If you’ve ever lived in Ibadan, you know how money disappears without noise.
Some years ago. I had a decent 9-to-5, lived around Mokola, and felt like I was doing alright. Salary dropped every month, and I’d swear, “This month ehn, I must save.”
But before month-end? My account balance would already be whispering, “Who did we offend?”
I wasn’t a reckless spender, I was just a typical hustler trying to enjoy small life.
A plate of Amala and gbegiri at Skye Bank junction, ₦800.
Micra from Dugbe to Bodija, ₦300.
Okada when NEPA took light and I had to rush to charge my phone at a friend’s shop. ₦100.
Pure water, gala, and small chops in traffic, ₦200 here, ₦500 there.
It all looked harmless.
Until one Sunday night, I checked my balance and realized I had just ₦1,800 left, and payday was still five days away.
That night broke me. But it also woke me up.
The Night That Changed Everything
I sat on my bed with my small phone, opened my bank SMS, and started scrolling.
For 10 minutes, I wrote down everything I spent that day.
No judging. No shame. Just curiosity.
By the end, I saw it clearly, my money wasn’t running away.
I was chasing it away.
So I made a promise: Every night, 10 minutes. Just check where your money went.
What Happened Next Shocked Me
The first week, I noticed patterns I’d never seen:
- I bought data every two days instead of subscribing monthly.
- I paid for two separate DSTV plans I wasn’t even watching.
- I realized I was giving out small “urgent 2ks” that added up to ₦10k monthly.
Two weeks in, I started cutting small things.
By the third month, I had saved ₦45,000, without earning more.
No side hustle. No new job. Just 10 minutes of awareness.
Why This 10-Minute Habit Works
Because it’s not really about money.
It’s about attention.
When you spend just 10 minutes reviewing your day’s expenses, three things happen:
- You see where your emotions control your wallet.
- You start respecting your money, because you see how hard it works.
- You stop spending blindly and start spending intentionally.
It’s like cleaning your room, it looks small, but it gives your mind space to breathe.
The Psychology Behind It
Researchers say our brains don’t feel small losses, that’s why ₦200 here and ₦500 there don’t register.
But when you write it down, your brain processes it as a pattern.
Psychologists call this “financial mindfulness”, the art of being aware enough to stop your own self-sabotage.
You don’t need 1 hour.
You just need 10 honest minutes.
The Ibadan Way of Learning
Ibadan is calm, but don’t be deceived.
Here, money disappears quietly. One plate of amala. One data top-up. One “let me just flex small.”
We learn the hard way that discipline isn’t loud.
It’s hidden in daily habits, like checking your balance before you sleep.
Because if you can’t manage ₦10,000, you won’t manage ₦1 million.
How to Start Tonight
Here’s exactly what I did, and you can do it too:
- Pick Your Time , Before bed. 10 minutes only.
- Write 3 Expenses, Just today’s spending.
- Mark One “Waste”, Be honest with yourself.
- Decide Tomorrow’s Adjustment, Maybe cook instead of eating out. Maybe recharge less.
- Repeat Nightly for 7 Days.
You’ll start noticing leaks, and the leaks will stop noticing you.
What It Taught Me About Money
The truth is, most of us don’t have a money problem, we have a management problem.
Money rewards attention, not emotion.
Now, I still live in Ibadan. But my money life? Different.
I’m no longer scared to check my balance.
I’m proud of what I see.
All from a 10-minute nightly habit.
If you’ve ever said, “I don’t even know where my salary goes,”, you need this habit.
Start tonight.
Just 10 minutes. A pen, paper, and truth.
Because if Ibadan taught me anything, it’s that the people who watch their money grow don’t need to shout , their peace does the talking.
Want more real-life lessons that’ll change your mindset and your money?
Read more powerful stories here: EuniceIrewole.com/blog
