This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
Surprising Money Lessons from Covid-19 ¶
As the world grapples with the ongoing pandemic, many Kenyans are re-evaluating their financial habits and priorities. In a recent interview, several individuals shared surprising lessons they've learned from the crisis.
Neema Kamau, an entrepreneur and founder of Elimubox, a children's story book business, has had to rethink her business model due to the pandemic. She now focuses on online sales and has become more intentional in her parenting, teaching her children the value of giving and sharing.
Neema's biggest lesson from the pandemic is to simplify her life. 'I've had to be more conscious of how and what I'm spending my money on,' she says. 'I look out for supermarket bargains, and I'm now part of a group that buys fresh produce directly from small-scale farmers.'
Another individual, Jennifer Pariken, a Human Resources expert, has learned the value of savings and investments. 'I now know that I will have to put a bigger emphasis on savings and financial independence,' she says. 'I read somewhere that how you are during this pandemic is exactly how your retirement will be – if you are broke, lonely and idle, that's your future.'
Financial Adviser Noah Meely agrees that the pandemic has caused Kenyans to reflect on their financial habits and practices. 'If there's one thing that all Kenyans have learnt, it's the value of having savings,' he says. 'Everyone can and should save, whether you have Sh10,000 or Sh100,000.'
As the pandemic continues to shape our lives, it's clear that there are valuable lessons to be learned from this crisis. By re-evaluating our financial habits and priorities, we can build a more resilient future for ourselves and our families.
