Olaleye Akintemi - OA

15/09/2026

THE SALE IS NOT THE PROFIT

A business can be busy every day and still be quietly losing money. Before celebrating high sales, ask one important question: “How much is left after serving the customer?”

Imagine Ada sells lunch packs to workers in her area. She sells each pack for ₦3,000. At first, it looks like a good deal. But when she calculates properly, she spends ₦1,500 on ingredients, ₦300 on packaging, ₦400 on delivery and ₦200 on data, gas and other small expenses.

Her total cost is ₦2,400 per pack. That leaves only ₦600 before considering her time, equipment repairs, unexpected waste or money borrowed to run the business.

If she sells 100 packs, her sales revenue is ₦300,000. However, her gross contribution from those sales is only ₦60,000 before other business expenses. If she spends ₦70,000 on rent, staff support and other overheads, she has made a loss despite collecting ₦300,000 from customers.

This is why every small business owner should know the cost of delivering one product or service. Do not price based only on what competitors charge or what customers say is affordable.

Write down:

1. The direct cost of producing or delivering the item.
2. Packaging, transport, payment charges and wastage.
3. Monthly expenses that support the business.
4. The amount you need to keep as profit.

Then review your price regularly. Costs can change, and a price that was profitable six months ago may no longer be enough today.

Your business does not become successful simply because money enters your account. It becomes stronger when the money left after all reasonable costs is positive and properly recorded.

For your business, what is the biggest pricing challenge?

A. Knowing the true cost
B. Charging customers more
C. Controlling expenses
D. Tracking sales and profit

Share your answer and explain your experience.

Get Smart With Your Money (GSWYM)

15/09/2026

UNDERPRICING CAN KEEP YOUR BUSINESS BUSY AND BROKE

A business can have customers every day and still struggle to pay rent, restock, or pay the owner. The problem may not be a lack of sales. It may be that the price is too low.

Many small business owners set prices by looking at what competitors charge. But your costs may be different from theirs. You may have higher transport expenses, rent, electricity costs, packaging costs, staff wages, or loan repayments.

Before setting your price, calculate the full cost of delivering your product or service.

For example, imagine you sell homemade snacks. To produce one batch, you spend:

Ingredients: ₦18,000
Packaging: ₦4,000
Transport and delivery: ₦3,000
Gas and other expenses: ₦2,000

Your total cost is ₦27,000.

If the batch produces 100 packs, your cost is ₦270 per pack. Selling each pack for ₦300 gives you only ₦30 per pack before considering your time, unexpected expenses, damaged items, or unsold stock.

That is not necessarily a sustainable profit.

A better approach is to know three figures:

Your total cost
The minimum price that covers your cost
The price that gives you a reasonable profit

Also review your prices when costs change. A price that worked six months ago may no longer work today.

This does not mean increasing prices carelessly. Explain changes honestly, improve your value where possible, and monitor what customers are willing to pay. You can also offer different sizes or packages so customers have choices.

The key lesson is simple: sales are not the same as profit. Track the money that comes in, the money that goes out, and what remains.

If you run a business, what is your biggest pricing challenge?

A. Knowing my total costs
B. Charging customers more
C. Managing competition
D. Calculating profit
E. Getting enough customers

Choose one and explain your experience in the comments.

Get Smart With Your Money (GSWYM)

14/09/2026

THE 24-HOUR RULE THAT PROTECTS YOUR MONEY

Many money problems do not begin with a large purchase. They begin with a small emotional decision repeated several times.

You see a shoe online, a new gadget, or a food delivery offer. It looks affordable, so you pay immediately. Later, you realise that several “small” purchases have consumed money meant for transport, savings, or an important bill.

A simple way to build financial discipline is to create a 24-hour pause for non-essential spending.

Whenever you want to buy something that was not already in your budget, wait for one full day before paying. Do not add it to your cart and keep checking it every few minutes. Write down the item, its price, and why you want it.

After 24 hours, ask yourself:

1. Do I need this now?
2. Was it part of my plan?
3. What financial goal will this purchase delay?
4. Would I still buy it if there were no discount or social-media pressure?
5. Can I pay for it without borrowing or neglecting a responsibility?

For example, if you earn ₦250,000 monthly and suddenly want to spend ₦35,000 on something unplanned, the pause gives you time to consider the trade-off. That money could support your emergency fund, contribute to an investment, or cover part of an upcoming expense.

The goal is not to deny yourself every pleasure. It is to ensure that your money follows your priorities instead of your mood.

You can even create a separate “enjoyment” amount in your monthly budget. Spend it freely within the limit, but use the 24-hour rule for anything outside it.

Try this rule for the next seven days. Which purchase might you have avoided if you had waited?

Share your answer: what triggers your impulse spending most—sales, social media, stress, convenience, or pressure from others? Explain how you plan to manage it.

Get Smart With Your Money (GSWYM)

14/09/2026

14/09/2026

Five Page Summary of the PROSPECTUS: https://t.me/themartinvestors/5365
Read the Full Prospectus Here: https://t.me/themartinvestors/5365

14/09/2026

MAKE YOUR MONEY DECISIONS BEFORE YOUR EMOTIONS ARRIVE

Many people do not have a saving problem. They have a timing problem.

When money enters your account, excitement, family requests, online shopping, food orders, transport costs, and unexpected expenses can quickly compete for it. By the end of the month, saving becomes whatever is left.

The problem is that there may be nothing left.

A powerful money habit is to decide what happens to your income before you receive it. This is sometimes called “paying yourself first,” but the idea is simple: move a planned amount towards your future before your spending begins.

For example, if you earn ₦250,000 monthly, you could decide that ₦25,000 will go towards your emergency fund, investment account, or another clearly defined financial goal. The amount does not have to be perfect. It has to be realistic and consistent.

You can set a standing transfer for the day your salary arrives. If your income is irregular, such as from business or freelance work, you can transfer a fixed percentage every time money comes in.

The important lesson is this: do not depend only on willpower. Willpower is usually weakest when you are tired, under pressure, or surrounded by attractive things to buy. A system can protect your goals when your emotions change.

Also, do not save blindly. Give every naira a purpose. Emergency savings are for emergencies. Money needed soon should not be placed in risky investments. Long-term money can be planned differently.

Today, review your income and choose one amount or percentage to separate immediately whenever money enters your account.

What would be easier for you to maintain?

A. A fixed monthly amount
B. A percentage of every income
C. A combination of both

Explain your choice and the financial goal you are working towards.

Get Smart With Your Money (GSWYM)

14/09/2026

Invest Smartly and Wisely

14/09/2026

Do you have a truly diversified investment portfolio?
Come here to learn: https://t.me/themartinvestors

13/09/2026

THE 20-MINUTE SUNDAY MONEY REVIEW

A new week can bring fresh expenses, but you do not have to enter it financially blind.

Before Monday arrives, spend 20 minutes reviewing where your money currently stands. This simple habit can help you make better decisions with the income you already have.

Write down four figures:

1. Money available now

Check your bank accounts, cash, and any money you expect to receive soon. Do not count uncertain income as if it has already arrived.

2. Essential expenses for the week

List transport, food, school needs, airtime, medication, debt payments, and other important commitments. If you normally spend ₦25,000 on weekly essentials, prepare for that amount before planning anything else.

3. Unnecessary spending from last week

Look honestly at purchases that were not planned. It could be extra food deliveries, impulse shopping, frequent transfers to friends, or subscriptions you barely use.

The goal is not to feel guilty. The goal is to identify a pattern.

4. One financial action for the coming week

Choose only one clear action. For example:

• Save ₦5,000 before spending
• Reduce eating out from three times to once
• Follow up on money someone owes you
• Record every business sale and expense
• Review your investment contributions
• Cancel an unused subscription

A financial review is not a punishment. It is a way of giving your money direction.

For example, if you discover that small daily spending took ₦12,000 from your income last week, you can decide whether those purchases truly supported your priorities. If not, redirecting even part of that amount towards emergency savings or a planned goal can make a difference over time.

This evening, ask yourself: What did my money do last week, and what should it do better next week?

Which one action will you take before Monday: A. Track spending, B. Save first, C. Cut an expense, or D. Review a financial goal? Explain your choice.

Get Smart With Your Money (GSWYM)

13/09/2026

YOUR SUNDAY MONEY RESET

A new week can quietly become another week of financial stress if you do not decide where your money should go before Monday arrives.

Take 20 minutes today for a simple weekly money review. You do not need a spreadsheet or complicated financial app. A notebook and your bank alerts are enough.

Start by answering three questions:

1. What did I spend money on this past week?

Check your transfers, card payments, cash withdrawals, and subscriptions. Separate essential spending, such as food and transport, from avoidable spending, such as impulse purchases or repeated small orders.

2. What financial progress did I make?

Did you save anything? Pay part of a debt? Add money to an investment? Follow up on a customer? Keep a business record? Small progress is still progress, but you need to notice it.

3. What is my money plan for the coming week?

If you expect to receive ₦80,000, decide in advance how much will go towards essentials, savings, debt repayment, investment, and personal spending. For example, you might set aside ₦8,000 for savings before making unnecessary purchases.

Also write down one financial action for the week. It could be cancelling an unused subscription, reviewing your pension statement, recording business expenses, or researching an investment option without rushing to buy.

The purpose of this exercise is not to punish yourself for last week’s mistakes. It is to make better decisions with the information you now have.

Money becomes easier to manage when you give it direction before it disappears.

What is the one financial action you will complete this week?

A. Review my spending
B. Save or invest
C. Reduce a debt
D. Improve my business records
E. Review my retirement plan

Tell us your choice and why.

Get Smart With Your Money (GSWYM)