If you live in Abule Egba and leave the house by 5am to beat traffic to the Island or Ikeja, you understand this struggle. By the third week of the month, transport, feeding, and small family responsibilities have already drained your account. That’s when “before salary” borrowing starts looking tempting.
I’ve been there. You tell yourself it’s just a small amount to cover bus fare and lunch till month-end. Something quick from a colleague, a cooperative, or even one of those fast lenders people whisper about at the bus stop.
The problem is, when salary finally enters, it’s already divided. You’re paying back what you borrowed before you even settle new bills. Then the cycle quietly repeats next month.
Among early-morning commuters here, it’s common because our expenses start before sunrise transport alone takes a big chunk daily. But I’ve noticed the only way to reduce “before salary” borrowing is planning transport money weekly and separating essentials immediately salary drops.
Living in Abule Egba and working far isn’t cheap. But once borrowing before salary becomes routine, you’re always working ahead of your pay never ahead of your life.