SEC-S17W4: the effects of economic hardships on families

_{hardship has sent us back to the farm}

The prices of food and essential commodity rises like a crypto asset but your salary remains dormant. You're a salary earner of #30k naira monthly which is equivalent to 80 steems and back then, you usually spend 40 steems for feeding monthly as prices of food items were cheap. Now, the prices of things has rosed up to the point that the 40 steems isn't enough for 2 weeks feeding talkmore of school fees, rent etc

It's at this point you face difficulties in life trying to cater for your family. Early this month, I heard a news that the school fees in a federal university increased from

Your salary monthly is 30k. How do you manage this fee if your child is here with your family? He or she will drop out right? Because of the economic situation which you find hard to expend

Life in this world can be hard says the people. I seriously miss the former days. Gone are the days where life was manageable to live by. Now, it's difficult to even imagine. The poor will become poorer and the rich will be richer. This is what is seen in life today.

Undoubtedly, almost everyone in Nigeria have faced increments in the prices of essential commodities like Garri, rice, beans and even school fees.

The economic situation of Nigeria has changed greatly. The standard of living is now raised or high to the point that many are dying because of being in an extremely poor state. These are the increments in the prices of things sold in Nigeria then compared to now.

Our beloved Garri. This is the most essential commodity of Nigerians. We can't survive without this because it's called Life saver. If you have this commodity in your house, you don't have to worry about food much. 10 years back, a cup was sold at the rate of #10 naira	Now, this same Garri is sold at the rate of #300 naira a cup. Many find it difficult to buy in large quantity as they used to back then.
Uncle Rice from #30 naira a cup to #500	from 0.08 steem to 1.36 steem
The least form of bean we used to buy at #30 naira then is now #350 naira a cup	from 0.08 steem to 0.95 steem
Fuel to run businesses then was sold at the rate of #80 naira per litre. Now it's sold at the rate of #800 naira.	From 0.21 to 2.1 steems

These were food enjoyed those days but now, we spend money according to our needs, earnings and the likes of them. We don't spend rashly but with plans at hand.

Food enjoyed now	Food enjoyed then by the middle class

One man said even if Garri price is to reach 20 steems for one, people will still buy it. This is true but strategies have been made. The current increment in Nigeria's economy has been alarming lately and this year has taught many farm work. In Nigerian's history, this year is the year that prices of commodities have surged to an alarming rate, leaving many without any choice than to enter the farm, buy lands and cultivate the soil as a form of investment.

So this is what my family has been using to survive the economic Instability in the country. We are solely dependent on farm produce to survive as prices of commodities aren't friendly. Instead of buying Garri at an exorbitant rate, we go to the farm and harvest cassava, come back home and then process it into Garri that will last for a month or so. This is how we have been surviving financially........

Most of the things we usually invested in are now limited.

	We seldomly use gas cylinders for domestic cooking. We have improvised into using firewoods which is very much less expensive.
	The prices of good phones now are on the high. So the one I have is held with so much care and caution so they it won't get faulty.
	Instead of Garri, cocoyams gotten directly from the farm has replaced it to some extent. This meal is a very rich and satisfying meal and this is what my parents have invested into this period.
	Local medicine have been used instead of drugs because of its high cost.

I can remember purchasing things in the market that are just few. The cost was more than the contents of what I had purchased. I looked at myself and wondered what this money would have been used to buy but there's actually

picture of product	picture of money spent

picture of money spent	picture of small products.

The fee to gain knowledge is now on the high which has made a lot of people have limited thoughts of sending their children to further their education. Even with the increment in transportation, fees and other miscellaneous, my parents still support and back me.

When there's a will, there'll always be a way and this was reflected when I found out steemit helps one academically and financially. Even with the increment in standard of living, I've been using the funds acquired from steemit to assist myself in school so I won't drop out as my parents have other of my siblings to cater for

The pictures shows what the changing economy has done. It has increased crime rate and many are going into stealing people's property to feed themselves. These are two culprits who got caught because of this.

As we are waiting for a permanent change that's coming in the future, we should utilise whatever opportunity we have now to balance up financially so we'll not leave our children suffering because of inability to carryout your responsibilities in providing. Whenever there's a will, there's a way. Don't wait on people to support you.

Support yourself in this trying world. It's called survival of the fittest and if there's any job you have that's below your expenses a month, they curtailing it or quit the job. I see it as punishment to earning 30k monthly and you're a family man.

Look for other side hustles added to your job of you won't see another as the rate of unemployment in the country is high. While hoping for a change, let's be the temporary change.

I invite @eliany, @okere-blessing and @lhorgic