In The Millionaire Next Door, the authors said something that hit me hard:
“They marry financially disciplined partners.”
Now, that principle sounds simple until you see how many men in Harare have ignored it and are now financially limping through life.
Let’s be honest. Most successful men in our city didn’t start from Borrowdale or Glen Lorne. They started from kwaMurehwa, kwaMutare, kwaGutu, kuZaka walking six kilometres barefoot just to get to school. Some even had “lunchboxes” that were empty, with only hope inside.
These men hustled their way to town. They endured the rain dripping through the roof, survived on maputi and dreams, and told themselves, “One day, I will make it.”
Then boom life smiled on them. They started driving, dressing better, smelling like success, and that’s when danger entered love at first Benz.
** “From Fuel Saver to Fuel Guzzler Love Story”**
After years of hustling, they meet Madam High Maintenance a “Slay Queen MBA holder” (Makeup, Bags, and Attitude). She doesn’t understand the value of money, only the value of attention.
Now the man who once budgeted for sadza and beans finds himself budgeting for “soft life.”
She wants:
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A Mercedes-Benz (not understanding that some of these cars in Harare are no longer Benz, they are Benzi “madam pressure vehicles” that eat fuel like a borehole pump).
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The most expensive wigs (costing more than the husband’s school fees back in the day).
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Kids in “international schools” not because of quality, but because the big guys at church send theirs there.
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And of course, a house to rent in Borrowdale Brooke $4,000 a month while the real millionaires quietly own houses in Kuwadzana, and are buying farms in Domboshava.
“The Pressure of Belonging”
This is how financial discipline dies in pursuit of belonging. The wife says, “Babe, we can’t stay in a ghetto house. What will people think?” And the husband replies, “You’re right, darling,” while his wallet screams for help.
The truth is, some people are not broke because of poverty they are broke because of partnership pressure.
** “Fuel Saver Wives, Not Guzzlers”**
My brothers, if you want to stay wealthy, marry a fuel saver, not a fuel guzzler. A woman who will say,
“Honey, let’s buy a stand first before the car.” “Let’s invest before we impress.” “We can eat vegetables today and enjoy steak tomorrow.”
That’s a real partner.
Your life partner determines your financial destination. If you marry a spender, you’ll spend your life explaining. If you marry a saver, you’ll spend your life expanding.
Summary for the Boys”
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Don’t marry a girl who wants a Range Rover before she ranges her thoughts.
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Don’t marry someone who says “Babe, we must match with the Joneses.” Ask her, “Do the Joneses pay our bills?”
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Don’t rent in Borrowdale Brooke while your parents still fetch water kutsime in Mutoko
Success is not just about how much you make it’s about how much you keep and multiply.
Marry wisely. Drive slowly. Save aggressively. The goal is not to look rich it’s to be free
By The Chartered Vendor
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