By launching into this book, you have invariably signed up for shattered tables. Yes, tables will be shaken and broken as some of the things you have held on to as regards finance will be refined and reshaped.
You’ll be captivated from the very introduction, especially as the major misconceptions on money are logically and practically debunked. I find that these wrong ideas have hindered young individuals from achieving financial success. You might currently hold on to one or two of them and that is not bad, but I implore you to read with open kindness and allow the book to provide clarity and guidance on how to navigate the complex world of personal finance.
The next section of the book dives into the fundamental principles of financial literacy, exploring the essential laws of money that govern accumulation of wealth. By understanding these laws, you will unlock the secrets to attracting and managing wealth effectively.
Furthermore, the book will emphasize the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement in the realm of financial knowledge. You will be encouraged to actively seek out resources, such as books and online platforms, to enhance your understanding of money matters.
Through practical exercises and challenges, readers will be prompted to reflect on their past financial decisions, learn from their mistakes, and develop a strategic plan for future financial growth.
As the journey progresses, readers will be introduced to the concept of building a strong financial foundation through savings, investments, and smart money management practices. By fostering a mindset of discipline, focus, and determination, this book will be empower you to take control of your financial destinies and work towards achieving your long-term wealth goals.
One line that will continually be in your face as your read the book is the fact, _”God does not give anyone wealth, instead he gives the power and ability (skills, talents) to gain wealth.”_ I have learnt that and I keep on learning it.
Regardless of your level in this money matter, the book is for you, as it tackles problems faced by “broke” people, to those with relatively small income, and even those who are making good money but find it hard to manage and multiply it.
I have read many books on money and finance, but with the practicality and simplicity by which the words in this are conveyed, I am convinced it will impact you greatly, more than any other book you might have read.
Let me start with a confession: insurance is one of those topics that can make an otherwise lively Nigerian conversation suddenly become quiet.
Mention investment, and somebody wants to know the return; mention savings and somebody asks which bank or fintech app is paying the best interest; mention real estate and everybody suddenly becomes a property expert. But mention insurance, and you hear: “God forbid”.
Sometimes the conversation ends there.
But here is the problem: saying “God forbid” does not make risk disappear; it only makes us less prepared to deal with it.
I have spent most of my time as a Financial Advisor at Leadway Assurance talking to Nigerians about money, and one thing keeps showing up. Many people are not necessarily against insurance; they do not understand it. Some have had bad experiences; some have met sales representatives who explained products poorly; some have bought policies without understanding what they were buying, and others believe insurance is only useful when someone dies or when a car crashes. This book is an attempt to change that without using complicated insurance language, textbook definitions you forget five minutes after reading them, and definitely not by frightening you into buying a policy.
The goal is much simpler: by the time you finish this book;
“Insurance is not about expecting something bad to happen. It is about refusing to let one bad event destroy everything you have built”.
If you picked up this book because someone told you that you need insurance, forget that advice for a moment. Before I tell you what insurance you need, I want you to understand what you are protecting.
Think about your income, your home, your children, your parents, your business, your investments, your retirement plans, and the life you are spending years building.
Now imagine one unexpected event forcing you to use some or all of the money you have worked so hard to build. That is where insurance enters the conversation, not because we expect the worst or because we want bad things to happen, and definitely not because saying “God forbid” is wrong.
It enters the conversation because financial maturity is not only about asking, “How much can I make?” It is also about asking, “What could threaten what I am building?”
I am not writing this book to make you afraid of life. I am writing it to help you prepare for life.
This textbook is filled with complicated definitions. It is a conversation: a Nigerian conversation about money, responsibility, risk, protection, and the future.
You should finish this book thinking: “Now I finally understand insurance.
This is a beginner’s book. It is written for the young professional, the parent, the entrepreneur, the salary earner, the business owner, the student who is beginning to think about money, and the Nigerian who has always wondered, “What exactly is this insurance thing?” So, let’s talk about it.
From a very tender age, I have always loved to deal with money. Having a father who worked in the banking sector with a mother who owns a fashion and catering brand, one could say the topic Finance wasn’t far from me.
During my days at the University, my interest in Finance grew rapidly, I gained the Identity “Finance person” at home and in school, I even contested (which I won) for the position of Finance Minister of my Hall of residence (Sultan Bello Hall, UI).
Financial analysis (Personal and Corporate finance) became a passion for me , though my course of study wasn’t related to finance. I read finance books, followed FinTech pages, participated and even organized Finance seminars, became an ambassador for Cowrywise, wrote Finance articles for my fellowship in school (The Redeemed Christian Fellowship, University of Ibadan – RCF UI) also for a few magazines such as; The Believers’ Torch.
I enrolled in a finance bootcamp where I learnt how to create presentations with Power point, read and interpret financial statements, I also carried out personal projects such as a financial analysis on the Nigerian Cement Sector (Dangote, Lafarge, BUA), the Telecommunications sector (Airtel, although the one for MTN is still a work in progress), took courses on Financial analysis via a program organized by ALX in conjunction with CFI and I don’t plan on stopping here, as I intend to earn a certification under CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).
Two years later (2022), I met a friend by name Kenneth Grace who is a student ambassador for Money Africa and I mentioned my plans concerning the project to her (Let’s Talk Finance Project, which involved a brand and a book) she screamed and said, ‘Dammy, let’s work on it together’ saying she also had an idea of such but didn’t know how to start.
In the Long-run, I found out that we actually complimented each other in various ways, for instance some of things I lacked in media and publicity, she covered it up. Her being a content creator and quite an outspoken person made it much easier. Thus, a beautiful partnership was began and we started to work on the project, till we later lost track of the vision and left it for a while.
Furthermore, during the lockdown (COVID 19) on the 16th of March 2020 to be precise, I was journaling and reading the book titled; Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins and this project dropped in my heart, Let’s Talk Finance. I wrote it down but began to ask myself so many questions, if I was actually qualified to go ahead with it, I doubted my Knowledge and experience both as a Finance enthusiast and a writer. up.
Towards the end of the year (2020), I gained insight and I compiled all the finance articles, I have been writing and put it into a book. I did this with so much doubt and became so overwhelmed that I abandoned the project after a while.
Meanwhile, towards the end of 2023 around November, a strong reminder came and I went back to get my old notes (which were already dusty). I reminded Grace as well, we prayed about it together and got some directions as to how to go ahead with creating the brand, Let’s Talk Finance but we needed help and with direction. We reached out for volunteers for the launching of the brand and selected a few team members from the over 120 applicants who have been so wonderful – Olasogba Ayomide, Nworie Solomon, Bello Moblaji, Esther Ihue, Onyeka Solomon, Oriloye Leke, Ademide Abigail, Deborah Adenugba, Obiorah Chioma, Olaniyan Seyi, and Sorinola Esther and together we have built and still building the brand – Let’s Talk Finance .
We aim to be the first financial literacy brand for beginners and students.
Be apart of this experience and let’s reap the benefits together.
Thank you.
As one passionate about delivering value and help to people, Grace after serving as a student ambassador for the renowned financial literacy brand Money Africa discovered the need to simplify money matters to people.
She realized that a lot of people leave their finances to chance not just because they don’t care but they are honestly in need of practical steps to get it in order.
This birthed the 30 DAYS SMART MONEY MOVE CHALLENGE, with over 400 participants in 2 years. This challenge was a day by day practical guide to transform your financial life and set you on track. This and much more has been poured onto the pages of this book.
Grace excels as a lifestyle content creator, influencer and event host.
She is also currently pursuing a degree in Dentistry at the esteemed University of Ibadan, Nigeria.