I have no idea how much I spend on subscriptions
🟣 Ochuko Akpovbovbo, 25, Nigerian living in Germany.
Just 17% of us are very comfortable discussing money with friends.
37% are not comfortable.
12% would never discuss the subject.
And nearly a third of us (27%) feel awkward talking about money with close family members.
It sucks because when we open up about money, we have a better chance of improving our financial literacy and making financial decisions that are right for us.
Now, if this angle doesn’t resonate with you, maybe this will:
Talking about money also boosts our psychological and physical health. It leads to happier relationships, partnerships, and marriages. It helps build solidarity, expose inequality, and challenge outdated and patriarchal systems.
No. Talking about money doesn’t have to be about promoting a life led by status symbols, bragging, or competing with others.
It can be about improving our lives and connections.
This week, I’m bringing some money talks to your inbox with an interview featuring
—a talented writer who’s not afraid to open the books on her money behavior and philosophy.At the end of the session, don’t miss my reading suggestions in response to her answers—your Money Feelings Reading List for the next two weeks.
AGE: 25
FROM: Nigeria, living in Germany
ASTRO: Aquarius
LOVES: I love books and all things related. I loved reading, writing, listening to podcasts about books, reading essays about books. I love bookstagram. Book dates. Book buddies. It's a lifestyle. I also love writing about business, culture, trends and the ways they all intersect, which is what my newsletter is about!
JOB(S)/PROJECT(S): I work full time at Adidas and nearly full time writing my newsletter, as seen on:
MISSIONS: Wow, this is a big one! I don't think I know yet, and I'm very comfortable with that. I enjoy my day job, but I can't say I’m very passionate about it. What I am passionate about right now is storytelling and making sense of culture. The desire to tell stories that matter has always been very important to me, and I expect this to take many forms throughout my life. Perhaps that’s my mission.
SURPRISE(S):
Okay, this is more of a list of really obvious things I can't do that always surprise people: swim, ride a bike, drive a car, or whistle. How I've gone through life without figuring this stuff out is a marvel to me.
🟣 If you could have swapped one high school subject for a money management course, which class would you have ditched?Life Sciences. I can't remember anything I learned.
🟣 Which one of your money habits do you suspect annoys your partner/family/friends?I'm not a spender, but I'm also not a planner. Theoretically, I know everything I should be doing, but I just don't do any of it. I get anxious about not doing it but equally anxious about the prospect of starting that journey. My wilful ignorance definitely bothers my partner, I'd say.
🟣 Does your spending style resemble your parents, or did you rebel?Not at all. My parents were incredibly frugal and while I enjoyed some of the benefits of this, there's also a lot of moments my siblings and I missed out on. I try to have an abundance mindset about my finances and I think it's working so far!
🟣 When was the last time money stress had you wanting to scream into a pillow?Haha currently ongoing. I'm very calm under stress through so not screaming but I'll randomly shed a single tear and journal if something really triggers me - usually something I see on social media.
🟣 If you could time-travel and stop one money-related mistake, what would it be?I'd buy only maybe 10% of the clothes I bought my first year out of college. I spent so much money on stuff I barely wear now. Massive regret.
🟣 Would you rather stick to a strict budget or wear wet socks all day?Strict budget. I think if I set my mind to it, I'd actually be able to make this work.
🟣 If your bank account could talk, what would it reveal is your greatest extravagance?Books and subscriptions. I have no idea how much I spend on subscriptions, but I know it’s A LOT!
🟣 Do you know how much your friends make in real figures?Pretty much, yes. My closest friends and I are pretty open about what we make, particularly since we're all just kind of starting out.
💜 Thank you for sharing with us, Ochuko.
And kudos to you for dedicating these past few minutes to your financial self!
It might not seem like much, but exploring others’ money habits, mindsets, and philosophies is a great step toward making financial conversations a regular, comfortable part of your life.
If you’d like to dedicate more time to your financial well-being before our next session, here are some great resources inspired by Ochuko’s interview.
🟣 If you’re wondering what an “abundance mindset” or money mindset is, what yours might be, whether you need to change it, and how to do so:
You don’t have to change your money mindset if you don’t want to, by
for .🟣 For subscription lovers: How subscriptions can impact your finances and cool tools to determine if you’re experiencing subscription overload:
Subscription Overload: Are You Making This Common Budgeting Mistake?, by Robert Farrington for Forbes.
🟣 If you’re usually a bit wary of talking money with your friends, this trend might help you open up:
Loud Budgeting' Is Going Viral On TikTok — And For Good Reason, by Caroline Bologna for The Huffpost.
🟣 Want to get started with budgeting? Here’s a good rule to begin without too much stress:
How to Budget with the 50/30/20 Rule, by
.🟣 Journaling has enormous benefits for managing your finances, too! Here’s a brilliant newsletter to help you get started with this practice:
Journaling as a tool for self-expansion, by
for .In our next session, we’re wrapping up our Future Self topic with a bang!
Get ready for fireworks of inspiring vision boards, money confessions, and reflections on the future from female creatives I admire.
Pauline 💜
loved to read Ochuko's money feelings :) <3
this was so fun. thanks for having me :)