Don't break the Bank: A not-so-perfect financial journey of a Nigerian student.

CHAPTER SIX

The next day at school, Melissa went around school with the glow of 10 supermodels. As she attended all her classes, the thoughts of her night with Raphael brought a broad smile to her face at different intervals. Her heart was joyful, and she felt like she had won a massive giveaway. Nothing could steal her joy, not even the thoughts of her slowly running out of funds again.

      Melissa had spent all the money she made from the jobs she did last month on her mother, she bought a JAMB form for her sister, and the rest she used to take care of some of her needs, Which was why she was grateful Raphael taught her how to budget in a friendly way, she was willing to implement everything he told her about budgeting and learn how to manage her time properly.

"Melissa. Wait, please." A familiar voice called out to Melissa after her last class. It was her course rep, Yusuf. Yusuf had seen Melissa from afar and ran after her. His chubby body ran in heavy steps. The largeness of his bone was an added advantage to him as a leader cause everyone followed his instructions without complaining.

"Afa na? You've not paid for your phl346 textbook. Today is the last day to make payments. Zeenah and Tara both haven't paid too." Melissa gave him a confused stare.

"Mmmm. Yusuf, we already have the textbook; I got mine from a senior colleague."

"Well, Mell, that doesn't count. The lecturer made it compulsory for all of us to buy it from him; he said that any student who cannot pay up their money today would not take his test or exam. He doesn't care if you have one already. That doesn't count."

"Jeez! Why is this lecturer like this self? Last semester, he did the same thing. Does he think we have a special well where we draw money?" she grumbled. "How much is the textbook biko?"

"It's 5k."

"Ah ah. Is the 5k for one abi for two?" Melissa's eyes widened, and her mouth opened in disbelief. Yusuf smirked at her, taking his index finger up to signal that the money was for one textbook.

"I'm not buying," Melissa said hesitantly. "Which kind of unexpected expenses be this, na? So wait! Three of the textbook is 15,000. Haba! This man wants to use us and cash out."

"Yeah, you know this has been his pattern, na. I'm taking all the money and list to his office soon."

"Okay, it's fine. Will you accept a transfer? Cause I don't have enough cash on me. I want to pay for the three textbooks."

"Sure, it's okay. Here are my details."

That afternoon in the apartment, Melissa and her friends worked on the budget sheet. They mapped out workable strategies to use in increasing their earning capacity. Melissa's bank account was now down to 2000 after paying for the textbooks. The only money she had was 10,000 Naira, and she locked in her piggyvest account.

"Welcome to the crazy financial world of a student. One day you have money, and the next, you don't." Melissa scowled. She took her wig off in anger; the heat from it made the cornrow she had on itchy. And it made her uncomfortable. Melissa shook her head as she stared at her bank balance again. "I've gone to use the savings that I'll use to save my life to buy a textbook that I won't read."

"This budget list looks great," Zeenah said

"Yeah, it does. But guys, we need to create room for an emergency fund in this budget. We can use the emergency money to take care of unexpected bills easily without going broke. What do you guys think?" Tara asked.

      "That makes sense. I can include it now," Melissa said.

      "Emergency find ke. What does it mean? And how do you girls know what it's about? Abeg, school me," Zeenah said.