A couple of years ago, on a late Monday afternoon, I was so tired and all I wanted was a hot shower followed by a good movie. So, I decided to go home a bit earlier than usual. I took to the steering wheel heading home. But I should have guessed better, there was no…
Thomas Chataghalala Munthali, PhD
How to earn more: 5 ways to get started
The golden principle for a happy financial life has always remained unchanged for centuries: spend less than you earn and then all peace of mind shall be added unto you. Sounds so simple and yet requires a lot of discipline. The bottom line is that you can do it, but you have to make that…
A tribute to my Mother: ‘Chimbala’
If there is ever one article that has attracted the most feedback in all my column’s life, then Chimbala which came out end of September 2010 tops the list. I am yet to find out why but it keeps on attracting so much ‘core’ calls. This time I reproduce the article dedicating it to my…
Facing your finance fears
Even though I write a lot about personal finance here and elsewhere, I still have a lot of fears about personal finance. I think this is actually a pretty normal thing for most people. We all have areas where we’re less than confident and we all have areas that concern us about the future. Fortunately…
On your marks, get ready, go!
The hardest part about changing your spending habits is simply getting started. You see, it’s interesting to observe how one lives a frugal life when they don’t have much money but somehow all the spending gates open when you get your salary or any windfall money. One lesson is that you can live a happy…
The root of many relationship evils: Finances
In many of the speaking engagements I have had with organisations or during wedding send-offs, one of the most common themes I get requested to talk on is the financial roles that exist in relationships. There are a few key elements that really form a strong foundation of how people in relationships should think about…
How to take advantage of short-term opportunities
Not long ago, something happened that made me write today. Some expatriate was going back to their country and was selling their irrigation pump at a very give away price. Unfortunately, I had all my money locked-up in assets that could not immediately be sold off (illiquid assets). I had lost out on this great…
The day I spent my maid’s wage
Not long ago, I went out with my two boys for a month-end treat. The boys love pizza so much. But being the economist that I am, I decided I would only buy pizza once a fortnight or once a month depending on how they behave. Luckily, my wife has now found a pizza recipe…
The root of many relationship evils: Finances
In many of the speaking engagements I have had with organisations or during wedding send-offs, one of the most common themes I get requested to talk on is the financial roles that exist in relationships. There are a few key elements that really form a strong foundation of how people in relationships should think about…
Some Secrets of Money and Life Success
Here are some little thoughts and things that have improved my finances, improved my career, and made my life better over the past years. Read and apply – you will never regret: Stuff you are not using at your office or home is money that is not invested. Children are expensive, but they save money,…
The fate of dying without leaving will
I do not have to remind you of my female neighbour whose husband died without leaving a will. It was embarrassing, to say the least, seeing her and the young children being thrown out of the house. She had to pay a lawyer to represent her and get the house back. This could have been…
Weddings: a pressure or pleasure?
Coming from Salima the other week in 2010, one female colleague made my day. She would normally sleep every time you have her in the car. Nothing like sleeping sickness but I presume it borders on working hard during the day serving mother Malawi. But somehow she was awake the whole one and half hour…
A few pieces of advice to the youth
One challenge the youth face today is that they hardly know how to direct their energy towards areas that will help them build a prosperous life later. Often times than note, the youth are left in tears when they look back and realise how much time they have wasted over the years. Unfortunately, time is…
It’s not all about money, dad
It’s Seven O’clock in the morning and I am driving my seven-year-old son to school. As usual, we are having general conversations. But this time, I just wish to get an affirmation of what my son really wants to be when he grows up. He has told me before that he would want to be a doctor…
The golden rule: spend less than you earn
It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Yet, there are many of us burying ourselves in debt (spending more we earn) or living purely paycheck to paycheck (spending all that than we earn). Simply spending less than you earn has a cascade of positive effects. First, if you are coming from an indebted background, you begin…