Hello my lovely and wonderful readers.☺ How's everything going? Me, I'm just trying to live life one day at a time because there's really no use stressing over stuff you can't control. The increase in the fuel price over here in Nigeria is so saddening. I was a bit down yesterday that I just hit the sheets immediately I got back home from work.😪The price of everything (I mean EVERYTHING) has skyrocketed and I'm just here wondering "where is the love?" *sigh*😩😞 Enough about Nigeria. Let's talk about something more fun.😁

What I'm writing about today is something that most ladies must have experienced at one time or the other. So here goes my experience.

On my way back from work some weeks ago, I was in a bus with my ears plugged as usual, looking out the window like I was in a music video and then it was time to pay my fare. I unplugged one ear so I could talk with the bus conductor. The fare to my destination is usually 50 naira so I gave him a 100 naira note and was expecting to collect 50 naira change. The next thing I knew, dude was handing me 30 naira as change. This was the conversation that ensued;
Me; 30 naira? How na? Abeg gimme my complete change.

Conductor; Haba! Fine sister. As you fine like this you no fit leave 20 naira for me?

Me; Oh! So because I fine I dey pluck money from tree abi?

Conductor; Ah, you no suppose to dey price(bargain) anything as you dey like this. You suppose dash me all the 50 naira sef. I know say money full your hand remain.

Me; Amen. Money full my hand but I need my complete change. Thank you ehn. No vex.

Conductor; Fine sister, you no suppose to dey do alaroro(stingy) oh! Oya take.(he hands me a 20 naira note to complete the 50 naira change)

I would have left the change for him if I was so buoyant. But I was on a strict budget and why couldn't he even tell me not to pay since I'm a "fine sister". It was funny and at the same time opened my mind to a lot of issues. So if I had left my change for the conductor, would it have made me more pretty or what? There's a common perception that "pretty" ladies aren't supposed to manage money, that for some reason, we ALWAYS have excess cash to throw around. When we go to the open market to purchase foodstuff or clothing items we're just meant to pay whatever we're told and walk away. Like I'm not supposed to bargain just because I'm pretty? Interesting!



This awkward mentality has somehow been absorbed in the minds of some ladies that because they're pretty, it's therefore not attractive to bargain when they want to make purchases. Please, if you fall in this group, kindly erase that mindset.

If you work hard to make money and you understand how difficult it could be to make a living, you'll be mindful of every penny you spend. Even if you still get stipends from your parents, it doesn't mean you should spend recklessly. Don't be deceived that because you're pretty, you're supposed to spend without thinking. There's nothing wrong with giving occasional tips but then, that shouldn't stop you from getting good value for your money.

There's a difference between being cheap and being reasonable with your money. There's nothing like a good bargain. It's your money and without it, the trader won't be in business.

So the next time you want to make a purchase, "fine sister", bargain well. You're pretty and you work hard for your money. Don't let these cunning traders try to rip you off and tag you an alaroro(stingy person). You still remain pretty regardless.😜

If you've had similar experiences like mine, please feel free to share in the comment section below. 😉

Until my next post, stay well and blessed.
xo, Evita.