 if I remember correctly. We had just finished our class and my friend and I were about to walk to the busy part of Johannesburg CBD to catch our different taxis; but on this particular Monday afternoon I told them to leave me behind, that I had something to do before going home.

I think maybe they found it weird because we almost always waited for each other.

I was going to the bank and try my luck on getting another loan and was both embarrassed about it and wasn’t in the mood for the advice they would give because I was tired of hearing the same things from five million different people.

It was the first year of my divorce and I was sinking in debt. On this particular day I needed money to see me through the month. I didn’t have any money left in my account after the debit orders had taken what was theirs.

I sat quietly, until they called out my number on the queue. The unfortunate news were delivered; I wasn’t getting another loan. I wept. Right there in the bank, I wept. All my attempts of surviving were used up. Not only did I not have money to see me through the rest of the month, but I didn’t have enough money to get home and my friends had already left the college building and were probably halfway home. One bank administrator came and comforted me. He told me things were going to get better.

I become reserved when I am overwhelmed. My mental strength is my greatest weapon. So I protect it by completely shutting down. Those who’ve seen me during any chaotic episode in my life, could attest to this.

I was tired of being told things will get better. There were certain things I didn’t want to hear, because they would have interfered with my strategy. As chaotic as things were – I still believed I could come up with another plan to get me out of this. I soon learned that it was now a game of survival. The things I used to think I’d never do – became the things that would give me just enough hope to stay afloat.

A few days later, I went to a mashonisa (loan shark) with a friend. Gosh, it was such a dark cloud. The aura about that lady and her house was just dark and almost choking. I told her how much I needed, she took my ID book, along with my bank card. It felt like I have surrendered and drawn into the sinkhole of poverty.

Almost a decade later, I can tell you I made it through. I can’t tell you how what changed, because I woke up one morning and it had become my history. It is important that I mention that my financial troubles ended long before my second marriage, I wouldn't want to come across as a gold digger. Today, with my widowhood status, my greatest achievement is living within my means. I skip nail appointments, no wait, make that no nail appointment since 2019 begun. My hair cut costs only R17.00. Yes, seventeen South African Rands. I wear wigs, that I only wash and condition regularly in order to maintain their quality. I buy clothes on sale, because that allows my money to go further.

Trust me, I  miss my late husband’s doctor’s salary, but having had no choice but to start all over again; the financial mess that was caused by my first marriage afforded me some really great financial education and that is why today I am financially anxiety free.

I hope this has been an encouragement to you.