Allowee most times is seen by Corpers as a free money, and therefore Corpers think that it needs to be squandered with the hope that next month’s allowee is also certain. One thing most Corpers fail to understand is that allowee won’t last forever.
Also, most Corp members squander their ALLOWEE before the first week of the first month and thereafter starts borrowing heavily to survive in a strange land. It’s on this premise that every Corp member should know how to manage these twelve months government support (Allowee) as they serve their father land.
1.) CLEAR YOUR MIND:
Clear your mind of any bad, risky and flamboyant lifestyle you’ve planned to start living in that strange land you’re been posted to serve. Wasting your allowance is certain when your lifestyle lacks control. The joy of living alone in a new land shouldn’t push you into living a wasteful and unrestrained lifestyle.
2.) REDUCE YOUR SPENDING:
It’s a mystery that when Corp members receive alert notification, there’s always a familiar spirit on standby to remind them of a hundred and one needs, wants and problems that they have. Say NO to this spirit and only buy what you NEED if necessary. Above all, be contented with what you currently have. Contentment is a long standing life, dignity and money saving virtue.
3.) RENT A LOW COST APARTMENT:
#33,000 allowee and 12 month of service year is too small to live a flamboyant life. Most of the apartments you’ll find in the state you’re posted to will require you saving 4 months of your ALLOWEE before you can afford the house, and this will plunge you into borrowing. Therefore, if you really want to save and take a reasonable amount of money back home after your service year, look for a good and low cost apartment.
4.) LIVE CLOSE TO YOUR PRIMARY PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT (PPA):
Don’t rent an apartment in the state you’re been posted to until your Primary Place of Assignment is certain. This is to enable you live close to you PPA to avoid spending high amount of money on transport fare. Transport fare from one place to another may be small to the eye, but cumulatively it’s very high.
5.) ELIMINATE BORROWING:
Borrowing as a Corper is spending the future ALLOWEE before it arrives. Live within your means and budget. Avoid living to impress friends and Social media followers. What your income can’t afford now, please don’t borrow money to buy. Living within your means doesn’t reduce your lifespan, rather it keeps you safe from the embarrassment of lenders. Proverbs 22:7 KJV: The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
6.) PLAN YOUR LIFE AND SAVE:
Someone once said “the money you save today will save you tomorrow.” Save a percentage of your ALLOWEE for reinvestment or for rainy days ahead. Savings requires discipline to accomplish. As a Corper, if you don’t save you’ll end up becoming a burden to your family members and your friends around you. Therefore, imbibe a saving culture for reinvestment, so that your life and dignity can be preserved in the rainy days and years to come.
7.) INVEST A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR ALLOWEE INTO SKILL ACQUISITION, MIND DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING:
Your NYSC year is also a year of advance learning and other personal skills acquisition. Therefore, as a youth Corper who wants to improve his/her life, you must invest a percentage of your NYSC allowance on knowledge acquisition and self development. This will give you an advantage in this competitive and cutting edge world. Skill acquisition, mind development and capacity building is a veritable way of making yourself better equipped to access job opportunities and also face life challenges.
NOTE: The money you invest into your mind and self development is yours for life.
8.) HAVE OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME:
The post and pre camp hands on training are all meant to enable you become industrious and also have other sources of income. Having multiple streams of income as a youth Corper is highly recommended to all Corp members. This is because #33,000 ALLOWEE can no more carter for your needs and the needs of those looking up to you for support and care back home.
9.) REMEMBER GOD IN YOUR SPENDING:
God is the giver of the money every youth Corper has. Therefore, it is wisdom and safe for Corp members to always remember God in their spending. This is carried out by fulfilling their covenant obligation as a sign of honour to God. When you honour God by paying your tithes, giving your offerings, giving to the poor and furthering his kingdom on earth, the Lord won’t forget your sacrifices (Psalm 20:3). Above all, the Lord will bless you and deliver you in the day of trouble.
Deuteronomy 8:11 KJV: Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments….[18] But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
10.) KEEP TRACK OF YOUR INCOME AND EXPENSES:
Keep track of your expenses and income to enable you know what’s swallowing your money. It also helps you to know whether you’re making progress with your ALLOWEE or your living a wasteful life with your resources. A Corper that keeps tract of his/her finances become wise in spending and savings. You can’t make progress as a Youth Corper when you don’t know where your money is going to.
11.) LEVERAGE ON THE WELFARE PACKAGES AND INCENTIVES PROVIDED BY NYSC SCHEME:
It’s against NYSC law to use your personal money for personal or group Community Development Projects (CDS). Solicit for financial support from well to do members of the community you find yourself in to get every project done.
Also, if you have a health challenge or you’re hospitalized, and you need money to pay the bills, what you need to do is to take yourself to a Government hospital; get your LGI officially informed through writing and request for a refund of your medical bills. And if you had spent your personal money, your money will be refunded to you by the NYSC scheme. You’re serving your father land, so NYSC is obliged to protect and also take care of your wellbeing.
12.) DON’T FAIL TO BE SENDING MONEY BACK HOME:
No matter how rich your family is, don’t forget to send a percentage amount of money back home. This habit shows your level of maturity. It’s also indicative of the fact that you’re a responsible child. This is a lifestyle that commands blessings on your life and on the remaining amount of money. Sending money back home is also a way of taking care of yourself. HOW? The happiness of your family members is also your happiness. When your family members eats well you’re also the one eating.
Finally, be prudent in your spending as a youth Corper to avoid going back home after your service year as a PRODIGAL SON/DAUGHTER.
Source: ESSIET IDONGESIT, IDORENYIN of Batch A stream1, 2021. (NS/21A/1454). NCCF, Nasrawa State Gen. Secretary.
