"Welcome to Lagos, the real concrete jungle, where the hustling is real but the packaging is even more profound. The goal is to make money , but for many the emphasis is on looking rich as opposed to being rich. Fake it till you make it right? "
What a fitting opening line for a drama about millennials and generation Z...
The Smart Money Woman is a seven episode Nigerian show on
Neflix based on the book by Arese Ugwu.
It's the story of five Nigerian millennials Zuri, Lara, Tami, Ladun and Adesuwa;
young women doing their best to 'make it' in this world despite the obstacles they face along the way.
Took me two days to finish the series, and I found some story lines that I could personally relate to.
Side note, deep down I secretly wish I could bravely rock a pink wig like Tami (Ini Dima-Okojie).
It looks like she was born with pink hair!
Here are the five storylines that triggered my empathy,
1. Learning to Manage Your Life and the Stress of Adulthood
Zuri (Osai Ighodaro) has a job and a good salary. Her life from the outside looks like she is on track but on the inside she's a REAL mess. Her landlord is stalking her and her luxury car keeps breaking down every five minutes. Zuri trying to get a her life on track is something that I can relate to. My twenties were a real learning curve. Mastering the art of managing yourself , your career, your life and your finances is a challenge on it's own, made more overwhelming by random family emergencies and requests. Yes you should help and support those who have raised you but they also have to understand that you need to make sound decisions now, so that you are financially stable and not a burden later on in life. When you are single , be careful some members will try to plan for your income and they may fail to understand when you have other plans.
"We are not taught in any formal framework, how to keep money or grow money."
2. The Messiness of Dating and Romantic Relationships
I am one of those people who probably could have benefited from a good dating school just like Tami and Zuri. I had a poor sense of judgement when it came to men. What saved me is I had very few admirers, plus I have four brothers, and when my Dad was alive he would give me good advice. In the series Tami and Zuri learnt that playing 'the game' leaves them hurt, rejected and alone . Zuri gets dumped by her F&%K-boy boyfriend in the beginning of episode one...well...she isn't dumped she just finds out he's engaged to someone else...episodes later she finally dates a man with integrity. ( P.s this man is our eye candy in the series.)
Tami is living her best 'single and ready to mingle' life, but in the end learns the value of dating a man with character versus one with a endless supply of illegit money.
Then there is Adesuwa (Kemi Lala Akindoju), the bread winner in her home, she is the only one working and therefore the only one with a regular income. Her husband resents her for it, and projects all is insecurities on her while manipulating her into wasting her hard-earned money on schemes.
3. Family Members Who Take You For Granted
Ladun's father-in-law passes away without informing his family that they are broke. In their grief and shock, they discover they don't even have enough money to bury him. All the children were working for and living off their father's wealth. We have all heard a story like this before, luckily Ladun (Ebenezer Eno) is smart enough to work with her husband to figure out how to live within their new means. My mother used to tell my brothers to find wives who can live through the good and the bad times.
Lara (Toni Tones) has worked so hard to be the kind of woman that doesn't depend on anyone. We learn that Lara was raised in a single parent home. Her father died when she was a teenager and his relatives waisted no time in removing all his assets from his wife, her mother. She is the one taking care of her immediate family, her mother and her brother. Her brother decides to quit school and use his school fees (Lara's money) to pay a phony agent who promises to help him achieve his superstar footballer dreams.
I can totally understand her frustration, having a family member that is ignorant, selfish and stubborn, it can be made worse by a lack of self awareness. It's a journey learning how best to manage such relationships. I have finally decided I am not my parents, I can't help everyone. After years of experience and many frustrations, I have decided exactly what I can handle and that's what I am sticking too.
4. Real Female Friendships
As one grows older it is imperative that you have sincere and loyal people to laugh with you,
to cry with you,
to argue with you,
to check you in your stupid moments,
to figure out life's dramatics with you,
and to grow with you.
That's what friendships have been for me,
and it was lovely to see this demonstrated throughout the episodes.
They protected each other, encouraged each other when needed, and stood by each other through some difficult life changing moments.
Heart emoji to see it.
You can watch this if you are looking for something to keep you entertained on a chill afternoon or evening. It is a nice chick-flick-kind-of-series with some good laughs, and great quotes from the book that can teach us all a thing or two about managing our lives and finances.
I watched it on Netflix, click here.
In the comments below,
which parts of the series did you find relatable?
And should they have provided us with more male eye candy?
In 2021 I chose my health.
I chose myself.
My 'biggest' and 'smallest' win of the year.
Most of 2020 was a well masked internal battle and a nightmare of a struggle.
Ignoring myself, until I couldn't any more,
I accepted that I was done with the current state of my life.
I had a achieved all I could,
and milked it for ALL for what it was worth.
When I looked at my future, I saw my quiet
rebellious nature burning down all my accomplishments to smithereens
if I didn't make a drastic change.
Remember that story of the mice and the cheese?
2021 ended with me finally honoring myself,
after countless mental backs and forths.
I thank God for mentors, siblings, aunties and friends that held me steady.
They can save you from your insecure-doubting-bible-Thomas-self.
May God continue to bless them.
I was reminded, that I have some serious life experience now.
A full grown woman, who can and has made smart decisions.
I can climb those mountains with an expertise that is unique to me.
I will be hiking and conquering hence forth.
Don't be surprised at how unapologetic I will be about it.
The right has been earned.
The dues have been paid.
Dear Dad, No troll is going to stop me from trip trapping all over that bridge.
No dragon is going scare me from getting my treasures.
and I will counter-curse the evil witch as I dance and weave my way through the forbidden forest.
Dear Reader, will you be joining me?
Happy New Year!
(photo credit: Unsplash)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons