Tips On How To Spend Your Windfall Income

As individuals, especially workers we sometimes get windfall incomes in forms of bonuses, profit shares, etc. However, a lot of the time the temptation is to spend the money on acquiring a new car, new clothes, shoes, new phones, among other things. While acquiring these things in themselves is not a bad idea, it is wiser to use windfall incomes for things that will have long term positive impart on our lives especially because we do not have a full grabs of what tomorrow will bring.

Windfall Income

For workers just starting off or in mid level careers, it is really important not to squander windfall incomes on non-essentials

Many years ago during the mid 2000s, when banking and telecoms really became big industries in the Nigeria, many banks and telecoms companies paid bonuses and profit shares to their staff on a yearly basis. Most new staff and mid level staff squandered their money on buying cars, renting new apartments in high brow areas and changing their wardrobes almost every 3months. Nite clubs were packed every friday night with each person almost trying to outdo the other in terms money spent.






Today, the story is different. The global economy is almost comatose. Banks are no longer giving huge bonuses, neither are telecoms companies doing any better. The oil industry is in shambles. Every industry is operating lean.

Windfall incomes will not come all the time as the economic realities have now shown us. So if you are fortunate to get a bonus or profit share that amounts to something reasonable, here are a few tips on how to spend wisely:

1) Invest in real estate: As much as this sounds like really over flogged, it is a wise counsel. A businessman once said, "the only Estate that is Real is Real Estate". Take Nigeria for example, real estate is big business. There is a huge demand for rental apartments especially mini flats and 2bedroom flats. There are several real estate companies offering installment payment options for those interested in buying land. You can invest your windfall income in buying a half plot or plot of land. I will advice you buy from a real estate company rather than directly from the community especially if you do not have funds for immediate development.

The simple reason is that the real estate company usually would have sorted out community settlement issues with the land owners and so you can be rest assured that you land is at least secure from land grabbers. Also, by buying from a real estate company, you will benefit from quick capital appreciation of your investment and rapid development of the locations since there will be several people also buying and developing their property in that location. Another advantage of investing in real estate is that after developing the property, you can put it up for rent if you do not wish to reside in that location and use the rental income to pay for your rent in your desired location.

2) Invest in a part-time business: If you already have a business that you can run part- time alongside your full time job, you should invest your windfall income in that business. You can buy the needed equipments or register for a training programme that will increase your expertise in that business area. If you do not already have business idea, you may want to consider doing some research to see what part time business to invest in.

3) Invest in education: You can invest your windfall income in further education that will boost your profile and give you a better chance at a higher paying role in your industry or another industry entirely. You an also invest in the education of your loved ones like your spouse, children or siblings (if you have this responsibility thrust on you)

4) Invest in Marriage: Yes! you read me right.

 This is for those who believe in marriage. If you have a partner and your really desire to spend the rest of your life with the person, then invest your windfall income towards settling down. You can start making down payments for some critical items on your list. Marriage is an investment in your lifetime happiness.

5) Invest in Charitable Activities: Don't spend all your windfall income on yourself. Life is about sharing and putting smiles on the faces of others. You can give a portion of your windfall income to a charitable organization. Depending on your religious leaning, Christians are advised to give a tithe of this to their local churches. However, if you are not a religious person, do well to give to a cause that will help humanity.

If you have any comments or contribution, please do.so.

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