For many of us money remains a taboo where households in the Kingdom endure discomfort at the mention of acquiring it. Long ago parents never disclosed the sources of money so children grew up knowing nothing but parcel being transferred from one place to another.
This book launched by the founder of TKO Consultancy on the past Sunday provides financial wellness programs. The book shares money mistakes and experiences about an ordinary Mosotho young male who spent most of his life in South Africa studying finance and other related topics. It is expected that the book will inspire readers to become intimate with money. For those who have made financial literacy mistakes it is the author’s hope that they will at the end of reading this book forgive themselves for the unintentional mistakes they made about money choices.
In a candid introspect with the bubbly but shy Tokiso Nthebe one can learn of an entrepreneur that saved himself from drowning into debt and financial crisis. In this book, which he dedicates to his late best friend Thakangoaha Thaks Makoa, Tkay declares publicly that his experience with money taught him debt is psychological. It is a habit that can quickly spin out of control if not managed well.
Growing up, he made mistakes unaware where they were leading to! “A rude awakening and grim reality.”
Sharing some of his past experiences with a live audience at the book launch held at Manthabiseng Convention Centre, Tkay reminisces on his hey days when he used to work in a commercial bank and had abundant access to finance. He would blow up the credit from clothing accounts while at the same time flaunt expensive automobiles he acquired through asset finances. One day he woke from the fairy tale, realized he could not afford the lifestyle and the only way out was to escape the ordeal was to introspect! Realizing how deep in the mud his debt was, Tkay sort to a new lifestyle. Being a finance graduate, his only way out was to relive that which the outer world perceived him to be! The guy who could easily manage money and maintain his lifestyle debt free.
Having struggled with the imposter syndrome for some time, Tkay admits he had to work hard. The perception that his family and friends had about him left him exposed since he was having trouble with his finances too. He had to unlearn to be hard on himself and appreciate to have an intimate relationship with money. Moreover he had to be honest enough with money, a lesson he teaches many to have.
Today Tkay strongly believes young people must be taught to save and invest however little the money they have. “Start with as little as M50.00” he says adding instead of buying a bottle of wine one can actually acquire an investment in a company from that minimum. Furthermore consider buying shares of M1000.00 as a more profitable investment than making an instalment for a mere pair of sneakers.
In closing Tkay advises people to save as much as they can despite the hardships they face.
“Start saving at least 20% without fail of your income and never go beyond 30% debt of the same income while 50% must be dedicated to your basic needs. In other instances a guilt free account maybe be set aside to fulfil the luxuries one wishes to enjoy without feeling at fault.”
In this book, Tokiso is excited to unlock the endless possibilities of building wealth in particular with Basotho people so they can achieve financial prosperity.
The book is available in Lesotho, TKO Consultancy and online.