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Don't Go Broke Trying to Look Rich


Around this time August last year, I was in the market for a car. Like many people, I wanted something reliable, decent-looking, and most importantly affordable based on the money I had at hand. As I began sharing my plans, a number of friends started offering unsolicited advice.

“Why not go for something bigger?”
“You should do bank auto-financing!”
“How can you, a Nigerian, not drive a luxury car?”

Yes, these were the actual comments I received. In their eyes, a car wasn't just a means of transportation; it was a status symbol. They couldn’t understand why I would even consider buying a modest vehicle when I could take out a loan to get something more “flashy.”

But I stood my ground. I chose a Renault Captur simple, functional, and within my budget. And when the criticism came pouring in, I calmly responded: “I cut my coat according to my size. Don’t compare me with Nigerians whose source of income you don’t know.”

Some people didn’t get it. To them, life is about appearances especially for social media. They believe success must look loud. But what they often forget is that social media validation doesn’t pay the bills.

Fast forward to now, and reality is starting to hit some of those same people. One friend in particular stands out. Around the same time, I bought my Captur, he went for bank financing and picked up a Chinese luxury SUV. It was all over his social media: selfies with the car, videos, “God did it” captions.

But behind the filters was a heavy financial burden. Less than a year later, he’s in serious financial trouble struggling to keep up with repayments, dealing with stress, and quietly regretting his decision.

There’s a lesson here.

Too often, people make long-term financial decisions based on short-term validation. They want to impress followers, strangers, or even friends just to keep up appearances. But what’s the point of looking rich online while drowning in debt offline?

We need to normalize living within our means.

There’s no shame in driving a modest car, renting a small apartment, or wearing affordable clothes if that’s what your finances allow. You’re not in competition with anyone. And even if you were, you wouldn’t race someone without knowing where their starting line came from.

Many of the so-called “big spenders” you see online are either heavily indebted, living off unsustainable sources, or simply faking it for clout. Chasing their lifestyle is like running towards a mirage you’ll only end up more lost and more broke.

In the end, real wealth is peace of mind. It’s not owing banks, not ducking calls from lenders, and not lying awake wondering how to make the next payment. Real wealth is knowing you made the smart choice, even if it wasn’t the most glamorous one.

So next time you're tempted to make a financial decision just to impress others, ask yourself: Will their likes and comments pay my bills?

Choose peace over pressure. Choose sense over show. Choose freedom over fake validation.

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