Author of ‘Practical steps to financial independence’ and personal finance coach, 
Usiere Uko, writes on how to cut down on spending
I have observed that there seems to be fewer Range Rovers on the 
roads compared to months ago. I thought I was the only one that noticed 
this until I came across an article in the Vanguard of May 31, 2016 with
 the title ‘Fuel price: Are SUVs disappearing from the roads?’ Some
 days ago, I also came across an article in The PUNCH of May 21, 
2016 with the title, ‘Fuel price hike: Nigerians dump personal cars 
for public transport, car-sharing, bicycles’. It is gradually beginning
to dawn on some of us that our current lifestyles are not sustainable.
 The façade of affluence is not backed up by requisite cash flow. 
In dollar terms, Nigeria is a poor country.
We have lied to ourselves for a long time that we are a rich country. 
We have been bamboozled by the image of affluence that is not 
backed by sound fundamentals. You can be ‘asset’ rich but cash poor. 
You can drive a Range Rover with less than one thousand naira in
 your pocket and ten thousand naira in the bank. If your cash flow
 cannot support your lifestyle, it is time to downsize. Nigeria is rich 
in human and natural resources, no doubt, but that has yet to reflect 
in actual cash flow. In terms of income, many multinationals earn more
 than Nigeria.
Short men casting long shadows
Before the economic crunch of 2007/2008, 
a lot of interesting things were going on. 
The bulls were on rampage, every stock 
suddenly became a good buy (a financial 
expert actually advised clients to put money
 on any banking or insurance stock). Due diligence went out through the window as 
everyone became an expert on the stock market overnight, PE ratios shot through 
the roof and folks were borrowing from banks to invest. The handwriting was on the 
wall for those who could read. According to a saying, ‘when short men cast long shadows, the sun is about to set’. It was an accident waiting to happen.
You see short men casting long shadows when the tenant looks more affluent
 than the landlord, when non-producers consume more than producers, when the 
tail wags the dog. Anything that is not sustainable always gives way. It is simply a matter of time.
Over the years, an SUV has become a ‘must have’ for the average Nigerian family 
despite the high maintenance cost (like changing tyres, shock absorbers etc). A friend 
once told me years ago that the smallest ‘pointer’ in a Range Rover costs N70, 000, 
hence he is always very careful when driving. That was when the naira to dollar was 
N155. My electrician once announced to me gleefully that he was expecting the delivery
of his Lexus SUV after finishing a job. When I did not respond, he asked if I was not going
 to congratulate him. I told him frankly that I would rather extend my sincere condolences 
because the cost of maintaining an SUV could swallow him alive.
Acquiring a liability is one thing, being able to maintain it is another ball game entirely. 
By the time I spelt out to him what it would take to maintain an SUV, he became sober. 
He confessed that his wife pointed it out too, and that he had to scrape together money 
to make up the transport fare to respond to my call.
There are families living from hand to mouth, praying to God for a car. They diligently
 gather their life savings to buy a second-hand car of questionable maintenance history, 
hence beginning a long love affair with their mechanic. It hardly crosses the mind that they
 cannot afford a car. As long as the neighbour has one, it is shameful being given a lift or 
waiting at the bus stop for public transport.
Our excesses are well documented online, so there is no point going over them. What has 
happened has happened. The question is, where do we go from here?
Stop lying to yourself. Get real
  One of my lecturers in my final year at the university told us something I will never forget
 – you can allow others to deceive you, but never deceive yourself.
It is good to dream, but once in a while, carry out a reality check.
For questions, comments or enquiries you can 
contact me atusiere@gmail.com,www.financialfreedominspiration.com. Follow me on
 twitter @usiere, 08106788187 text only, BBM C002B2697
SOURCE : PUNCH