From shouting ‘Owa!‘ that the driver will intentionally ignore, to fighting for your change and experiencing conductor and passenger wahala…
Let’s be honest, if you’ve had a taste of Lagos public transport before, you’ll understand why getting a car in Lagos is a dream come true.
But in this economy? That dream comes with sacrifice, strategy, and a whole lot of starved cravings. Whether you’re working a 9–5 or running a business, saving for a car in Lagos requires discipline and a well-structured monthly budget.
Let’s get right into it.
Know Your Current Financial Situation
Snap out of dreamland and check your account balance. What is it saying? Is it “God Abeg!” or “God Thank you!” Either way, know your financial situation and accept the reality.
Now that you’ve seen your account balance and your mind has calmed down, it’s time to get honest with yourself. How much do you earn? Not counting your sports betting portfolio or the loan some people are promising to “pay back soon o. What’s your estimated fixed monthly income? The entire money you make each month.
Next, know your expenses. Rent, food, data, and the occasional shawarma or suya? Write it all down. Knowing your income and where your money goes helps you build a realistic plan.
Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses
Now that you’ve figured out your expenses, and can map out how money vanishes from your account. It’s time to cut out unnecessary spending and take note of your spending habits. If not, you’ll buy the seats of your dream car first, then buy the tires next, then the steering wheel, until you complete the car. By that time, you might’ve woken up from the dream sha!.
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Starve yourself
This one will touch you, but it must be said. You see that sapa fashioned against you that comes in the name of cravings? Cut it off.
Ordering food, with delivery fees that cost more than the food itself, from Instagram, must stop. Delete your ChowDeck app and start cooking at home. Differentiate between wants and needs. If you don’t need it now, don’t buy it. If you want it, that doesn’t mean you should have it.
Yes! I agree the footwear is fine, and you want it, but what about the other footwears you have in your shoe rack? If you’re saving for Leg-edes Benz, then you can continue buying sneakers or heels, but if you’re saving for Mercedes Benz, then you have to starve yourself (at least for now😏). Remember, it’s your dream car we’re talking about o!.
Budget like crazy
Budgeting is tough work, but it’s not a punishment. It is actually how adults say, “I’m in control of my money.”
Start by writing down everything you earn (income) and everything you spend (expense). No cheating! Even that ₦500 juice you can’t do without. Write it down. Now break your budget into clear categories: bills, food, transportation, enjoyment (cravings, etc), and savings.
Aggressively reduce the enjoyment section and start applying discipline. You can use budgeting apps or just your regular notes app. Don’t guesstimate your expenses. The goal is to track and be accountable. If not, you’ll end each month confused about where your money disappeared to, again.
A great hack is the 50/30/20 rule, where you share your income into three parts: 50% to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. But since you’re saving for a good dream car, you’ll give 50% to savings, 30% to needs, and 20% to cravings or wants. Too much to handle? Well, na you wan buy car.
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Get a Side Hustle and Hustle Hard
If you’re currently not earning enough, and you still want a car in Lagos as soon as possible. You have to hustle extra hard. Best believe Lagos will reward your effort. Put in your blood, sweat, and tears. If you don’t have a skill, dedicate time to learn one. Already have a skill? Market it and always deliver good quality results.
If you are willing to dedicate your time to a skill or business as a side hustle, you don’t need a big brand or fancy office. You just need consistency, social media, and good customer relations.
No matter how small you think it is, it can make you money. Can you write? Design? Bake? Sell? Speak well? Turn that into cash that you make on the side.
Truth be told, side hustles are not easy, especially when you’re doing it with your main job. It comes with late nights, early mornings, and maybe a little sweat and tears in between. But the goal is valid, and your dream car is worth it.
Save and invest
How else will you buy your dream car if you don’t have the money to pay for it?
Saving is cute, but saving and investing at the same time? Now that’s sexy. Open a dedicated savings and investment account or wallet for your car funds, and be strict with yourself in funding the account.
We’re not saying put your entire money in sports betting or one shady Ponzi scheme. No o!. Look into low-risk investment options like mutual funds, fixed deposits, or government bonds.
Reputable Fintech apps like Bamboo and Fusion offer properly regulated investment options, allowing you to invest in Nigerian stocks and US Stocks from Nigeria. This offers you a chance to earn in Dollars while saving your money at the same time.
If you prefer to only save, you can use saving apps like PiggyVest and Cowrywise to lock up your car money savings so you can’t touch it. Until the date you set for it to be open. But remember, instead of making your money work for you through investment, you’re locking it up. Saving alone is slow. Investing helps speed up the process.
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Think Long-Term and Do Your Research
When getting a car in Lagos, you need to do good research. Yes, the car is sleek. It has a nice interior, and the entire design of the car screams classy. Don’t just rely on that as the reason you love the car. Do more research to find out if the car will give you peace of mind or if it’ll make you get a mechanic bestie that you visit every two days.
Think long term, think about insurance costs. Do some research on its spare parts and ask around if it’s something that’s readily accessible in case you need it. Ask trusted sources if it’s a car that performs well on all terrains before you buy a car that fits Lagos island life, but you’re staying on the mainland, with the road to your house not looking good.
Does it consume too much fuel? Is it electric and rechargeable? Use apps like Google and YouTube to research all this and compare with other cars around the price range you have in mind. You can also ask trusted mechanics who have experience with cars.
This will help you make a long-term decision that helps you manage the maintenance costs after buying the car.
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At the end of the day, your dream car won’t appear by magic, unless your uncle is Dangote or Otedola. But with focus, budgeting, and the occasional sacrifice of your cravings, you’ll get there. Keep Investing! Keep saving, keep pushing.
Join us in the Finance 101 community on Fusion to explore more helpful financial tips shared by Nigerians who came, saw, and conquered financially.
