Expecting the email?

Expecting the email?

Have you received the email yet? The one from your child’s school reminding you that you need to pay a certain percentage of the fees on or before the school term resumes. Typically, it is accompanied by account details/bank teller and a comprehensive bill featuring items/activities you are convinced your child does not need but for which you have to pay.

As you go through the list- tuition, books, school uniforms, school bus, lunch, music classes, elocution training, inter house sports, swimming lessons, field trip– your stomach does a flip flop, your countenance changing as you take a mental trip into all your accounts. What miracle will I perform over the next three weeks? You wonder. You remember the client who is yet to pay and wish you had invested the proceeds from that contribution you did two months ago. God help you if you have more than one child or if any of your children is crossing into secondary school or university.

That is scenario one. But there is scenario two.

You receive the email, go through the list, check the final figure, retrieve the bank details and transfer the money to the school’s account without sweating profusely, practicing your addition and subtraction skills or worrying about the deadline and where money will come from. Even when you have more than one child and your children are crossing into secondary school or university, you are not fazed.

No, you don’t necessarily earn more than you did in scenario one, you have simply learnt to plan and save ahead. You started an education plan for your daughter when she was in Primary one. Now that she is crossing into secondary school, you call your account manager at ARM Life, redeem your lump sum. It is enough to take care of her secondary school fees and everything she needs for school. When you buy insurance, you are not paying for risk, you are paying for peace of mind.

So are you a scenario one guy? No problem, now is always the best time to start doing thigs right. Get an education plan today or start a savings plan. As your child grows, the cost of education will likely increase, your reserve should increase as well.

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30 and ready to Will it

30 and ready to Will it

I didn’t think I would come this far so soon. 10 years ago, I was just a starry-eyed girl, fresh from university looking for her place in the world. What is now my chain of stores began like child’s play. My first job was as a front desk executive at a consulting firm. Many of the well paid big girls in the office could not resist complementing my dress sense. They found it amazing that I could pull of magazine cover type of looks on my entry level salary. I knew all the hot spots for good clothes, the will to go the distance, good negotiation skills and an eye for combinations that work well. I soon became a personal shopper for most of the ladies in the office.

When I could no longer cope with the demand, I resigned and faced the business head long. Consulting for corporate fashion became my thing and I was soon a popular name at many organisations. Along the line, I picked up the habit of attaching little favours for my clients, alongside their purchases. It made a massive difference, the referrals poured in and soon, I was ordering fabric from Bangladesh and India, sending original designs to China and shipping in clothes in my label. The first store was a huge success, two stores quickly followed and now I have over 30 stores stocked with unique designs for the corporate woman, bearing my seal.

Of course, making and selling clothes is not all I have done in the past 10 years. I found love along the way and started a family not long after. Seemingly, the only thing not working in life is my relationship with my in-laws. They just cannot stand the sight of me. Traditional in their outlook and set in their ways, they cannot understand a wife that jets all over the world opening stores and gracing runways. They think their banker son deserves to come home to sumptuous food made by his wife every day. They think I am not prioritizing our two kids and that my wanderlust is the reason we do not yet have a son.

If only they knew that the glory days of bankers are over. That their son is not yet highly placed enough to earn the kind of money that can fund our current lifestyle. That the houses and cars are products of my country hopping. That the fat allowance they get every month often comes from me. Already I can hear the whispers, the prodding, he needs to get a younger wife that will stay at home to take care of him and bare him sons. At first, I was certain he would not budge, but his recent incessant complaints about my schedule is betraying the fact that he is beginning to succumb to their prodding. I would not be shocked if I return home one day to meet a yellow sisi in my kitchen, wearing the madam glow and feasting on my hard work. That’s why I could not wait, I had to take steps to secure my children and my assets.

First, I put my children’s education in a Trust, that way they will still get to attend the best schools, regardless of what happens. I am also considering estate planning. It’s time to put my house in order. Not many people think about getting a Will in their 30s but I have to. Given my situation, I can’t take chances, it’s time to Will it. I hope I live a long happy life, but if I don’t or if something happens to my marriage, I want it to be clear who owns what and who gets what. I also want my daughters to know they mean the world to me and they are the reason I work so hard.

I am not leaving this to chance, it’s time to be 100% sure.

Securing your assets for the ones you love is now really easy, sign up on our Easy Will portal to get a secure and valid Will online.

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5 ways to enjoy the Sallah break

5 ways to enjoy the Sallah break

Nothing makes the average Nigerian happier than a weekend that cascades into a 2-day public holiday.

For many, this is the perfect time to catch up on much-needed sleep and do some things they’ve been putting off due to lack of time. Not to talk of the inner satisfaction of not having to wake up early and endure morning rush-hour traffic.

But how do you make the most of the break?

Here are ideas you can use just to make sure you have an amazing 4-day break;

 

Give yourself some love

When was the last time you treated yourself to a good time? Don’t allow work and the need to please everyone else make you forget that even you are human. Smother yourself with some self-love this break. Go get a massage, sleep in, and get the rest that will get you hyper when you resume for work the following week. Your body will thank you for it.

 

Spend time with family

Work and busy schedules rob most of us of the time with family. This is the perfect time to catch up with family. You can either take your family somewhere fun or keep it indoors seeing movies or enjoying the World Cup over some home-made popcorn or barbecue. If you have kids, this time can also help you bond better if you’ve not really spent time with them.

 

Tick off certain tasks

It’s a break but it must not be all fun and games. Now might be appropriate to do a mental check of things you’ve put off for too long – like applying for a course, attending a webinar, rejigging your monthly budget, or setting up a direct debit to your various investment and insurance accounts. Doing all these before the resumption of life’s busyness helps you keep your mental and financial house in order.

 

Get away

Maybe you have friends or family who live in another state or who you haven’t seen in a while, 4 days is ample time to do an interstate travel to visit them or getaway to some cozy place in town to catch up. Not only will they appreciate your effort, your relationship will also be strengthened.

 

Events and more events

Whether it’s a stage play, or comedy show (these events always come up), find one that catches your fancy and relax to the entertainment they offer. You may not have the time for such in the coming weeks, so enjoy it while you can.

 

The idea behind all this is to enjoy yourself for a few days and get back to work fully energized to meet your goals.

Enjoy your break!

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Ask Shade: He Left Everything to His children From a Previous Marriage! How Do I Secure My Child’s Future?

Ask Shade: He Left Everything to His children From a Previous Marriage! How Do I Secure My Child’s Future?

Dear Shade,

I’m in my early 30s engaged to a widower in his 50s. We plan to get married in a few months and I‘m already pregnant. While cleaning his study last week, I stumbled on something that looks like his Will and it seems like he already willed everything to the three children from his previous marriage. Since then I’ve been worried about my unborn children. What would be their fate? What if something suddenly happened to their father, will they have anything from him? How can I be sure what I found is really his valid Will? Since I’m already carrying his child, I am contemplating asking him to write another Will. The document I found dated back to 2009, what of assets he has acquired after he wrote this Will? Please advise me, how can I secure my children’s future?

Fikayo, Lagos

***
Hello Fikayo,

I completely understand and empathize with your situation as it could be quite a challenge bringing up the issue of Wills with your fiancé considering the fact that you are not yet married to him. It is only natural that you are concerned about the security of your children’s future, given the prevailing circumstance. Your concerns are valid and thinking about an update of your fiancé’s estate plan is the way to go.

The details you provided about the document you stumbled upon are hardly enough for me to ascertain if it is indeed your fiancé’s Will. However, even if it is not his Will, it is likely an indication that a Will exists, and your fiancé is knowledgeable and intentional about estate planning. I think you should find a little relief in this fact, it gives you a good pedestal to start the conversation about an amendment and all that.

It should interest you to note that the Wills Law of Lagos State makes it necessary for your fiancé to make provisions for all his dependents in a Will which would include your unborn child and subsequent children. In the event that he refuses to make the appropriate provision, he must state a reason or reasons for his refusal. You should also be aware that since you are not yet married to him you do not outrightly become his dependent, the baby notwithstanding.

If all else is in place, you should focus on getting married as the marriage will confer on you rights as a dependent and give you the needed standing to discuss his succession plan. Once married statutorily-that is marriage done through a marriage registry, all prior Wills written by your husband (including his 2009 Will) would become invalid according to the provisions of the Wills Law. He would therefore need to rewrite his Will based on the statutory marriage with you.

Should there be any fatality to your husband after your marriage without him rewriting his Will, you would be entitled to all his personal belongings (items like clothes, jewelry, watches etc) and one-third of his estate according the Administration of Estate Law while his children would be entitled to two-thirds of the estate. These unspecific distributions could however be likely cause of dispute amongst family members due to valuation and sharing issues relating to the Assets. Should the unfortunate occur before your wedding, the child should still be considered his dependent.

I understand that the subject of Wills may appear to be a bit emotional, but I would recommend that you subtly encourage your fiancé upon marriage to re-write his Will so that the intestacy rules are prevented and the beneficiaries’ gifts are clearly stated to reduce dispute amongst family members. You should also consider writing your Will if you do not have one.

Thanks to everyone who has reached out to me with their concerns. If you would like to have your question featured, please email your question to [email protected]. ARM has a new and easy way for people to get started on their last will and testament. The Easy Will portal  is designed to take the stress off getting a Will. In a few clicks, interested people can now easily get a valid and secure Will online. Have a look here.

Warm regards,

Shade

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World cup ready? Let’s confirm

World cup ready? Let’s confirm

So, it’s 8 days to the world cup, how ready are you?

We compiled a list of the five most essential things you need to have a fabulous time this world cup season. Check them out!

  • Evenings free; This is not the time to work long hours or have weekend duty. What to do? Report for work earlier than usual and maximize your mornings. No faffing or dulling, get to work in good time, do your work well so that you can leave on the dot of the closing time. If your boss is also interested in football, it should be an easy ride. If not, well, all you can do is try.

 

  • Data & Tv subscription; Don’t be that guy that waits till the morning after to glean match gist from his colleagues. Renew your cable subscription and keep your phone data-full. If you live really far from work, you might not need to subscribe for cable TV, what you can do is locate a decent& safe viewing center around your office.

 

  • Sure guys; There is nothing as disappointing as watching a great match all by yourself with no one to analyze the moves or celebrate the moments with. This is the time to connect with two or three of your favourite football buddies. Be open to making new buddies too, nothing unites like good football.

 

  • Settle Bae; Bae can stress you this season with constant complaints of how you are colonizing the TV remote and no longer have time for her. Perhaps you should buy her the hot new Nigeria jersey, and explain the match schedule to her- more like take a leave of absence. You can also buy her that book she’s been talking about or help her subscribe to a movie streaming application. P.S Think dialogue and compromise.

 

  • Money sense; If you look closely, you’ll observe that all the things listed above are going to cost you money. Yes, the world cup is likely to increase your expenditure. That’s why you need to wise up. Ensure you invest right before the spending spree starts. All you need to do is download the PayDay Investor app, follow the few and easy steps to complete your registration and start investing. That way you will have money kept aside, safe from the pressures of world cup spending and won’ t have a reason to sing ‘had I known’ later.

Finding it difficult to complete your registration? Please email [email protected] for prompt assistance.

We wish you a season of fantastic football.

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3 steps to prepare for your child’s university education abroad

3 steps to prepare for your child’s university education abroad

Every parent wants the best for their children. For most parents, an ivy league education abroad is what they would like for their child – and who should blame them? Studying abroad not only lets your child grow and expand their worldview, it also gives them the international exposure that makes them appealing to large global employers.

If studying abroad is your dream for your child, these tips can help you on the path to realizing it.

Prepare your child

You need to train your child beforehand to be self-sufficient enough to handle him/herself away from home. Be sure that you’re raising an individual that can cope when they are thousands of miles away from family and friends, in a country and culture they are not used to. Teach your child problem-solving skills to enable them to resolve any issues that may arise confidently, and you can rest easy knowing they have things under control.

Scout for schools

When your child is maybe in junior secondary, you may want to start doing your research for the right university. Ask family and friends who either studied abroad or have their children in schools abroad. Get firsthand testimonial of the schools and determine if any fits your child’s needs.

Search the web to explore more options and where need be, email or put a call across to the school for additional inquiries.

This is also the time to find out what it will cost you – from tuition to living expenses.

Start saving

Sending your child to a school abroad will cost you a considerable amount of money. If your child still has a lot of years before his/her university education abroad, great! It means you have some time to save up for it.

An education plan helps you save and invest your money for the duration of time you need to prepare for your child’s university education abroad – this ensures that you have the amount you need plus interest to cater to your child’s fees especially because the cost will increase with time.

Research shows that this increase is roughly about N1, 800, 000 for a decent private primary education, and another N5, 100, 000 for a private secondary education – a cost that is bound to rise year after year. Now add to it the cost of a university education abroad and you’ll agree that early planning is necessary.

Get an education plan

As you start out making this important decision for your child’s future, keep your eyes on the adult they’ll become tomorrow and smile knowing this step you are taking today will make it possible.

 

Up next: Look out for our article on ‘Preparing your child for a university education in Nigeria’

 

 

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4 health checks as you turn 40

4 health checks as you turn 40

Gone are the days when age 40 was associated with a mid-life crisis –  40 is now touted to be the new 20. It’s a milestone worth celebrating, but as you get closer to that age, here are four tests experts recommend you take:

Cancer screening

With the spate of deaths attributed to cancer, it is no surprise experts consider getting screened early a necessity. They advise that not only should cancer screenings be a part of regular check-ups, you should start as early as in your twenties.

Some screenings such as those for breast and cervical cancer should be done more frequently, while colon cancer testing and prostate, are necessary when family history or other factors indicate their likelihood of occurring.

The reason for this is to catch cancer in its earliest stages and begin aggressive treatment options in time

 

Diabetes check

Diabetes is a common life-long health condition and a disease you should test for. Recent surveys s reveal that millions of people die from diabetes every year – one reason to take it seriously.

Because middle-aged and older adults have been reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be at the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you should go for a regular insulin and sugar level test as you edge closer to age 40 just to be on the safe side.

 

Eye exam

Even if your eyesight is good, routine eye exams are recommended for overall health. Eye doctors check for eye diseases and when noticed early, can be treated accordingly.

 

Heart examination

Heart disease is not something to take lightly. According to the CDC, heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women.

For this reason, regular blood pressure checks are important because high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Ensure you have your cholesterol and glucose levels examined because when high, they could also lead to heart disease.

 

With health, we never expect anything to go wrong but it’s best to avert impending issues. With life, the same thing applies-  averting future financial issues for those you love can be as simple as getting the right plan early enough. Check out available plans here.

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5 Rainy Season Tips to Remember

5 Rainy Season Tips to Remember

Is the rainy season officially here? You are probably wondering. We are not certain too, but the rains are definitely pouring down more often these days and it looks like a good time for a few pointers as to having a safe and pleasant rainy season.

1. Lock windows &fix leakages
Nothing is as unnerving as returning home from a hard day’s job to meet a flooded house, wet floors and soaked sofa. Assumptions can be dangerous, always double check that your windows are locked before you leave the house. If you have noticed or suspect any leaks, it’s best to fix it now before the rains become more frequent.

2. Dry clothes only when you are home
No one enjoys having wet laundry for days on end. Apart from unpleasant damp and moldy smell, it could sometimes result in stains and a need to rewash. It is best to do your laundry only when you are home for extended hours.

3. Have an umbrella and sweater on hand
Sometimes, the rain can choose to surprise us, best to be ready for it with a portable umbrella and a sweater (consider neutral colours like black and grey). No one enjoys catching a cold. If you have children, consider leaving a sweater in their back pack as well.

4. Prepare for power interruptions
Rains are more often than not accompanied by power interruptions, especially the windy and thunder wielding types of rain. This could be a good time to buy an Inverter or ensure the one you have is in good shape. You could also service your generator and provide it good protection from the rain.

5. Stock up on teas and beverages
A hot drink can sometimes help balance the cold weather that is often the aftermath of rain, especially for the younger ones. A hot cup of coffee can set you up for work on a rainy day and a cup of hot chocolate can complete the mood if you are under the covers at home.

One thing to remember is that seasons are transient, that is why we must prepare for them. The dry season will be here in no time. Hence, as you enjoy the cool of the rainy season, prepare for the dryness of harmattan. This applies to your finances as well, today is the perfect time to start saving for the rainy day or the dry season perhaps. Explore investment opportunities here.

What do you like best about the rainy season? Will you be planting a garden or anything of the sort? Which of the seasons do you prefer? Tell us in the comments, we’ll be glad to read from you.

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My dream wedding

My dream wedding

Typically, when do people start dreaming about the wedding of their dreams?

That moment when your heart stops as it realizes it has found permanent connection with this person and forever is a huge possibility? Perhaps the day after he pops the question, or she screams yes? Maybe much longer, before you even catch the glimpse of the one.

Your wedding is arguably the most capital-intensive party you will ever throw, the expenses are endless. Many have found themselves in an endless pit of unpayable debt all in a bid to get married in style. Others have emptied their accounts and started their new homes on shaky financial ground. Does it have to be that way though?

The average lady has a picture of her dream wedding way before wedding bells ring. The average man might not particularly have a clear picture, but he looks forward to this all-important event and hopes to be able to splurge to his heart’s content. Truth be told, there is no problem with dreaming. As a matter of fact, everyone deserves the wedding of their dreams and everyone can have the wedding of their dreams, if they plan for it.

So, when is the ideal time to start planning? Hmmm, what about right now?

Yes, you are still in school and your wedding is the least of your concerns. Now is the best time to start. You can invest as little as one thousand Naira weekly. Set a goal on your PayDay Investor app, and just forget about it. Imagine how much you would have seven years later when you are finally ready to marry, accrued interest & all? That would be the most pressure-free wedding ever.

Maybe you are many steps ahead, serving your fatherland or at your first job. Bae is still in hiding and you have more pressing needs. But you know what they say, love happens when you have other plans. You should consider the ARM Life savings plan. Just set a direct debit order to save five thousand Naira monthly and take your mind off it. With the sum assured and interest accrued, you will be more than prepared for your big day by the time your investment matures.

It could also be that you are way past the stages described and bae has not only put a ring on it, you already have a date, few months away. It’s not too late. The ARM Money Market Fund is perfect for short and medium-term goals. You could open one and start investing towards your Honey Moon and take that off your worry list.

And if your wedding already happened and you are recovering from the staggering expenses. Take a cue from experience and start preparing for expenses ahead. Babies are expensive, and the interesting part is, their expense is recurring, best to be prepared. Our Education Plan is definitely a step in the right direction if you are looking forward to blissful parenting.

Key takeout, whatever stage you are in life, plan well and the next stage would be significantly easier.

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Paying rent and housing inconveniences

Paying rent and housing inconveniences

The events from last week Saturday reminded me of why I want to get my own house.

“Ferix! Ferix!” The baritone voice of my annoying neighbour Okwudili boomed. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, yawned and got up from the bed grudgingly. Nene, my wife opened her eyes in time to silently urge me out quickly before the man’s incessant shout wakes our 3-month-old daughter.

When I got to the door, I angrily drank in Okwudili’s stout frame clad in loose camouflage shorts and white vest struggling to break free of his protruding stomach. “Ferix, I’ve been calling you since. Abeg come and move ya car, I want to drive out” he said without a single care in the world.

“But I asked you to park inside yesterday evening and you said there was no need because you were not going anywhere today” I responded, now obviously livid.

“So, somebody cannot change his mind again? Please come and remove ya car let me go out” he spat out then turned and walked away.

“You need to stop this nonsense o Okwudili… and by the way, my name is Felix, not Ferix” I called out after him. He marched on like I hadn’t even spoken.

I was angry. No, scratch that. I was infuriated.

If it wasn’t somebody waking us up at unexpected hours, it was another playing loud music and disturbing the baby, not to mention those who leave the pumping machine on till the water runs over and floods the entire outdoor space. Just last month, my car had borne the brunt of Okwudili’s fight with Baba Feyi. After so much begging, I let the huge dent they left on my car slide.

Now, I’m fed up. Nene is as well, and she didn’t mince words when she made it known.

“Felix, you and I need a quick solution to this issue. It’s either we use the money we’ve been accumulating in our savings plan to get an apartment with just two tenants or we start building on that our land around Amuwo Odofin. If you’re not tired of this madness, my dear I am” she said. My wife Nene doesn’t talk much, so this long sentence drove home her point.

My dream

I have always wanted something small and fancy – just appropriate for my small family. I had dreamed of a bungalow in a serene vicinity with 4 rooms and enough outdoor space to accommodate our love for fitness.

Our kids loved to play as well, a spacious compound would be just ideal for them. This dream has, however, remained a dream for too long.

It was time to put actions behind the dream. I had started a savings plan for this purpose five years ago and it has reached maturity.

I picked up the phone and called my architect friend Dipo. The plan for the bungalow must start coming alive now because, by the end of next year (all things being equal), we need to be in our own home. It may be more responsibility, but I think I’m done paying rent and housing inconveniences.

 

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