Family finances in ICU as TV takes centre stage

Nairobi, Kenya: In the past few weeks, many football fans have been glued to the TV as they watched the World Cup hosted by Brazil. Hanging out at entertainment joints in front of strategically installed flat-screen TVs has been the order of the day.

To the patrons of such places, it means spending more money, which could translate to a ‘hole’ in the family budget. Taking a beer or two as you watch the game is like eating green maize from the garden without tilling the land for the next harvest.

While the man is away, his wife or partner keeps herself busy watching soaps as she waits for him to come home. And if both watch the game ‘out there’, then the expenses are higher. They will have dinner as they watch the ball while at the same time their house help will make a meal for everyone else in the family. Unfortunately, most of it will go to waste as mum and dad will come home full.

There was more wastage during the month-long soccer season, but let us specifically look at how we waste time watching TV and how we can change our habits to rescue the family finances from the ICU.

Watching TV is mostly for entertainment, especially after a long day at work, you argue. Sometimes, you go ahead and watch one soap opera after another before crowning it all by watching an oga movie later in the night.

FAVOURITE SOAP

Think about how much time you spend before the screen watching actors who you are helping earn their handsome pay by watching their acts. The TV commercials you watch and laugh over are acted by people who are already paid, and their extra income is assured if more people like you sit and watch them.

Imagine how much you could do if you decided to ignore the TV one evening after work. In the two hours or so you spend watching your favourite soap, you would iron all the family clothes for the week or dust your house. This way, you may save the money you spend on hiring the person who cleans your house or irons your clothes. The money so saved can be used for something else that benefits the family, or become part of your savings.

You can also allocate the two hours to a side business if you have one.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

I was recently told about a woman who spent about two hours every evening to bake queen cakes which she sold to her colleagues at the office during the tea break. Over time, she developed a loyal customer base. Without much struggle or effort in marketing and advertising her products, she was able to turn her hobby into a successful business venture.

You do not have to walk the exact same path; there are many opportunities to make money if you look outside the box. For a professional, say in public relations, you can use the spare time to write proposals and apply for short consultancies.

The good thing about these side jobs is that the payment enables you to do a few things beyond what your normal income could allow you. For example, if you get a side job and are paid Sh20,000, you can use that money to pay outstanding debts, pay school fees, or buy building material for your future construction.

It is important that you do not dismiss even the small amounts money you receive outside your regular job; even Sh2,000 will take a financial burden off your shoulders as it is money not budgeted for as regular income.

Tonight, as you hold that remote, think about the chances to improve your family income that you are blowing away by being a couch potato. Let the remote be, and start making money.