It is a mistake to view this solely as a personal finance failure because the harsh reality is that you cannot budget your way out of systemic economic instability. While discipline and smart money management are important tools for survival, they lose their potency when the cost of essentials like fuel, food, and transport rises faster than wages. The truth is that many Nigerians are dealing with a structural problem where the cost of living significantly outpaces the average income, making standard financial advice feel tone-deaf. That said, I believe the best approach is to maintain strict financial hygiene to survive the storm while simultaneously focusing your energy on increasing your income through side hustles or skill acquisition, as cost-cutting has a mathematical limit but earning potential does not. It is a exhausting balancing act, but acknowledging that the system is stacked against you is the first step toward finding creative ways to pivot instead of just blaming yourself for being broke.