🧠Insightful lessons that hit harder than a bank alert. In times of distress, if your asset can’t save you, it’s just an expensive furniture. Live intentionally. Build quietly. Choose your life. Don’t just finance someone else’s đź§.
I attended the 5th and final Navigating Uncertainty webinar, featuring Irene Karimi and Waithaka Gatumia. They turned tough love into an art form. Here are some golden (and slightly painful) takeaways, with a sprinkle of humour:
🎙️ Irene Karimi – Outgoing USAID Chief of Party gave us the fiscal equivalent of a reality check wrapped in kindness. Her advice? Trade Carrefour Supermarket for your friendly neighbourhood kiosk.
Let go of that “I-deserve-this” vacation. Take the SGR (train) and split an Airbnb with a group on a weekday. Her point: Convenience can be costly — and sometimes, so is our pride.
Her breakdown on managing financial distress was both practical and humbling. If your asset can’t save you when times are tough, it might just be a flosset (shiny liability).
When your wallet starts gasping, she reminded us that asking your financier for help isn’t a failure. It’s strategy. Truth is, you may not be unemployed because you’re not talented. You might be unaffordable at the moment.
🎙️ Waithaka Gatumia – CEO, Centonomy Ltd came in hot with financial truths. The kind of dry humour that makes you laugh… and then immediately cancel three subscriptions.
“I don’t have money” isn’t a shameful confession. It’s a power move. Especially when you realize, the sum of your mobile money transactions fees can pay your monthly rent.
He broke down wealth-building into actionable nuggets. Downgrade without drama. Track your spending. And remember, everyone has a plan for your money (family, taxes, church, Netflix).
So please, pay yourself first. And if you’re wondering whether your car or house is an asset or flosset, ask yourself — does it make you money, or just make you tired? We compared investing in real estate vs government bonds.
đź’ˇ Final thought: In an age of curated lifestyles, Irene and Waithaka reminded us that sometimes the most radical thing you can do is live within your means and build quiet, consistent wealth.
Thanks Florence Randari for facilitating and Joshua Wathanga for hosting us. #RebuildWithResilience, #CreateWealth, #MindsetShift
Joseph Ngaara is inspired by people’s life experiences. Do you have an intriguing life story and need to share your triumph or tragedy? Email: j.mungai@hotmail.co.uk